Western Kyoto has long been known for its natural beauty. In fact, the Arashiyama district has been a tourist favorite for well over 1,000 years. The beauty of this region peaks twice a year, first during the cherry blossom season, and later during the autumn.
The Sagano Scenic Railway is a wonderful way to tour and enjoy this rural region.
The train has come to be known as the Sagano Torokko, or Romantic Train, because its passage takes guests through such romantic scenery. If you’ve seen enough of the city, one of these day trips from Kyoto is the perfect option.
How to get to the Sagano Scenic Railway station
The journey starts from the red-brick building Saga Torokko Station, located right next to the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Simply use your Japan Rail Pass to travel to Arashiyama. The Saga-Arashiyama Station is a 15-minute train ride from the Kyoto Station.
Romantic train itinerary and stations
The Sagano Scenic Railway runs near the Hozugawa River. During the months of March and April, boughs of pink cherry blossoms sway above the passing train.
In November and December, the trail is lined with flaming orange and red autumn leaves. The railway traverses 7 kilometers, and the trip takes about 25 minutes one way as the train winds slowly through the mountains.
The train is of a nostalgic style, complete with wooden bench seats. It features 1 fully open car, and 4 enclosed cars with the option of opening your personal window. The open carriage is called the ‘Rich Car’, it’s car 5, the closest to the locomotive. The Rich Car has no windows and a glass ceiling to make the most of the incredible views.
After making a single trip on the Sagano Scenic Railway, you can choose from a number of exciting options for your return trip. Take a short bus ride from Kameoka Torokko station, the terminal train station to the docks of the Hozugawa River.
Then, you can take the Hozugawa River cruise on your way back to Kyoto. A single ticket for the cruise costs ¥4100. Your final stop will be again Arashiyama, just outside of Kyoto. Cruise departure times are scheduled according to the Scenic Train timetable.
List of stations on the Sagano Scenic Railway
Here’s a list of stations you’ll find along the Sagano Scenic Railway. You can stop off each to enjoy the local surroundings:
- Trolley Saga Station — close to the Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sagano Line.
- Trolley Arashiyama Station — in the center of Arashiyama, best located for the bamboo grove path.
- Trolley Hozukyo Station — a great stop for hikers, the area is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
- Trolley Kameoka Station — the stop for Hozu River rafting, Yunohana hot spring village and interesting historical sites.
Ticket prices for the Sagano Scenic Railway
While the Sagano Scenic Railway is not covered by your Japan Rail Pass, the trip is worth the small extra cost. You may purchase tickets at the Saga-Arashiyama Station or at any Japan Rail ticket office in the Kansai region. You can also buy tickets online through the Sagano Kanko website.
An adult one-way ticket between the Torokko Kameoka and Torokko Saga Stations costs ¥800, and a children’s ticket costs ¥440.There is a discount for students traveling as part of the group, this ticket costs ¥710.
Most tickets are sold for reserved seating; however, standing room only tickets may be sold during especially busy times. If you are traveling during the spring or autumn and wish to be ensured a seat, purchase your tickets in advance of your trip.
Sagano Scenic Railway timetables
Sagano Scenic Railway trains operate from March 1 to December 29 each year. Guests can enjoy the Sagano line Thursday through Tuesday of each week.
Trains from Saga Station towards Kameoka Station depart every hour, starting at 10:02 am until 16:02 pm.
From Kameoka Station towards Saga, trains depart every hour, starting at 10:30 am until 16:30 pm.
What to see around Arashiyama
To make your day trip complete, consider visiting nearby tourist attractions, either before or after your scenic train ride.
Upon arrival at the Torokko Saga Station, you can tour a small train museum. Before departing or upon your return, there are a number of interesting adventures awaiting you in Arashiyama as well.
A visit to the area is not complete until you have experienced the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a walking tour amid tunnels of towering bamboo plants. View majestic rolling hills from the Togetsukyo Bridge, the “Moon Crossing” Bridge, in Arashiyama’s city center.
The animal lover in your traveling party will enjoy the Iwatayama Monkey Park in the Arashiyama Mountains, just a 10-minute hike from the bridge. There, visitors can view over one hundred monkeys roaming free within their habitat.
Or, you can visit the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple. This modern Buddhist temple captures the aura of much older sites. It is famous for its 1,200 stone statues of different Buddhist devotees, called rakan.
Each of these sites – the bamboo grove, bridge, park, and temple – will add flavor to your trip as you experience an authentic taste of traditional Japan.