Ikoma Cable Line

The Ikoma Cable Line (生駒鋼索線), referred to as Ikoma Cable (生駒ケーブル), 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
 * Sanjō Line: Hōzanji - Ikoma-Sanjō, 1.1 km
 * Gauge:
 * Stations: 5
 * Double track line: Toriimae &mdash; Hōzanji
 * Quadruple at the passing loop
 * Vertical interval:
 * Hōzanji Line: 146 m
 * Sanjō Line: 322 m

Overview
The Ikoma Cable Line is actually made up of two different lines; Hōzanji Line (宝山寺線) between Toriimae and Hōzanji, Sanjō Line (山上線) 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) and Hōzanji Line 2 (宝山寺2号線). 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, nor Surutto Kansai, a prepaid magnetic card ticketing system.

In 2021, the line became a Civil Engineering heritage site.

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".