Kyoto Autumn Colors: Meet Them on the Sagano Romantic Train

When most people think of Kyoto's autumn foliage, temples and gardens come to mind. While Kiyomizu-dera's crimson leaves and Eikando's autumn gardens are beautiful, consider the Sagano Romantic Train for a different perspective on Kyoto in the fall. This charming tourist train slowly winds its way along the Hozugawa River Gorge, starting from Arashiyama. As autumn deepens, the entire route transforms into a tapestry of red and yellow leaves. It's a journey where the destination isn't the point, but rather the experience of watching the scenery unfold outside your window.


A 25-Minute Ride Through Autumn Leaves

What makes the Sagano Romantic Train special is its pace. Unlike regular trains that rush to their destinations, this one travels slowly along the Hozugawa River Gorge, allowing you to soak in the scenery. A river flows alongside, with mountains and cliffs rising behind it. As autumn progresses, the green mountains gradually turn red, orange, and yellow. Each time you exit a tunnel, a new vista appears, and as the train curves along the river, your angle to the foliage changes. Though it's a short journey of about 25 minutes, the autumn scenery you'll witness in Kyoto is likely to stay with you for a long time.


Car No. 5 is the Most Popular Choice

If you want a more immersive experience, keep Car No. 5, the 'Rich' car, in mind. Unlike regular carriages, its sides are open, allowing you to feel the autumn breeze directly as you gaze at the gorge, rather than just looking through a window. When the train passes through the forest, the autumn leaves feel incredibly close, and as you follow the Hozugawa River, the sound of the flowing water becomes part of the journey. Especially when the leaves are at their peak, the reason to ride the Sagano Romantic Train becomes crystal clear. The experience of actually riding through Kyoto's autumn foliage is quite different from just seeing it in photos.


Combine Your Trip with Arashiyama

It would be a shame to just ride the Sagano Romantic Train and return. Consider linking your train journey with a visit to Arashiyama. A great itinerary would be to stroll through the bamboo grove in the morning, admire the autumn-colored mountains from Togetsukyo Bridge, and then board the Sagano Romantic Train. For a more unique experience, try combining the train ride with a Hozugawa River boat tour. You can take the train to view the gorge from above, and then return by boat, slowly descending the same river. The scenery from the train and the view looking up from the river are entirely different, even though it's the same gorge. It's one way to experience Kyoto's autumn in a truly multi-dimensional way within a single day.


Plan Ahead During Peak Foliage Season

The Sagano Romantic Train is popular year-round, but autumn is a different story. During peak season when travelers flock to Kyoto for the fall colors, it can be difficult to secure seats for your desired departure times. It's especially advisable to plan your schedule in advance if you want specific morning or afternoon slots, or the open-air Car No. 5, which pairs well with an Arashiyama visit. Timing is crucial for autumn foliage viewing. Consider an itinerary that allows you to leisurely explore Arashiyama in the morning, take the Sagano Romantic Train, and then head back to Kyoto city for an evening autumn light-up event. This way, you can experience Kyoto's autumn in different ways from morning till night.


Ride Through the Autumn Leaves This Year

Kyoto boasts numerous famous spots for autumn foliage. However, what sets the Sagano Romantic Train apart is that you don't need to arrive at a specific location to see the colors. The journey begins the moment you board the train, and every scene passing by your window becomes a prime autumn viewing spot. This creates moments where the journey itself becomes more anticipated than the destination in Kyoto during the fall.

Discover tickets for the Sagano Romantic Train and various travel experiences in Arashiyama on WAUG.