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Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Enjoy the beautiful view of the Hozugawa River by Sagano scenic railway ride. The best way to enjoy the Arashiyama into your Kyoto trip.

Western Kyoto is famous for its natural beauty, especially at Asahiyama district. Day trip to Arashiyama is a must-do when planning on the Kyoto itinerary. Moreover, one of the attractions to do in the Arashiyama takes the sightseeing train ride, called the Sagano Scenic Railway. It is one of the best ways to mesmerized the natural beauty in Kyoto.

Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道) also known as Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko. This sightseeing train run between Arashiyama and Kameoka, riding along the Hozugawa River. The whole journey takes about 25 minutes for the 7-kilometer journey. It is very popular especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage.

Asahiyama Sagano Scenic Railway

Sagano Scenic Railway Carriages Information

Sagano Scenic Railway is nostalgic trains with wooden benches. Total 5 old carriages which are four enclosed carriages with enclosed window and one open-air carriage.

For four enclosed carriages, all seats are reserved and can be purchase one month in advance. However, the open car (No#5) is only available as a same-day ticket. Added, a small number of standing tickets will be on sale after the ticket finish.

Extremely popular especially peak season. So please remember to reserve your ticket..

Train Fare: ¥880 (adult) and ¥440 (children), 25 minutes
Operating hour: 9:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on busy days)
Close: every Wednesday except national holidays, spring and summer holiday and autumn foliage season. Not operate during winter from Dec 30 to end of Feb
Official website: www.sagano-kanto.co.jp/en/

Good News: Sagano Romantic Train Ticket is available online now! And travelers does not required rush for train ticket once reached Japan.

You can now purchase Sagano Romantic Train Ticket through Klook and Sagano Kanko website to avail of a ticket to ride the famous Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto! Paid for convenience and secure your ticket to avoid disappointment.

How To Take Sagano Scenic Railway

There are total 4 stop for this sightseeing train which is Kameoka (亀岡), Hozukyo (保津峡), Arashiyama (嵐山), Saga (嵯峨) Torokko station.

Depend on your Arashiyama itinerary. You can choose to take the scenic ride either before or after visit Arashiyama.

Upstream direction: from Kameoka, Hozukyo, Arashiyama, and end at Saga Torokko station.
Downstream direction: from Saga, Arashiyama, Hozukyo, and end at Kameoka Torokko station.

Most people will choose to take on/off at Arashiyama Torokko station (ロッコ嵐山駅). This station is located nearby the Arashiyama famous attraction, bamboo forest. It is will save some walk from the station before proceed for Arashiyama itinerary.

Upstream Direction: From Kameoka to Arashiyama Torokko Station

How to get there: Take the JR Saga line train from JR Kyoto Station (京都駅) to JR Umahori Station (馬堀駅) by JR Arashiyama line. The boarding platform at Kyoto Station is typically located at platform #30-32.

From JR Umahori Station to Kameoka Torokko station

Please note that JR Umahori station is not directly connected to Kameoka Torokko station. There is a 10 minutes walking journey to Kameoka Torokko station to catch the Sagano romantic train.

You don’t have to worry about finding directions to Kameoka Torokko station as well-marked instructions will guide you there with a 10-minute walk from the JR station exit.

The route from the exit of JR station to the Kameoka Torokko station is a beautiful and scenic one, with trees, mountains, and a flowing river. It’s a calm and peaceful walkable journey.

Soon, you will arrive at Kameoka Torokko station where you will board the Sagano Scenic train.

Purchase Sagano train ticket at ticket window

A lot of people were queuing inside the Kameoka Torokko station while waiting for the train to arrive. If you’re unable to purchase a ticket online, you can try your luck with standing tickets, which are sold at the ticket windows of each Sagano Romantic Train station on a first-come, first-served basis.

The gate opens 10 minutes before the departure time.

The Sagano Romantic train arrived on time. It was very crowded during our visit in cherry blossom season. Can’t imagine the crowd on autumn foliage which is the super peak season.

During the train journey, it will be passing through tunnels and magical mountains. The scenery was amazing with scenic train run along the Hozugawa River. Train was moving at a relatively slow pace allowing you to enjoy the scenery optimally.

Enjoy your time and appreciate the countryside alongside the river.

Japanese guy with fierce looking mask in Sagano Scenic Train

The train was a brief stop at Hozukyo Torokko station. A Japanese guy with fierce-looking mask jumps on and board the train. Travelers especially kids were entertained by his joke and action. A fun arrangement to entertain visitors. This arrangement will be canceled if the weather is not good

In the end, we got off at Arashiyama Torokko station and headed towards the bamboo grove as our next stop in Arashiyama. The whole train ride passed rather quickly with about 25 minutes.

Sagano Romantic Train Ride Tips

Traveler tips: The Sagano Torokko train tickets can be difficult to obtain due to their popularity in Arashiyama. There are only 5 carriages available for a one-way ride, so it’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance. The tickets will be available for purchase one month in advance. While Carriage #5 is an open-air carriage, it may be crowded, obstructing the view. Therefore, seating in even-numbered carriages offers a better view.

If possible, try to get a car seat with an even number when taking the Torokko ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama Torokko Station (upstream direction). The view is better compared to an odd number.

Besides, there is another option to explore the beauty in Arashiyama. The Hozugawa River Boat ride with beautiful scenery along the boat journey. Anyway, it is not cheap. Cost is about ¥4,100 for 1 to 2 hours. More info from the official website.

Arashiyama with Sagano Romantic Train Ride

All in all, the Sagano Scenic Railway was a fun little train ride with some amazing scenery. Well, I didn’t feel romantic at all as it was also named as Sagano Romantic Train. It can be very crowded especially during peak season.

Traveling to the Kyoto? Free feel to continue to check out our travel stories to some other interesting places:

More trip options from Kyoto:

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Complete transportation guide on how to get to Kyoto from Kansai Airport, Osaka and Tokyo. Most importantly travel tips and transportation pass where can save you some money.

Kyoto is famous for its numerous historical temples, shrines and World Heritage sites. It is a wonderful city where visitors can appreciate the charm of Japanese culture. That is to say, Kyoto is one of the must-go places for the visitor when visiting Japan. It is best for one day, 2 days or a few days trip in Kyoto.

However, depend on your travel itinerary. There are many transportation options available to get there. But, No worry. We have all the available transportation options with travel tips listed. Continue to read more.

Transportation Guide

Kyoto is well connected with Osaka, Kansai Airport and Tokyo. So most of the travelers will choose to get to Kyoto from one of them.

Train is the fastest and easiest option when traveling between the cities. However, there are some other options that may suit your budget, time and Japan itinerary. Most importantly, try minimized your transfer stop for an easy and comfortable ride.

How To Get To Kyoto From Kansai Airport (KIX)

The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport in the Kansai region. Due to transportation arrangements, most travelers will choose to get to Osaka or Kyoto from Kansai airport.

If you opt from Kansai Airport, there are two common transportation option which is train or limousine.

Traveling Between Kyoto and Kansai Airport By Train

The most convenient and faster way is by train. The Haruka Limited Express from JR West will directly take you to Kyoto Station from Kansai Airport. It is highly recommended and hassle-free, especially for first-time travelers. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to hop on the Hello Kitty HARUKA! Schedules vary per day!

From Kansai Airport to JR Kyoto Station by Haruka Limited Express:

Fare/duration: ¥3,640 (regular fare), ¥2,200 (Discounted fare), 80 minutes
Fastest and most comfortable.
Money-Saving Tips: Klook with discounted Haruka Limited Express. Compare the train fare at Klook.

From Kansai Airport to JR Kyoto Station by Kansai Airport Rapid Service Train:

Alternative, there is another cheaper option with a slower train. You can take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service Train to JR Osaka Station, and transfer by JR Special Rapid Service. This journey cost you about ¥1,880 with 120 minutes.

Traveler Tips: Japan Rail Pass is covered for the Haruka Limited Express. However, JR Pass is good and save for long journey travel. Alternatively, consider getting the ICOCA card with pre-loaded money. This card will provided reduced-fare ticket for the Limited Express Haruka and can be used for buses and transportation fare in Japan.

You can purchased the ICOCA Card from Klook.

Traveling Between Kyoto And Kansai Airport By Limousine Bus

Limousine bus runs between Kyoto and Kansai airport frequently. This is also the cheapest way if you opted for this way. Traveler need to purchase your ticket at the ticket machine before boarding. Alternatively, reserve your limousine ticket from klook and exchange for physical tickets at the airport.

Traveler arrive at terminal 1, please board at the bus at platform#8. In the other hand, please board the bus from Platform#2 from Terminal 2

From Kansai Airport To JR Kyoto Station Hachijoguchi (south exit):

Fare/duration: ¥2,800 (adult) and ¥1,400 (kids), 90-105 minutes.
Round trip is cheaper
Cheapest way.

How To Get To Kyoto From Osaka City

Kyoto is located nearby Osaka and it is best to visit both places when you are visiting Kansai Japan. These two cities are accessible by train and bus. So many people choose to have a day trip to Kyoto from Osaka. So, it is no surprise that there are multiple options for traveling by train due to the popularity.

Read below on all the available transportation options listed.

Traveling Between Kyoto and Osaka By Train

There are 4 different train lines connected between Kyoto and Osaka. The best train depends on when you are traveling from Osaka city to which is your next visited area in Kyoto.

JR Tokaido Shinkansen: from JR Shin-Osaka To JR Kyoto Station.

Fare/duration: ¥1420, 15 minutes.
Fastest way and best option if you have Japan Rail Pass.
Choose from Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama trains. However, please take note Nozomi is not covered by JR Pass.

JR Rapid Train: from JR Osaka/Shin-Osaka Station.

Fare/duration: ¥560, 25-30 minutes.

Keihan Main Line: from Osaka (Yodoyabashi Station) To Sanjo Station at Central Region.

Fare/duration: ¥410, 55 minutes.
Good option as it stop at famous attraction including Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

Hankyu Main Line: from Osaka (Hankyu Umeda Station) to Kawaramachi Station at Central Region.

Fare/duration: ¥400, 45 minutes.
Good option as it stops at famous attraction which close to Gion and Arashiyama.

Traveling Between Kyoto and Osaka By Bus

There is a bus that connected Osaka with Kyoto station by 5 buses per day. From Osaka, you can board from Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, Universal Studios Japan and Namba (OCAT) to Kyoto.

Fare/duration: ¥900, 120 minutes.
Convenient if you are staying nearby the bus stop.

How To Get To Kyoto From Tokyo

If you are planning to visit Osaka and Kyoto, Tokyo is always where you connected to the Kansai area. Traveling between these two areas is pretty easy but not cheap. Anyway, we highly recommended for Shinkansen for a comfortable option. Meanwhile, opted for highway buses for budget travel.

Traveling Between Tokyo and Kyoto By Shinkansen

Certainly, Shinkansen is the most comfortable and fastest way to get to Kyoto from Tokyo. If you are traveling for a return journey, consider getting the Japan Rail Pass which costs about the same as regular train. This means that you are basically free to ride the JR operated train within the validity period. Check for the price and information on JR Pass here.

From Tokyo to JR Kyoto Station by bullet train (Shinkansen):

Fare/duration:
- Nozomi: ¥13,080/¥13,500 on reserved/non-reserved, 140 minutes
- Hikari: ¥13,080/¥14,000 on reserved/non-reserved, 160 minutes
- Kodama: ¥13,080/¥13,500 on reserved/non-reserved, 160 minutes

Fastest and most comfortable.
For round trip traveler, consider getting the Japan Rail Pass which greatly save on transportation fee.

Traveling Between Tokyo and Kyoto By Highway Bus

In short, highway bus is the cheapest option if you are planning to travel from Tokyo on budget. However, bus fare is varied depend on season, time and comfort level. Generally, the price is ranging from ¥12,000 to ¥15,000, depending on the comfort level.

Most of the budget travelers choose to take the Highway Night bus from Tokyo to Kyoto. The cost is almost three times cheaper compare with Shinkansen. No worry about the comfort and cleanliness level of Highway bus in Japan. Everything is well structured and on-time, just like typical Japanese culture.

If you are vote for this budget option, check out on the excellent Night Highway Bus service from Klook. Choose from three-row or four-row seating with different prices given.

Best Transportation For Your Travel Itinerary

All in all, there are a lot of transportation available for travelers when visiting in the Kansai area. So, just plan your Japan travel itinerary based on your interest and only look for the best transportation to suit your budget and route. Happy to travel to Kyoto smoothly!

Related article:

A Ride On Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway