Yakuri Cable, Funicular railway in Takamatsu, Japan
Yakuri Cable is a funicular railway in Takamatsu, Japan, that runs up a forested hillside to the grounds of Yakuri-ji temple. The line is short but steep, with a single car climbing between a lower and an upper station through thick woodland.
The line opened in the 1930s to make it easier for worshippers to reach the temple on the hillside. It has been running ever since and is considered one of the oldest operating mountain railways in this part of Japan.
The cable car leads to Yakuri-ji, one of the 88 temples on the Shikoku pilgrimage route that draws devoted walkers from across Japan. You can often spot pilgrims in white robes at the station, a sight that makes the place feel different from an ordinary mountain ride.
The railway runs throughout the year, but visiting in the morning tends to be quieter and more comfortable. Since there is only one car on the line, expect short waits during busy periods, especially on weekends and holidays.
The railway was built and is still run by a private company, which is unusual for such a small mountain line in Japan. Much of the original mechanical equipment from its early years remains in use, making the ride itself a window into early 20th-century engineering.
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