Planning a Trip on the Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto

Apr 25, 2022

Planning a Trip on the Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto

It’s common to travel by train in Japan to move within or between cities, but train travel can also be a great way to take in the scenery. The slow-moving Sagano Romantic Train, for instance, is purely for sightseeing. It passes along the outskirts of Kyoto through the Hozukyo Ravine. Taking a trip on this train should be at the top of your list of things while in Kyoto.

About the Sagano Romantic Train

The rails on which the Sagano Romantic Train runs were constructed in the 19th century for the Sagano Line of JR West, which now runs through the suburbs of Kyoto. The trains are converted freight cars, painted bright red and yellow. Each train consists of four cars, which are enclosed but have windows that open, and one car is fully open to the elements.

What Time of Year to Go

The train runs every day except Wednesday from March 1 to December 29. A train ride is a great way to see cherry blossoms during March and April, whereas November and December are ideal for maple leaves and possibly even a light snowfall. During the rest of the year, the foliage is thick and green. On hot summer days, the open car is perfect for enjoying a light breeze and listening to the sounds of the cicadas.

The Route

To begin your journey, you’ll need to go to Saga-Arashiyama Station, which is just 15 minutes from Kyoto Station, and then transfer to nearby Saga Torokko Station. In addition to the terminal at Kameoka Torokko Station, there are stops at Torokko Arashiyama Station and Torokko Hozukyo Station.

If you take the train all the way to Kameoka Torokko Station, the journey will last about 25 minutes. You could take the train back again or even catch a regular JR train from here. However, the most interesting option is a cruise down the Hozugawa River. Shuttle buses are scheduled to take passengers to the river right after the train arrives at the station. You’ll have a leisurely two-hour cruise that gives you the chance to see the landscape from a different perspective.

Other Things to Do

Before you depart or come back to Kyoto, you can find more activities near Saga Torokko Station. For instance, there’s an extensive collection of model trains set in miniature scenes from places around Kyoto. If you want to get some exercise after sitting on the train, you could rent a bicycle at the station and explore the area that way. Finally, there are several souvenir shops and cafés inside the station.

Book your ticket in advance if you’ll be traveling during one of the most popular times of the year, such as the height of the cherry blossom season, as seats sell out quickly, and you could be stuck with standing room only you purchase on the day. You can buy a ticket up to one month in advance from most of the major stations in Kansai and travel agencies.

Streetdeck, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons