Mount Kongo Ropeway
The Mt. Kongō Ropeway was a Japanese aerial lift line in Chihayaakasaka, Ōsaka. The line is unique as it is owned by the Chihayaakasaka Village government, and was the only village-run ropeway in Japan. The line was operated by the village itself until April 1, 2004, when operation was entrusted to Gourmet Kineya, a private company that mainly operates restaurants. Opened on April 17, 1966, the line climbs Mount Kongō, the highest point of Ōsaka.
Following the 2018 Osaka earthquake, an earthquake resistance inspection of ropeway facilities found that both stations had insufficient earthquake resistance. As a result, operation of the ropeway was suspended March 15, 2019.
In February 2021, due to the high cost of earthquake reinforcement works required as well as updating the electrical equipment, Chihayaakasaka Village decided to cease operation of the Mount Kongo Ropeway and consider transferring it to a private operator if one could be found.
On September 16, 2022, Chihayaakasaka Village announced that no private purchaser had been found and that the ropeway will be discontinued and demolition will commence.
, demolition of the associated Konanso accommodation facility had commenced, but demolition of the ropeway infrastructure had not yet commenced.
Basic data
- Commenced operation: April 17, 1966
- Distance:
- Vertical interval:
- Operation suspended: March 15, 2019