Sagano Scenic Railway: The Journey from Torokko-Kameoka Station to Torokko-Saga Station

Breakfast at Kohikan > Arashimaya (嵐山) > Bamboo Grove > Nonomiya Shrine > Randen Arashiyama Station > Lunch > Getting to Torokko-Kameoka Station > Torokko-Kameoka Station > Sagano Scenic Railway

Sagano Scenic Train

The Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道), also known as the Sagano Romantic Train or Sagano Torokko) is a sightseeing train line which runs along the Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka. The old-fashioned trains run at a leisurely slow pace, taking about 25 minutes to make the 7km journey. So passengers would get to enjoy the pleasant scenery as the train meanders through the mountains. It costs 620¥ per way for adults, which might be a little pricey but well worth the money as the pleasant scenery greets you as the train travels through the forested ravine and rural Kameoka.

From the Torokko Kameoka Station, the terminal station, there are a couple of ways you can take to get back to Arashiyama. You could:

Buy a return ticket from Torokko Kameoka Station and catch the the Sagano Scenic Railway Train back to Arashiyama
OR
Walk to the JR Umahori Station, which is within walking distance, and that the train back to the Arashimaya Station
OR
Get on a 2 hour river cruise at 4,100¥ /adult along the Hozugawa River. [Hozugawa River Cruise ]

We started our journey from Torokko Kameoka, rather than from Arashimaya because when we were purchasing the tickets, the timing was suited our schedule the best. We had purchased our one-way tickets at the JR Ticketing counter at Kyoto Station. [Read about it here]

The railway tracks

The inside of the train with its rustic wooden chairs. All aboard!!

Since we visited almost at the end of spring (coming summer), there were no pretty blossoms in sight; so it was not really that romantic. I’m guessing that the reason why the Sagano Scenic Train is called romantic as well is because when the sakuara are in bloom it would make a lovely sight. Despite not having any blossoms along the way, the stunning turquoise of the river and lush green trees and foliage made it quite an impressive sight as well. The occasional boat drifting past also added to the surreal experience.

Sagano Scenic Railway: The Journey from Torokko-Kameoka Station to Torokko-Saga Station

As the train moved along the track, though albeit bumpy, the cool breeze that whiffed past and the sight of nature at its best was a memorable experience. And what better way to depict it by showing you the journey:

Torokko-Saga Station >>

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