Where to Buy New and Used Bicycles in Tokyo
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Having a bicycle in Tokyo is convenient when you need to get somewhere that’s a little far to walk, to do some shopping, or to bring your child to and from school. In this article is some basic information about where to buy new, used, and electrically assisted bicycles, the rules to follow when riding a bike with children in Japan, where you can test ride bicycles, and what you should know before purchasing an e-bike.
All bicycle riders in Tokyo including children are required to enroll in Bicycle Liability Insurance. You can learn more details in our article Bicycle Rules & Regulations in Tokyo.
If you are looking for a shared-bike or rental bike, please refer to How to Share, Rent Bikes in Tokyo.
Where You Can Buy Bicycles in Tokyo
You may be able to find local bicycle shops in your city or you can also find new bikes online such as Amazon, Yodobashi Camera, Bicamera.
Most of the sales staff at a shop can speak some English (even if it is limited amount).
New Bicycle Shops in Tokyo
The following websites are only availble in Japanese.
Daikanyama Motovelo
Daikanyama T-SITE Garden3, 16-15 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Aeon Bike Shinagawa
Shinagawa Seaside Forest Oval Garden 1F, 4-12-6 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Le Cyc Azabu
3-13-2 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.cyclespot.net/shops/lecycazabu/
BLUE LUG
Located in Shibuya and Setagaya
Bicycle Shops for Road Bikes, Cyclocross Bikes, and Mountain Bikes
Trek Roppongi Hills
Roppongi Keyaki-zakastreet ground level, Roppongi Hills, 6-15-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.trekstore.jp/english/roppongi
Trek Aoyama
Qiz AOYAMA 1F, 3-39-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
https://www.trekstore.jp/english/tokyoaoyama
Y’s Road
There are 36 shops (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Ochanomizu, Yokohama...) in Japan.
The website is only in Japanese.
Shibuya Honkan: 2-10-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shinjuku Honkan: BYGS Bld. B1F, 2-19-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
You can find more shops in the list below.
WBASE (Shibuya)
J-SIX BLDG, 6-23-11 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Used Bicycles in Tokyo
These are English websites where you can find used bikes in Tokyo.
Tokyo Craiglist
Tokyo Sayonara Sales (Facebook Page)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TokyoSSTO/
How Many People Can Ride on a Bike in Japan?
On a Standard Bicycle
If the cyclist is 16 years old or older, they can ride with one infant under 6 years old on an infant-seat or on cyclist’s back firmly tied down with a baby carrier. You cannot carry your child on your front (see the images below).
While helmets are not mandatory, it is strongly recommended to that they be worn for safety purposes.
On a Special Bicycle for 2 Children
If you are 16 years or older and have a bicycle specially designed to carry two infants, then you can ride with two children under the age of 6 years old. You can let two children sit on infant-seats (front and rear) or you can let one sit on a infant-seat and carry another one on your back with a baby carrier. You are not allowed to ride with 3 children like indicated in the image below. It is is strongly recommended to make children wear helmets for their safety.
Buying an Electrically Power-Assisted Bicycle
Electric assist bicycles are convenient especially when riding up a steep road and when riding with children.
Even if you have only have one child, it is recommended that you use a bike with two infant seats as it is made to be stronger and more stable, and as a bonus you can also carry (shopping) bags on the other seat. As mentioned above, make sure that the bike has the two stickers for your safety. You can also do a test-ride with your children at certain shops (please see below for the list).
What You Should Know Before Purchasing a Special Bike for 2 Children
It is important to purchase a bicycle that meets safety standards.
Please make sure the bicycle has these two stickers, “BAA” (Bicycle Association Approved) and “幼児2人同乗基準適合車” by Japan Bicycle Association. A bike that meets the more strict requirements than the BAA mark is “幼児2人同乗基準適合車” (a bike that complies with the two infants riding standard).
Two-children-compatible bicycles are designed to be safe to ride under special conditions, such as a three-seater vehicle that weighs more than usual, and that the infant can change its balance by putting it forward and backward. For example, the frame is strengthened and the handle is easily controlled etc. Please use these logos as a guide when choosing a bicycle to ride with your children.
The Difference Between Front and Rear Infant-Seat
There are slight differences between a Front Infant-Seat and Back Infant-Seat. Please choose the appropriate one according to your child’s age and physique. Reference: How to Choose an E-bike - Panasonic
Front Infant-Seat
| Age | Max. Height / Weight | Pros | Cons |
| 1-3 years old | 100cm / 15kg | You can see the child in front of you | Can be used only up to 3 years old |
Rear Infant-Seat
| Age | Max. Height / Weight | Pros | Cons |
| 1-5 years old | 115cm / 22kg | Can be used up to 5 years old | You cannot see the child while riding |
Which Battery You Should Choose
If you use a bike everyday or if you often ride long distances, you may want to choose an appropriate battery as well. Choosing a battery with a larger capacity will reduce the frequency of charging, which may increase battery life.
Comparison of Battery Charging Frequency
e.g. Riding 12km x 5 days a week (click to enlarge the image)
*By using the power mode (Panasonic)
| Battery |
Full charge (approx.) |
Distance with a single charge (approx.)* | Recharge frequency |
| 8.0 Ah | 3.5 hours | 30 km | 4 times / week |
| 12.0 Ah | 4.5 hours | 44 km | 3 times / week |
| 16.0 Ah | 6.0 hours | 59 km | 2 times / week |
| 20.0 Ah | 8.0 hours | 68 km | 1 times / week |
Reference: How to Choose an E-bike - Panasonic
Where You Can Test Ride
The following shops allow you to test ride their bicycles and it may be a good idea to visit there with your child to see which bike fits you the best. There are also different sizes of tires (20, 24, 26 and 27 inch) therefore taking a test ride before purchasing will be helpful in finding the perfect bike for you.
Daikanyama Motovelo
Daikanyama T-SITE Garden3, 16-15 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Aeon Bike Shinagawa
Shinagawa Seaside Forest Oval Garden 1F, 4-12-6 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku Nishiguchi Main Store
You can try many different bicycles from Bridgeston, Yamaha and Panasonic. The test-ride course has a slope of about 200 meters. On the website(Japanese only) you can find all the models on which you can take a test ride.
Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku Nishiguchi Main Store
Mobile Smartphone Building B2 Floor Bicycle Corner
1-11-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba
It has the same facility as the on in Shinjuku mentioned above.
Yodobashi Camera Multimaedia Akiba 6th Floor
1-1 Kanda Hanaoka-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Where to Store your Bike
If you live in an apartment, please secure a bicycle storage space before purchasing one (there may be a charge for the usage). It is often prohibited to put a bike in the common area.
Electrically Assisted Bicycles and Accessories
Electric bikes are very popular among mothers with small children. Here are some examples of Japanese e-bikes and accessories. Please click the image for details.
Panasonic
YAMAHA
Bridgestone
Junior Helmets
Bicycle Raincoat
Bicycle Cover
Rain Cover for Child Seat
Traffic Rules in Japan
Basic rules that you need to know to drive in Japan. In this article, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about driving in Japan, information on some of the traffic signs and obtaining a driver's license.
IC Cards in Japan: Traveling with Suica, PASMO, ICOCA and More
Get the most out of your IC card in Japan with this guide that explains how to get one, add funds, cancel it, and use it for transportation and store payments.
English-Speaking Driving Schools in Tokyo
If you are unfamiliar with Japanese driving rules or are otherwise unable to pass the practical driving test, here are some driving schools in Tokyo. They provide English language instruction.
Catching A Taxi in Tokyo: Everything you Need to Know
Wondering how to catch or call a taxi in Tokyo? With 50,000 taxis active on the streets, catching a taxi in Tokyo is quite a simple and civil affair. You either hail one off the street, wait for one at a taxi stand, book one via a smartphone app or via phone. Here’s our guide on how to read signs, who to call and what to say when catching a taxi in Tokyo.
How to Switch your Driver's License to a Japanese License
Are you wondering how to convert your foreign driver's license to a Japanese one? This is a summary of the documents which are required and the exams which you may need to take in order to obtain a Japanese driver's license.
Catching A Taxi in Japan
Catching a taxi in Japan is a very straightforward and civilized process. You can either hail one from the street, wait for one at a taxi stand, or reserve one online or over the phone.
