Drive-thru Caribbean volcano

Visitors to Kyoto, Japan, can rent bicycles at five Machikado Minapoto (Community Cycle) locations. At the automated kiosk at each rental station, with instructions in English, renters insert a credit card or prepaid Pitapa IC card, input the stall number of the chosen bike and, using the number on the printed receipt, unlock the bike. 

After the ride, the bike is returned to any of the five rental stations or 21 return-only stations, with final payment made at the kiosk. Bike rental costs ¥200 (near $2) for the first hour and ¥100 for each additional hour (maximum, three days). Bikes can be rented between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. but can be returned anytime.

Bikes can also be prebooked online for ¥1,000 per day. If prebooking, after specifying the date and pickup location, you’ll be emailed a bike number and a “key” number to unlock the bike. If renting by the day, the bike must be returned by midnight.

For info and station locations, visit minaport.jp/en. For info on getting and using IC cards, visit www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html.