Maya Cablecar, Funicular railway in Nada-ku, Japan
Maya Cablecar is a funicular railway climbing Mount Maya between two stations to reach viewpoints above the city. The ride itself unfolds gradually, allowing passengers to see how the landscape shifts as they ascend.
The line first opened in 1925 and served as a key way for people to reach the mountaintop. During World War II it was shut down, but later returned to service with updated equipment.
The cablecar connects visitors to Tori Tenjo-ji temple and offers access to viewpoints where people gather to take in the panorama of Kobe below. Many travelers use the ride as a chance to experience the city from above during different times of day.
The ride takes a few minutes, and you can board from either station at the base or top of the route. It helps to check the schedule beforehand, as times shift with the season and day of the week.
The system relies on a single track with counterbalanced cars, allowing both cabins to move safely even on the steep slope. This straightforward engineering has kept the route running steadily for many decades.
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