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A railway service to the world heritage site, Mt Koya. Throughout its course are various sights; and the sightseeing railway “Tenku” runs.
The Nankai Koya Line bridges Namba, the center of Osaka Minami District, and Mt. Koya, the spiritual world heritage. The course between Hashimoto and Gokurakubashi (Heaven Bridge” is dubbed by locals as the “Koya Flower Railway”. Sceneries along the way include Mt. Kudoyama, where the samurai warlord, Yukimura Sanada studied. The “Tenku” sightseeing railway runs in this popular sightseeing course.
The “Koya Flower Railway” is Japan’s few mountain trains, and is filled with continuous sudden curves, as well as steep hills. stops include retro, wooden station buildings. Every station and bridge in the course is designated as “Mt. Koya Pilgrimage Related Heritage” as part of “Japan’s Modern Industrialization Heritage”, as chosen by the Ministry of Economy.
The sightseeing train “Tenku” is a special train that only accepts reservations. It runs a 45 minute course between Hashimoto and Gokurakubashi 2-3 times per day. On the train are large windows and observation decks, making it a popular destination to enjoy a grand mountainous view.
At the last stop, “Gokurakubashi” Station is where visitors can transfer to a cable car for Mt. Koya. In 2020, it was renewed as “Gokurakubashi, the first spiritual spot”. The concourse is laden with beautiful ceiling murals, and is popular as a photogenic spot.
Sightseeing Railway “Tenku”
A grand view from the windows of “Tenku”.
Kudoyama station platform has the classic Onigiri shop, “Onigiri Stand Kudo”.
At “Kudo”, enjoy an Onigiri made with Mt. Kudo Town local rice cooked with a Japanese oven.
The beautiful murals of Gokurakubashi Station.
Transfer to a cable car to access Mt. Koya from Gokurakubashi Station. ©Toshinori Tarui
天空號只有兩節車廂座位數也不多，列車中間還設置展望台，沒有玻璃窗戶的阻擋可以呼吸到外頭新鮮空氣，拍照也不會反光。
