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Rickshaw men with character
Not simply a guided tour. Bright, good company, and ready with a piece of real history when the moment calls for it, our rickshaw men are entertainers you can rely on.
GION VIP ESCORT
Escape the Crowds,
Escape the Crowds,
Discover Silent Alleys
For those exhausted by the overwhelming crowds around Kiyomizu Temple. We guide you to the hidden beauty of Kenninji and Miyagawacho, where tourists never tread. Last-minute bookings available up to 30 mins prior via WhatsApp.
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- Price
- From ¥25,000 Per rickshaw, 60 minutes, up to two adults. No tips, no extras
- Duration
- 60 to 180 minutes Guests average about two hours. We stop at each site and tell it properly
- Boarding points
- Three Near Yasaka Shrine, near Yasui Konpiragu, and along Nene-no-michi
- Booking
- Up to 30 minutes ahead The same at both branches. Availability is shown live
When your feet have had enough, and when you want photographs
“The crowds wore me out.” “I don't know where to take photographs.” We avoid the crush around Kiyomizu-dera and take the quieter lanes. Your driver takes the photographs.
Routes that avoid the crowds,
Same-day rides from 30 minutes ahead
We leave the crush around Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine behind and take you into the quiet corners of Gion that ordinary visitors never reach. A fully private tour, away from the noise, through a Kyoto that is still and beautiful.
If a gap opens in your schedule, or your feet simply give out, one message on LINE or a phone call is enough. We can have a rickshaw with you in as little as 30 minutes.
About the rickshaws at NINJAYA
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Your driver takes the photographs
Your driver runs these streets every day and knows the light. They take plenty of shots on your own phone, and the files stay with you.
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One clear price. No tipping.
The price includes multilingual guiding, the fee for requesting a particular rickshaw man, and photography. There are no unclear extras, and no tipping.
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A rickshaw built for stone paving
Our own rickshaws, built with seats wider and deeper than the standard, and fitted with suspension so that even a long ride stays comfortable.
THE NINJAYA RICKSHAW
We build the rickshaws ourselves.
Most rickshaws in Japan come off the same production line. Ours are built by craftsmen — one of whom pulls a rickshaw himself — working with traditional artisans. The reasons the ride feels different have names.
Design
Meiji-era form
Built on the proportions of the era the rickshaw was born in.
Seat
Kinkazan fabric
The surface you sit on is woven by the traditional dantsu method.
Suspension
Forged by a swordsmith
Cobblestone vibration never reaches you.
Makers
Two rickshaw craftsmen
Only a handful in Japan can build one. Two of them work here.
Your driver guides you
This is more than a tour of famous places. Our rickshaw men combine remarkable athleticism with polished hospitality, and turn your journey into something you will talk about for years.
SEE OUR DRIVERS
MACHOS
COVERAGE AREA
A sample 100-minute route
From Yasui Konpira-gu through the old entertainment quarter to Gion Shirakawa, seen from the height of the rickshaw seat.
白川通
Willows, stone paving and the sound of a small stream, one of the finest places for a photograph.
祇園新橋
A preservation district of traditional townhouses, held to be the most beautiful in Kyoto.
安井金比羅宮
Known for severing bad ties and binding good ones. The journey begins here.
建仁寺
Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. We move slowly through the quiet around its grounds.
宮川町
A stone-paved lane where the old entertainment quarter still shows itself. With luck, you may see a maiko pass.
木屋町
A tree-lined walk along the Takase River, beautiful in every season.
知恩院
It has a very large gate, which you look up at from the height of the rickshaw seat.
八坂神社
The symbol of Gion. We finish the journey with a photograph before its vermilion gate.
PLANS & PRICING
PLANS & PRICING
Custom VIP Rickshaw Tour
Overturning the common sense that 'rickshaws are tiring'. Custom-built VIP rickshaws designed for ultimate comfort, absorbing all cobblestone vibrations for a premium ride.
ALL INCLUSIVE
¥25,000~
VIEW DETAILS
POPULAR
Private Walking Tour
A time travel experience unraveling the depths of World Heritage sites. Explore at your own pace fulfilling your intellectual curiosity.
PER GROUP (UP TO 5)
¥25,000~
Package Tour
A fully bespoke package combining rickshaw, walking, cultural experiences, and special viewings. We produce the ultimate Kyoto experience.
BESPOKE
CONTACT US
[Booking Notice]
Rickshaw tours accept last-minute bookings. Package plans require advance arrangement.
From booking to boarding
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1. 予約
Tell us your preferred date, time and plan online, by phone or by direct message.
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2. 集合
Please come to the stand you selected, or to your hotel if you arranged pickup there.
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3. The ride
Your driver tells you about each place properly.
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4. 終了
We part where the ride ends. If you like, we will point you to where to go next.
MESSAGE FROM CONCIERGE
Past the crowds,
Past the crowds,
without climbing the hills.
In Kyoto, the crowds and the walking can take over before anything else.
At the Gion branch we pick the quieter lanes so you never climb the hills. We stop at each place and tell you about it properly.
At the Gion branch we pick the quieter lanes so you never climb the hills. We stop at each place and tell you about it properly.
Guest Reviews
Posted on our Google Business Profile. 251 reviews in total · average 5.0
We are so glad we did this nice tour with Raia. We chose the 40 min Ninjaya route and it was such really nice and relaxing! Raia was so kind to take our pictures and share about the temples and interesting Japanese hot spots as we passed by. Thank you!!
Ivi Brown
We Enjoyed so much of the ride! Had wonderful conversations about the area around us and reasonably priced! Kengo is a great guide would do this again!
Nethaniella Guasa
Jarin was a phenomenal rickshaw driver. We had a wonderful experience as a family touring the Gion area at night. Thank you so much for such an enjoyable time 😁
Kathleen Miklic
Jarin was an awesom host. He engaged our family and gave us an insight into Kyoto (and Japan) culture. I would higly recommend this tour and customise to your time and interests. You won't regret it.
Marki Miklic
Thank you very much for the trip
ahmad abdul ghofur akbar
ittyan is very good, I like him
林志明
LOCATIONS
Our shop and rickshaw stands
GION AREA
Gion
Gion, where the history and formality of Kyoto still live. Our shop stands a short walk from Yasui Konpiragu, with easy access to Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji and more. Professionals accustomed to VIP guests will accompany you.
〒605-0812 京都市東山区毘沙門町30番地2
TEL: 075-708-6255
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Ordinary clothes are fine. You are also welcome in a kimono, and we can collect you from where you were dressed. Just tell us when you book.
Yes. We can start straight away from stands such as Nene-no-Michi and Kodai-ji, away from the crowds at Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka. Online booking closes 30 minutes before departure; after that, please contact us onby phone or Instagram DM and we will arrange it immediately.
You can book online up to 30 minutes before departure. For anything later, or if you are in a hurry, please useby phone or Instagram DM, and we will respond at once according to availability.
Yes, if it is a hotel or restaurant we work with. Otherwise, please come to one of our Gion boarding points (the NINJAYA garage, Yasaka Shrine, or Kodai-ji / Nene-no-michi) and we will start from there.
Yes. We guide in English and other languages, and have accompanied a great many business guests and VIPs from overseas.
Reclaim the Silent Kyoto
Escape the tourist noise and experience a truly special moment. Last-minute bookings accepted up to 30 minutes before.
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