9 Kyoto Train Journeys Worth the Ticket

1.Sagano Train Ride and Kyoto Guided Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 180 reviews · from $66Our pick

From Osaka, join an English-speaking guide for a packed Kyoto day covering Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, the Sagano Romantic Train, Kiyomizudera, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Guides such as Masa, Haru, Winnie, and Hiro have helped make the day easy to follow. The tour costs $66, with lunch optional.

“A big thanks to Masa for being our guide. He made the tour a lot of fun for our group”

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3.Kyoto Railway Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 23 reviews · 1 day · from $9Best value

Spend a full day at Kyoto Railway Museum with standard admission, exploring 53 real trains from steam engines to Shinkansen. Step inside historic carriages, try hands-on simulators, study railway dioramas, ride a working steam locomotive, and watch the roundhouse turntable rotate. The museum is wheelchair accessible and closed Wednesdays.

“Really good. Quiet. Cool inside. A lot to see and interact with.”

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5.Arashiyama Tour with optional Sagano Romantic Train

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

Spend three to four hours exploring Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide and a small group of up to nine people. Add the 30-minute Sagano Romantic Train for maple-lined scenery, then visit Mikami Shrine, Tenryu Temple, the bamboo forest, Togetsukyo Bridge, and local food stops. Guides including Eloise, Shingo, Leo, and Arsushi bring history, photo tips, and food advice.

“The tour with Eloise was incredible. The historical commentary on the area was very interesting, as was the description of the iconic sites. It was also excellent that she guided me to the best locations to take good photos and try amazing local food.”

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6.Kyoto Hozugawa River Boat Sagano Romantic Train Tour

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

This five-hour Kyoto outing links a 25-minute Sagano Romantic Train ride with a 1.5-hour Hozugawa River boat trip. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned bus handle the main transfers, but the tour ends in Arashiyama, not necessarily back at Kyoto Station. Lunch and entry fees are not included.

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7.Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 6 reviews · from $156

Spend about eight hours exploring western Kyoto by air-conditioned coach, scenic train, and river boat. Ride the 7.3-kilometer Sagano Romantic Train, cruise the Hozu River, visit Tenryuji and Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, and eat a Kyoto-style buffet lunch. English guide Yoka has earned praise, though guide quality can vary.

“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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8.Train Katana with Real Dojo Students in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $195

At Yushinkan Kyoto, you train beside local students under a headmaster with more than 20 years of experience. You will wear dōgi, obi, and hakama, practice iai and kenjutsu, watch tatami cutting, and see a two-katana performance. The three-hour session is for ages 12 and up, with a maximum of three participants.

“I can highly recommend this for anyone who has previous experience with martial arts. I have experience with different styles of martial arts, but limited experience with a katana and I had a great time! Everything was professionally arranged, Read more”

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9.Kyoto Railway Museum Advance Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $18Top rated

Spend about two hours exploring Kyoto Railway Museum, home to 53 preserved cars from steam locomotives to Shinkansen trains. Advance admission costs $18.50 and gets you to the museum near Umekoji-Kyoton Nishi Station. See train technology up close, try hands-on exhibits, and buy a separate ticket locally for the SL steam train ride.

“I was surprised how long I spent here. The diorama and short train ride elevated this experience. I love trains and Japan does it well.”

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