Keihan Electric Railway
The Keihan Electric Railway Company, Ltd., known colloquially as the "Keihan Dentetsu", "Keihan Densha", or simply "Keihan", is a major Japanese private railway operator in Osaka, Kyoto, and Shiga Prefectures. The transit network includes seven lines; four main lines with heavy rolling stock, two interurban lines, and a funicular railway.
It is a subsidiary of Keihan Holdings, Ltd..
History
Keihan started its operation between Osaka and Kyoto in 1910. It was the first electric railway to connect these two cities, and the first line on the left bank of Yodo River. Keihan later purchased the lines in the Ōtsu area.In the 1920s, Keihan built another Osaka-Kyoto line through its subsidiary Shinkeihan Railway, which merged into Keihan in 1930. This line is now known as the Hankyu Kyoto Line.
In 1943, with the power given by the Land Transport Business Coordination Act, the wartime government of Japan forced Keihan to merge with Hanshin Kyūkō Railway to form Keihanshin Kyūkō Railway. In 1949, the pre-war Keihan operations, except for Shinkeihan lines, were restored to independence under the original corporate name. Keihanshin Kyūkō Railway later changed their name to the present Hankyu Railway.
Lines
The lines operated by Keihan are grouped into Keihan Lines and Ōtsu Lines. The Keihan Lines consist of the Keihan Main Line and four branch lines that operate between Kyoto and Osaka; these use long formations of heavy rolling stock. The two Ōtsu Lines are interurbans, featuring street running sections and tram-like rolling stock; these operate between Kyoto and Ōtsu and are otherwise disconnected from the Keihan lines. The entire network is built in double track.Additionally, Keihan Electric Railway operates a funicular railway in Yawata which provides access to Iwashimizu Shrine.
Current lines
Keihan Lines
- Keihan Main Line/Ōtō Line: Yodoyabashi - Demachiyanagi
- Nakanoshima Line: Nakanoshima - Temmabashi
- Katano Line: Hirakatashi - Kisaichi
- Uji Line: Chushojima - Uji
Ōtsu Lines
- Keishin Line: Misasagi - Biwako-hamaotsu
- Ishiyama Sakamoto Line: Ishiyamadera - Sakamoto-hieizanguchi
Other lines
- Cable Line, also called Iwashimizu-Hachimangū Cable
Closed lines
- Keishin Line: Keishin-Sanjo - Misasagi
Unbuilt line
- Umeda Line
Rolling stock
, Keihan owns a fleet of 693 vehicles, as follows.Keihan Lines
- 1000 series 7-car EMUs x 6
- 2200 series 7-car EMUs x 7
- 2400 series 7-car EMUs x 6
- 2600 series 7-car EMUs x 7
- 3000 series 8-car EMUs x 6
- 5000 series 7-car EMUs x 7
- 6000 series 7/8-car EMUs x 14
- 7000 series 7-car EMUs x 4
- 7200 series 7/8-car EMUs x 3
- 8000 series 8-car EMUs x 10
- 9000 series 7/8-car EMUs x 5
- 10000 series 4/7-car EMUs x 6
- 13000 series 4/7-car EMUs x 8
Ōtsu Lines
- 600 series 2-car EMUs x 10
- 700 series 2-car EMUs x 5
- 800 series 4-car EMUs x 8
Former rolling stock
- 1900 series 5-car EMUs
- 8030 series 8-car EMU
Fares
As standard for railways in Japan, fares are distance-based. Fares have been repeatedly raised over time, most recently on October 1, 2025.Fares can be paid with IC cards, such as ICOCA and PiTaPa, on all lines.
Keihan Lines (Keihan Main Line, Oto Line, Nakanoshima Line, Katano Line, Uji Line)
- Additional fare when taking or passing the following lines:
- *Nakanoshima Line, Oto Line: 60 yen
- When using commuter passes, Naniwabashi Station is treated as the same station as Kitahama Station, and Ōebashi Station the same as Yodoyabashi Station.