Kyoto to Osaka
Kyoto to Osaka 京都八幡木津自転車道線となにわ自転車道
Overview
Amazing as it sounds, it is possible to ride from Kyoto to Osaka along bicycle paths. That means a 40 plus kilometer ride with no cars, no trucks, and no taxis tailgating or honking at you. The route starts in Arashiyama and follows the bike path to Kizu, from which it is a short ride to Nara. For those heading to Osaka, at the confluence of the Katsura, Kizugawa, and Yodogawa rivers - at the town of Yawata, which is roughly halfway to both Kizu and Osaka - one leaves the Kyoto to Kizu route, crosses a bridge, and then heads down a bike path that parallels the Yodogawa River.
The ride is roughly 45 kilometers (28 miles) long and three meters wide in most places; though on the Osaka section much of it is much wider than that.
The Kyoto to Yawata (and all the way to Kizu) section of the ride is well marked, smoothly paved, and about as good a bike lane as any in Japan. The Osaka portion is not well marked - if ever - a bit bumpy in some places, and employs a series of barriers that slow down riders. However, it is difficult to get lost: as long as the Yodogawa River is on your right as you ride, you are heading in the right direction.
Getting to the Starting Point
The Kyoto to Yawata part of the ride can be picked up at any point close to the Katsura River, in Kyoto, from Arashiyama to Nishi Kyogoku to parts in south Kyoto.
Directions
The Kyoto to Yawata part of the ride is marked with bollards that display the name - in both Roman letters and in kanji - of the area or bridge and the number of kilometers remaining.
Unfortunately, however, these signs are in some areas along the route misleading. To check if you are on the route - and not a similar looking path that deadends - there will be standard bicycle and pedestrian signs – blue background, white outline, with a bike and pedestrian – and large block kanji on the pavement.
Also, there are two places where losing the path is easy to do. First, at the Matsuo Taisha Bridge, riders going to Kizu, Nara, Osaka, or places south need to cross to the other side. On the Matsuo Taisha side, there is a bike path south of that bridge, but it is not the Kyoto - Kizu route.
The second place is when the route comes to Route 202. There is a large bridge crossing the Katsura River to the right. At this point, riders should turn left onto the sidewalk (there is an arrow noting this). From here, ride across an old bridge. At the end of that bridge, turn left onto the bicycle route and circle under the bridge and on south.
Next, at Yawata, it will be necessary to cross a large bridge. There is a wide sidewalk. Stay on the same side of the street - do not cross - and ride to the end of the bridge. Turn right and head south. The road is Route 13.
There will be a bike path just after you turn right. Head down. As noted earlier, signs are rare. Just keep the Yodogawa River on your right. The only place it may not be visible is while navigating around and near two golf courses that lie between Route 13 and the river. (Note: the map below follows Route 13. Google maps could not read the bike path. However, it does exist. Do NOT ride on Route 13; it is narrow and crowded with cars.)
Another problem with the Osaka route are bicycle barriers. They are steel gate-like structures through which cyclists have to pass (you slow down and slide through). Along the Yawata to Osaka part of the ride, there are many gates. They have been set up to prevent cars, motorcycles, etc. from entering the path. However, in places they are frequent, unnecessary, and very irritating.
The final leg of the ride is at the Okawa River, which is close to downtown Osaka. There is a dam-like structure where the Okawa flows into the Yodogawa. For those heading into Umeda, go up and over it. For those who want to go to Osaka Castle, follow the bike path that parallels the Okawa River. It is about 15 minutes to the Castle.
Total Riding Time
It will take five hours to ride from Arashiyama to central Osaka.
Places of Interest
Moving from Kyoto to Osaka, the following sites can be visited or seen:
Lots of amazing industry along the rivers
Osaka Castle
Umeda (downtown Osaka)
Trains! (En route you will pass under the JR Kyoto Line, bullet train, Keihan Line, and Kintetsu Line; once in Osaka, there are more JR lines, Hankyu lines, and more)
Suggestions
It is a good idea to bring water and snacks as the cycling path is far from stores along many stretches of the route.
Also, riders will want to be off the trail by dark. There is no lighting and the signs will not be visible.
Links
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Map
Kyoto - Osaka Cycling Route
If the map does not load when using Internet Explorer (IE) on a Windows PC, please hold down the "Control" key and refresh the page
View Cycling Kyoto to Osaka in a larger map