To end cable car and lift service near Osaka – Nose Railway withdraws from Mt. Myoken

Nose Electric Railway (Noseden)Regarding the cable car operating under the Railway Business Act, Noseden submitted a notification of abolition to the Kinki District Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) on June 23, 2023 (Fri). has decided to terminate the “Myoken no Mori related business” that has been developed since 1960 on Mt. Myoken on the border of Hyogo and Osaka Prefectures.

Nose Electric Railway "Myoken no Mori Cable" for which a notice of abolition was submitted (梅さとちゃん/PhotoAC)
Nose Electric Railway “Myoken no Mori Cable” for which a notice of abolition was submitted (梅さとちゃん/PhotoAC)

A notice of cable car discontinuation submitted

They will abolish both the “Myoken no Mori Cable” of the cable car line (between Kurokawa and Cable Sanjo) and the “Myoken no Mori Lift” of the chair lift transportation (between Fureai Hiroba and Myokenzan). In addition, their other businesses such as “Myoken no Mori Barbecue Terrace”, “Myoken no Mori Sanjo Footbath” and “Kurokawa Ekimae Parking Lot” will be closed.

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Regarding the cable car operating under the Railway Business Act, Noseden submitted a notification of abolition to the Kinki District Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) on June 23, 2023 (Fri).

The planned date of abolition in the notification is June 24, 2024 (Mon). Therefore, if the Director of the Transportation Bureau approves that “there is no risk of hindering public convenience” even if it is abolished before that date, the abolition date may be rised up. At that time, they will announce it again, but they will also terminate the lift and other businesses at the same time on the confirmed closing date of the cable car.

(See the chart below for details such as the specifications, location map and main history of the Myoken no Mori Cable and Lift that will be abolished.)

[Chart] The specifications, location map and main history of the Myoken no Mori Cable and Lift that will be abolished.

Representative sightseeing spots in Northern Osaka

Mt. Myoken has several hiking trails where you can walk while admiring the scenery of the satoyama, and at the top of the mountain is known for being Kansai’s premier sacred site of the Nichiren sect, Nose Myokenzan Temple. It is a representative day trip tourist spot in the Hokusetsu area, and is popular not only for outdoor enthusiasts but also for excursions from schools and family outings.

Noseden’s Myoken no Mori business began with the opening of the cable car in April 1960 and the lift in August. In 1973, the predecessor of the current barbecue terrace, “Myokenzan Cooking Center” opened, and various sales measures have been implemented such as setting up a square or a footbath and holding art events. In 2001, the operation of the mini trolley train “Cygnus Forest Railway” for sightseeing excursions has also started.

However, it did not lead to a stable number of visitors throughout the year, and the cable car and lift were suspended in winter except for the year-end and New Year holidays, and from March 2022, every Wednesday and Thursday are set as regular closing days throughout the year. In November 2021, the Cygnus Forest Railway was discontinued. While the number of users is declining year by year, the business environment is becoming more severe due to the impact of the COVID-19.

In addition, since it is expected that large-scale renewal investment will be required in the future, they have decided to terminate the entire Myoken no Mori business, saying that it is difficult to continue operating for the future.