traveltowith

Find the Best Activities & Hotels for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers

About UsContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
© 2025 Traveltowith. All rights reserved.
t
Search...
Japan/Things to Do in Kyoto, solo trip

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train (solo trip)

with kidswith babycouple tripsolo trip

How Solo-Friendly is Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train?

86%Solo-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 86% Solo-Friendly: The 25-minute route gives solo travelers cheap reserved seating, English audio and easy photo chances, but the short ride and crowded peak seasons may limit deeper exploration.

Google
Reviews4.2/ 5
(from 395 reviews)
Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan 2023 🚂 Review, Guide & Tips
16 min
Start from:
0:00
Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan 2023 🚂 Review, Guide & Tips
63.6K views • 1 year ago
A Foolproof Guide to the Sagano Romantic Train, Kyoto
14 min
Start from:
0:00
A Foolproof Guide to the Sagano Romantic Train, Kyoto
74.7K views • 2 years ago
[4K JAPAN] Sagano Romantic Train Through Cherry Blossoms #4k #kyoto
26 min
Start from:
0:00
[4K JAPAN] Sagano Romantic Train Through Cherry Blossoms #4k #kyoto
2K views • 2 years ago

Positives:

  • Solo-friendly pace: The slow train speed lets you set your own rhythm without feeling rushed.
  • English support: Audio guide and station signs include English, easing solo navigation.

Challenges:

  • No onboard toilets: You must use restrooms at Saga or Arashiyama stations before boarding.
  • Limited seat availability: Seats sell out quickly in peak seasons; buy early to secure a window seat.
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 1
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 2
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 3
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 4
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 5
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 6
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 7
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 8
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 9
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train image 10
Found this helpful? Please support us by visiting 🏖️ our GetYourGuide partner link - Activities around Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train, and we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us pay the bills and help more travelers!

What is Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train?

  • A heritage scenic railway on the former JR San’in Main Line that runs restored box-shaped trolleys along a 7 km track beside the Hozu River
  • Diesel-hauled trains featuring a mix of open-air and enclosed cars designed to replicate early 20th-century freight trolleys in both form and sound
  • A 25-minute single-track route through the Sagano gorge, framed by seasonal landscapes from cherry blossoms to autumn snows

What is so special about Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train for solo trip?

  1. Book a window seat for framed river gorge vistas
  2. Use the free English audio guide for route history
  3. Hop off at Hozukyo Station for unique station photos
  4. Combine the ride with a short bamboo grove stroll
  5. Enjoy four distinct seasonal landscapes from one seat

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: The 25-minute one-way ride plus time to explore stations and short walks fits in a 1–2 hour visit.

(View Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train on Map)

Solo-Friendly Activities in Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

Reserve a window seat in Cars 1–4:

Choose Cars 1–4 for clear glass windows framing the Hozu River gorge.

Tip: Arrive 15 minutes before departure to buy your ticket and pick a seat.

Download and use the English audio guide:

Play narration on your phone to learn route history and seasonal highlights as you ride.

Tip: Get the free “ON THE TRIP” guide before you go; it works offline.

Explore Torokko Hozukyo Station:

Walk around the wooden platforms, tanuki statues and riverside bridge views.

Tip: Disembark for 10 minutes to snap unique photos before reboarding.

Visit Uketa Shrine viewpoint:

Hike up to this small shrine above the track for a quiet panorama of the valley.

Tip: Allow 30 minutes from Hozukyo Station; follow the stone steps beside the river.

Stroll the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove:

Wander the 400m tunnel of bamboo near Arashiyama Station for a serene forest walk.

Tip: Enter early to avoid crowds and capture sunlight filtering through the stalks.

When is the best time to visit Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train (Kyoto, Japan)?

Spring brings cherry blossoms along the riverbank; summer offers lush green bamboo and cool breezes; autumn turns the mountains fiery red; winter sometimes dusts the valley in snow for a quiet, minimalist scene.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Kyoto on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Reviews of Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train (Kyoto)

Powered by Google
Justin Carr

Justin Carr

May 2025

Fantastic views from the railway along the Hozu River gorge. We booked online, a month in advance to secure the window seats of the "Rich" (open air) car. Journey was great fun.

Sharyn

Sharyn

Apr 2025

After booking tickets for a river cruise we decided to take the Romantic Train from the Bamboo Forest to our meeting point. We booked tickets online the day before, leaving from Torokko Arashiyama station and arriving at Torokko Kameoka station (we were also able to book our seat allocations at the same time). And it was such a fun and scenic way to travel there with the train weaving through the ...

Xenia Novosilska

Xenia Novosilska

Apr 2025

Short ride in a beautiful valley. I wouldn't go there only for it, but if you stay in Arashiyama and have an hour - it can be nice. It is easy to book tickets beforehand. I did a return trip twice. A better view is from the right side on the way from Arashiyama and on your left on the way to Arashiyama.

Lausanne Seyfferdt

Lausanne Seyfferdt

Apr 2025

It's a fantastic experience, just don't always expect cherry blossoms. You have to choose the right time and be lucky. If you want to go for the experience you will still see breathtaking views. If you go during cold season bundle up.

Geraldtanak

Geraldtanak

Mar 2025

Need to pre book tickets online. Select even numbered seats only, good weather, go for car 5. Thank me later. Standing tickets avail half priced, free to sit if empty seats, so good for low season. Book immediate next train back, even seats again. Nothing much to do at end stop unless you're taking the boat ride.

Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)

ItemCost (Approx.)
One-way train ticketJPY 880
Saga Arashiyama Museum entryJPY 1,000
Total EstimatedJPY 1,880

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

How to Maximize Your Visit to Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

  1. Ride off-peak: Choose a weekday or early morning departure to avoid the crowds.
  2. Pick the right side: Sit on the right side outbound for the best Hozu River views.
🚗 Planning to explore multiple Kyoto attractions? A rental car often costs less than daily taxi trips. Check Trip.com for deals. New users save up to 8% OFF.

Map of Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

Address: Sagatenryuji Kurumamichicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8373, Japan

Map will load when you scroll here

Scroll down to view the interactive map

Looking for other Things to Do besides Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train (Kyoto)?

← See other Things to Do in Kyoto (solo trip)

About Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

Opening Hours

Monday:9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday:9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday:9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Average price

US$ 6.1
Book on GetYourGuide

Explore Popular Things to Do

🇯🇵 Japan, solo trip

Things to Do in Tokyo, solo trip
Tokyo
Things to Do in Osaka, solo trip
Osaka
Things to Do in Kyoto, solo trip
Kyoto
Mount Fuji AreaSapporoHakoneFukuokaNagoya

🇨🇦 Canada, solo trip

Things to Do in Toronto, solo trip
Toronto
Things to Do in Montreal, solo trip
Montreal

🇮🇪 Ireland, solo trip

Things to Do in Dublin, solo trip
Dublin
Things to Do in Cork, solo trip
Cork
Things to Do in Galway, solo trip
Galway

🇬🇷 Greece, solo trip

Things to Do in Santorini, solo trip
Santorini
Things to Do in Athens, solo trip
Athens
Things to Do in Heraklion, solo trip
Heraklion

🇰🇷 South Korea, solo trip

Things to Do in Seoul, solo trip
Seoul
Things to Do in Busan, solo trip
Busan
Things to Do in Jeju, solo trip
Jeju

🇦🇺 Australia, solo trip

Things to Do in Sydney, solo trip
Sydney
Things to Do in Melbourne, solo trip
Melbourne
Things to Do in Gold Coast, solo trip
Gold Coast
BrisbaneCanberra

How You Can Support Us

If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!

It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!

Average price

US$ 6.1
Book on GetYourGuide
traveltowith
HomeDestinationsAbout
Kyoto, Japan

searching for