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Sagano Romantic Train and Japan's other sightseeing trains
The Sagano Romantic Train costs ¥880 for one person, one way, in 2026[1], about 25 minutes along the Hozu River gorge from Torokko Saga to Torokko Kameoka[26]. Seats go on sale online at midnight one month ahead[27]; the Japan Rail Pass does not cover it[27]. The present cars retire after 29 December 2026 and a new train starts in spring 2027[28]. Checked on 19 October 2026.
The trains compared
| Train | Route | Time | One way, one person | JR Pass | Booking opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagano Romantic Train Sagano Scenic Railway | Torokko Saga to Torokko Kameoka | 25 min | ¥880[1] | No | 1 month |
| Yufuin no Mori JR Kyushu | Hakata to Yufuin | 2 h 14 | ¥6,130[2] | Yes | 1 month |
| Ibusuki no Tamatebako JR Kyushu | Kagoshima-Chuo to Ibusuki | 51 min | ¥2,950[2] | Yes | 1 month |
| A-Train (A Ressha de Ikou) JR Kyushu | Kumamoto to Misumi | 1 h 09 | ¥2,850[2] | Yes | 1 month |
| Aru Ressha JR Kyushu | Hakata to Yufuin | 3 h 10 | Package with the meal[3] | No | package only |
| Seven Stars in Kyushu JR Kyushu | Hakata to Hakata | not stated | ¥700,000 to ¥1,850,000 tour, per person sharing[4] | No | application and lottery |
| Resort Shirakami JR East | Akita to Aomori | 5 h 15 | ¥5,460[5] | Yes | 1 month |
| Kurobe Gorge Railway (Torokko train) Kurobe Gorge Railway | Unazuki to Keyakidaira | 1 h 16 | ¥2,480[6] | No | 3 months |
| Oigawa Railway: steam and electric express trains, and the Ikawa Line Oigawa Railway | Shin-Kanaya to Ieyama or Kawane-Onsen-Sasamado | 28 min | ¥2,190[7] | No | 30 days |
Fares for a reserved seat where the train has one. JR limited express fares from JR's own fare search.
Sagano Romantic Train
8 regular trains each way, about one an hour, Torokko Saga 9:02 to 16:02 and Torokko Kameoka 9:30 to 16:30. Extra evening trains: Sagano 81 and 82 (Saga 17:10) on 24 October to 13 December and 26 to 27 December 2026; Sagano 91 and 92 (Saga 18:26) also on 14 to 30 November and 5 to 6 December 2026.[29]
Season. 1 March to 29 December 2026; 29 December is the last day for the present cars. Still to come in 2026: closed on Wednesday 21 October and Wednesday 16 December; no closed days in November. The new train starts in spring 2027; its 2027 calendar and fares were not published on 20 October 2026[30][31].[32]
Booking. From midnight one month before the travel date (the same date of the previous month), on the operator's site[27]. Same-day tickets only, first come first served, at Torokko Saga (from about 8:35), Torokko Arashiyama (about 8:50) and Torokko Kameoka (about 9:10); not at Torokko Hozukyo. Station windows do not sell tickets in advance.[1] The operator says online tickets can sell out, that same-day tickets are limited and may sell out, and that standing tickets are sold when seats are gone. On 19 October 2026 its seat chart showed 6 of the day's 16 trains full and 5 with few seats left.[33]
Busy times. Cherry blossom from late March to early April; autumn leaves from mid November to early December (the operator notes this depends on the weather). The line is lit after dusk from 24 October to 29 December 2026, from 16:30.[27]
Car No. 5. Car No. 5, the Rich car, is next to the locomotive. It has the same seats as cars 1 to 4 but no windows, a glass roof and a see-through floor, so it can get wet in rain. Choose car No. 5 in the online booking form to sit there.[34]
Getting to each end
- Torokko Saga: next to the JR station; the operator's access note says about 5 minutes on foot from JR Saga-Arashiyama[8]. From Kyoto by JR: ¥240, 17 minutes[2].
- Torokko Kameoka: about 10 minutes on foot from JR Umahori[9]. From Kyoto by JR: ¥320, 25 minutes[2].
Book the Sagano Romantic Train on the operator's site[27].
The Hozugawa river boat back
Many riders take the train up to Kameoka and the boat back down the gorge to Arashiyama: about 2 hours, 6,000 yen for one person[35][36]. The boat operator takes online bookings until the day before and sells same-day tickets at its landing in Kameoka; it suggests a boat about one hour after the train[37]. The boat operator's site.
The other trains
Yufuin no Mori
6,130 yen for one person with a reserved seat, Hakata to Yufuin, about 2 hours 15 minutes[2][10]. JR Kyushu says its seats are fully booked day after day[10]; seats go on sale at 10:00 one month ahead[11].
Season: all year[10]. Official page.
Ibusuki no Tamatebako
2,950 yen for one person with a reserved seat, Kagoshima-Chuo to Ibusuki, 51 minutes; 3 round trips a day[2][12].
Season: all year, daily operation[12]. Official page.
A-Train (A Ressha de Ikou)
2,850 yen for one person with a reserved seat, Kumamoto to Misumi, 69 minutes, on weekends and holidays[2][13].
Season: all year on operating days[13]. Official page.
Aru Ressha
A dining train between Hakata and Yufuin, sold by JR Kyushu only as a day trip package with the meal, booked through Klook[3].
Season: published calendar August 2026 to February 2027[3]. Official page.
Seven Stars in Kyushu
Sold by JR Kyushu as a tour from Hakata: 700,000 to 950,000 yen for one person sharing a room on the 2 day journey, 1,350,000 to 1,850,000 yen on the 4 day journeys in 2027[4]. Places go by application and lottery; for March to August 2027 the English application ran from 1 to 20 October 2026[14] and the Japanese one runs to 31 October 2026[15]. The next window was not yet published.
Season: set departure dates; March to August 2027 is the next term[4]. Official page.
Resort Shirakami
5,460 yen for one person with a reserved seat, Akita to Aomori along the Sea of Japan, 5 hours 15 minutes[16][5]. JR East says Japan Rail Pass holders reserve a seat at no extra charge[17].
Season: daily from August to November 2026 (on some days 2 of the 3 round trips); December 2026 to March 2027 mainly weekends, holidays and the New Year period[16]. Official page.
Kurobe Gorge Railway (Torokko train)
2,480 yen for one person, one way, Unazuki to Keyakidaira in an open car, plus 600 yen for a windowed Relax car[6]; 76 to 82 minutes[18]. The full line reopened on 1 October 2026 after earthquake repair work and runs to 30 November, then only Unazuki to Sasadaira from 1 to 6 December[19][20]; booking opens 3 months ahead[21]. The 2027 season dates were not yet published on 20 October 2026[22].
Season: 2026: 20 April to 30 September Unazuki to Nekomata and back only; 1 October to 30 November the full line to Keyakidaira; 1 to 6 December Unazuki to Sasadaira and back[23]. Official page.
Oigawa Railway: steam and electric express trains, and the Ikawa Line
The electric locomotive express from Shin-Kanaya to Ieyama costs 2,190 yen for one person[7]; the regular steam express is paused while its locomotive is modified[24]. Seats open 30 days ahead[25].
Season: all year on set operating days[7]. Official page.
Other sellers of Sagano tickets and tours
| Seller | Price shown | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sagano Scenic Railway Official seller | ¥880 one way | The railway's or issuer's own price |
| KKday Sagano Romantic Train One-Way Ticket: Saga to Kameoka (product 131948) | ¥880[38] | One way, either direction; with a Hankyu 1-Day Pass JPY 2,180 |
| GetYourGuide Kyoto: Arashiyama Tour with optional Sagano Romantic Train | US$103[39] | From, per person; 3 to 4 hour guided tour, train optional |
| Viator Kyoto Hozugawa River Boat Sagano Romantic Train Tour | US$116.51[40] | From, per person; about 8 hours, train and boat |
Prices are as each seller showed them on the date in the sources.
See also the Japan Rail Pass prices and the JR Pass calculator.
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Sources
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Fare and tickets (one way fare, online and same-day sales), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR West, JR Odekake Net My Dia fare and timetable search (searched 19 October 2026 for Tuesday 20 October 2026; Kumamoto to Misumi for Saturday 24 October 2026), www.jr-odekake.net, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, ARU RESSHA (timetable, operation calendar, how to book), www.jrkyushu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, Seven Stars in Kyushu, 30th Term Spring to Summer Journey Overview (brochure PDF, departures March to August 2027), www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR East, eki-net train search, Akita to Aomori (searched 19 October 2026 for Tuesday 20 October 2026, reference price for one person), www.eki-net.com, accessed 19 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, fares and how to buy (Japanese), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Oigawa Railway, Oigawa Main Line timetable and fares (Japanese, last updated 17 September 2026), daitetsu.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Torokko Saga Station (access), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Torokko Kameoka Station (access), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, YUFUIN NO MORI (timetable, operation calendar, seating, notice), www.jrkyushu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, JR-KYUSHU Train Reservation service (reservations open 10:00 one month before), www.jrkyushu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, IBUSUKI NO TAMATEBAKO, www.jrkyushu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, A-TRAIN (timetable and operation calendar), www.jrkyushu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, Seven Stars in Kyushu, Applications (English): March to August 2027 journeys, application period 1 to 20 October 2026, www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp, accessed 20 October 2026
- JR Kyushu, Seven Stars in Kyushu, news 30 September 2026 (Japanese): applications for March to August 2027, 1 October 10:00 to 31 October 23:59, 2026, www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp, accessed 20 October 2026
- JR East, Resort Shirakami timetable and operation calendar (as of August 2026), www.jreast.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- JR East, Joyful Trains Portal, Resort Shirakami (routes, tickets, passes), www.jreast.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, timetable 1 October to 6 December 2026 (Japanese), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, news 3 July 2026: full line reopens 1 October 2026 (Japanese), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, news 16 October 2026: 2026 season extended to 6 December (Japanese), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, Tickets and Reservations (English), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, news list (Japanese; no 2027 season notice; the 2026 plan was first posted on 19 December 2025), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 20 October 2026
- Kurobe Gorge Railway, 2026 season operation notice, 23 March 2026 (PDF, Japanese), www.kurotetu.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Oigawa Railway, Steam Locomotives (English), daitetsu.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Oigawa Railway, EL and SL express trains page (booking window, steam suspension; Japanese), daitetsu.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, About the Sagano Romantic Train (7 km, about 25 minutes), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, FAQ (booking window, Rich car, JR Pass, seasons, Hozu River boat), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, press release 18 September 2026, Light Illusion Train and extra trains (PDF, Japanese), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Sagano Romantic Train Timetable (PDF, edited 14 March 2026), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, press release 4 August 2026, new train to debut in spring 2027 (PDF, Japanese), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Japanese top page (news and topics: new train to debut in spring 2027; no 2027 calendar or fares), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 20 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, 2026 Sagano Romantic Train Schedule (yearly calendar PDF, current as of March 2026), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Train schedule (calendar, timetable, seats left, sold-out wording), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Sagano Scenic Railway, Seats (standard cars 1 to 4, Rich car No. 5), www.sagano-kanko.co.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Hozugawa River Boat Ride Association, fares and booking (Japanese), www.hozugawakudari.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Hozugawa River Boat Ride Association, timetable and season (Japanese), www.hozugawakudari.jp, accessed 19 October 2026
- Hozugawa River Boat Ride Association, bookings (online booking until the day before, same-day tickets at the boat landing, boat time after the train; Japanese), www.hozugawakudari.jp, accessed 20 October 2026
- KKday, Sagano Romantic Train One-Way Ticket: Saga to Kameoka (product 131948), www.kkday.com, accessed 19 October 2026
- GetYourGuide, Kyoto: Arashiyama Tour with optional Sagano Romantic Train, www.getyourguide.com, accessed 19 October 2026
- Viator, Kyoto Hozugawa River Boat Sagano Romantic Train Tour, www.viator.com, accessed 19 October 2026