Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour

Kyoto , Japan

Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour

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About this experience

Let's have a special experience taking the Sagano Romantic Train and Hozugawa River Boat Ride with English guide!

The With Lunch Plan includes a scheduled lunch followed by a guided afternoon tour of Arashiyama, with the tour concluding back at Kyoto Station.

The No Lunch Plan does not include lunch or the afternoon itinerary; the tour officially concludes at Arashiyama after the Hozugawa River Boat Ride.

・Enjoy the beautiful scenery from the Sagano Romantic Train and Hozugawa River Boat Ride
・Experience the thrilling Hozugawa River Boat Ride
・Explore Tenryuji temple, Arashiyama bamboo forest, and Kameyama park. (with Lunch Plan Only)
・Including Kyoto style lunch buffet (with Lunch Plan Only)
・Travel with an experienced guide with deep knowledge about Kyoto

Available options

From Kyoto NO LUNCH

Duration: 4 hours: The tour concludes at Arashiyama.

From Kyoto with LUNCH

Duration: 8 hours<br/>Lunch

What's included

Lunch (with Lunch Plan Only)

Admission fee of Tenryuji temple

Ticket for Hozugawakudari River Boat Ride

Ticket of Sagano Romantic Train

Air-conditioned vehicle

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

The Sagano Romantic Train is a wonderful experience to enjoy the beautiful seasonal colors. It takes around 25-minutes, 7.3 km train ride lets enjoy the beautiful views.

Experience the beautiful scenery in Hozu River valley, between Kameoka and Arashiyama. Please enjoy gorgeous view.

In the event of the Hozugawa River cruise cancellation due to rising water or inclement weather, the With Lunch Plan receives a refund of 3,000 yen and includes a visit to Toei Kyoto Studio Park, whereas the No Lunch Plan receives a 5,000 yen refund and a substituted Arashiyama walking tour, including Tenryu-ji Temple admission.

When in season, you can enjoy the magnificent cherry blossoms in spring or the brilliant autumn colors! Even outside these peak times, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, the view from the Sagano Romantic Train, and the rich nature surrounding the Hozugawa River.

Stop 3

Please enjoy Kyoto style lunch buffet at Arashiyama (with Lunch Plan only)

Stop 4

Arashiyama is one of the popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto. The area has famous places like the bamboo forest, and Tenryuji temple.

If the boat ride is cancelled, we will take you to Toei Kyoto Studio Park (Admission fee is included/ 90 minutes).

What's not included

Round trip transfer from your hotel

Lunch (No Lunch Plan)

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 3.7

6 reviews

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Tripadvisor 1.0

1 reviews

5★

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1★

Important information

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This is not a private tour, you will enjoy the tour with other guests together.

If the minimum number of participants 20 is not met by 14 days before the scheduled date, the tour on that date might be cancelled.

Please ensure you arrive promptly at the designated meeting time.

The schedule may be subject to sudden changes or shorter visit durations due to reasons such as traffic congestion.

Refunds will not be provided if you fail to arrive at the meeting location on time (no show).

In the event of a natural disaster, such as a typhoon, the tour will be canceled, and a full refund will be issued.

With Lunch Plan: The Hozu River cruise may be canceled on the day of the tour due to rising water or inclement weather. In the event of a cancellation, we'll give you a refund of 3000 yen and visiting Toei Kyoto Studio Park.

No Lunch Plan: In the event of a cancellation of the cruise, we will give you a refund of 5,000 yen and substitute the activity with an Arashiyama walking tour, which includes the admission fee for Tenryu-ji Temple.

Children under 80cm in height or 0-2 years old are not permitted to join this tour due to the safety regulations of the Hozugawa River Cruise.

Please note that cherry blossoms and autumn leaves may not be seen due to weather conditions.nvolves a lot of walking. If you have trouble walking, we advise you not to book this tour.

This tour involves a lot of walking. If you have trouble walking, we advise you not to book this tour.

Meeting point

Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujo Nishisannocho, 601-8003

About Kyoto

Kyoto, once the imperial capital of Japan, is a city rich in history, culture, and tradition. Known for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses, Kyoto offers a unique blend of ancient and modern Japan. The city is a must-visit for travelers seeking to experience the heart of Japanese heritage.

Top Attractions

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

A Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks. The temple's top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, reflecting beautifully on the surrounding pond.

Historical/Religious 1-2 hours ¥400

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. The trails leading up the mountain offer stunning views of Kyoto.

Religious 2-4 hours (depending on how far you hike) Free

Kiyomizu-dera

A historic wooden temple with a large veranda supported by massive wooden pillars, Kiyomizu-dera offers panoramic views of Kyoto. The temple is particularly famous for its spring and autumn foliage.

Religious 1-2 hours ¥400

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

A stunning grove of bamboo, Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's most famous natural attractions. The towering bamboo stalks create a surreal and peaceful atmosphere.

Nature 1-2 hours Free (Tenryu-ji Temple costs ¥500)

Gion

Kyoto's most famous geisha district, Gion is known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and the chance to spot geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas).

Cultural 1-2 hours (longer if dining or attending a cultural event) Free to explore (dining and cultural events can be expensive)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Kaiseki Ryori

A traditional multi-course Japanese meal that emphasizes seasonality and presentation. Each dish is carefully prepared and artfully presented.

Dinner Often includes fish, meat, and vegetables, but vegetarian options are available.

Yudofu (Tofu Hot Pot)

A Kyoto specialty featuring tofu simmered in a light kombu (kelp) broth, often served with vegetables and condiments.

Lunch/Dinner Vegetarian-friendly, can be made vegan if broth is vegetable-based.

Matcha Desserts

Kyoto is famous for its high-quality matcha (green tea) powder, used in various desserts like ice cream, parfaits, and wagashi (traditional sweets).

Dessert Vegetarian and vegan options available.

Obanzai

Home-style Kyoto dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, often featuring vegetables, fish, and tofu.

Lunch/Dinner Can be adapted to various dietary preferences.

Popular Activities

Hiking in the mountains Cycling through the countryside Rafting on the Hozu River Onsen (hot spring) visits Tea ceremonies Scenic walks in gardens and parks Temple and shrine visits Traditional tea ceremonies

Best Time to Visit

March to May (Spring), October to November (Autumn)

Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and are the best times to visit for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. These seasons also see the highest tourist volumes.

15°C to 25°C (Spring), 10°C to 20°C (Autumn) 59°F to 77°F (Spring), 50°F to 68°F (Autumn)

Practical Information

Language

Official: Japanese
Widely spoken: English (limited)
English: Limited/Rare

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY)

Time Zone

JST (UTC+9)

Electricity

100VV, 50/60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Very safe

Kyoto is a very safe city with a low crime rate. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is uncommon. However, as with any tourist destination, it's important to take basic precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Be cautious of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas
• Use reputable tour operators and taxis

Getting there

By air

Kansai International Airport • 115 km from Kyoto
Osaka International Airport (Itami) • 40 km from Kyoto

By train

Kyoto Station

By bus

Kyoto Station Bus Terminal

Getting around

Public transport

Buses are the most extensive and affordable way to get around Kyoto. They cover most areas of the city and are especially useful for reaching temples and shrines.

Taxis

Available • Apps: JapanTaxi, INDRIVER

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Gion Higashiyama Arashiyama Downtown Kyoto (Shijo-Kawaramachi)

Day trips

Nara

40 km from Kyoto • Half day to full day

Nara is a historic city known for its ancient temples, shrines, and the famous Nara Park, home to hundreds of free-roaming deer.

Uji

20 km from Kyoto • Half day

Uji is a small city known for its historic temples, beautiful riverside scenery, and high-quality matcha (green tea).

Kurama and Kibune

25 km from Kyoto • Full day

Kurama and Kibune are two neighboring villages in the mountains north of Kyoto, known for their hot springs, hiking trails, and scenic beauty.

Festivals

Gion Matsuri • July (main events on July 17th and 24th) Jidai Matsuri • October 22nd Aoi Matsuri • May 15th

Pro tips

Visit popular attractions like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkaku-ji early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Consider purchasing a Kyoto City Bus Pass or other transportation passes to save money on getting around the city.
Try local specialties like yudofu (tofu hot pot), matcha desserts, and obanzai (home-style Kyoto dishes).
Explore the city's many temples and shrines, but don't forget to take time to enjoy the natural beauty of Kyoto's gardens and parks.
Learn a few basic Japanese phrases to enhance your experience and show respect for local customs and traditions.