Sagano Romantic Train

The Sagano Romantic Train, officially the Sagano Scenic Railway, runs on a stretch of old railway line that was abandoned when JR built a straighter, faster route through tunnels in the 1980s. Rather than let the riverside line disappear, it was reborn as a sightseeing railway, and it has become one of the best-loved rides in the Kyoto region. The trains travel about 7.3 kilometers between Torokko Saga, beside JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, and Torokko Kameoka, in roughly 25 minutes each way, stopping at Torokko Arashiyama, near the bamboo grove, and the tiny Torokko Hozukyo platform deep in the gorge. The pace is deliberately slow: the train eases along cliffs and through short tunnels above the Hozu River, slowing at the best viewpoints so that passengers can watch the river boats shooting the rapids below. In early April cherry trees bloom along the line, in summer the gorge is a wall of green, and in November the maples turn it red and gold, which is peak season. The current train's open-air car, known as The Rich, has a glass roof and open sides and is the most sought-after seat on board. The train runs from March 1 to December 29, usually closing on most Wednesdays, and an evening light-up runs in the autumn season. Important for 2027 planners: the current train and The Rich car make their last runs at the end of 2026, and a new fleet with large windows, glass roofs and covered open-air decks is due to start in March 2027. The linked Tiqets product is a one-way ticket.

Tickets are one way and seats are assigned, and in cherry-blossom and autumn seasons they sell out well ahead. Online sales open about a month before travel, and same-day tickets are sold at the staffed stations, first come, first served, with limited standing tickets once seats are gone. The Japan Rail Pass does not cover this private railway, only the JR leg to Saga-Arashiyama. Book the direction that suits your plan: if you want to ride the Hozugawa river boats, take the train upstream to Kameoka, because the boats only travel downstream back to Arashiyama. If you are not doing the boat, many visitors ride to Kameoka and take the JR train back from nearby Umahori Station, which is faster.

Where to sit. The operator does not name a best side, and the river switches sides along the route, so do not stress about it. Window seats give the best views, and the open-air car is the most atmospheric in good weather, though umbrellas are not allowed and rain does not qualify for a refund. Staff in costume sometimes entertain passengers near Kameoka, and the conductor gives commentary in Japanese. The ride is short, so treat it as a highlight of an Arashiyama day rather than a whole outing.

Plan the rest of the day around it. Torokko Saga station has a small railway diorama and display hall, and Torokko Arashiyama is a short walk from the bamboo grove and Okochi Sanso villa. A good sequence is the bamboo grove at opening, Tenryu-ji, a midmorning train to Kameoka, the river boat back, then lunch beside Togetsukyo Bridge. In late autumn, the evening light-up train turns the gorge into a tunnel of illuminated maples, a romantic option for couples. If you are traveling after December 29, 2026, check the new train's timetables and fares on the operator's site before planning. Families with small children should note that children under six ride free only if they sit on a lap, so book a seat if you want one for them.