Opening way back in 1929, the societal and historical changes this small, 800 metre cable car system has seen are hard to comprehend. It was also witness to similarly massive shifts in tourism and transportation trends, which ultimately lead to its closure in the early 2000s.
Now, almost a century since operations began, it stands quiet and unused, with the last remaining cable car left open, but also looked after. A well deserved retirement in many ways, and a fitting tribute to a very different time.
Sean says
These are very cool. I love the color of the cable car.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Yeah, the colour was really nice. Also just a lovely spot in general.
Richard says
It is understandable that it is not operating any longer. With the rust, condition on the inside, condition of the building I would not say it is looked after.
Lee says
The cable car is to a degree. Seen some older photos and it was in far worse condition. But yeah, it must have been in a very dated state even when it was still running.
Rob says
Love this. That building in the second-to-last pic is gorgeous.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. It really is a special place. Totally agree about the building too. Just wish it had been possible to get inside.
scruffy says
Same here, love that building in the next to last image. The antenna.
Nice set, Lee.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Yeah, so much to like about it. Must have been truly stunning in its prime.
cdilla says
What a wonderful location. The “playschool” building (so named because of it’s round, square and arched windows :-)) is great. I wonder what architectural and function requirements led to that design.
Lee says
Ahh, Playschool…
Yeah, it really is a lovely spot. So much to enjoy and a genuinely nice atmosphere. One weird thing though was walking inside the cable car. ‘Cos of the angle it was oddly disorientating and I felt almost travel sick.
Jen in NZ says
Oh my gosh what a blast from the past! I had no idea they’d closed it down. I went up this cable car in late 2001, came down and did the Shikoku mura village (which was excellent). I had the worst blisters I’ve ever had in my LIFE so I’ve never forgotten that trip. I thought I could walk instead of taking the Kotoden and I regret that decision to this day.
Lee says
Ah, no way. It must have been in a fairly rundown state I imagine. Not long before it closed. Very good timing.
We walked up the road not knowing there was a bus. Made worse when it passed us. But mercifully we did get it on the way down.
Did you go in the station building at the top? Really wanted to see it, but it’s completely sealed.
Jen in NZ says
Oh my, well you’ve made me dig out an elderly photo album! And get on google maps. I have no recollection or photos of the state of the cable car unfortunately, and none of the top building either, but I definitely went up, went through the temple and museum (I have a note in the album saying the lady told me if I took a photo of the Kannon statue in the museum it wouldn’t come out (all evidence to the contrary!)) and then I must have come all the way down again and gone into Shikokumura from the bottom.
What I do have is a photo of the cable car building at the bottom of the hill. The grey-roofed white building that is there now is new; in 2001 there was a two storey building in that spot (I think you can see the footprint of it if you look at the new building from above on Google Maps). It was white, old-fashioned Western style, with ‘Yashima keeburu’ in Japanese; in red writing and sloping to the right to give an impression of speed, which is ironic… and a flying bird symbol also in red, with the raised wing and the body making a Y shape.
According to Google Maps, just back (south) of that building on the left if you face the cable car is an abandoned building with a rusty brown corrugated iron wall on its south side; it was just like that in 2001 too! Even the fire hydrant sign and the white drainpipe were there then, but the fire hydrant circle was red with white writing, and under the circle was a tiny sign saying Shikokumura with a red arrow pointing to the right.
I also have a note saying a return trip on the cable car was 1300 yen! (that seems a lot!) But conversely and REALLY depressingly, I have my 14 day Japan Rail Pass from that trip and it only cost 45,100 yen!!