Sagano

Had a wonderful day on the Sagano Romantic train and Hozugawa boat ride. Really well organised and easy to navigate crowds and ticket counters with a guide. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone. It was truly a fantastic day.

Aside from the date change, the tour was generally quite enjoyable. We arrived at Katsuo-ji Temple around 9 am, and there weren't many crowds yet, allowing for a leisurely ascent without the hassle of long journeys. Katsuo-ji Temple isn't large; an hour is just right for a visit. Those who love taking photos are advised to spend 2-3 hours on their own. Miyama was smaller than expected, and there were very few people during the off-season. I initially thought it wouldn't be much, but the village's many different flowers and the combination of gassho-zukuri houses created surprisingly photogenic scenes in late summer and early autumn. We spent a considerable amount of time at Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge, as there were many places to eat there, and the streetscape had a strong atmosphere. Our guide, Rick, led us on a walk, and the timing was perfect. He also provided thoughtful explanations on the bus. Overall, a great experience! :) ※Reminder※ This tour may be rescheduled. The original itinerary stated "1 person required for the tour," but we received a notification the day before yesterday that there weren't enough participants, so the tour was postponed by one day, causing a slight disappointment as I couldn't meet with my family and friends.

This is the last year the old version of the train will be in service. The maple leaves turned red a bit late this year, but the scenery along the way was still countless and beautiful. If it were during the spring cherry blossoms, autumn colors, or winter snow, the timing would be even more perfect. The itinerary was relaxed, and the boatmen and train staff were kind. After the boat ride, you can explore the Arashiyama old street on your own. Overall, the price and the itinerary were worth more than the money paid.

The scenery along the Arashiyama Scenic Railway is beautiful, but some people got on the wrong train this morning and almost missed it. Arashiyama is a tranquil place with good food, so I recommend everyone arrive on time and avoid getting on the wrong train.

As the autumn wind sweeps across Sagano Scenic Area, the vintage train slowly pulls into the depths of the mountains. The wooden carriages and open viewing windows, like a yellowed page of a travel diary, capture the murmuring of the Hozu River, the layers of red-tinged mountains, and the maple leaves falling by the window. Traveling along the railway, time seems to slow down. The wheels tap on the tracks, the valley echoing with a long, drawn-out sound. The autumn scenery before you shifts between morning mist and sunset, weaving a nostalgic poem about Kyoto.

The itinerary for Arashiyama, the Sagano Scenic Railway, and the Hozu River rafting was well-planned, and the scenery in Arashiyama District was beautiful. The bus was clean and smooth, and our guide, Joanna, was friendly and fluent in both Chinese and English. It was a fantastic day trip.