Ise Asakuma Funicular Cable Car, Toba, Mie Prefecture, c. 1930.

Ise Asakuma Funicular Cable Car, Toba, Mie Prefecture, c. 1930. Construction of the line began in the 1920s and completed in 1928, and was considered an engineering achievement given the steep and rocky terrain up Mount Asakuma. Cable car operations ceased in 1969 due to declining revenues and rising costs.

“The Ise Asakuma Cable Car (also known as the Asakuma-yama Cable Car) was a historic funicular railway up Mount Asakuma, Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The line was built to attract tourists to the scenic area and to allow for panoramic views of Ise Bay, historic Ise Grand Shrine and the surrounding coastal region.

“Construction of the line began in the 1920s as growing tourism required supplemental transportation development, including mountain railways and cable cars designed to promote domestic travel to scenic spots at higher elevations. The line was completed in 1928, and was considered a significant achievement given the steep and rocky terrain of Mount Asakuma,.

Ise Asakuma Funicular Cable Car bi-fold postcard, Toba, Mie Prefecture, c. 1930.

“The Asakuma Cable Car climbed a short but steep route up the mountainside. It quickly became popular with the burgeoning number of recreational tourists (vs. religious pilgrims) visitng Ise Shrine and other regional attractions.

“However, the Asakuma Cable Car’s operations were interrupted by World War II when material resources and labor were redirected toward the war effort forcing the line’s temporary closure. After the war, the line reopened but struggled to regain its prewar levels of popularity. By the 1960s, the growth of personal vehicle ownership and changes in tourist travel patterns began to impact the viability of the cable car, leading to a decline in ridership.

“Eventually, the Ise Asakuma Cable Car was closed in 1969 due to declining revenue and the high costs of maintenance. After its closure, the equipment and tracks were removed, and little remains today of the original cable car infrastructure. Mount Asakuma,, however, remains a scenic destination, and tourists still visit the region for its natural beauty, historical significance, and stunning views of the Ise-Shima coastline.”

– Wikipedia