Sagano Romantic Train

What is Sagano Romantic Train or Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train?

 

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Romantic Train is one of Kyoto’s scenic train journeys often known for its brilliant seasonal beautiful ride. Often known for its travel through the picturesque Hozu River, Kyoto’s lush countryside like Arashiyama Kameoka including some seasonal changes of the landscapes.

Runs total 7 km, this locomotive train contains a total of 5 coaches which are perfectly made for visitors to look at and enjoy both sides of the natural beauties. However, Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train offers a total 25 minutes of train journey which helps you to find seasonal changes of Kyoto’s countryside along with enjoying rich cultural, natural and scenic journeys.

 

What Visitors Could Expect While Riding in the Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train?

While riding in Sagano Romantic Train travellers will find the most romantic, leisure and tranquil experience which makes you appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the Kyoto.

 

1. Easy Access to Nearest Kyoto Attraction

 

This train journey allows visitors to reach the nearest iconic attractions like Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and glimpse of Daihikaku Senkoji Temple, Iwatayama Monkey Park and history and architectures of Tenryu-ji Temple. However, trains help us to see the seasonal beauties of Kyoto even during both summer and winter.

 

2. Seasonal Beauty

 

Raiders are even most fortunate to find cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer and red and gold leaves in autumn and light snowfall during winter. Choose which beauty you wish to enjoy and book at the right time.

 

3. Exhibits Scenic and Cultural Experiences

 

The Sagano Romantic Train is the only thing which makes every backpacker appreciate how rich Arashimaya is, both culturally and naturally. Since it is filled with full of beauty in each season, beautiful landscapes, surrounding epic mountains, tunnels and iconic Hozugawa River making it one of the ideal locations for nature lovers, not just to see, but even to capture the best photos ever.

Culturally, the Sagano Romantic Train gives plenty of chances to immerse in traditional Japanese cultural beauty, especially in the historic area of the Arashiyama. Don’t miss it.

 

4. Family Friendly Thing

 

Most recommended train journey to do with your family members. Despite being more tranquil, peaceful, the train is running slow, which helps kids to see plenty of time to spot rivers, wildlife, tunnels and beautiful mountains and landscapes. However kids or your partner could see world famous cherry blossoms and autumn foliage views during their ride. One greatest thing to remember as a family backpacker is children who are less than age 6 can freely enter.

 

5. More Nostalgic Experience

 

Sagano Romantic Train is one of the perfect journeys to enjoy the most nostalgic, heritage and historic experiences. From its retro style wooden seating’s to classic locomotive engines everything built to provide the most nostalgic experience to passengers.

 

What are the Features of Sagano Romantic Train?

Compared to other major Japanese trains, this Sagano Romantic Train made exclusively for travel along with enjoy the surrounding natures, dense forest coverages, and seasonal views of the Kyoto within limited journey.

 

1. Historic Context

Initially this unique train runs on a historic track constructed as a part of the Kyoto Railway’s main line during the late 19th century. But during the early 20th century, once the Japanese Government decided to nationalise all its Railways lines, they added this one for better travel experience and easy connections to nearest sites.

But late 1990s Japan recognized this train route as more beautiful and epic to travel and offers a more serene experience. Therefore they started the JR West- Sagano Scenic Railway network replacing the older train line. In 1991 officially introduced this Sagano Romantic Train for tourism purposes. Today this train journey stand as a one of the completely open air carriages in the world.

 

2. Open Air Carriages

 

Trains’ most interesting feature is its Open Air Carriages. It allows passengers to experience the most stunning sceneries with fresh open air and clear way especially while passing its mountain ranges, beautiful landscapes and Hozu River surroundings.

Often called “Rich Car” or Car No. 5 includes wooden seats, open ceilings and windowless sides. These cabins help passengers to see beauty at every season even during rain too (don’t worry if you will get wet when it rains). Each time when you sit in its carriages it offers a different feeling and vibe of the Kyoto nature. Don’t forget to hear the lights and breeze of nature while traveling.

 

3. Perfect Nostalgic Design

 

Sagano Romantic Train is entirely made with brilliant Nostalgic Design. The train was built by an art deco stylist which consisted of classic carriage systems and wooden bench seating. While making internal designs, engineers give more focus to windowless car features and warm wooden seating’s. It helps travelers to see sights like mountains, surroundings and rivers along with open air in order to get the gentle breeze of nature.

Besides that, the train has special carriage systems like Rich car- No. 5 and Standard cars like- 1-4. Soft glowing bare bulbs really makes your journey memorable, offers aesthetic appeal and inviting ambiance mainly installed for prevent harsh glare and to adjust brightness to fine tune inside rooms.

 

4. Classic Locomotive Engine

 

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train run by the diesel locomotive engine, keeping its classic and heritage systems. This Locomotive Engine looks like a weave when it is passing through mountain valleys.

 

Sagano Romantic Train Tickets

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train Tickets are Offered like;

 

1. For Adults: ¥ 880

 

2. For Children (less than 6 to 12 years of age): ¥ 440.

 

Note: Tickets are sold on a first comers at Sangano Romantic Train Station counter. Ticket issuing process are usually starts at 9:00 AM, every day they sell limited tickets after reserved seats are sold out. Don’t try to buy tickets at JR station, instead buy at Torokko Saga Station.

To skip this uncertainty and limited tickets, it is better to purchase entry tickets at its official website.

 

Sagano Romantic Train Timings

This Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train runs every day (except Wednesdays) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors even expect additional train hours during peak season or any special events.

Departure from Saga Station or Torokko Saga Station to Kameoka every once an hour. Since it is slow, travelers have to keep at least 25 minutes to reach and cover scenic beauty. But it is worth one.

 

Sagano Romantic Train Routes and Stopping Points (Stations)

Sagano Romantic Train covers a total of 4 local stations within its 7.3 km of route. In that, it covers the main departure station and final reaching station such as Torokko Saga Station and Kameoka.

 

1. Torokko Saga Station- Main Departure Station.

 

2. Torokko Arashiyama Station- Close station to popular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Forest and iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.

 

3. Torokko Hozukyo Station- No such place to see, only full of forest and rivers.

 

4. Torokko Kameoka Station- Final station of this Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train. From here visitors can expect the most beautiful boat ride at Hozugawa River.

 

Saga Romantic Train Night Illumination

Often called the “Train of Light Fantasy”, Saga Romantic Train Night Illumination is just a seasonal friendly ride in Kyoto usually occurring when the train is passing through its dark areas like tunnels and illuminated Hozugawa River Valley.

This journey is available only after reaching Torokko Saga and Torokko Kameoka Station, between 7km of its actual distance. During this time the train switches off all the lights of the cabins to see passengers on the riverbanks of the Hozugawa, glowing nature, illuminated mountains and local riverbanks.

Make sure that, this illumination journey is only possible to see from October 25 to December 29. It is an autumn season activity, starting exactly at 4:30 PM until last evening.

 

Sagano Romantic Train Map (Google Map)