There are few better ways to appreciate Japan's landscapes than by train. Whether it's weaving through mountain valleys, hugging dramatic coastlines, or gliding past seasonal foliage, rail travel turns the journey itself into part of the adventure. And now, one of Japan's most beloved scenic routes has global bragging rights to prove it.
Kyoto's Sagano Romantic Train has officially been named the most scenic train journey in the world in a new study by travel insurance company InsureandGo.
The nostalgic sightseeing train, which runs through the forested ravines of Arashiyama and along the Hozugawa River, topped the ranking with an impressive "Eye-Catching Score" of 91.9 out of 100.
What makes the study especially interesting is how that score was determined. Rather than relying on travel reviews or expert opinion, researchers used eye-tracking technology to measure how visually captivating each route's scenery was. Participants were shown images of famous train views from around the world, with researchers tracking how quickly their eyes were drawn to each landscape and how long they remained focused on it. Those metrics were then combined into a weighted score to determine the final rankings.
According to the study, the Sagano Romantic Train beat out famous rail journeys across Europe and beyond, despite strong competition from some of the world's best-known scenic routes.
It's not hard to see why. Running between Saga Torokko Station and Kameoka Torokko Station in western Kyoto, the open-window heritage train is especially popular during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, when the surrounding mountains explode into pink or fiery red.
For more information about the Sagano Romantic Train or to make a booking, please visit the official website in English here.
