Sagano Scenic Railway

The Sagano Scenic Railway, also called the Sagano Romantic Train, is a sightseeing line operated by Sagano Scenic Railway Co., Ltd. in the west of Kyoto. Its trains run between four stations, Torokko Saga, Torokko Arashiyama, Torokko Hozukyo and Torokko Kameoka, following the Hozu River as it cuts through a wooded gorge, and the journey from Saga to Kameoka takes about 25 minutes. The slow pace and the open views make it one of the most popular excursions from Arashiyama.

The ride is especially popular in two seasons. Cherry blossom lines the route from late March to early April, and autumn leaves colour the gorge from mid-November to early December, although dates depend on the weather and the operator posts updates online. In summer the green of the valley and the river below are the main attractions. Car No. 5, known as The Rich, is an open-air carriage with no window glass and a transparent floor section; it can get wet in the rain, umbrellas are not allowed inside, and rain does not entitle passengers to a refund or change.

Reserved seats are in four-person box seats, with A and D by the windows, and can be booked online through the official reservation site from midnight one month before the travel date, up to eight tickets at a time. Only one-way tickets are sold, so buy the return journey separately or plan to continue by another route. Same-day tickets and a limited number of standing tickets are sold at the stations, except Hozukyo, when available, and free changes and cancellations are allowed until 23:59 the day before. E-tickets must be shown on a phone or tablet. Japan Rail Passes are not valid.

The train suits almost everyone, from families with children to older travellers. For wheelchair users and those with walking sticks, the operator recommends Torokko Saga Station, since Torokko Arashiyama has about 60 steps and no lift, and there are two wheelchair spaces on each train, arranged through the website. There is no parking at Saga, Arashiyama or Hozukyo, so use public transport.

Torokko Saga is about ten minutes' walk from the Arashiyama bamboo grove and about 20 minutes from central Arashiyama. A classic plan is to ride the train out to Kameoka and return to Arashiyama by the Hozugawa river boat, which can be booked at a counter inside Torokko Saga Station, then visit Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove.