Photos: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima · CC0 (1, 4) · Niiryoku2910 · CC BY-SA 4.0 (2, 5) · Ultratomio · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Ikoma Cable opened on 29 August 1918 as Japan's first cable car, and its 1953 cars are the oldest cable cars in service in Japan. It climbs to Ikoma Sanjō Amusement Park, opened in 1929, whose Hikōtō (flight tower) dates from that opening, survived the wartime metal drive, and is still running.
Why it's unique
The line and the tower were jointly recognised as civil-engineering heritage: the first cable car in the country, and an original 1929 ride at the top of it, both still working.
You are riding the history, not looking at it in a museum.
Before you go
The Hōzanji line runs dog- and cat-shaped cars named Bull and Mike: ride the older line for the history and the silly cars for children. At the summit you can see Abeno Harukas in Osaka on a clear day.
The Hikōtō is about 20 m up and costs ¥600 a go. The park is seasonal (it has a mid-March spring opening); winter closure dates were not confirmed.
