Found more by luck, while reading through a cycling forum. Not disappointed. Located just a stones throw from a JR station. Bikes really well maintained and a nice selection. Ian and Gareth are great guys who clearly enjoy their cycling and offer wealth of local knowledge.
Many thanks for riding with us and taking the time to review. We really appreciate it! We are glad to hear you had a good cycling adventure while in Japan and hope you get another chance to explore some more in the future. Kindest Regards Team GW.
The guys were friendly, helpful and the bike was good quality. Perfect location to pick up a bike and explore the roads around Osaka, Nara and Wakayama. Will definitely use them again!
Many thanks for riding with us and taking the time to review. We are glad that you had a good time exploring Kansai. We hope to see you again in the future. Regards from Team GW.
I booked a last minute trip to Japan and was initially going to bring my own bike but decided against it. I found Global Wheels online with amazing reviews. I emailed them and got a response really fast. They were amazing. Responded to all my questions and even switched out the stem before I got there for a shorter one. They had a range of bikes and two in smaller sizes which is what I needed. They are located right beside the train station which made picking up the bike super easy. When I got there they already had the pedals I needed on the bike and they put on my own saddle. I took the bike for a ride in Osaka and had a small fall which bent the derailleur hanger. I called them and the first question was if I was alright. They then said to bring the bike back and they had a mechanic who could fix it. The mechanic was around the corner and fixed the bike in 15 minutes so I could catch my train in time. I rented the bike for 7 days and had no issues with it. When I returned it and they found out it was my birthday the next day, we had a beer to celebrate! I really can't say enough good things about Global Wheels. Next time I'm in Japan and cycling, I would definitely rent from them again.
Thanks so much for cycling with us and also for your kind words Brianne! We are really happy you had a great adventure cycling in Japan and we were happy to help out along the way. It was also great to celebrate a bit of your birthday here at Globalwheels HQ! All the best cycling back home and if you are ever in Japan again we would love to hear from you! Best, Ian and Gareth
I can’t recommend Global wheels strongly enough.
I rented a touring bike from them for a week in late November. Gareth, the proprietor, was really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He gave me some great tips for warmup routes around Osaka, as well as a couple of longer routes between Asuka and Kyoto, and from Kyoto around Lake Biwa.
Traveling around Japan on a bike really is a great way to see the country. For me, the autumn colors were spectacular, and moving at a slower pace than the Shinkansen made them all the more impressive.
There are plenty of interesting places to visit within biking distance of Osaka. I had time to visit Minoh falls and the nearby Katsuoji Temple, the ruins, restorations and park at Nara, the Philosophers’ path and the old imperial palace in Kyoto, and the spectacular Lake Biwa.
The bike itself was fantastic. It was a joy to ride. Global wheels provided all the extra kit I needed to haul my luggage around as well as an emergency repair kit and the essential helmet and water bottle!
Japan is a beautiful country and the Japanese people are friendly, welcoming and helpful. I have no regrets whatsoever about deciding to go on my biking tour. I only wish it could have lasted longer.
My thanks to Gareth, Ian and everyone at Global Wheels!
Many thanks for riding with us and taking the time to recommend Globalwheels.
Your kind words are really appreciated.
Glad to hear you had a good time in the saddle exploring Kansai.
Kindest Regards
Team GW
From when we started emailing with Global Wheels about a bike trip through the Wakayama Prefecture I knew we were in good hands. Great bikes, great knowledge, great support (which we needed:) and genuinely a nice organization. If you are planning on riding bikes in Japan use Global Wheels, you won’t regret it. Thanks fellas!
Thanks for taking the time to review and also for choosing Globalwheels. We’re really happy you two enjoyed discovering Japan by bike. If you ever come back, please get in touch! Team GW.
