Sagano Romantic Train and Arashiyama: the current train runs until Dec 29, with maps and sights

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The Sagano Romantic Train is a sightseeing train that runs through the Hozu River gorge, from Torokko Saga Station in Kyoto’s Arashiyama to Torokko Kameoka Station.

This year’s train and next year’s

Riding by December 29 saves ¥620 one way

★Our pick New train, with seat fee

Until December 29 ¥880
From March 1, 2027 ¥1,500

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Adult one way, from Sagano Scenic Railway's press release. On the new train, deck space alone stays at ¥880.

Once the current train retires, the line rests over the winter, and a new train with wider side glass and a glass roof starts in the spring. It adds a private cabin for up to six people.

Car No. 5 on the current train, the Rich car, is open-air with no windows. Passengers feel the wind directly, but they also get wet in the rain, umbrellas aren’t allowed on board, and rain doesn’t bring a refund.

Where the line runs

Saga to Kameoka along the gorge takes about 25 minutes

Torokko Saga Station is right next to JR Saga-Arashiyama, about 17 minutes by JR from Kyoto Station. There are four stations, and the fare is the same for any section. Regular trains run hourly, from 9:02 to 16:02 out of Saga and from 9:30 to 16:30 out of Kameoka.

The line doesn’t run in January or February, and some Wednesdays are closed too. Torokko Arashiyama has about 60 steps up to the platform, so Torokko Saga is the easier station with luggage or a walking stick.

Three ways back from Kameoka

JR is the cheapest way back; the boat comes down the river

Quick and cheap

JR from Umahori★ Pick

¥200

The train again

Sagano train

¥880

Down the river

Hozu River boat

¥6,000

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Adult one way. JR is Umahori to Saga-Arashiyama, 7–8 minutes (Ekitan); the boat takes about 2 hours (Kameoka City). The ¥310 bus to the boat pier is extra.

JR Umahori Station is about a 10-minute walk from Torokko Kameoka. Children under 80 cm can’t board the boat, which also stops from December 29 to January 4 and in storms or high water.

What to see in Arashiyama

Sight	Where	Cost
Bamboo Grove	North of Tenryu-ji	Free
Togetsukyo Bridge	Katsura River	Free
Tenryu-ji garden	Central Arashiyama	¥500
Iwatayama Monkey Park	Hill south of the river	¥800

Prices are per adult. Entering Tenryu-ji’s buildings costs ¥300 more, and the Monkey Park takes cash only.

The Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji and Togetsukyo are all walkable

Tenryu-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around a garden with the hills behind it. The Bamboo Grove runs along its north side. At the Monkey Park, a walk up a hillside path leads to the monkeys and a view over Kyoto.

When tickets go on sale

Online tickets for the current train go on sale at midnight Japan time one month before the ride. For the new train it’s 30 days before, except for the first day, March 1, which goes on sale around 10 a.m. on February 1. Seats are chosen when booking, and A and D are the window seats.

Even when online tickets sell out, every station except Torokko Hozukyo sells same-day tickets at its counter. Numbers are limited and may be standing only once seats fill.

Where to stay

Around Kyoto Station

End of the Haruka line, base for Kyoto

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