5 Train Experiences in the World to Build an Evening Around

1.Sagano Romantic Train & Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Taisha Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 171 reviews · from $82Our pick

Travel from Osaka to Kyoto with an English-speaking guide, visiting Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, Kiyomizudera, and the 23-minute Sagano Romantic Train. Choose a Japanese buffet or beef shabu-shabu lunch, and expect a busy, walking-heavy day with limited time at each stop.

“Great tour guide and beautiful places but there were just too many people. Maybe Kyoto's tourism needs some regulation now?”

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2.Arashiyama Tour with optional Sagano Romantic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 18 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $105

Spend 3 to 4 hours with an English-speaking guide in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. Walk the Bamboo Forest, visit Tenryu Temple and Mikami Shrine, try local snacks, and photograph Togetsukyo Bridge. Add the 30-minute Sagano Romantic Train for maple views when seats are available.

“we learned some new things about japan that we did not know in histiry and in the future. we learned about the types of believing in japan”

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3.Kyoto Hozugawa River Boat Sagano Romantic Train Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 8 reviews · 5 hours · from $116

Spend five hours moving from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama by scenic train and boat. The 25-minute Sagano Romantic Train ride crosses 7.3 km of Hozu River valley scenery, followed by a 1.5-hour guided boat ride. An English-speaking guide and bus handle the main transfers, but lunch and your return from Arashiyama are not included.

“Badly organised with a ‘guide’ who was hardly visible or audible I was told expecting a guide who shared interesting facts about the whole outing but he said nothing and was not a natural-born organiser. The meeting point was a mess. The ‘romantic’ train boarding was less than efficient and worst of all not at all romantic. Seats very uncomfortable and in spite of lovely toute along the river which you can hardly see as one has to remain seated. The best part was the river rapids ride (simple boat and not RAFT!) and the boat crew were entertaining and a breath of fresh air. Fun! Then we had a…”

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4.Arashiyama Walking Tour with Optional Sagano Romantic Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $115Top rated

Spend about four hours with a private English-speaking guide in Arashiyama. Walk the Bamboo Forest, visit Tenryu-ji and Mikami Shrine, sample local street food, and see Togetsukyo Bridge. Add the 25-minute Sagano Romantic Train ride for seasonal mountain and river views.

“Yuko was the best! Yuko was so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Yuko really gave us the best day out in Arashiyama Japan”

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5.Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 6 reviews · from $156

Spend about eight hours combining the 25-minute Sagano Romantic Train, a 90-minute Hozugawa River boat ride, Tenryuji Temple, the bamboo forest, and a Kyoto-style buffet lunch. The tour starts and ends at Kyoto Station, with an English guide such as Yoka leading the group.

“Amazing experiences. Guide Ms Yoka was very informative and excellent. Tour was very well organized. Lunch was yummy . The best part was the boat ride . Don’t miss this tour.”

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