- Life & Culture
How Do You Buy A Bicycle In Tokyo?
There are many ways to travel around Japan. However, one of the most popular ways to move around is by bicycle. More than a lifestyle choice, a good bike can get you not only to A-B but can often open up cheaper train routes that may have been too far to walk too.
Yet, where do you go to buy a bicycle? How does the Bicycle Registration System work? Should you buy at a specialty shop or a local store?
Also, there can be unexpected costs and bicycle rules that you may be unaware of.
Join Interac as we put the pedal to the metal, and go through the gears of how you buy a bicycle in Tokyo.
Where do you buy a bicycle in Tokyo?
GS Astuto
Y’s Road
With over 19 stores across Tokyo, Y’s road is your average cycling emporium with a variety of brands and styles, including mountain bikes, folding bikes, triathlon bikes, and road bikes.
The store also offers a variety of services, including membership deals and custom paint jobs. The selection is also quite reasonable, and you will likely find a suitable bike that is affordable.
Suginami Green Cycle
Craigs list, Hard off, Rakuten.
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How do you register a Bike in Japan?
Although it might sound somewhat strange, as Japan has a relatively low crime rate, bike theft is a real problem in Japan, with over 35000 cases being reported in Tokyo in 2019.
As a result, registering your bicycle and taking out bicycle insurance is a reasonably straight forward task. However, it is one task that you will need to do right.
All bike owners must complete a bicycle ownership form and submit it at your local koban (police box). This is the case whether the bike is new or used. Often at bike stores, the store will ask you to pay about 500, and they will complete the paperwork with you.
After this, the staff will put a yellow sticker (register sticker) on your bike. However, If you did not receive this form when you bought the bicycle, you can get one at the police station, but you will need a receipt and proof of ID (zairyu card).
What about Bicycle insurance?
Bicycle laws are essential!
- Recovering impounded bicycles is not a simple task.
- It will usually require you to
- take your impound notice,
- your bike key,
- proof of purchase,
- identification,
- and go to the impound to pay the fine.
Avoid parking in the wrong place
Places to avoid parking a bicycle
We would encourage all riders not to park at a convenience store for a long period of time. Yes, there may be other bikes there, but again if it is not in the designated bicycle parking areas, you run the risk of having your bike impounded and stolen.
Furthermore, avoid parking against residential houses or apartments, shops, cafes, and public spaces.
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Renting a bicycle in Japan
Japan Travel Bike
![](https://mlyhahhwafqm.i.optimole.com/cb:5ksX~4cf46/w:768/h:512/q:75/f:best/ig:avif/https://interacnetwork.com/the-content/cream/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bike3.webp)
In Summary
What do you think? It is pretty simple when you think about it, right? Do you feel ready to buy a bicycle in Tokyo?
We hope this information can help you with your future adventures in Japan! The question that remains now is, where do you want to cycle in Japan? Perhaps Tochigi Prefecture?
Interested in living and working in Japan? Check out ALT jobs with Interac.