Saga-Arashiyama Station

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 is then nationalised, 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 is then privatised according to the division of the Japan National Railways Company, Kyoto line is then becoming one of the stations that belong to the West Japan Railway Company (JR West). Until 1994, Saga Station changed its current name to Saga-Arashiyama station, so as 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 across the Katsura River,[5] as a result, it is quite smooth to be confused as in 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 actual Arashiyama, including world heritage sites like Tenryu-Ji Temple,[6] are located within a walking distance of the Saga-Arashiyama Station as the significant tourists' hub.

The building station of Saga-Arashiyama station that are still currently in use was the 2nd generation building station that was completed and applied into 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 transfer. On the other hand, the terminal Hankyu Arashiyama station of Hankyu Arashiyama Line is located on the southern side of Katsura, required a 20 minutes walk to cross the Togetsu-kyō Bridge.

Sample of island platform

Saga-Arashiyama Station is designed as 2 island platforms with 4 train routes in total,[8] combine with the ground station and cross - station as equipment. For platform 1 and 2, with the upward direction, heading to Kyoto direction; for platform 3 and 4, which is downward direction, heading to 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,[9] which all of these stations are adequately conducive. The line that is decided to use is absolutely based on the starting location.

Railway map of Sagano Line

The Saga-Arashiyama Station is re-designed by the West Japan Railway Company in the late 1900s, Saga-Arashiyama Station was first designed to be a transfer station along the Sagano Line, yet Kyoto tourism boom since 1994,[1] which is the year that Arashiyama Station changes the name into Saga-Arashiyama Station.

Until now this platform has received more than 7.4 million foreign guests travelled to Saga- Arashiyama Station for the surrounding visiting. Including domestic tourists, this platform hosted more than 50 million visitors, compared to Kyoto, with only 1.7 million population in total.

The perfect route to arrive Saga-Arashiyama Station from central Kyoto is to take the Hankyu Line then arrive at the Omiya Station, after that transfer to the Keifuku Randen tramline.

The tram is designed in an old fashion way trolley car which will only take 20 minutes to reach the destination.

Another way to arrive 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, just simply walk from Sagano Station to Saga-Arashiyama station with just the about 10 minutes.

• 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 undoubtedly is the fastest way to arrive, instead, approach by Keifuku railways (Randen-Saga Station), by Hankyu Railways,[9] by bus lines as well as by personal vehicles are also plans to arrive Saga-Arashiyama Station.

There are a bunch of historic buildings and sightseeing places to visit.  In front of the Saga-Arashiyama station, an exhibition hall of “19th-century” trains and the Sagano Scenic Railway Saga Station are presented. As evaluated the proportion of tourists movement, most of the traveller is not Japanese. As a result, passengers that take off from Saga Arashiyama Station would probably willing to take the sightseeing train and know more about the history of 19th century trains culture. Respectively, the exhibition hall is a place that filled with 19th-century products. Whether is the steam locomotive that changes the history of the train, or even the piano and organ that play a significant role in the history of music development.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of the most famous sightseeing places in Arashiyama,[11] despite the fact that the Bamboo Grove is just one main path, tourists usually go there and capture the moment of this peaceful atmosphere. Moreover, along with several shrines and temples located around the Bamboo Grove, it is time to travel to other sightseeing places around.[11] Besides, pieces of evidence show that the most terrific way to delve into the Bamboo Grove is by applying the jogging tour.

The Tenryu-Ji Temple, also known as the head temple of the Tenryu-Ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in Kyoto.[6] This temple opened since the 13th century, honoured to become one of the five great Zen temples.[12] Unlike the traditional temple, Tenryu-Ji temple has faced fire accident and wars over many centuries, still, the garden of the temple is survived as the remaining section of this temple, with a dramatic view from the foot of Arashiyama mountains located at the western side of Kyoto as a foil, turns out Tenryu-Ji Temple to become unique. As a result, Tenryu-Ji Temple is registered as a world heritage site as well as the most significant temple in Kyoto in 1994.[6]

Arashiyama,[13] which is a delightful tourist sightseeing place located in the western area of Kyoto. Arashiyama has been a famous milestone since the Heian Period (794-1185). As a classic symbol of the Saga-Arashiyama area, Arashiyama is publicly nominated as the historic site and place with absolute breathtaking delicacy.

Arashiyama is also known as the most significant sightseeing ambition. This area is brimming with temples and shrines. Tourists that visit this place are appeal to its nature. Arashiyama is immensely famous to hikers. The walking distance for the whole hiking activity is utterly casual. Moreover, besides these interesting hiking pathway,  nearby landscape environment is also one of the main reason that hikers prefer to travel along for a long distance to take a visit to this marvellous place.