Visit Japan Web Sagano Scenic Railway
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore the Sagano Scenic Railway. It is a leisure train route that runs alongside the Hozugawa River, linking Arashiyama and Kameoka. Its quaint, traditional trains meander through the mountains at a gentle pace, taking approximately 25 minutes to cover the seven-kilometer journey and offering passengers delightful views of the surroundings as they travel from Arashiyama through the forested gorge and into rural Kameoka.
Originally a segment of the JR Sanin Line, the scenic railway route was conserved and equipped with nostalgic trains featuring wooden seating when it was replaced by a faster, more direct route in 1989. The scenery along the route varies with the seasons, and the train is particularly popular during the autumn foliage season from mid-November to early December when the leaves in the gorge change color.
Each train consists of four enclosed cars with openable windows and one fully open car. All seats are reserved, but standing tickets are available when the seats are fully occupied. Tickets can be purchased at Torokko Saga Station, JR ticket offices in the Kansai Region, or online through Klook. It is advisable to buy tickets early, particularly during peak seasons, to secure a seat. Round trip tickets do not have any discounts. Additionally, Torokko Saga Station features a small train museum and diorama with separate entry fees.
Upon reaching Torokko Kameoka Station, the terminal station of the line, travelers have various options. They can return to Arashiyama on the sightseeing train, walk to Umahori Station which is five minutes away, and then catch a JR train to Arashiyama or Kyoto. Alternatively, many travelers combine the sightseeing train with a Hozugawa River Cruise back to Arashiyama. A bus connects the train station to the departure point for the cruises.
