Keifuku Randen Tram - Kyoto

Located in Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Keifuku Randen Tram is a historic tram line that is considered the last tram line in the prefecture.
Keifuku Randen Tram

Keifuku Randen Tram History

Originally owned and operated by Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway, the single track 7.2-kilometer Randen Tram line opened in 1910. This tram line connected Kyoto City center (Shijo-Omiya Station) to the Arashiyama area. The tram line was then acquired by the Kyoto Electric Light Company in 1918. the company then improved the line by double-tracking its track from 1925 until 1928 completing what is currently known as the Arashiyama Line. 
Here comes our Randen!

Are you ready to board the Randen?

Heading to Arashiyama Station!

Passed by a parked Randen tram

Right on track!

Arashiyama Station of the Keifuku Randen Tram line

Here are places to visit near the tram stations.

Keep this in mind!

In 1925, Kyoto Electric Light Company opened the Kitano Line. The line runs from Kitano Hakubaicho Station until Katabiranotsuji Station. However, the company was hit by economic depression and sold both lines to Keifuku in 1942. At present, both lines are still owned, operated, and maintained by Keifuku. 

Presently, the Arashiyama Line has 13 stations which are the following:

The Randen Arriving at Arashiyama Station

No.
Station
Japanese
A1
Shijō-Ōmiya
四条大宮
A2
Sai
西院
A3
Nishiōji-Sanjō
西大路三条
A4
Yamanouchi
山ノ内
A5
Randen-Tenjingawa
嵐電天神川
A6
Kaikonoyashioro
蚕ノ社
A7
Uzumasa-Kōryūji
太秦広隆寺
A8
Katabiranotsuji
帷子ノ辻
A9
Arisugawa
有栖川
A10
Kurumazaki-Jinja
車折神社
A11
Rokuōin
鹿王院
A12
Randen-Saga
嵐電嵯峨
A13
Arashiyama
嵐山

A13 Arashiyama Station

While the Kitano Line has 9 stations and is connected to the Arashiyama Line via the Katabiranotsuji Station. The other stations are as follows:


No.
Station
Japanese
B9
Kitano-Hakubaichō
北野白梅町
B8
Tōjiin
等持院
B7
Ryōanji
龍安寺
B6
Myōshinji
妙心寺
B5
Omuro-Ninnaji
御室仁和寺
B4
Utano
宇多野
B3
Narutaki
鳴滝
B2
Tokiwa
常磐
B1
Satsueisho-mae
撮影所前
A8
Katabiranotsuji
帷子ノ辻

My family and I got to try out Keifuku Randen Tram during our second day in Kyoto during our 2018 Japan trip. We rode the Randen from Sai Station until Arashiyama Station and vice versa after exploring the scenic Arashiyama district. Overall, the Keifuku Randen Tram is a great alternative mode of transportation when exploring Kyoto. However, keep in mind that it is usually full during the weekends as tourists and locals usually flock to Arashiyama district. Regardless, I still highly recommend that you try this one out. 

Keifuku Randen Tram Fare:

Adults (12 years old and above): 230 Yen
Children (6-12 years old): 120 Yen
Children below 6 years old: FREE

Riding the Randen back home
Check out this foot bath at Arashiyama Station

Why ride the Keifuku Randen Tram?

Keifuku Randen Tram is the last of its kind in Kyoto City. It's something that you should try when you plan to visit the Arashiyama District. Not only does it offer an alternative transportation system in exploring Kyoto City, but it also has access to locations that aren't inside the bus routes.

 Ratings:
Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall rating
Location: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Comments

  1. This is BriiSeptember 28, 2018 at 7:34 AM

    Looks like so much fun, would def like to go some day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HealthyFitCoupleSeptember 28, 2018 at 10:38 PM

    I will be visiting Japan next year and see that catching the train can be complicated!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MarSeptember 30, 2018 at 5:58 AM

    I usually try the train of a place I visit whenever available. I should try this too when visiting the place. Are there food stalls near the end of the line (Arashiyama)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 1, 2018 at 9:42 AM

      Hi sir Mar. There are a lot of food stalls at the end of the line in Arashiyama. There are also plenty of restaurants that'll give you that rustic feel around the station.

      Delete
  4. UnknownSeptember 30, 2018 at 9:46 AM

    I’d love to take this train ride!

    ReplyDelete
  5. revelerSeptember 30, 2018 at 9:24 PM

    Your post reminds me of a train which still operates in Japan despite serving one passenger .....it only stopped operating when a girl graduated..... Thumbs up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 2, 2018 at 10:01 AM

      Oh that's a regular train. =) They have plenty of those.

      Delete
  6. UnknownSeptember 30, 2018 at 10:46 PM

    Great review! Japan transport system is one of the best we have experienced despite being confusing sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Deepa jaisinghOctober 1, 2018 at 12:45 AM

    Oh all these beautiful things makes me wanna go pack and travel. See www.momislearning.com for more posts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 2, 2018 at 10:01 AM

      You should Deepa. You only have one life to live. Enjoy it while you can.

      Delete
  8. MonidipaOctober 1, 2018 at 1:43 AM

    The place looks really good and however I would love to visit there.

    ReplyDelete
  9. MtillmanOctober 1, 2018 at 3:39 AM

    The tram look cool. The design on the second tram is really cute. I can imagine tourist may pack out this tram.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 2, 2018 at 10:02 AM

      There are times when this tram is fully loaded with riders.

      Delete
  10. MartinsOctober 1, 2018 at 2:17 PM

    What feelings did you get when you were heading for the station at Arashiyama?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 2, 2018 at 10:05 AM

      Oh , well I enjoyed it so much. At first I thought it was a toy train.

      Delete
  11. AdminOctober 2, 2018 at 1:40 PM

    There are lots of tram in Italy but I have never consided trying them. Will be trying it soon as it seems you enjoyed your ride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 3, 2018 at 8:54 AM

      Yes, the ride is more than just commuting it's being able to try out something historical.

      Delete
  12. NainOnTravelOctober 2, 2018 at 5:59 PM

    Tram looks so good. Very good clicks. looking at these pic i feel like traveling now :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 3, 2018 at 8:55 AM

      You should try this one out if you are heading to Kyoto City.

      Delete
  13. Blair VillanuevaOctober 3, 2018 at 8:10 AM

    Another thing i love about Japan are colorful trains! They know how to maxize space :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioOctober 3, 2018 at 8:58 AM

      That's true Blair. I think they have dozens of different trains.

      Delete
  14. Sheena MoncatarOctober 4, 2018 at 11:17 PM

    Your blog has always been a source of inspiration, I have long BOOKMARKED it. Please keep the good posts rolling and thanks as always.

    ReplyDelete
  15. MomsfyOctober 6, 2018 at 2:41 AM

    amazing content, japan is a beautiful country, i must visit there

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousApril 5, 2023 at 7:28 AM

    Is the Keifuku Randen Tram crowded? I'm planning to use it with my family next month. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioApril 5, 2023 at 9:03 PM

      Keifuku Randen Tram is probably crowded during rush hour or during the peak season like Golden Week, Spring Break, or Summer Vacation.

      Delete

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