We will answer your inquiry. Feel free to ask us!
Staff Satoshi
Contents
About Bicycle Travel
Customer
Does each tourist attraction have its own parking spots for bicycles?
All tourist attractions don’t have their own parking spaces although most of them have. In the Higashiyama area (around Kiyomizudera temple), the roads are too narrow and crowded to walk with your bicycle. We recommend you to park your bicycle at a parking spot near Kiyomizudera temple and walk around there.
Staff Satoshi
Customer
Is it Ok to park bicycles on a sidewalk?
No, it is forbidden to park on a sidewalk. Basically you need to find parking spots at any time. If you go shopping or eat at a restaurant, please talk to the staff inside so that you might be able to park in front of the shops.
Staff Satoshi
Customer
I am worry about cycling in Kyoto because this is first time for me.
We think Kyoto is comparatively easy to cycle because Kyoto is set out neatly in a grid. If your are worry about that, it might be good to make a plan to narrow the area. Feel free to consult us about more details such as cycling route on the day of use.
Staff Satoshi
Customer
How long can I go around with a bicycle for 1-day?
Although there are some individual difference depends on visiting time, it seems that many customers averagely go to four or five famous temples and shrines. As regards cycling time, please refer to our original cycling map.
Staff Satoshi
Customer
Do you have a map?
Yes, we have our original cycling map and give one map for every group.
Staff Satoshi
About Shop Systems
Customer
Does 1 day mean 24 hours?
No, it doesn’t. Since we open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, it will be “1 day” if you use bicycles just within the opening time. For example, if you would like to rent them from 12:00 pm to 12:00 pm on the next day, we will ask you to pay 2 days fee. We also have early use and late return options.
Staff Mayu
Customer
From what time can we rent a bicycle in early morning?
At earliest from 6:30. There is “early morning option” from 6:30 to 8:30 only at Flagship. We offer you to charge additional 300 yen as early-use option fee.
Staff Mayu
Customer
Until what time can we rent a bicycle at night?
At latest until 22:00. There is “Late return option” from 18:01 to 22:00 am at FLAGSHIP and DELIVERY shop. We offer you to charge additional 400 yen as late-return option fee.
Staff Mayu
Customer
How much does it cost to rent a bicycle for 2 days or 3 days?
If you use a bicycle for more than 2 days, we offer some discounts for consecutive use.
Staff Mayu
Customer
Do I have to return the bicycle every day if I rent it for 2 days and more?
No, you don’t. You can keep it at your hotel.
Staff Mayu
Customer
What should I do if I couldn’t come back and return the bicycle by 6 pm?
If you couldn’t put the bicycle back by 6 pm, please call us by 6 pm. We will tell you how to return the bicycle and pay the extra charge for using them longer. Please be careful not to be late.
Staff Mayu
About Troubles
Customer
What should I do when I get a flat tire?
In case of having a flat tire, please contact us first. We will bring another bicycle if you are near-by. If you are far from our shop, please bring the bicycle to a bicycle shop and get repaired. When you pay for the repair, get the receipt. We will compensate you up to ￥1000 for fixing it when you return the bicycle.
Staff Masato
Customer
What should I do when I have a bicycle stolen?
You will be billed at cost because we don’t take a theft insurance.
Staff Masato
Customer
What should I do if the bicycle was taken away?
If the bicycle was taken away, we will charge 4,500 yen per bicycle to bring them back. Please park your bicycles at parking spots around the center of the city and stations in order not to be taken away. We will appreciate your cooperation.
Staff Masato
Customer
Is a bicycle lock provided for free?
Yes, we will provide you a combination cable lock.
Staff Masato
About Return Bicycles
Customer
Do you come to pick up the bicycle somewhere on the way if it rains?
Pick up option is available only at hotel of your accommodation. If there is call for rainy, we will ask you to prepare for rain gear and devise measures such as turning around from a distant place in turn.
Staff Akane
Customer
For “Return at Other Branch” option, can I choose a shop freely?
Bicycles of FLAGSHIP can be returned at SHIJO KARASUMA. Bicycles of SHIJO KARASUMA can be returned at FLAGSHIP.
Staff Akane
About Delivery to Hotels
Customer
Do you deliver a bicycle to a place other than hotel?
Please consul us first.
Staff Tetsuo
About Cancellation
Customer
Because of the bad weather, does it cost cancellation fee after booking?
You may cancel it with no cancellation fee if you let us know before your estimate arrival time. But for delivery to your hotel, please let us know by 1 hour before your booking time.
If you are going to be late, cancel or change your reservation, let us know in advance as soon as possible, please.
If you are going to be late, cancel or change your reservation, let us know in advance as soon as possible, please.
Staff Akiyoshi
About bicycle Performance
Customer
Do you have a bicycle for Kids?
Yes, we have a bicycle for 125cm tall & over (K type).
Staff Natsuko
Customer
Do you have a child-seat?
Yes, we have bicycles with child-seat for FRONT-side (MF type) or REAR-side (MR type). We also have electric assist bicycle with child-seat (EM type). Helmet for child is free of charge.
Staff Natsuko
About Electric Assist Bicycles
Customer
What is an Electric assist bicycle?
An Electric assist bicycle is a bicycle which helps you to pedal with the electric asist. For example, when you go to Kiyomizudera-temple, Ginkakuji-temple, Kinkakuji-temple, and Arashiyama, an electric assist bicycle is highly recommended.
Staff Masato
Customer
What’s the difference between electric assist bicycles and motor bicycles?
You still need to pedal when you ride electric assist bicycles. They just assist you to pedal.
Staff Masato
Customer
How long does the battery last?
The battery of EA type will last about 40km. However, the battery will be run out soon if you often go up hills.
Staff Masato
Customer
If the battery dies, can we ride an electric assist bicycle like a normal one?
Yes, the electric assist bicycle has 3 speed gears, so you can ride it like a normal bicycle with gears.
Staff Masato
Customer
Is it ok to ride an electric assist bicycle for the first time?
Yes, it is very easy. Our staff will give you some advice to ride it safely.
Staff Masato
Customer
Is it possible to use an electric assist bicycle for several days?
In this case, we will provide a battery charger. Please recharge it by yourself. From empty, it takes 3~4 hours to make it full of battery.
Staff Masato
About Payment
Customer
Do you have any currency exchange nearby?
There is one inside Kyoto station, or Aeon shopping mall just nearby.
Staff Akiyoshi
Customer
Do you have ATM nearby?
Yes, there are some in Kyoto station, or you can withdraw your money at the nearest post office as well.
Staff Akiyoshi
About Traffic Rules
Customer
Is it Ok to ride bicycles on a sidewalk?
No, however if there are road signs, you can ride bicycles on a sidewalk.
Staff Akane
Customer
Which side should we keep left or right, when we ride bicycles?
You need to keep left on a road except when you find road signs.
Staff Akane
Customer
Is it possible for 2 adults to ride 1 bicycle at the same time?
That’s forbidden in Japan. We don’t have tandem bicycles either.
Staff Akane
Customer
Is it Ok to use umbrellas during riding?
No, It’s not allowed to use umbrellas during riding bicycles. We recommend to prepare ponchos or rain coats.
Staff Akane
Customer
Do you have ponchos or rain coats we can rent?
We only have a few. Please prepare the ones when it rains.
Staff Akane
About Languages
Customer
Do you have a Chinese map?
No, but our Japanese map helps Chinese people a lot due to a lot of description written in Chinese characters.
Staff Natsuko
Customer
Do you speak Chinese?
No, we don’t.
Staff Natsuko
Customer
Do many people speak English in Kyoto?
We, Japanese people, are not so good at speaking English. If you have any questions including unrelated topics to bicycles, please don’t hesitate to ask us before leaving our shop.
Staff Natsuko
About Japan and Kyoto
Customer
How can we make a call in Japan?
You just need to add Japanese national code “+81” to the top of your number and skip the first “0” if you are using an international phone in Japan. For example, our phone number is 0756910794, so the number should be +81756910794.
Staff Mayu
Customer
When is the best season to visit to Kyoto?
It’s hard to stick to one season because all of the seasons have their own attractive sides. You can enjoy seeing cherry blossoms in Spring, there is one of the greatest festivals in Kyoto, “Gion Matsuri” in Summer, colored leaves in Autumn are also really beautiful, and in Winter, you can see temples covered with snow.
Staff Mayu
Customer
This will be my first time to visit Kyoto. Where do you recommend to go?
Actually, there are so many places that are good for sightseeing in Kyoto city. We can discuss about a route and give you some tips with a cycling map we provide you when you come to our shop.
Staff Mayu