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Sagano Romantic Train: Get Spirited Away with Your Boo
Arashiyama. We could talk about how the bamboo grove takes you to a place far removed from the busy city life, or how the abundance of people in yukata and traditional clothing highlights the aesthetic culture of Kyoto. But perhaps this is a story you've heard many times. In fact, maybe the tale of bamboo loyalists flocking to Arashiyama has made you second guess your plans to visit.
Don't cross it off your to-see list just yet. We still recommend that you visit this otherworldly location and suggest you take a break from the congestion by hopping aboard a train with front row seats to some of the region's most breathtaking views. Since seats are easily reserved online, you won't have to worry about fighting for your spot.
Let us tell you about the Sagano Romantic Train.
The Sagano Romantic Train was built in 1990 and was operated and managed by only nine employees. Despite the minimal manpower, this legendary train has been alive and kicking for over three decades and now boasts a reputation as one of the most slept-on gems of Kyoto sightseeing.
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In the best way possible, nothing about the Sagano Romantic Train has changed. It has kept its original retro look: wooden seats, elegant maroon and yellow exterior colorways. Wide windows afford passengers cinematic views, and fresh air flows through the mountains, whispering through the train's open-air seats.
The prices are also something that has endured the times, maintaining a reasonable fare of just over 10 dollars for a 50-minute round trip adventure.
A Purely Scenic Route
The train departs at Saga Torokko station, just outside of JR Saga Arashiyama Station, and ends at Kameoka Station. No matter where your reserved seat is located, you will be blessed with a ride that consists of a purely scenic route. The train travels through Hozugawa Gorge and along the gorgeous Hozugawa River. What we love the most about this scenery is that it has barely been phased by the advancement of technology or manmade architecture; all of the stations along the train’s path are still manually run by station attendants, and there are no buildings or houses obstructing the passengers’ line of sight.
To boot, the train operators keep the trip interesting, providing explanations of each scene the train passes by. Some of them even start singing their favorite Showa Era hits (we were serenaded by a staff member’s rendition of Kyu Sakamoto’s “Sukiyaki”).
What to Do Afterwards?
You could always push back to the city afterwards, but why not make a date out of it? It's not called the "Romantic Train" for nothing. Make your shorty's day.
Our suggestion is to get off at Arashiyama Station, which will drop you off just outside of its famous bamboo grove. After passing through, you will be on the main street of the area, which will present you with an endless array of stores and stands offering everything from Japanese cuisine, to beer, seasonal desserts, boba, and traditional Japanese handicrafts. Upon reaching the end of the main street, all that’s left to do is pass over Togetsu-kyo Bridge. We highly recommend stopping to enjoy the view of the mountains and the Katsura River filled with boats being rowed by visitors and young couples. There’s really nothing like it.
Kyoto is known as one of the main metropolises in Japan, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the central area and exhaust yourself in the crowds. The beauty of Kyoto lies in its multitude of options to escape the crowded urban lifestyle. While you’re here, we encourage you to separate yourself from the city bustle and get in touch with nature. The Sagano Romantic Train is one of the better gateways to such adventures.