DESIGN

Exterior Design

The Nankai Koya Line is known for its many station buildings that stand as testaments to the handcraft of skilled artisans and their meticulous attention to design details. The Arts & Crafts spirit that we have treasured and carefully preserved throughout our history also shines through in the exterior of GRAN TENKU. The organic lines that adorn the train's exterior draw inspiration from the graceful image of wings outstretched in flight, a design that traces its origins to our company crest, the Haguruma, a winged wheel. Motifs of plants along the line, including rhododendron that bloom on Koyasan and acanthus found on the Nankai Building at Nankai Namba Station, are woven into the design on the sides of the train. We hope that on every journey aboard this train, wrapped in the narrative of the Nankai Electric Railway, travelers can spread their wings and soar away in search of endless possibilities.

The headmark features a "Travel Compass" emblem, a symbol of the destinations and future of a new age of rail travel.

N: NAMBA K: KOYASAN W: WAKAYAMA K: KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

“Let curiosity be your guide, and open yourself to the joy of horizons yet to be explored.” This sentiment is symbolized in the Curiosity Mark on the side of Car 3 facing the mountain.

1: “The direction the journey leads” 2: “Moments while traveling” 3: “The Spirit of exploration” 4: “Just follow your curiosity”

Interior Design

Our passion for the world along the line is woven into every element of the interior, from the furniture, handrails, walls, and pillars, to the lighting and even the tiniest door knobs. Traditional materials from the region and industrial products with ties to local industries, stations, and the railway line have been reimagined as part of GRAN TENKU's distinctive interior. As you travel, we hope you will take a moment to let your imagination roam freely through the culture and history that lives on in every detail around you while on board.

Grand Seat and Grand Seat PlusCar 4 (16 seats)

Dine in comfort with spacious sofa seating. Grand Seat Plus delivers
a heightened sense of luxury with carefully designed tables and sofas.

Dine in comfort with spacious sofa seating. Grand Seat Plus delivers a heightened sense of luxury with carefully designed tables and sofas.

Sanada Himo cord partition

Sanada Himo, braided cords said to trace their origins back to Sanada Yukimura, a samurai warrior confined for years in Kudoyama, are hand-woven by artisans using threads dyed with the plants and grasses that grow at the foot of Koyasan. This is the beauty of craftsmanship in its purest form.

Traditional craft [Sanada Himo cord]

Straight-grained split bamboo fixtures

Between the crew room and sofa in Car 4 is a "partition of light", a fixture that brings together the yonuki technique of the traditional craft "Osaka Transoms", in which bamboo nodes are hollowed out to allow light to pass through, with indigo-dyed Awa washi paper suggestive of Koyasan's waters and winds, complete with refined interior lighting.

Traditional craft [Osaka Transoms]
Traditional craft [Awa Traditional Japanese Paper]

Kumiko lattice door

The doors have been designed with the intricate Kumiko woodwork of "Osaka Transoms", a time-honored traditional craft. The exquisite tortoiseshell pattern, radiant with the artistry of traditional master craftsmen, has been cherished as an auspicious symbol of longevity and good health.

Traditional craft [Osaka Transoms]

William Morris tiles

Antique tiles steeped in the spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement adorn the walls like works of art. Their air of quiet refinement brings a sense of calmness and composure to all who see them.

Handcrafted furniture made from Kishu wood Tables and stools

The wood grain and understated texture of natural materials complement and elevate the beauty of the artwork displayed throughout Car 4. With every journey, the wood warms and shapes itself to the hand over time, becoming a living record of the journeys and moments that have come before.

Lobby loungeCar 3

All guests in Cars 1 to 4 can purchase original goods and
light refreshments in the lobby lounge.

Pewter washbowl

The timeless beauty of Osaka Naniwa pewterware, a craft tradition with over 300 years of history dating back to the Edo period, has found a new home in the contemporary world of rail travel. The simple act of washing your hands is transformed into a special encounter with the history and artistry of Osaka.

Traditional craft [Osaka Naniwa Pewterware]

Pewter plate with Midosuji ginkgo motif

Rows of ginkgo trees along Midosuji stand as quiet guardians of all travelers who begin their journey in Namba. Plates in the powder room, crafted in the shape of real ginkgo leaves, quietly watch over all travelers bound for Koyasan.

Traditional craft [Osaka Naniwa Pewterware]

Mosaic tile design
"Travel Compass" Emblem

The entrance floor has been inlaid with mosaic tiles that echo the design of the symbol emblem. The compass has been crafted from marble with meticulous attention to detail carries a warm and heartfelt welcome for every guest who steps aboard.

Walls and pillars designed using original Namba Station bricks

Bricks salvaged from the original Namba Station building have been repurposed and installed on the wall behind the service counter, a symbol of the bond between the memory of the city and Koyasan. The story of these bricks lives on with every journey of GRAN TENKU.

Scenic View SeatCar 2 (30 seats)

Seating is arranged to maximize your enjoyment of the scenery outside.

Handcrafted furniture made from Kishu wood

The tables and chairs on this mountain train are crafted from Kishu wood, a celebrated product of the region. The inviting comfort of the seats as you look out at the passing landscape is a tribute to artistry of master craftsmen. Inside the train, you can also delight in discovering faithful reproductions of the elegant pillar design in Kiikamiya Station.

Rest & Relax SeatCar 1 (24 seats)

Seats recline so you can travel in comfort.

Railway spike-inspired grip handle

A rail spike is a nail used to fasten rails to railway ties. Grip handles, crafted in the shape of a rail spike, are one of many small, thoughtful touches that add depth to the story of rail travel.

Elegant design elements
in every car

Handrails modeled on tramcars and forest railway designs

The original rails of the forest railway that once ran along the mountainous stretch of the Nankai Koya Line have been repurposed as handrails in all cars. Feel the powerful, living presence of GRAN TENKU in the palms of your hands as the train winds through the mountain landscape, its rails singing around every curve.

Ceiling lights crafted with Awa Traditional Japanese Paper

The delicate textured surface of Awa washi paper casts a soft, warm light throughout the carriage's interior, creating a soothing, peaceful atmosphere. The gentle warmth of washi paper, handcrafted with patient care, weaves itself seamlessly into the warmth of the journey ahead.

Uniform Design

Illustration Long sleeves (all genders) Illustration Vest (all genders) ©️2026 JUNKO KOSHINO

Elegant design in harmony with

every detail of the interior.

The art of hospitality begins with first impressions.

GRAN TENKU's attendants welcome guests dressed in a special uniform by Junko Koshino, the designer behind Nankai Electric Railway's staff uniforms.* The design is one of quiet elegance, perfectly suited to the tranquil ambience of Platform 0 at Namba Station and the train's interior. Staff of all genders wear the same uniform, a design that complements the natural scenery along the line and the colors that shift with each passing season outside the window. They bring an air of elegance to the railway journey.

*Transportation Division, Engineering Division

PRODUCED BY

DesignerJunko Koshino

Koshino made her debut at The Paris Collection in 1978, after which she went on to participate for 22 years. She has shown her work on stages around the world, including Beijing, New York (Metropolitan Museum of Art), Vietnam, Cuba, Poland, Myanmar, and other locations. Her creative range extends from costume design for operas such as “The Magic Flute” and “Madam Butterfly”, the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “Pacific Overtures”, and the taiko drum group DRUM TAO, to sports uniforms and interior design. She has been recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit (2017) and awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by the French government (2021), the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (Fall 2022), and the Order of Culture (2025).