Saga-Arashiyama Station
Saga-Arashiyama Station (嵯峨嵐山駅, Saga-Arashiyama-eki), known as Saga Station until 1994, is a railway station on the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The Sagano Scenic Railway also starts here.
Saga-Arashiyama Station 嵯峨嵐山駅 | ||||||||||||||||
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![]() South side of the station | ||||||||||||||||
General information | ||||||||||||||||
Location | 11-1, Saga-Tenryuji Kurumamichicho, Ukyō, Kyoto, Kyoto (京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺車道町11-1) Japan | |||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 35°1′7.47″N 135°40′52.71″E | |||||||||||||||
Operated by | JR West | |||||||||||||||
Line(s) | Sagano Line | |||||||||||||||
Platforms | 2 Island platforms | |||||||||||||||
Tracks | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Connections |
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Construction | ||||||||||||||||
Structure type | Ground level | |||||||||||||||
Accessible | Yes | |||||||||||||||
Other information | ||||||||||||||||
Station code | JR-E08 | |||||||||||||||
History | ||||||||||||||||
Opened | 1897 | |||||||||||||||
Previous names | Saga (until 1994) | |||||||||||||||
Services | ||||||||||||||||
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![](../I/Sagaarashiyama_st01s2560.jpg.webp)
Saga-Arashiyama Station is also a historic railway station located at the southern end of Kyoto city of Japan.[1] The station became the eighth station on the San’in Main Line[2] that connects Kyoto and Sonobe, and serves as a minor sightseeing transport interchange[3] for light rail services, bus services and tram services.
Saga-Arashiyama Station is also near the Arashiyama Station. Saga-Arashiyama Station was first owned by the Keifuku Electric Railroad, a railway company operated in Kyoto. It was then merged with the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) on March 25, 1910. The amount of passengers was around 6000 on average at this time.
Saga-Arashiyama Station is bounded by Kyoto Prefectural Kitasaga High school to the north, Saga University of Arts Hombu Campus to the south, Kyoto Prefectural Sagano High School to the east, and temples and a shrine to the west. The entire Saga-Arashiyama Station is associated with two connections train services at the neighbouring railways of Sagano Scenic Railway to the west and Randen-Saga Station in the south.
History
Saga-Arashiyama Station was established in early 1897. The station was originally named Saga Station and was the terminus of the first line of the Kyoto Railway (predecessor of the San'in Main Line) between Nijō and Saga opened on February 15, 1897. Despite the fact that Kyoto Railway was then nationalized, Kyoto railway was renamed as “Kyoto line” and San’in Main line ”one after another. The extension of the line toward Sonobe finally opened in 1899. The station was renamed to its present name on September 4, 1994.[1] Kyoto line was then privatized according to the division of the Japan National Railways Company, The Kyoto line was then becoming one of the stations that belonged to the West Japan Railway Company (JR West). Until 1994, Saga Station changed its current name to Saga-Arashiyama station, so the name Saga-Arashiyama station is related to the relatively famous Arashiyama, which is an amiable district in the western area of Kyoto Prefecture,[4] as well as to enhance the value of tourism.
Saga-Arashiyama station is the only one JR station that is the closest to the Western suburbs of Kyoto, the Togetsu-kyō Bridge that lies across the Katsura River,[5] and as a result, it is not to be confused as in the Arashiyama area, yet in fact, according to the differentiation of local area, Saga-Arashiyama Station is located at the north shore of Katsuragawa Station, which is generally named as Sagano, while the south shore is the actually Arashiyama, including world heritage sites like Tenryu-Ji Temple,[6] which are located within walking distance of the Saga-Arashiyama Station, which is the significant tourists' hub.
The building stations of Saga-Arashiyama station that are still currently in use was the 2nd generation building station that was completed and has been fully functioning since the end of 2008.[7] The 1st generation building station has been continuously used since the inauguration of the Kyoto Railway in 1897. In light of that, the 1st generation building station was the earliest services centre station under the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) before its demolition.[7]
The terminal Arashiyama Main station of Arashiyama Honsen Line is located a few blocks away from the southern side of the station (approximately 300 meters away), which is still a convenient walking distance for transportation. On the other hand, the terminal Hankyu Arashiyama station of Hankyu Arashiyama Line is located on the southern side of Katsura, which requires a 20 minutes walk to cross the Togetsu-kyō Bridge.
Station numbering was introduced in March 2018 with Saga-Arashiyama being assigned station number JR-E08.[8][9]
Station Layout
![](../I/Island_platform_new.png.webp)
Saga-Arashiyama Station has a design of 2 island platforms with 4 train routes in total,[10] combined with the ground station and cross-station as equipment. For platforms 1 and 2, with the upward direction, heading in the Kyoto direction; for platforms 3 and 4, which is downward direction, heading in the Sonobe direction. There is no any other transfer trains platform found in Saga-Arashiyama Station, the only method would be considering to take alternative routes located at Hankyu Arashiyama Station as well as Keifuku Arashiyama Station,[11] which all of these stations are adequately conducive. The line that is decided to use is based on the starting location.
1, 2 | ■ Sagano Line | for Kyōto |
3, 4 | ■ Sagano Line | for Kameoka, Sonobe and Fukuchiyama |
![](../I/Railway_map_of_Sagano_Line.jpg.webp)
Platforms
The Saga-Arashiyama Station was re-designed by the West Japan Railway Company in the late 1900s; it was first designed to be a transfer station along the Sagano Line, yet Kyoto tourism has boomed since 1994,[1] which is the year that Arashiyama Station changed its name to Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Until now this platform has received more than 7.4 million foreign passengers that have travelled to Saga- Arashiyama Station for their visit. Including domestic tourists, this platform hosted more than 50 million visitors, compared to Kyoto, which only has a population of 1.7 million.
Adjacent stations
One route to arrive at Saga-Arashiyama Station from central Kyoto is to take the Hankyu Line, and then arrive at the Omiya Station, and after that transfer to the Keifuku Randen tramline.
The tram is designed in an old fashion way with a trolley car which takes 20 minutes to reach the destination.
Another way to arrive at Saga-Arashiyama station is by taking the Sagano Line operated under the San’in Main Line.[2] Every 15 minutes, there will be either local or rapid train to arrive at Sonobe Station from central Kyoto. After arriving at Sagano Station, simply walk from Sagano Station to Saga-Arashiyama station with just the about 10 minutes.
Connecting lines from Saga-Arashiyama
- Sagano Scenic Railway (Torokko Saga Station located in front of Saga-Arashiyama Station)
- Keifuku Electric Railroad (Randen Saga Station located about 300 m south of Saga-Arashiyama Station)
Several connecting services can get to Saga-Arashiyama Station, access by Japan Railways is undoubtedly the fastest way to arrive, you can also approach by Keifuku railways (Randen-Saga Station), by Hankyu Railways,[11] by bus lines, and personal vehicles are also an option to arrive at Saga-Arashiyama Station.
Bus services
Bus transportation services associated Saga-Arashiyama Station with disparate parts of Kyoto. Catching the Kyoto city bus number 28 and exiting via the Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae. The total trip takes approximately 30 minutes. This bus route runs through Kyoto Station to Tenryu-ji Temple and Arashiyama with the bus fee which is 230 yen for adult and 120 yen for children under 12 years old.
Sightseeing Tram services
The Sagano Romantic Train is an amusing sightseeing train run by the Sagano Scenic Railway in the Saga-Arashiyama area of the western Kyoto.[3] The Sagano Romantic Train is also known as the “Sagano Torokko Ressha” in Japanese. The Sagano Romantic Train utilised old trains that were built in the 19th century. This train travels along the Hozugawa River gorge, covered with a countryside view. Sagano Romantic Train is relatively attractive during Autumn, although tourists can appreciate the different landscapes during each season.
The one-way ticket for adult and kid is 620 yen and 310 yen comparatively. There will be 8 train rides in total from 9 am to 4 pm every day at Saga-Torokko Station. Moreover, this Sagano Scenic Railway requires a reservation, except the car no.5 which is granted to be brought on that day as well as several standing tickets available to purchase on the day of travel.
Tram services
The Keifuku Randen Tram line is operated by an individual company Keifuku Electric Railroad.[12] The Arashiyama line of the tram line passes through east to west from Shijo-Omiya Station to Keifuku Arashiyama Station. The distance between Keifuku Arashiyama Station (also known as the Arashiyama Station) and Saga Arashiyama Station is approximately 20 minutes walking distance. The tram fee for adult and kid is 210 yen and 110 yen respectively.[12]
Furthermore, as the Keifuku Randen Tram line is managed by a private company (Keifuku Electric Railroad), as a result, all other Japan rail passes are not covered. Instead, the private company has designed a 1-Day tram pass for unlimited rides on the Keifuku Randen Tram line with a discount rate included.[11]
References
- Ishino, Tetsu; et al., eds. (1998). 停車場変遷大事典 国鉄・JR編 [Station Transition Directory – JNR/JR] (in Japanese). Vol. II. Tokyo: JTB Corporation. p. 299. ISBN 4-533-02980-9.
- "JR Sagano Line for Nijo, Uzumasa, Saga-Arashiyama – Kyoto Station". www.kyotostation.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "The Sagano Romantic Train – Kyoto Station". www.kyotostation.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "Arashiyama". Inside Kyoto. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "嵯峨嵐山駅情報|周辺地図・観光情報:JRおでかけネット". guide.jr-odekake.net. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "Tenryu-ji Temple". Inside Kyoto. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "国土交通省". www.mlit.go.jp. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "近畿エリアの12路線 のべ300駅に「駅ナンバー」を導入します!" ["Station numbers" will be introduced at a total of 300 stations on 12 lines in the Kinki area!]. westjr.co.jp (in Japanese). 20 July 2016. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- "「駅ナンバー」一覧表" ["Station number" list] (PDF). westjr.co.jp (in Japanese). 20 July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- "嵯峨嵐山駅 構内図". Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- "The Keifuku Randen Tram Line – Kyoto Station". www.kyotostation.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "The Keifuku Randen Tram Line – Kyoto Station". www.kyotostation.com. Retrieved 29 May 2020.