Whether you are a foreigner living in Japan or a tourist visiting this fascinating country, riding a bicycle is a great way to get around. From exploring unchanged neighborhoods, hidden temples, parks, and museums, to buying groceries at supermarkets, cycling can be useful for both leisure and daily life. While cycling in Japan gives you a lot of freedom, it also comes with rules and regulations you would need to be aware of. Please keep reading to learn about bicycle rules and regulations in Japan.

If you live in Tokyo and seeking for new and used bicycles, please read "Where to Buy New and Used Bicycles in Tokyo". There are also bike-sharing services that would be convenient to use. We also have many articles covering transportation in Japan including drivers license, renting a car, traffic rules, catching a taxi, riding a bus, and more.

Bicycle Registration and Rules in Japan

When cycling in Japan, there are some restrictions and regulations that cyclists from other countries may not be aware of. To begin with, all bicycles must have a working front lamp and a rear reflector. While there is no penalty, it is required to make an effort to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Japan. As per ordinances in Tokyo, as well as some other prefectures, bicycles should have a bell. However, the situations you can actually ring one are limited. For instance, cyclists should not ring a bell at the pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, unless it is necessary to prevent danger in unavoidable circumstances. Please note that some regulations may differ depending on the prefecture in Japan.

Bicycle Registration

Bicycles must be registered with the authorities where they are used. For instance, the registration with the municipal government in Tokyo is 660 yen and can be done at the time of purchase. Simply complete a form, and the store staff will provide you with a small orange sticker to place on the frame. Remember that you will almost certainly need to write your name and address in Japanese, so bring a friend who can assist you if you are unable to do so. Please note that to cycle in Tokyo and some other prefectures, a bicycle insurance is required.

Important: Foreign residents and tourists should always carry a passport or a Japanese government-issued identification card. The police can and do stop bikes to check ownership, and it is a legal necessity for non-Japanese to have these documents at all times, so don't get caught without them. To learn about Japanese residence card, please check this article.

All Bicycle Riders Must Enroll in Bicycle Liability Insurance in Tokyo (and some other prefectures in Japan)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government requires all bicycle riders (including children) to purchase Bicycle Liability Insurance in Tokyo. This insurance will assist you in paying for any damage or injury caused to others if you cause an accident while riding a bicycle. This applies even if you do not live in Tokyo, as long as you ride a bicycle in Tokyo. By meeting certain conditions, you would be considered to be enrolled in bicycle liability insurance. For details, please check this multilingual brochure by Shinjuku City (in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean languages).

Bicycle liability insurance is covered by a variety of policies. Please double-check your insurance and contact them for more information.

Traffic Accident Insurance for Minato City Residents in Tokyo

Minato-ku in Tokyo provides reasonably-priced personal traffic accidental insurance and bike liability insurance plan.
For further information, please read the official website.

Road Rules

Once you have registered and are ready to hit the road, keep in mind that cars in Japan drive on the left. Bicycles must also stay to the left of the street unless there are dedicated bike lanes or shared-use pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians

If you're riding on a shared-use sidewalk in Japan, you must also adhere to pedestrian restrictions. This includes bikers who use the major thoroughfare. Keep left at the intersection, like the pedestrians do, and you won't go wrong. Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way.

Prohibited Activities when Cycling

There are some things you just can't do when riding a bicycle in Japan. Cycling while under the influence of alcohol is illegal, much like driving a car. While riding a bike, wearing headphones, using a cellphone, or carrying an umbrella are all prohibited. Furthermore, cycling side by side is also prohibited. While these rules exist in Japan, don't be surprised if you encounter locals breaking them on a frequent basis.

How Many People Can Ride on a Bike in Japan?

Below we will talk about how many people can ride on a bicycle in Japan. Please note that the regulations are not the same all over Japan and may differ in various prefectures. Therefore, it is important to check the rules of the city, prefecture, where you will be riding a bicycle with children. When deciding how to ride with children, please also check what age, weight, height, etc. is approved for an infant seat you plan to use. While a lack of helmet does not incur a fine, it is necessary to make an effort to wear one as well as make sure that a child wears one when riding a bicycle in Japan.

On a Standard Bicycle

If the cyclist is 16 years old or older, they are permitted to ride with one child who have not yet entered elementary school (until March 31st of the year in which a child reaches the age of 6) in an infant seat, or carry one child under the age of 4 on the rider's back, securely strapped in a baby carrier, in case of riding a bicycle in Saitama Prefecture. Please check the rules of the prefecture, city, where you will be cycling. You are not permitted to carry your youngster on your front (see the images below).

Image from Saitama Prefecture Police

On a Special Bicycle for 2 Children

You can ride with two children who have not yet entered elementary school (till March 31st of the year a child reaches the age of 6) if you are 16 or older and have a bicycle expressly equipped to carry two infants. Allow two children to sit in infant seats (front and back), or allow one child to sit in an infant seat while carrying another child under the age of 4 on your back, securely strapped in a baby carrier, in case of cycling in Saitama Prefecture. You are not permitted to ride with three children, as shown in the image below. Please check the rules that apply to your city, prefecture and make sure to wear helmets.

Image from Saitama Prefecture Police

Purchasing a Special Bike for 2 Children

It's critical to get a bicycle that complies with safety regulations.

Please double-check that the bicycle has the markings "BAA" (Bicycle Association Approved) and "幼児2人同乗基準適合車" by Japan Bicycle. The BAA mark is “幼児2人同乗基準適合車” for a bike that meets the more stringent specifications (a bike that complies with the two infants riding standard).

Parking a Bicycle in Japan

Many of the busiest places in Japan don't even require you to park if you're just passing through or interested in seeing the sights. If the crowds are too big, simply get off and peddle your bike, then get back on when they thin out. However, when it comes to parking, there are plenty of options. To make riding in Japan as convenient as possible, designated street side parking places and underground sites monitored by security cameras are available.

Bicycle parking in Japan may appear daunting at first, but it is generally simple to park a bicycle at or near major stations or shopping malls. Many areas have easily identifiable parking areas (see photo) that charge reasonable rates or are free in some cases. Most parking lots charge by the hour, with some charging up to 24 hours.

Parking your bike on the street and locking it to a railing is also an option, but local authorities do make the rounds and pick up bicycles in 'unauthorized' areas. Many unauthorized areas in Japan are marked with red no-parking signs at busy intersections or stations.

Reporting a Lost or Stolen Bike in Japan

Whether your bicycle got removed from an unauthorized area or got stolen in Japan, there are procedures to take.

Reporting a Lost Bike

If your bike is discovered in an unauthorized area, you might get lucky and only get a warning sticker at first. You could also return to the parking spot and discover that your bicycle has vanished. Fear not—as long as you registered your bike in the first place, all is not lost. After a few days, you will receive a postcard informing you of the specific bicycle pound where your bike is being held.

Bring your ID to the pound, pay the fee listed on the postcard, and you'll be reunited with your bicycle soon. However, if no postcard arrives within a reasonable time frame, your bicycle may have been stolen.

To learn how to find lost items in Japan, please check this article.

Reporting a Stolen Bike

If your bike is stolen and not simply removed from an unauthorized parking area in Japan, there is a very good chance it will be returned one day. This is due in large part to the frequent police stops on cyclists, and few thieves ever ride a stolen bicycle for long; most prefer to abandon their pilfered bike near a train station or on the side of the road.

If the stolen bike is apprehended by local authorities, it will be entered into the above-mentioned system, and you will receive a postcard informing you of where to go to pick it up and the fee required for its release. To avoid having to pay the fee, report your stolen bicycle to your local police station as soon as you notice it is missing; the police report will negate the need to pay to get your bike back.

When reporting in Japan, you will need a form of identification and the ability to communicate in basic Japanese. The police will give you a form to fill out, and one of the boxes will ask for your bicycle registration number. As a result, many people keep a record of their bicycle registration numbers at home, but a photo on your smartphone will suffice.

Cycling in Japan is for Everyone

Besides the obvious health and long term cost benefits of cycling, it is also a great way to explore local neighborhoods, upscale shopping areas, tourist attractions, and many other places in Japan that are surprisingly accessible when on a bike. So trade the hassle of train times, subway transfers and Japanese language-only buses for freedom on two wheels—you won't regret it.