Enjoying the Natural Beauty of Kyoto from the Sagano Romantic Train

What do you usually do during a train ride? Do you play with your phone? Chat with friends or family? Or simply enjoy the scenery along the way?

For those who are usually busy chatting or playing on their phones, you will likely not feel the urge to do so when riding Japan’s viral train, the Sagano Romantic Train. It is because, throughout the ride, you can enjoy extraordinary and unforgettable views, making it unfortunate if you are too distracted to appreciate them.

The Sagano Romantic Train

The Sagano Romantic Train is a specially designed train offering a comfortable and unique experience, unlike your usual train rides. Operating in Kyoto, the train features predominantly red and yellow colors and a diesel locomotive in almost all-black color.

The interior uses wooden seats and simple light bulbs, giving it a distinctive look compared to ordinary trains. Moreover, the carriages are surrounded by glass panels, allowing you to enjoy the scenery fully throughout your journey.

For an even more special and immersive experience, you can choose car no. 5, also known as the “Rich” carriage. This carriage lacks windows entirely, allowing you to fully enjoy not just the views but also the fresh air during the ride.

The train connects four stations and takes about 25 minutes for a one-way trip from Saga Station to Kameoka Station. However, if you have plenty of time, it is recommended to choose the longest route, as it is a favorite among tourists. With this option, you can fully enjoy the beautiful landscapes of rural areas, mountains, forests, and rivers in Japan, especially in Kyoto.

History of the Sagano Romantic Train

While now a popular tourist train, did you know that it was originally used to transport freight to remote areas inaccessible by trucks or standard-sized tracks? That’s right, the tracks for this train are narrower than those used for regular trains. 

In 1990, the Sagano Scenic Railway Co., Ltd. was established with just nine staff members, including the president at the time. The company aimed to repurpose the unused tracks into a scenic tourist route.

Thus, the Sagano Romantic Train began operations under the management of Sagano Scenic Railway Co., Ltd. In Japanese, the train is called Sagano Torokko Resha, which translates to truck train.

Schedule and Routes of the Sagano Romantic Train

Interested in riding this train during your visit to Japan? You can reach the departure station using this route. From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. Then, transfer to the San-In Line to reach Saga-Arashiyama Station. The total cost from Tokyo to Saga-Arashiyama Station is ¥13,970 if you are not using a JR Pass.

From Saga-Arashiyama Station, you can choose your desired Sagano Romantic Train route, whether to the final stop at Kameoka Station, or getting off at Arashiyama Station or Hozukyo Station. The ticket price for a one-way trip is ¥880, and tickets can be reserved up to 1 month in advance of your planned trip date. To check the schedule and ticket availability, you can click here.

To ensure a smooth trip to Japan, make sure to prepare everything thoroughly, including purchasing International Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia to protect you during your travel. Happy exploring and enjoying the scenic countryside of Kyoto!