Last updated on September 14th, 2024
Enjoy the beautiful view of the Hozugawa River by Sagano scenic railway ride. The best way to enjoy the Arashiyama into your Kyoto trip.
Western Kyoto is famous for its natural beauty, especially at Asahiyama district. Day trip to Arashiyama is a must-do when planning on the Kyoto itinerary. Moreover, one of the attractions to do in the Arashiyama takes the sightseeing train ride, called the Sagano Scenic Railway. It is one of the best ways to mesmerized the natural beauty in Kyoto.
Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道) also known as Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko. This sightseeing train run between Arashiyama and Kameoka, riding along the Hozugawa River. The whole journey takes about 25 minutes for the 7-kilometer journey. It is very popular especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage.
Asahiyama Sagano Scenic Railway
Sagano Scenic Railway is nostalgic trains with wooden benches. Total 5 old carriages which are four enclosed carriages with enclosed window and one open-air carriage.
For four enclosed carriages, all seats are reserved and can be purchase one month in advance. However, the open car (No#5) is only available as a same-day ticket. Added, a small number of standing tickets will be on sale after the ticket finish.
Extremely popular especially peak season. So please remember to reserve your ticket..
- Train Fare: ¥880 (adult) and ¥440 (children), 25 minutes
- Operating hour: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on busy days)
- Close: every Wednesday except national holidays, spring and summer holiday and autumn foliage season. Not operate during winter from Dec 30 to end of Feb
- Official website: www.sagano-kanto.co.jp/en/
You can now purchase Sagano Romantic Train Ticket through Klook and Sagano Kanko website to avail of a ticket to ride the famous Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto! Paid for convenience and secure your ticket to avoid disappointment.
How To Take Sagano Scenic Railway
There are total 4 stop for this sightseeing train which is Kameoka (亀岡), Hozukyo (保津峡), Arashiyama (嵐山), Saga (嵯峨) Torokko station.
Depend on your Arashiyama itinerary. You can choose to take the scenic ride either before or after visit Arashiyama.
- Upstream direction: from Kameoka, Hozukyo, Arashiyama, and end at Saga Torokko station.
- Downstream direction: from Saga, Arashiyama, Hozukyo, and end at Kameoka Torokko station.
Most people will choose to take on/off at Arashiyama Torokko station (ロッコ嵐山駅). This station is located nearby the Arashiyama famous attraction, bamboo forest. It is will save some walk from the station before proceed for Arashiyama itinerary.
Upstream Direction: From Kameoka to Arashiyama Torokko Station
How to get there: Take the JR Saga line train from JR Kyoto Station (京都駅) to JR Umahori Station (馬堀駅) by JR Arashiyama line. The boarding platform at Kyoto Station is typically located at platform #30-32.
Please note that JR Umahori station is not directly connected to Kameoka Torokko station. There is a 10 minutes walking journey to Kameoka Torokko station to catch the Sagano romantic train.
You don’t have to worry about finding directions to Kameoka Torokko station as well-marked instructions will guide you there with a 10-minute walk from the JR station exit.
The route from the exit of JR station to the Kameoka Torokko station is a beautiful and scenic one, with trees, mountains, and a flowing river. It’s a calm and peaceful walkable journey.
Soon, you will arrive at Kameoka Torokko station where you will board the Sagano Scenic train.
A lot of people were queuing inside the Kameoka Torokko station while waiting for the train to arrive. If you’re unable to purchase a ticket online, you can try your luck with standing tickets, which are sold at the ticket windows of each Sagano Romantic Train station on a first-come, first-served basis.
The gate opens 10 minutes before the departure time.
The Sagano Romantic train arrived on time. It was very crowded during our visit in cherry blossom season. Can’t imagine the crowd on autumn foliage which is the super peak season.
During the train journey, it will be passing through tunnels and magical mountains. The scenery was amazing with scenic train run along the Hozugawa River. Train was moving at a relatively slow pace allowing you to enjoy the scenery optimally.
Enjoy your time and appreciate the countryside alongside the river.
The train was a brief stop at Hozukyo Torokko station. A Japanese guy with fierce-looking mask jumps on and board the train. Travelers especially kids were entertained by his joke and action. A fun arrangement to entertain visitors. This arrangement will be canceled if the weather is not good
In the end, we got off at Arashiyama Torokko station and headed towards the bamboo grove as our next stop in Arashiyama. The whole train ride passed rather quickly with about 25 minutes.
Sagano Romantic Train Ride Tips
Traveler tips: The Sagano Torokko train tickets can be difficult to obtain due to their popularity in Arashiyama. There are only 5 carriages available for a one-way ride, so it’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance. The tickets will be available for purchase one month in advance. While Carriage #5 is an open-air carriage, it may be crowded, obstructing the view. Therefore, seating in even-numbered carriages offers a better view.
If possible, try to get a car seat with an even number when taking the Torokko ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama Torokko Station (upstream direction). The view is better compared to an odd number.
Besides, there is another option to explore the beauty in Arashiyama. The Hozugawa River Boat ride with beautiful scenery along the boat journey. Anyway, it is not cheap. Cost is about ¥4,100 for 1 to 2 hours. More info from the official website.
Arashiyama with Sagano Romantic Train Ride
All in all, the Sagano Scenic Railway was a fun little train ride with some amazing scenery. Well, I didn’t feel romantic at all as it was also named as Sagano Romantic Train. It can be very crowded especially during peak season.
Related Read: Day Trip To Arashiyama Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
Traveling to the Kyoto? Free feel to continue to check out our travel stories to some other interesting places:
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- Where To Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas and Hotels
- Trip To Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion
- Kiyomizudera Itinerary with Walking Guide
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Complete Travel Guide
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- [Cherry Blossom in Kyoto] Philosopher’s Walk
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