Taking the Train – Rinko Bags
One can bring their bike on any train in Japan but the requirement is that it be put inside a bag (known as a rinkobukuro, 輪行袋). These “bags” largely have two types, those where both wheels need to be taken off and ones where only the front wheel needs to come off. For speed (and protecting the rear derailleur we tend to prefer the latter).
While strictly speaking the bicycle is supposed to be entirely covered, train operators generally tolerate the saddle poking out of the top (and many rinko bag makers have a hole on the top for the seat post to poke out.)
Check out Road Bike Rental Japan’s overview Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebahQhLMi0o
There are two types of rinko bag, those that require removing of both wheels removed (and consequently makes the bike smaller) and those that require on the front wheel removed. Removing only the front wheel makes packing and unpacking the bike faster but also protects the rear derailleur from damange. All train companies accept both types of Rinko Bag.
Bicycle Trailers
For tourers with trailers, they are also transportable by train. The easiest way is to get the bicycle inside a bag (doesn’t need to be a Rinko bag) then it can be carried onto the train like any other luggage. (Most train operators, like all JRs, allow people to bring 2 large items onto the trian). If the trailer is being used to transport a child and can be used as a stroller, the in can be brought into the trian just like a stroller.
JR Shikoku
JR Shikoku is known for being a stickler regarding the seatpost and there have been many reports (including by this author) of station staff insisting that the entire bike being covered and not alloing the seatpost to stick out at all. This means having to take the seatpost out and carrying it separately.
Taking the train with a bike box
Most people who bring their bike from abroad arrive at the airport with their bicycle in a box. Taking your bike on the train while still in the box is allowed but most rail operators have a rule that the maximum size of luggage that can be brought into the train of the sum of all dimensions being 250cm and some train companies do measure the boxes. (the author has had the Haneda Airport Keikyu staff measure their bicycle box so some staff will measure it.)
Also be mindful that it may be very difficult to find a place on limited express trains to put the bike box that won’t be in the way for other passengers. (on regular trains it should be easy to be out of the way of the other passengers)
Train companies generally don’t like to have dollies or carts brought into their stations as well but something small can certainly be helpful in getting your bike in the box to the station and will often fly under the radar of station staff.
Additionally, if you are storing your box somewhere in Japan (e.g. at a hotel) just leave the little dolly inside the box while you store it. Definitely easier than tried to add castor wheels to the box
Etiquette when riding trains
Trains in Japan are crowded in cities and Japanese is culture is all about avoiding causing trouble for others (known as “meiwaku” locally). If you must travel through the city in the morning of a week day, travel early before or after the rush hour so to cause the minimum amount of inconvenience possible.
Also, as bicycles do take up space, riding the first or last cars is good ettiquette. Additionally, the area in front of the cab can be a good place to put the bicycle down and not be in the way of others.
Recently, many trains also have more wheelchair spaces (some trains in every car) so if one aligns themselves with the wheel chair markings on the platform, these spaces can be a good place to put the bicycle in the train and not have to walk to the far end.
Taking your bike on the Tokkaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen
The Tokkaido Shinkansen as well as the Sanyo/Kyushu shinkansen run across the backbone of Japan and connect some of the best places for cycling in Japan including, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, the Shimanami Kaido and others.
The Tokkaido Shinkansen Trains are built to accomodate the maximum number of people and consequently there is limited space for bicycles inside the train. Unless using the space behind the rear seats, don’t try and put more than 1 bicycle in the area between any two cars (referred to as the “deck” between cars in Japan)
It’s a common misconception that to bring a bicycle onto the Tokkaido Shinkansen a reservation of an oversized baggage seat is required. This is not the case despite the misinformation on many online forums. (As written in JR Tokai’s oversized bag rules sports equipment is explicity excluded) However, if you would like to use that space, a reservation is required.
Additionally, a bicycle is not to fit in just one of the luggage spaces (as the reservation is only the space behind one seat) so unless you travel with friends and book all the seats there is a good chance that someone else may have reserved the other portion of the oversized baggage area leaving you without enough space to put the bicycle.
The space is not “first come first serve” but reservation based so be respectful of others who have reserved the large luggage space. Be sure to be respectful of others on the train and use only the space you reseved.
If there are 2 or 3 of you together, booking all the large luggage seats together and getting all the bikes in together is probably the best bet.
The lesser known, large bag storage area in the deck of the train can be much more useful for bicycles. If ibe us sure to reserve the lower one, a bicycle can fit it front of it quite easily and there is good amount of space there so Wabisabi Recommends this space as well.
Additionally, the Tokaido Shinkansen has an extra wide corridor on Car 11 due to the multipurpose toilet which can be an easy space to put a bicycle, just be sure to make sure you have a seat nearby to be able to move in the even that somebody who requires the additional width boards the train.
If at all in doubt just nicely ask the conductor on the train, and they’ll help you choose the best space.
“Cycle Trains”
There are some trains that are specifically designed for bicycles to be taken on as is. The number of these is increasing over time as countryside train operators look for ways to increase revenues.
B.B.Base
From Ryogoku Station (Eastern Tokyo) to various places in Chiba Chiba. Bicycles can be taken on as is and
JR’s B.B.Base website (English)
Other Trains
Some train operators allow users to take bicycles as is onto all or some portions of their network at some times.
However, these are generally not in urban areas but on local operators and the schedules and rules change frequently. The below website does a good job of bringing that information together (in Japanese).
https://train-colors.net/cycletrain/
Busses
Highway Buses
Busses can often be an option in getting bicycles to the airport or other destinations.
As a general rule it not possible to get anything but a small folding bicycle onto a highway bus in Japan.
Most busses to the airport will take bicycles if there is enough space underneath the bus. If there isn’t the bike will be the first thing to go. If the bike is in a box (rather than a bag) it makes it much easier to store under the bus. Also taking the bus at a less crowded time can also help.
Local Buses
It can be up to the descretion of the driver of the bus, but if the bus isn’t crowded and the bike is in a rinko bag, one can generally get their bicycle onto a local bus. This can be a live saver in the countryside if one has a mechanical issue.
This can also be helpful for taking busses that connect train stations to ports (like visiting Sado Island in Niigata)
Bicycle Busses
Naruto Bridge Bus
There are no ferries or ways for a bicycle to cross from Awaji into shikoku so there is a bus company that is specially equpped to handle bicycles. They can handle bicycles with and without a bike bag (Bus Company Website, Japanese only)
This bus will be abolished in 2028 as the Naruto bridge will have a cycling path installed!
Airplanes
Each airline has their own rules but both JAL and ANA will take bicycles in rinko bags as luggage free of charge.
While it can be nerve racking to trust a bicycle to an airline at a big airport in Japan, this author has done so mulitple times without issue and even with significant searching has not found a single case where a bicycle was significantly damaged by airline staff in Japan.