Summer 2027: 'Moving Observatory' to Debut at Jukkoku Pass
Fujikyu Group's Jukkoku Pass Co., Ltd. announced the introduction of a new 'Slope Car' at Jukkoku Pass in summer 2027, replacing the aging cable car. This 'moving observatory' will offer 360° panoramic views, costing approximately 800 million yen, and will provide a comfortable, barrier-free travel experience, strengthening tourism infrastructure in line with Fujikyu Railway's 100th anniversary.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 16:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 20:00 (3h 58m after Collected)
Jukkoku Pass Co., Ltd. (Kannami-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture), part of the Fujikyu Group, is scheduled to begin operating a new 'Slope Car' from summer 2027, replacing the existing 'Cable Car' funicular railway that connects the Jukkoku Pass base station Mori-no-Eki and the summit Panorama Terrace.
The design of the new Slope Car is handled by Mr. Yasuyuki Kawanishi of Ichibansen Co., Ltd., who also worked on projects such as "Hakone Sightseeing Boat Grand Tea Ceremony" and "Hatsushima Resort Line Kinpa Ginpa." Inspired by the decagonal cut glass motif, reflecting Jukkoku Pass's "Jukkoku" (ten countries), the Slope Car features full-height large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling all around, transforming it into a true "moving observatory" where passengers can experience the spectacular panoramic views of Hakone and Izu in all 360° directions during their journey. This equipment renewal is being carried out in consideration of the increasing difficulty in securing parts for the cable car, which has been in operation for approximately 70 years, and the consequent high possibility of difficulty in maintaining future safety. Furthermore, the renewal aims to further enhance the experiential value.
The Slope Car is a straddle-type inclined monorail manufactured by Kaho Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture). It adopts a self-propelled motor-driven rack-and-pinion system capable of handling gradients up to 50°. It enables flexible route design along the terrain, and its structure keeps the cabin floor consistently horizontal even during gradient changes, providing a comfortable and safe riding experience for customers using wheelchairs or strollers. Additionally, the flow line from the station building to the vehicle will be made barrier-free in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, allowing smooth and safe use for customers who previously had difficulty boarding and alighting on their own.
The Fujikyu Group has been working on the development of tourism and transportation infrastructure and community building in the Hakone, Atami, and Jukkoku Pass areas. The introduction of the Jukkoku Pass Slope Car is positioned as a symbolic step to further develop these initiatives, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Fujikyu Railway Co., Ltd.'s founding. We will continue to aim to be a corporate group trusted by customers and the community as a leader in community-based tourism and transportation businesses.
Facility Overview
Facility Name: Jukkoku Pass Slope Car (tentative name)
Scheduled Start of Operation: Summer 2027
Total Construction Cost: Approximately 800 million yen
Seating Capacity: 80 people (40 people x 2 cars)
Driving System: Self-propelled motor-driven
One-way Travel Time: Approximately 4 minutes
Total Length / Average Gradient: Approximately 320m / Average 20 degrees
*Image is for illustration purposes only.
Jukkoku Pass Panorama Cable Car Operating Information
Business Hours:
9:00 - 17:00 (scheduled to operate every 00, 15, 30, 45 minutes past the hour)
Travel Time:
One-way 3 minutes
Fare:
Adult round trip 730 yen, Child round trip 370 yen
Access:
Car / 9km from Atami Station (25 minutes normally)
25km from Odawara via Hakone Shindo (40 minutes normally)
Train / Approximately 40 minutes by Izu Hakone Bus from JR Atami Station
Inquiries:
1400-20 Kuwahara, Kannami-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 0557-83-6211
Official HP: http://www.jukkoku-cable.jp
Company Profile
Company Name: Jukkoku Pass Co., Ltd.
Representative: Ichiro Motegi, Representative Director
Established: December 1, 2021
Location: 1400-20 Kuwahara, Kannami-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
Business Activities: Funicular railway business, food and beverage sales business, outdoor business
Official HP: https://www.jukkoku-cable.jp/
The design of the new Slope Car is handled by Mr. Yasuyuki Kawanishi of Ichibansen Co., Ltd., who also worked on projects such as "Hakone Sightseeing Boat Grand Tea Ceremony" and "Hatsushima Resort Line Kinpa Ginpa." Inspired by the decagonal cut glass motif, reflecting Jukkoku Pass's "Jukkoku" (ten countries), the Slope Car features full-height large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling all around, transforming it into a true "moving observatory" where passengers can experience the spectacular panoramic views of Hakone and Izu in all 360° directions during their journey. This equipment renewal is being carried out in consideration of the increasing difficulty in securing parts for the cable car, which has been in operation for approximately 70 years, and the consequent high possibility of difficulty in maintaining future safety. Furthermore, the renewal aims to further enhance the experiential value.
The Slope Car is a straddle-type inclined monorail manufactured by Kaho Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture). It adopts a self-propelled motor-driven rack-and-pinion system capable of handling gradients up to 50°. It enables flexible route design along the terrain, and its structure keeps the cabin floor consistently horizontal even during gradient changes, providing a comfortable and safe riding experience for customers using wheelchairs or strollers. Additionally, the flow line from the station building to the vehicle will be made barrier-free in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, allowing smooth and safe use for customers who previously had difficulty boarding and alighting on their own.
The Fujikyu Group has been working on the development of tourism and transportation infrastructure and community building in the Hakone, Atami, and Jukkoku Pass areas. The introduction of the Jukkoku Pass Slope Car is positioned as a symbolic step to further develop these initiatives, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Fujikyu Railway Co., Ltd.'s founding. We will continue to aim to be a corporate group trusted by customers and the community as a leader in community-based tourism and transportation businesses.
Facility Overview
Facility Name: Jukkoku Pass Slope Car (tentative name)
Scheduled Start of Operation: Summer 2027
Total Construction Cost: Approximately 800 million yen
Seating Capacity: 80 people (40 people x 2 cars)
Driving System: Self-propelled motor-driven
One-way Travel Time: Approximately 4 minutes
Total Length / Average Gradient: Approximately 320m / Average 20 degrees
*Image is for illustration purposes only.
Jukkoku Pass Panorama Cable Car Operating Information
Business Hours:
9:00 - 17:00 (scheduled to operate every 00, 15, 30, 45 minutes past the hour)
Travel Time:
One-way 3 minutes
Fare:
Adult round trip 730 yen, Child round trip 370 yen
Access:
Car / 9km from Atami Station (25 minutes normally)
25km from Odawara via Hakone Shindo (40 minutes normally)
Train / Approximately 40 minutes by Izu Hakone Bus from JR Atami Station
Inquiries:
1400-20 Kuwahara, Kannami-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 0557-83-6211
Official HP: http://www.jukkoku-cable.jp
Company Profile
Company Name: Jukkoku Pass Co., Ltd.
Representative: Ichiro Motegi, Representative Director
Established: December 1, 2021
Location: 1400-20 Kuwahara, Kannami-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture
Business Activities: Funicular railway business, food and beverage sales business, outdoor business
Official HP: https://www.jukkoku-cable.jp/