Bike & Scooter Rental in Kobe

Jul 29, 2024

Bike & Scooter Rental in Kobe

Cycling is a popular, affordable and eco-friendly way of traveling around Japanese cities. There are many cycle paths and routes as well as dedicated lanes on busy roads. Recent years have seen a boom in modern e-bikes and e-scooters that can now be seen alongside the more traditional city bikes, mountain bikes and folding bikes.

Hiring these vehicles is a good option for those that don’t want to buy their own. Kobe has several bicycle and scooter rental outlets if you fancy a short jaunt to take in the sights. Some also have docking points across the city if you simply want to get from A to B on two or three wheels. You will typically need to register or provide personal details, but in theory anyone can ride a bike in Japan. Bear in mind that you need to be aged at least 16 years to ride an e-scooter.

Here are some of the rental options in Kobe.

Spark Scone and Bicycle

As the name hints at, this is a café that also operates as a bike rental store. Located in central Kobe, Spark has city bikes and mountain bikes to hire. Day rates are 1,800 yen and you can also opt for the extra package that includes some tea and a scone for 2,500 yen. You can book your bicycle online or visit the café and speak to one of the staff. Be sure to bring along an ID such as a passport or driving license, plus 10,000 yen for the deposit. Bikes should be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. You can hire for longer periods as long as you have a safe storage place.

Website: http://www.spark-kobe.jp/bicycle_rental_english.html

LUUP

This Tokyo-based startup is currently conquering the e-scooter rental market. With around 8,600 stations across Japan including more than 200 in Kobe, it provides convenient transport for smartphone users. You can hire e-scooters, e-bikes and even electric 4-wheelers for elderly and disabled users. All you need to do is download the LUUP app to your smartphone/tablet device. Everything is then controlled from the app. You can choose your vehicle, pickup and drop-off stations. Fees are 50 yen to unlock the vehicle and then 15 yen per minute of usage.

Website: https://luup.sc/en/

Kobelin

Kobelin is Kobe’s branch of Japan’s Docomo cycle-share platform. It’s another easy-to-use scheme where you can find bikes at 10 ports across the city. To use, you’ll need to register on the website. This will give you access to the stylish red city bikes that are fitted with electric motors for assisted pedaling if you don’t want to tire yourself out. You can pay an hourly rate of 165 yen or a set fee of 1,650 yen for a full day.

Website: https://www.kobelin.jp/

Bicycle Hub Awaji

Located on nearby Awaji Island, this is something of a one-stop shop for cycle enthusiasts as it offers cycle sale, hire, repair and maintenance as well as a plethora of bike equipment and accessories. You can choose from a range of bikes including sports bikes, road bikes and e-bikes. Day rates vary from 2,000 yen for a simple peg bike to 6,000 yen for an e-bike. You can also rent equipment such as helmets, tops, gloves and bike trailers plus purchase insurance as an add-on if you wish.

Website: https://awajibicycle.com

Kyu3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons