Mount Shosha Ropeway, Cable car system at Mount Shosha, Himeji, Japan.
Mount Shosha Ropeway is an aerial tramway in Himeji that connects two stations by carrying passengers up the mountainside. The system uses two cabins that each hold dozens of passengers and transport them across the distance in just a few minutes.
The ropeway began operations in 1958, creating a new transportation link to the mountain summit for residents and visitors. This cable system made the temple grounds reachable for more people and opened up the mountainside.
A female guide rides along and narrates the ropeway and Engyō-ji, rather than a recorded announcement. At the top, the Maniden is reached on foot along about 0.8 km of mountain path, or by the temple's own paid microbus; the Kaizan-dō (Oku-no-in) lies a further 0.7 km on foot.
The ride up the mountainside takes just a few minutes, making it easy to visit the temple at the top and return the same day. The journey is pleasant in good weather, but fog or rain can limit visibility during the ascent.
The ropeway is owned by Himeji City but run under a designated-manager system by Shinki Bus, a local bus company. A recorded commentary is not used: a female guide rides along and explains both the ropeway and Engyo-ji Temple. The 781 m line has just one support tower and climbs 211 m at up to 27 degrees 53 minutes.
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