🚞 Ride the trolley train to the spectacular views of Sagano
– The start of a retro journey that lets you experience the four seasons –
Arashiyama and Sagano are easily accessible from Villa Kyoto Saiin. The trolley train is a popular experience that requires prior reservations! Enjoy the beauty of the Hozugawa River valley while being rocked in a retro carriage.
▶️ Departure station : Torokko Saga Station (right next to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station)
▶️ Arrival station : Torokko Kameoka Station
▶️ Travel time : Approximately 25 minutes
Access Arashiyama and Sagano from Villa Kyoto Saiin, departing from Saga Torokko Station.
Enjoy a 25-minute scenic journey on a retro train, admiring the valley through the changing seasons.
All seats are reserved, so we recommend making a reservation in advance.
🌊 The traditional boat trip "Hozugawa Kudari" where thrills and relaxation intersect
Take a bus from Torokko Kameoka Station to the boarding area and start your Hozugawa River Cruise.
This traditional boat trip takes about two hours to Arashiyama, and each season offers different charms: cherry blossoms in spring, autumn leaves, and the silence of winter. Book a Hozugawa River Cruise
– A thrilling and relaxing boat trip, a 16km river cruise –
It takes about two hours from Kameoka to Arashiyama. A 400-year-old tradition of rowing down the river. This time, enjoy the view from the river. Cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and silence in winter… you can enjoy beautiful scenery all year round.
▶️Boarding point : Hozugawa Boat Pier (about 10 minutes by bus from Torokko Kameoka Station)
▶️Disembarkation point : Arashiyama Boat Pier
▶️Duration : about 2 hours
▶️Reservation : Hozugawa Yusen official website
▶️Price : Adults ¥4,100 / Children ¥2,700 (as of spring 2025)
🌊 The charm of Hozugawa River Cruise
- Boat trip through natural beauty: Experience the beauty of the valley, interwoven with clear streams and rocky areas, up close.
- Thrilling rapids: Gentle currents and rapids alternate, providing an uninterrupted experience.
- Experience history and culture: Experience Japan's history firsthand on a traditional river cruise that has been continued since the Edo period.
📍 Summary of experience routes (access and required time)
- Departure: Villa Kyoto Saiin
- Saiin Station → Arashiyama (approx. 20 minutes by Hankyu train)
- Saga Station → Torocco train (approx. 25 minutes)
- Torocco Kameoka → Hozugawa River Cruise → Arashiyama (approx. 2 hours)
- Total time required: about half a day to one day
The Hozugawa River Cruise, which runs from Kameoka in Kyoto to Arashiyama, is a traditional river boating experience with a history of about 400 years. A rowboat operated by an experienced boatman takes you down a 16km river through a valley beautiful in every season, taking about two hours. You can enjoy the different natural charms of each season, such as cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery in winter.
📌 Basic information
- Departure point : Kameoka, Kyoto (about 10 minutes walk from JR Kameoka Station)
- Arrival poin t: Arashiyama, Kyoto
- Duration : about 2 hours
- Operating period : March to December (subject to change depending on weather and water levels)
- Price : Adults ¥4,100, children ¥2,700 (as of April 2025)
- How to book : Advance reservations on the official website or by phone are recommended
🌿 [A one-day trip to enjoy the spectacular views and atmosphere of Kyoto]
~A luxurious, slow-paced trip that includes a trolley train ride, river boat ride, and a leisurely stroll through the streets of Gion~
🔹Concept
Enjoy "motion" and "quiet" in one day, a trip that balances nature and city walking. The plan is to have an active experience in nature (trolley and river boat ride) in the morning, and a leisurely tour of Kyoto-style townscapes (Gion and Pontocho) in the afternoon. This is a Kyoto trip for adults who don't try to see too much in one day, but enjoy the "space".
📍Check the route on Google Maps
We have put together the sightseeing route for the day on Google Maps. You can check the route and highlights of each spot at a glance on the map. Please use it for a smooth sightseeing.
⭕️Villa Kyoto Saiin → 8 minutes walk → Randen Saiin Station → 19 minutes on the Arashiyama Main Line → Randen Saga → 8 minutes walk → Saga Arashiyama
①Villa Kyoto Saiin ▶︎Randen Saiin Station
②Randen Saga-Arashiyama Station ▶ Torokko Saga-Arashiyama Station
③Arrive at Togetsukyo Bridge▶︎Hankyu Arashiyama Station▶︎Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station▶︎Gion Shirakawa▶︎Yasaka Shrin
🔹Route overview (routes and brief introduction)
🏠Villa Kyoto Saiin (Departure)
▶ A quiet base in the west of Kyoto City. With good access to both the Hankyu and Randen lines, it's the perfect starting point for sightseeing!
⬇️ Walk + Arashiyama train (about 30 minutes)
🚃 Arashiyama train, Saga-Arashiyama station
▶ Rocking on a retro train
▼Randen Railway sain Station
⬇️A short walk away
🚋Trolley train, departing from Saga Station (reservations required)
▶ A scenic train that runs through Hozukyo Gorge. Enjoy the drama of nature from the train window, with fresh greenery in spring and autumn leaves in autumn.
▼Trolley trains and cars are packed during autumn foliage season
⬇️Final stop: Kameoka Torokko Station → Walk (about 10 minutes) .
🛶Hozugawa River Cruise (about 2 hours, reservation required) nature
▶ A thrilling and relaxing activity as you descend the valley on a boat. Enjoy a dialogue with
▼Thrilling
▼Hozukyo Gorge descent
⬇️Arrive at Arashiyama Boat Landing
🌿 Stroll around Arashiyama and have lunch
▶ Take a leisurely stroll around Togetsukyo Bridge and the bamboo forest path, then take a break at a charming cafe or have lunch in a traditional townhouse.
▼Togetsukyo Bridge
▼Arashiyama area
▼Bamboo forest path
⬇️Climb to the summit on foot (about 20 minutes)
🐒Monkey Park Iwatayama
▶ A natural park on the mountaintop where you can meet wild Japanese macaques. The view from the observation deck is also spectacular!
⬇️Walk down the mountain → Go to Hankyu Arashiyama Station
🚆Go to Hankyu Arashiyama Station → Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (about 25 minutes)
▶ Take the comfortable Hankyu train to the eastern part of the city. It's not crowded and the scenery is great ◎
▼Hankyu Railway
⬇️About a 5-minute walk
🏮Stroll around Pontocho, Gion Shirakawa, Hanamikoji, etc.
▶ Willow-lined streets, stone paving, and Kyoto townhouses. Take a leisurely stroll through the quiet space that is full of Kyoto's atmosphere.
▼Gion Shirakawa
▼Yasaka Shrine
⬇️周辺で夕食⬇️Dinner in the surrounding area
🍽️祇園エリアで夕食🍽️Dinner in the Gion area
▶ Enjoy the flavors of Kyoto to your heart's content at townhouse restaurants, famous obanzai and yudofu restaurants.
⬇️ Walk → Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station → Saiin Station
💤 Villa Kyoto Saiin (return)
▶ End your trip by relaxing at a quiet inn. The perfect way to end a fulfilling plan where you can fully enjoy Kyoto's "nature" and "townscape" throughout the day.
🔹おすすめスケジュール
| Time | Content |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Depart from Villa Kyoto Saiin |
| 8:45 | Travel towards Arashiyama by Arashiyama train |
| 9:15 | Arrive at Torokko Saga Station and board the train (reservation required) |
| 10:00 | Torokko Kameoka Station → Start Hozugawa River Cruise (reservation required) |
| 12:00 | Arrive at Arashiyama by boat and take a lunch break (approximately 1 hour) |
| 13:30 | Climb Iwatayama Monkey Park and go to the observation deck |
| 15:00 | Travel from Hankyu Arashiyama Station → Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (approximately 30 minutes) |
| 15:45 | Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Gion area, Shirakawa, Pontocho, Hanamikoji, etc. in advance) |
| 17:30 | Dinner (reservations recommended |
| 19:00〜19:30 | Travel by Hankyu train to Saiin → Return to Villa Kyoto Saiin |
🔹Travel Tips
- A good balance between nature experiences (river boating and trolley rides) and city walks (Gion and Pontocho)
- No forced travel, so travel can be enjoyed as part of sightseeing
- Uses the Hankyu train line to travel efficiently between Arashiyama and Gion
- In Gion from the evening onwards, tourists are more relaxed and the atmosphere is great
- Avoids crowds and allows plenty of time for photos and tea breaks
🔹Travel time (approximate)
- Departure 8:30 → Return 19:30 (Time required: approx. 11 hours)
- The time spent at each tourist spot is about 30 minutes to 1 hour, with ample time for travel and rest.