The Attraction of Skamoto Cable Cars

Sakamoto cable railway is the longest cable railway in Japan which holds 2025meters total length.
The astonishing panorama views of Biwa lake from Enryakuji station and the cable cars are breathtaking. You will enjoy this 11 minutes exciting cable car ride with Japanese Taisho retro-styled stations and European-styled cars that are named “En” and “Fuku“.

“En”and”Fuku”

Sakamoto cable has two cars named “En” and “Fuku”, which are designed in European style.
Sakamoto cable railways hold 7 bridges and 2 tunnels on its 2025meters whole way that provides a gorgeous landscape of Biwa lake as cars elevate.
These cars are named after the visit of the 253rd head monk, Etai Yamada for his 99th birthday. He named those cars “En” and “Fuku” with the wish for visitors to have great”En(good encounter)” and “Fuku(happiness).”
You can see his calligraphy on cars and tickets as well. The European tasted cars a redesigned by an industrial designer Hidemi Sakurada, who is well known for The Water Fountain of Hamaōzu and Biwa lake. The cars furnish elegance and religious beauty that will let passengers have a fun and relaxing time

Turnout

The safe operation of Sakamoto Cable was a series of struggles against natural disasters.
The aerial wires could be easily damaged by fallen trees caused by typhoons or heavy snow, were particularly difficult to manage, and obstruct the view along with wire pillars.

The cable cars are pulled up and down the mountain by the aerial wires, which are equipped for securing power for in-car broadcasting and fluorescent lights. They thought that the aerial wire could be removed by loading batteries in the vehicle and charging these power sources while the vehicle stays at the station.
On the 80th anniversary, they successfully transformed the cable railway without aerial wires. There are several examples of cable cars without aerial wires in Japan and all of them are either wireless from the beginning or have been through large-scale renovation work with long-term suspension.

On the other hand, Sakamoto Cable was the first cable car that became wireless while commercial operation. Furthermore, instead of the idea of ​​”no aerial wires = removal of pantograph“, they have realized a reduction of construction cost and shortening of construction period by intentionally leaving the pantograph for charging at the station.

A cable car that moves up and down on the railroad track without aerial wires while swinging the pantograph could look a little humorous. It was realized by the craftsmanship of Keihan Group which makes Sakamoto Cable unique. Please enjoy the magnificent view of Sakamoto Cable.