Ikoma Cable Line, Funicular railway line in Ikoma, Japan.
The Ikoma Cable Line is a funicular railway in Ikoma, Japan that stretches across 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) and serves five stations between Toriimae and Ikoma-Sanjo. The route passes through Hozanji and connects the valley with the mountaintop.
The railway opened in 1918 as Japan's first commercial funicular and brought a new form of mountain transport to the country. Since then it carries visitors to Hozanji Temple and the summit.
The cars carry names like Bull for the dog, Mike for the cat, Do-Re-Mi for the organ and Sweet for the cake. Each vehicle shows a different design that brings joy especially to families with children.
The Hozanji section runs from early morning until late evening, while the Sanjo section has shorter hours and operates mainly during daytime. Departures happen every twenty minutes, so waiting times stay short.
The Hozanji section operates with double-track service, which remains singular among funiculars in Japan. The gradient reaches nearly 23 percent in some places, making the ride especially impressive.
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