This is a 25-minute train ride in which you can view the Hozukyo Gorge, designated as a nature park, while being rocked by a trolley train at a leisurely speed.
You can enjoy the seasonal scenery of mountain cherry blossoms, azaleas, and dazzling fresh greenery in spring, cool air in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy scenery in winter.
The Hozu River, which flows through the Hozukyo gorge, is 7.3 km long in a straight line, but meanders for 11.5 km.
The JR San'in Line used to run along this Hozu River, but a tunnel was built through the bend to form a straight line, and the old line between Saga Station (now Saga-Arashiyama Station) and Umabori Station, which ran along the river, was abandoned and left to die.
To take advantage of the excellent scenery of Hozukyo seen from this old line, cherry trees, pine trees, etc. were planted and maintained along the line, and the line resumed operation in 1991 as Japan's first railroad dedicated to sightseeing.
Because the line runs along the valley, it is possible to see the Hozukyo gorge in all seasons, from cherry blossoms, rock azaleas, fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and snow, each with its own unique flavor, attracting many tourists.
The trolley train makes a turnaround at a slow speed of 35 km/h, the maximum speed, along the 7.3 km route from the Trolley Saga Station to the Trolley Kameoka Station, which passes through several tunnels.
There are Trolley Hozukyo Station and Trolley Arashiyama Station on the way, for a total of four stations.
Trolley Saga Station is a brick station building, and along with the station building is the 19th Century Hall, which exhibits 19th century science, technology, and art, and houses a large organ and steam locomotives such as the C58 class.
It also houses one of Japan's largest railroad dioramas, "Diorama Kyoto JAPAN.
At the Trolley Hozukyo Station, a mountain of raccoon dogs see visitors off on the station platform.
All trains are nicknamed "Sagano-go" and are operated with one locomotive powered by diesel locomotive DE10 class 1104 and five passenger cars converted from Toki class 2500 freight cars.
The cars are painted in the Heian dynasty colors of scarlet and yamafuki, a motif of Heian romance, with an Art Deco-style black pattern under the windows of the carriages.
Inside the carriages are warm wooden chairs and bare light bulbs.
There is also "The Rich," an open car without window glass, which is more open with a lattice fence on the side.
All seats are reserved and sold one month prior to boarding.
The Rich (Sagano Rich-go) used to be sold only on the day of the ride because the seats would get wet in case of stormy weather, but now they can be purchased on the assumption that they will get wet in case of rain.
Along with the trolley trains, the Hozu River cruise is one of the most famous rides in the Hozu Gorge.
In the past, the Hozu River (Katsura River) flowing through the Hozu Gorge was used to transport lumber cut from Kameoka to Arashiyama to the city of Kyoto. Today, visitors can experience the same 16-km course down the river in a two-hour boat ride.
The river is lined with huge rocks and boulders, and visitors can enjoy the varied scenery from the water as they cycle between quiet areas with a gentle current and powerful areas where the water splashes and rushes through the steep rapids.
Around 9:00 to 16:00
For details, see the reservation page.
One-way fare
Adult 800 yen
Children 4400 yen (6 years old and over, under 12 years old)
Trolley Saga Station: A short walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Trolley Kameoka Station: 10 min. walk from JR Umabori Station