Nankai Koyasan Cable Car from Gokurakubashi to Koyasan Funicular Railway Train Review
The Koyasan Cable Car is the final leg of the Koya Line to properly bring passengers up to Koyasan. While Koyasan is the final destination on Koya Line route maps, it is in actual fact a 2-station funicular ride from the second-last station at Gokurakubashi Station, to head up to Koyasan on the steep incline. It was a seamless transfer from my Limited Express Koya 1 to the Koyasan Cable Car, with funicular departures timed to connect with Koya Line trains to minimise waiting time.
The Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass is a magnetic farecard, valid for 2 non-consecutive days, which was perfect for my itinerary to access the airport fro and to, and to go to Koyasan.
Gokurakubashi Station
The Koya Line and Koyasan Cable Car are within the same paid area. There is no need to go through any ticket gates for this transfer. Tracks are perpendicular to each other, with the concourse an L-shape.
There is 8 minutes between the arrival of my Limited Express Koya 1 and the connecting Koyasan Cable Car train.
Both steps and ramps are available to access the inclined platform of the Koyasan Cable Car.
The timetable of the Koyasan Cable Car. The frequency is not a clock-face timetable as trains are timed to connect with Koya Line trains.
The Spanish Solution is adapted here with boarding on 1 side of the tracks and alighting on the other.
The station sign of Gokurakubashi Station, which includes the altitude at 539 meters above sea level. The ascend to the final station, Koyasan, is also the steepest, hence the need for this funicular railway.
Interestingly, there is quite a trench below the funicular tracks. Perhaps Gokurakubashi Station is also used as a maintenance base.
And here comes my Koyasan Cable Car.
Doors on the alighting side opened first, though there wasn’t many passengers alighting.
Boarding the Koyasan Cable Car at the last door. Only the last door was opened.
Heading up the Koyasan Cable Car to the front of the train.
The entire train length is like a staircase to fit the steep incline of the railway.
Looking out and up the front of the train.
The Koyasan Cable Car is built by Nippon Cable and CWA Constructions with a capacity of 105 passengers.
With the cable on the right spool, my train will be taking the right side on the Abt Passing Loop.
My Koyasan Cable Car departed from on time at 10.09am.
An attendant is seated at the front of the control panel in case of any emergencies. Train control is done at Koya Station.
Heading on a viaduct up Koyasan.
Curving left towards the Abt Passing Loop.
Approaching the Abt Passing Loop.
Crossing with the opposing Koyasan Cable Car train.
Heading back on to the single track.
Curving right to Koyasan Station.
Approaching Koyasan Station.
Koyasan Station
The Koyasan Cable Car slowed down considerably early when approaching Koyasan Station. It will be the same for the opposing Koyasan Cable Car as well on the bottom end.
Crawling into Koyasan Station.
The buffer stop is in front of the drive motor.
The Koyasan Cable Car journey from Gokurakubashi to Koyasan took 5 minutes.
Looking back down at the empty interior of the Koyasan Cable Car.
Seats are arranged in facing bays of 4 seats, one bay on each level.
Mind the gap.
Heading up and out of the platforms.
Looking back at the Koyasan Cable Car train at Koyasan Station.
The station sign of Koyasan Station. Koyasan Station is 867 meters above sea level.
The welcome sign at Koyasan Station.
The control room at Koyasan Station where the funicular driving happens.
The Koyasan Cable Car speed is 3.0meters per second.
The operational timetable of the Koyasan Cable Car.
Heading out of the fare gates at Koyasan Station.
Connecting bus timetables are also displayed at Koyasan Station. Buses are timed to connect with the Koyasan Cable Car trains.
Heading out of Koyasan Station.
The original station sign of Koyasan Station.
Koyasan Ekimae Bus Terminal
The Koyasan Ekimae Bus Terminal is just outside Koyasan Station. You need to take a bus to the centre of town.
A variety of buses parked at Koyasan Ekimae Bus Terminal.
A sheltered walkway links Koyasan Station with Koyasan Ekimae Bus Terminal.
The Koyasan Ekimae Bus Terminal building is also a ticket counter.
The route map of buses around Koyasan.
Koyasan Bus Tickets
Bus fares are listed in a route map format. A 1 day ticket is also available, valid around the blue Koyasan area. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket counter.
The bus platform has a fence, with a gap leading to the rear door for boarding.
The façade of Koyasan Station.
Conclusion
The Koyasan Cable Car is an efficient way to ascend up the last steep leg to Koyasan, making the 800-meter long 328-meter high ascend in just 5 minutes, and adds character to the end of the Koya Line with this additional train to take.