HISTORY
TENKU: the train
that opened up a new chapter
in Koyasan's story.
TENKU: the train
that opened up
a new chapter
in Koyasan's story.
Perched at an altitude of approximately 900 meters, the holy city of Koyasan reaches up to the heavens. Alive with the teachings and culture handed down by Kobo Daishi, Koyasan was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2004 and has since become a sacred destination for people from every corner of the world.
Nankai Electric Railway is the only train in Japan with direct access to Koyasan. We set out to reinvent that journey. That transformation became “TENKU”, a sightseeing train that started service in 2009. Thoughtfully arranged seating of every variety, designed to make the most of steep inclines and sharp curves along the way. An observation deck where nature speaks directly to the senses, with the cool forest air rushing past and the sound of birdsong carried on the wind. Here was a journey where the everyday fell away and the spirit was set free. This new train offered the precious gift of time to slowly find your way back to yourself.
Over the course of approximately 17 years until March 20, 2026, some 440,000 passengers rode TENKU, adding yet another precious page to Nankai Electric Railway's 140-year history.
Logo and emblem
Interior
Tradition passed down.
Innovation set in motion.
TENKU brought its regular service to a close on March 20, 2026.
GRAN TENKU hastaken up the baton, its deep crimson livery, recalling the prestige once treasured by nobles and high priests, carrying forward the legacy of the green inspired by the mountain railway's forests.
Building on the spirit of TENKU to create new experiences on the journey to Koyasan, GRAN TENKU has elevated both its trains and services to new heights.
Inside, a range of luxurious seating awaits, including the sofa-style Grand Seat. Traditional crafts with roots in the local region have been incorporated throughout the interior, creating a space of quiet refinement.
Nankai Electric Railway has revived its onboard dining service for the first time in about a century. The menu features creative dishes generously crafted with the finest ingredients from Senshu, Minami-Kawachi, and Wakayama.
Where TENKU ran between Hashimoto Station and Gokurakubashi Station, GRAN TENKU extends the journey from Namba Station to Gokurakubashi Station. What we want to create goes beyond simply moving people from place to place. We want to offer an experience that stirs the soul. We hope to share this remarkable journey with as many people as possible.
