Joking about the noisy ride on the side, this was a scenic and enjoyable experience!

The Sagano Scenic Railway (Sagano Kankō Tetsudō) or Sagano Sightseeing Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Japan Railway Company (JR West) that operates the Sagano Scenic Line (Sagano Kankō-sen), Sagano Sight-seeing Line, or Sagano Romantic Train (Sagano Torokko Ressha, Lit."'Sagano Minecart Train"') in Kyoto, Japan.

"Sagano Romantic Train" refers to a series of wagon-style train, originally used as a small freight train to carry cargo running on tracks laid in areas where cars and standard trains couldn't operate. It's a simple freight car that chugs along at a leisurely pace. The Sagano Romantic train embodies that spirit. The train travels at an average speed of 15.5 MPH. That's about the same as a slightly speedy bicycle ride. It helps passengers enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Hozugawa River. The 4.5 mile, 25-minute journey is the perfect venue for taking in the seasonal sights: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greens in summer, crimson foliage in fall, and the bare fields (and occasional snow) in winter. In areas of particular beauty, the train will slow down a bit to allow you to take in the sights. The beauty of this ravine is only visible to passengers on the Sagano Romantic train. You may have the opportunity to take photos that can't be snapped from anywhere else. The Sagano Sagano Romantic features classical coloring. The diesel engine pulls the train through the ravine and tugs at nostalgic heartstrings along the way. Wooden seats and bare light bulbs adorn each of the five cars in an art-deco style. The train will pull you away from modern comforts and into the extraordinary, where you can feel and hear the surrounding nature. The open-air "Rich" (car No. 5) car has no glass windows; a ride in this car will have you feel the wind and the sun on your skin as you relax and let the nostalgic train take you away. Saga torokko station, which sees the train's first departures, is adjacent to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station and can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 15 minutes via the Sagano Line.

The line was originally a part of the main line of the Kyoto Railway (Kyōto Tetsudō) opened in 1899, to connect Kyoto to the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, or the old province of Tanba. The company adopted the relatively level route through the gorge, avoiding Oinosaka pass which would have required a steep grade. The company was nationalized in 1907. The line became a part of the San'in Main Line. JR West, succeeding the Japanese National Railways (JNR), built a new, shorter, straighter, electrified double-tracked section of the Sanin Main Line between Saga (present Saga-Arashiyama) and Umahori which opened in 1989, bypassing the original winding route with narrow tunnels. JR West utilized the original line for tourism under a subsidiary founded in 1990. JR West used old rolling stock for this purpose; four semi-open coaches hauled by a diesel locomotive. By 1991, the line was more popular than expected (there had been speculation that the venture would be unsuccessful). As a result, a fifth carriage, nicknamed "The Rich", was introduced and is not available to reserve on rainy days. The car is contrary to its name, converted from an old gondola of JR West to fully open carriage, even the floor and the sides are of fine grills and offers a rough ride. Combined with rafting on the Hozu River, it is a major tourist attraction in Arashiyama and Sagano.

свернуть