This railway journey in Japan has been named the world's most scenic

Move over Europe, Japan now lays claim to the world’s most eye-catching rail journey.

Rail travel has well and truly returned to the travel zeitgeist. From the Australian outback to the Swiss Alps, people are once again romanticising this slow travel method that allows for staggering views and time to soak it all in. And while Japan may not be the first country most think of, a new study has crowned Sagano Romantic Train the world’s most eye-catching.

How did Sagano Romantic Train win?

Book a seat in the open-air carriage. (Credit: Getty Images/ Nirad)

Insurance company Insure And Go used eye-tracking technology to see how long study participants spent looking at the scenery, and how quickly their eyes were drawn to it, while being shown multiple images of iconic views from train routes across the globe. These results were combined into a weighted score out of 100.

About the Sagano Romantic Train

Enjoy views of the Hozugawa River. (Credit: Getty Images/ Jikgoe)

Short but very sweet, Sagano Romantic Train (also known as Sagano Scenic Railway or Sagano Torokko) runs along the Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka in the Kyoto region.

These quaint, old-fashioned trains are a sight in themselves, each with four enclosed cars (with windows that can be opened) and one fully open car so guests can breathe in the fresh mountain air. They take their time as they wind through gorgeous mountain scenery, a forested ravine and into rural Kameoka. It takes about 25 minutes to complete this seven-kilometre journey, allowing guests plenty of time to catch the views from all angles.

What other rail journeys made the list?

The Swiss Alps of Bernina Express were also eye-catching. (Credit: Erin Brundage)

While Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train took the number one spot, it was Europe that dominated the rankings, with three of the top ten routes located on the continent. The Bernina Express and Glacier Express in Switzerland both beat out the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Semmering Railway in Austria, but all show that the pull of the continent’s dramatic Alps is strong. Not too far away, Scotland’s West Highland Line ranked fourth on the list.

Sixth and seventh place also offered a tinge of surprise, being awarded to the Alishan Forest Railway in Taiwan and Serra Verde Express in Brazil, respectively.

Australia wasn’t absent from the list, either, with two routes making the global top 15: the Kuranda Scenic Railway (12th) through the rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, and iconic The Ghan (15th), which makes its way through Australia’s outback.

Sagano Romantic Train details

Plan your romantic train journey through Japan. (Credit: Getty Images/ Nirad)

Tickets: Prices start from around $7.70 (880 yen).
Bookings: All seats are reserved. Purchase tickets at Torokko Saga Station, via the official website or travel booking websites like Klook.
Open hours: Trains run hourly from 9am to around 4pm, but the railway is closed on most Wednesdays. It also closes for winter, from December 30 to the end of February.