Eizan Train (Kurama Line)

The "Kirara" observation train is popular! Eizan Railway in autumn is becoming a hot topic mainly on SNS.

The Eizan Tramway, nicknamed "Eiden" by the locals, is a railroad line that starts from Demachiyanagi Station in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto and connects the mountainous Yase and Kurama areas. To reach Demachiyanagi Station, take a Keihan train from Gion-Shijo Station, which is located near Kawaramachi with its many department stores. If you take a train bound for Demachiyanagi Station to the last stop, you can transfer to Eiden's Demachiyanagi Station.

All down trains stop until Takarakeike Station, the fifth stop from Demachiyanagi Station. From Takaraga-ike Station onward, trains are divided into two lines: the Kurama Line going toward Kurama and the Eizan Line going toward Yase-Hieizan. This time, we will focus on the Kurama Line, which has many places famous for their autumn foliage.

While it is a good idea to take a regular train to enjoy the autumn leaves, we recommend that you take the "Kirara" observation train during the autumn leaves viewing season.

Kirara features large glass windows so that passengers can fully enjoy the changing scenery along the train line. The train has a total of 29 seats, of which 8 seats near the center face outward, allowing passengers to enjoy the changing scenery from the train windows while relaxing. Another advantage is that you can board the train with only the regular fare. There is no need to make seat reservations.

The eight seats near the center are popular on Kirara, but even more popular is the front-view position, where you can enjoy the approaching autumn leaves. If you want to secure a popular boarding position, it is best to get in line as early as possible at Demachiyanagi Station, the first station on the line.

The train also has a bewitching look at night! Maple Tunnel" that can only be enjoyed from the train window

A particularly famous spot for viewing the autumn leaves on the Kurama Line is the "Maple Tunnel" located between Ichihara Station, the 11th stop from Demachiyanagi Station, and the next stop, Ninose Station. About 280 maple trees, including yellow maples, mountain maples, and maple trees, are planted along the 250-meter section, and the autumn leaves covering the railroad tracks look just like a tunnel. The train runs through the space surrounded by the autumn leaves, which is aptly called "Nishiki-Autumn.

To capture the beautiful scenery as the train passes through the maple tunnel, it is recommended to board the train from the front observation position just behind the driver's seat. You can capture the approaching autumn leaves on your camera. Also, if you shoot in movie mode from near the train's couplings toward the front, you can capture a panorama of the inside of the train and the autumn leaves, and capture the warm colors of red, orange, and yellow as they flow by.

Riding the Kirara is also recommended at night, when the maple tunnel takes on a different look. Usually in November, the tunnel is illuminated from sunset to around 9:00 p.m. During this period, trains passing through the maple tunnel will slow down and turn off their interior lights, allowing passengers to enjoy the autumn leaves floating in the night darkness, fueled by the glow of the lights.

Maple Tunnel Light-up
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025 - Monday, November 24, 2025, from sunset to around 21:00
URL: https: //eizandensha.co.jp/sightseeing/momiji/

After the maple tunnel, there is another point where you can enjoy the autumn foliage. At Ninose Station, there is a large maple tree that guards the station building, which is decorated with special lighting to make it even more beautiful during the illumination of the maple tunnel.

The next station, Kibunekuchi Station, will also be lit up, allowing passengers to view the autumn leaves in the night darkness from the train windows and the competition between the train and the autumn leaves from the platform.

Autumn Color Spots along the Eizan Railway (Kurama Line) (1) Kibune Shrine

Kibune Shrine's autumn foliage illuminated by fire on the stone lanterns along the main approach to the shrine

Kibune Shrine has been located for more than 1,300 years in Kibune, which is also called "the back seat of Kyoto. Kibune Shrine is one of the most popular spots along the Kurama Line. The shrine area stretches across the mountain from the foot of the shrine to the "main shrine," the "subordinate shrine," and the "inner shrine." In autumn, when the trees on the mountain are covered with color, the autumn leaves and the shrine pavilions can be seen at the same time. The autumn leaves covering the stone steps of the Omote-sando of the main shrine are particularly famous, and have been featured in numerous media reports.

Every year during the autumn foliage season, the "Kibune Shrine Autumn Leaves Light-up" is held from dusk until 20:30. Lanterns along the stone steps of the main approach to the shrine are lit, and the autumn leaves appear in the dark of night. The shrine grounds are also enveloped in a gentle glow, creating an even more magical atmosphere.

Kibune Shrine Autumn Leaves Light-up
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025 - Monday, November 24, 2025, dusk - 20:30

Kibune Shrine

• 180 Kurama Kibune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
• Take a bus from Kurama Line Kibune-guchi Station on the Eizan Line, get off at Kibune Bus Stop, and walk about 4 minutes.
• Free to visit
• None
• 075-741-2016
• 8 cars for the main shrine, 10 cars for the inner shrine / 800 yen for 2 hours (extension is not available)

Fall Foliage Spots along the Eizan Railway (Kurama Line) (2) Kuramadera Temple

The precincts of Kuramadera Temple, nestled in the mountains of Kurama, are a treasure trove of autumn foliage spots!

Kuramadera Temple, which is said to have been built in 770, is a temple with a rich history where Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Ushiwakamaru) is said to have practiced asceticism as a boy. The spacious precincts, embraced by Mt. Kurama, are known for its autumn foliage viewing at various locations. The vermilion Niomon Gate, located just outside Kurama Station, soaring against the autumn leaves, is one of the best places to capture the autumn colors with your camera. The southern direction seen from near the main shrine is also reputed to be beautiful. Hieizan (Mt. Hiei), which sits across from Kurama, can be seen in red and yellow.

The path from the Niomon Gate to the main shrine is so short that Sei Shonagon wrote in The Pillow Book of Muromakura no Soshi (The Pillow Book of the Young Poets), "The path is near and yet far: Kujukuri no Kurama ni ori," (the time required is about 30 minutes). The cable car makes it easy to come and go, but the approach to the temple is also a great place to enjoy the autumn leaves, so if you have the time and energy, please walk there and enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves.

Kuramadera Temple

• 1074 Kurama Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
• Approx. 3 min. walk from Kurama Station on Eizan Railway Kurama Line (Niomon Gate)
• Free to visit
• None
• Aizan fee 500 yen
• 075-741-2003
• None

Eiden Ticket Deals

Enjoy a round trip with a special ticket!

To visit Kuramadera Temple and other autumn foliage spots along the Eiden line, we recommend purchasing an "Ee-kippu," a one-day ticket for Eizan Railway (1,200 yen for adults and 600 yen for children). It is very convenient because you can get on and off regular trains including Kirara as many times as you like. Incidentally, you need to pay the fare just to get off the train at Ninose Station, but you don't have to worry about it if you have an ee-kippu.

For those who also wish to see the autumn leaves at Kibune Shrine, we recommend the "Kyoto Rakuhoku, Forest and Water Ticket" (1,800 yen for adults *only adult tickets are available). The ticket allows unlimited rides on all Eizan Railway lines and Kyoto buses north of Imadegawa-dori*. The route from Kibune-guchi Station to Kibune Shrine is about 2 km uphill, and it will take at least 20 minutes to walk there. We recommend taking the bus as it will save you time and energy.

Excluding the area north of Odeishi in Kurama Hot Spring and the area from Ginkakuji Road to the top of Mt.

Sagano Trolley Train

Take the trolley train to see the autumn leaves coloring the valley.

The Sagano Trolley Train (hereinafter referred to as "Trolley Train"), operated by Sagano Kanko Railway, is a sightseeing train that runs along the valley of the Hozu River, which runs through the mountains in the western part of Kyoto City. The train runs slowly, taking about 25 minutes for a one-way distance of about 7 km from Trolley Saga Station, the first station on the Kyoto side of the river, to Trolley Kameoka Station in Kameoka City. You can enjoy the beauty of the valley in each season: cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and snow-covered Arashiyama in winter. Trolley Saga Station is adjacent to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station for easy Direction from Kyoto Station.

Another attraction of this area is the approximately 1,000 maple trees planted along the route, including Iroha-momiji, yamamomiji, and maple trees. When autumn deepens, the trees turn red and yellow, brightly coloring the train windows.

There are many places of interest along the entire line, including the Kameyama Tunnel area just outside Trolley Arashiyama Station and the area near the Hozu River Bridge, where about 70 trees are densely planted with autumn leaves. When the train approaches a scenic spot, it slows down to allow passengers to enjoy the scenery. Also, at the Trolley Hozukyo Station on the way to the train stop, you can take pictures of the Aya brocade of the Hozukyo Gorge from inside the train.

The trolley train consists of five cars, and all seats are reserved seats in a box, so you will want to choose your seat carefully. For trains bound for Trolley Kameoka Station, the right side of the train in the direction of travel is popular because it gives you a longer view of the gorge. However, no matter which side you sit on, the first or second half of your seat will be on the side facing the autumn foliage, so you can enjoy the view regardless of which side you sit on if you are looking for autumn foliage. Also, because they are box seats, some seats face the opposite direction from the direction of travel. If you are not worried about motion sickness, this is also recommended.

Car 5 is "The Rich," an open car with no windows, so you can enjoy the beauty of the burning valley in autumn with all five senses. The roof is also made of glass, so you can take pictures of the autumn leaves falling on the roof and the blue sky.

The Rich is a bare car, even the side panels and floor, and may get wet in case of rain. Since umbrellas are not allowed inside the car, it is advisable to prepare a raincoat in advance. Also, during the fall foliage season, temperatures can be cool even on sunny days, so it is advisable to dress warmly.

The "Illuminated Illusion Train" lights up the valley.

During fall and winter, the "Illuminated Fantasy Train" runs from 4:30 p.m. to the last train. Illumination devices along the train line illuminate the autumn leaves and the mountains on the other side of the river, as well as the Trolley Hozukyo Station and several other places along the train line.

Tickets for reserved seats on the trolley trains, including the "Illuminated Fantasy Train," are available at the ticket windows of all stations except Trolley Hozukyo Station on a first-come, first-served basis for the day. However, tickets are very popular during the fall foliage season, so it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance via the Internet & online payment. Reservation tickets are available from midnight one month before the boarding date (the same day of the previous month). Sagano Kanko Railway website and are available for sale on the Sagano Kanko Railway website. Please check the official website for details on how to purchase tickets, how to display QR code tickets, and precautions.

If all reserved-seat tickets (all seats reserved) are full on the day of operation, including those for the "Illumination Fantasy Train," a small number of standing tickets will be sold, which allow passengers to board the train standing near the entrance. Standing tickets will be sold only at each station counter and will be sold out when the maximum number is reached.

Fantasy Train of Light
Date and time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 - Monday, December 29, 2025, 16:30 - last train
Remarks: All seats reserved
URL: https: //www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/season/

Information on Autumn Leaves along Sagano Trolley Train / Hozugawa River

Boat cruises are also recommended while viewing the autumn leaves.

After riding the trolley train to the last stop, Trolley Kameoka Station, we recommend taking a ride on the Hozu River down the gorge from the upper reaches of the Hozu River to the landing place before the Watarigetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. On the way back, you can enjoy the beauty of the valley from a vantage point close to the surface of the river. No prior knowledge is necessary as the boatman will explain the points of interest such as the autumn foliage and oddly shaped rocks during the boat ride. About 1/3 of the way down from the boat, you will come to Mebuchi, which many boatmen recommend as the most scenic point. If you look back at the boatman's signal, you can admire the beautiful autumn leaves of the valley.

Tickets for the Hozu River cruise can be purchased on the day of the cruise in the order in which they are received, or on the website of the Hozu River Cruise Association. From Trolley Kameoka Station to the Hozu River boat terminal, it is convenient to use the connecting bus (350 yen for adults, 180 yen for children/approx. 12 minutes) that departs in conjunction with the arrival and departure of the Trolley train. When reserving a boat ticket, it is recommended to reserve a ticket for the bus that departs one hour after the departure time of the Torokko Saga Station (e.g., a ticket for the 10:00 departure time for the 9:02 departure time of the Sagano No. 1) for a smooth tour of the area.

Hozugawa Yusen Kigyo Kumiai (Hozugawa River Boat Association)

• 2 Shimonakajima, Hozu-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto MAP
• Boarding point: 15 min. by liaison bus from Trolley Kameoka Station / 8 min. on foot from JR Kameoka Station
• Monday, March 10, 2025 - Sunday, December 7, 2025 9:00 - 15:00
  Weekdays: 7 regular sailings every hour (total of 7 sailings); Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: sailings as soon as capacity is reached.
  Monday, December 8, 2025 - Monday, March 9, 2026 10:00 - 14:30
  Weekdays: 4 regular sailings; weekends and holidays: other special sailings may be available.
• Junior high school students and older: 6,000 yen, infants to elementary school students: 4,500 yen
• 0771-22-5846
• In regular years, there are autumn leaves during the second week of December.