Ikoma Cable Line

Ikoma Cable Line
Legend Ikoma Keihanna Line Nara Line Ikoma Line 0.0 Toriimae Toriimae Crossing 1 Toriimae Crossing 2 Toriimae Crossing 3 Hōzanji Line 0.9 Hōzanji Sanjō Line Hozanji Crossing 1.2 Umeyashiki 1.6 Kasumigaoka Kasumigaoka Crossing 2.0 Ikoma-Sanjō

The Ikoma Cable Line (生駒鋼索線, Ikoma kōsaku sen), referred to as Ikoma Cable (生駒ケーブル, Ikoma kēburu), is a cable railway line owned and operated by the Kintetsu Railway, a Japanese major private railway. The line connects Toriimae to Ikomasanjo, all of which are within Ikoma, Nara, Japan.

Basic data

• Lines and distances:
  • Hōzanji Line: Toriimae - Hōzanji, 0.9 km (0.6 mi)
  • Sanjō Line: Hōzanji - Ikoma-Sanjō, 1.1 km (0.7 mi)
• Gauge: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
• Stations: 5
• Double track line: Toriimae — Hōzanji
  • Quadruple at the passing loop
• Vertical interval:
  • Hōzanji Line: 146 m (479 ft)
  • Sanjō Line: 322 m (1,056 ft)

Overview

The Ikoma Cable Line is actually made up of two different lines; Hōzanji Line (宝山寺線, Hōzanji-sen) between Toriimae and Hōzanji, Sanjō Line (山上線, Sanjō-sen) between Hōzanji and Ikoma-Sanjō. The Hōzanji Line is the oldest commercially operated funicular in Japan, opened in 1918. It runs to Hōzan-ji, a Shingon Buddhist temple. Sanjō Line climbs up Mount Ikoma, reaching Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park.

The Hōzanji Line is the only double-track funicular in the country. However, the two tracks are treated as different lines, called Hōzanji Line 1 (宝山寺1号線, Hōzanji Ichi-gō-sen) and Hōzanji Line 2 (宝山寺2号線, Hōzanji Ni-gō-sen). Normally, only Hōzanji Line 1 and Sanjō Line are used. Hōzanji Line 2 is operated in holiday seasons, and for safety inspections of the Line 1. Since the Hōzanji Line runs along a fairly urbanized area, it also functions as a commuter line. However, the line does not accept PiTaPa, a smart card ticketing system, neither Surutto Kansai, a prepaid magnetic card ticketing system.

Rolling stocks

Hōzanji Line 1 used classical 1928 cars until 2000, when they were replaced by the current fancy-decorated cars. Since then, bulldog-faced "Bull" and calico cat-faced "Mike" serve the line, both officially being Type Ko 11. Sanjō Line uses organ-like "Do-Re-Mi", cake-decorated "Sweet", both officially Type Ko 15. Hōzanji Line 2 uses ordinary-shaped Type Ko 3 cars, nicknamed "Yume-Ikoma".

• 
  "Bull" of Hōzanji Line 1
• 
  "Mike" of Hōzanji Line 1
• 
  "Do-Re-Mi" of Sanjō Line
• 
  "Sweet" of Sanjō Line

Stations

All stations are in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. For distances and connections, see the route diagram.

• Hōzanji Line 1 and 2
  • Toriimae (鳥居前)
  • Hōzanji (宝山寺)
• Sanjō Line (D: Direct trains stop, operated seasonally)
  • Hōzanji D
  • Umeyashiki (梅屋敷)
  • Kasumigaoka (霞ヶ丘)
  • Ikoma-Sanjō D (生駒山上)

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line.

• Cable car
• Funicular railway
• List of funicular railways
• List of railway lines in Japan
• Mt. Ikoma

Kintetsu Railway
Routes (Lines)	Railway ■ Namba/Nara Line and its branch  A  Namba/Nara Line  G  Ikoma Line ■ Kyoto/Kashihara Line and its branches  B  Kyoto/Kashihara Line  H  Tenri Line  I  Tawaramoto Line ■ Keihanna Line (Line owned by other entity)  C  Keihanna Line ■ Osaka Line and its branch  D  Osaka Line  J  Shigi Line ■ Nagoya Line and its branches  E  Nagoya Line  K  Yunoyama Line  L  Suzuka Line ■ Yamada/Toba/Shima Line  M  Yamada/Toba/Shima Line ■ Minami Osaka/Yoshino Line and its branches (Narrow-gauge lines)  F  Minami Osaka/Yoshino Line  N  Domyoji Line  O  Nagano Line  P  Gose Line Lines operated by other entities (Narrow-gauge lines)      Iga Line      Yoro Line ■ Cable car (Funicular)  Y  Ikoma Line  Z  Nishi-Shigi Line Ropeway (Aerial tramway) Katsuragisan Ropeway
Transferred and defunct lines Transferred lines Hokusei Line Utsube Line Hachiōji Line Nankai Main Line Takashinohama Line Tanagawa Line Kada Line Tennoji Branch Hankai Line Uemachi Line Hirano Line Ohama Branch Defunct lines Higashi-Shigi Line Ise Line Ousa Line Horyuji Line

Coordinates: 34°41′12.4″N 135°41′23.9″E / 34.686778°N 135.689972°E / 34.686778; 135.689972