Renting Bicycles (Hello Cycling)

You will normally see the sign in yellow
You will normally see the sign in yellow

There are several rental bicycle programs in Japan, with Hello Cycling having the most locations.

 

Big cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto and Osaka are all on the list, but there are smaller cities like Matsumoto or more remote places like Shodojima Island and even the Shimanami Kaido Cycling Road covered in their area. 

 

There is flexibility in where to return the bicycles as it does not have to be at the same spot or even within the same city/prefecture. A bicycle picked up in Tokyo can be returned in neighboring Chiba Prefecture if you want to cover some distance. 

 

For most regions, the fee is 130 Yen for the first 30 minutes, with a 150 Yen charge for every additional 15 minutes.

 

All bicycles are battery-assisted and generally well maintained. A bicycle that is fully charged should be capable of covering a distance of up to 50km (about 30 miles, the distance from Tokyo to about Chigasaki or Hiratsuka city). Be aware that you may encounter situations where there are only bicycles with low battery. Once the battery runs out, you will definitely feel the extra weight the battery carries, so try avoiding bicycles that have a low battery indication on the app.

Another occasional problem is that when you seek to return the bicycle, the nearest location is already full. In a high density area this is not a major problem, but if your destination is in an area with no alternatives nearby, you may want to secure your return place in advance. You can secure a spot for up to 30 minutes. 

Certain areas of Tokyo have a high density of rental ports, like the Asakusa area on the eastern side.
Certain areas of Tokyo have a high density of rental ports, like the Asakusa area on the eastern side.
Remaining battery is clearly indicated on the app.
Remaining battery is clearly indicated on the app.

The app is available for both iPhones and Android phones with language options in English, though some of the content might only appear in Japanese. You will need a smartphone with good connection as it is required to activate usage.

 

A valid phone number is required for registration. It claims to be able to accept international phone numbers, but the reality seems the SMS required for verification mostly gets sent only to Japanese phone numbers. 

 

If you are able to register correctly you can use the below code to receive a free 30 minute coupon!

INojSQznpOls 

There are many different models available on the platform. But with all models, make sure to push the power button (or it might say in Japanese, "電源”）to activate the assistance function.

 

Upon returning, you have to manually lock the bicycle before pressing "return" on the app. 

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