SAGANO SCENIC RAILWAY @ KYOTO

Our 2nd day in Japan had started off with exploring the beautiful sights of #Kyoto. The Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道, also known as the Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko) is a sightseeing train line that runs along the Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka. The sightseeing trains run on a narrow guage railway built in the late 19th century to connect Kyoto with the port of Maizuru. The trains run from March 1 to December 29 except on Wednesdays, which is a holiday unless Wednesday is a national holiday.

There are nine trains each day from Saga-Kameoka and nine trains from Kameoka-Saga with the first train departing at around 9.07am and the last at 5.07pm from Saga. Trains department Kameoka at 35 minutes past the hour with the first at 9.35am and the last at 5.35pm. Fares are 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. In high season visitors are advised to book in advance.

We were lucky to be early to enjoy the lovely ride where the journey is taking about 25 minutes to make the seven kilometer journey and giving passengers a pleasant view of the scenery as they travel from Arashiyama through the forested ravine and into rural Kameoka.

The views along the line change with the seasons, and the train is particularly popular during the autumn color season from mid November to early December when the leaves along the ravine change color. Trains do not operate in winter from December 31 to the end of February.But this time, we had the lovely view of the sakura instead. During the journey, we are well entertained with the beautiful view and the windy environment which brings you alike to heaven with your love one.

Hours and Fees
Hours Hourly from 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on busy days)
Closed Wednesdays (except for national holidays, during the spring and summer vacation periods and the autumn foliage season), December 30 to the end of February
Fees 620 yen one way between Torokko Saga and Torokko Kameoka Stations

Location
From Torokko Saga Station (same building as JR Saga-Arashiyama Station).

How to Get There
JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (Approx 15 minutes). Then get the Sagano Romantic Train from Torokko Saga Station (same building as JR Saga-Arashiyama Station).