Kyoto Bus Tour: Sagano Railway & Hozugawa River Boat

Ride two of Kyoto's most scenic routes in one morning, then explore the bamboo forest on foot.

A 7-hour bus tour from Kyoto that includes a one-way ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway from Saga to Kameoka, a river boat descent down the Hozugawa from Kameoka to Arashiyama, and free time to walk the Arashiyama bamboo grove. A Japanese-speaking guide accompanies the group, and on-board audio guides in English, Chinese and Korean narrate the route. The boat ride may be cancelled in poor river conditions, with an alternate activity provided instead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sagano Railway, River Ride, Arashiyama Visit

• Ride Sagano Railway to Kameoka
• Take Hozugawa River boat ride
• Explore Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Visit souvenir and snack shops

The experience

How do you fit two of Kyoto's most popular scenic routes into a single day without arranging transport between them yourself? This tour handles the logistics: a bus picks up the route, a guide keeps the timing, and you move between the Sagano Railway, the river boat and the bamboo forest without planning the connections. You arrive at Saga Station, board the open-air train, and ride the rails for roughly an hour through the forested valleys and river gorges that make this line famous. The train runs year-round, so whether the season brings cherry blossoms, summer greenery, autumn color or snow, the landscape shifts as you move through it.

From Kameoka Station, you transfer directly to the Hozugawa River boat. The descent takes you downstream toward Arashiyama, with the boat navigating the river's bends and narrows. The ride itself is the point, not a ferry between two fixed points. On-board audio guides in English, Chinese and Korean describe what you're passing, so you don't need to rely only on the Japanese-speaking guide. If river conditions are unsafe, the tour substitutes an alternate activity and refunds the boat portion on the spot.

After the boat reaches Arashiyama, you have free time to walk the bamboo grove: the dense stand of tall stalks that photographs the same way whether you visit in spring or winter. Souvenir shops and food stalls line the paths, though meals are at your own expense. The boarding ticket you receive works as an entry pass for major sightseeing locations, so keep it until the tour ends. The bus departs Kyoto Station on time. Arrive at least 20 minutes early, and confirm the return time at each stop before the group moves on.

What’s included

• One-way ticket for the Sagano Scenic Railway.
• Hozugawa River boat ride from Kameoka to Arashiyama.
• on-board audio guides in English, Chinese and Korean.
• a Japanese-speaking guide for the full 7 hours.
• your boarding ticket serves as an entry pass for major sightseeing locations along the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:50

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 2

Live guideJapanese

Audio guideEnglish, Chinese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Beauty of Japan

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Sagano train and Hozugawa river boat as a combined experience with set departure times. Choose self-guided if you'd rather explore at your own pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What's the Sagano Railway like, and how long is the ride?

The Sagano Scenic Railway is an open-air train that runs from Saga Station to Kameoka Station through forested valleys and river gorges. The ride takes roughly an hour and operates year-round, so you see the landscape in whatever season you travel: cherry blossoms in spring, lush green in summer, autumn leaves, or snow in winter.

What happens if the river boat ride is cancelled?

The Hozugawa boat ride may be cancelled if river conditions are unsafe. When that happens, the tour continues with an alternate activity, and you receive a refund for the boat portion on-site.

How much free time do I get in the Arashiyama bamboo forest?

After the boat ride, you have free time to explore the Arashiyama bamboo grove and visit souvenir shops or food stalls in the area. The guide will display the return time before you leave the bus, and you'll need to be back on time for the return to Kyoto Station.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the starting point?

Yes, you make your own way to the bus terminal. The bus departs on time, and late arrivals cannot join the tour. Arrive at least 20 minutes before the 8:40am departure for prompt boarding.

What languages are available on the tour?

A Japanese-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout the day. On-board audio guides provide narration in English, Chinese and Korean during the train and boat portions of the tour.