New Sightseeing Train 'GRAN Tenku' Links Namba and Koyasan

Apr 26, 2026 | News On Japan

OSAKA - A new sightseeing train operated by Nankai Electric Railway began service on April 24, connecting Osaka's Namba Station with Koyasan, a World Heritage site, raising expectations for regional tourism growth.

The new train, named 'GRAN Tenku,' links Namba Station with Gokurakubashi Station, the gateway to Koyasan, in about 90 minutes.

One passenger attending the launch ceremony said he planned to ride the train three times that day, including a round trip, adding that he was eager to see the interior after hearing about its elaborate design.

The four-car train places a strong emphasis on luxury and comfort.

Car No. 1 features reclining seats designed with an upscale feel, while Car No. 2 offers window-facing seats that allow passengers to enjoy scenic valley views. Walls and tables are decorated with Kishu timber and traditional crafts associated with areas along the line.

The most luxurious section is Car No. 4, where sofa-style 'Gran Seats' have been installed. Passengers there can also enjoy meals prepared with seasonal ingredients sourced from communities along the route.

'GRAN Tenku' succeeds the previous 'Tenku' sightseeing train, which was retired from frontline service last month. By refurbishing a commuter train and extending operations directly to and from Namba, the company aims to attract a broader range of travelers.

Takahiko Murakami, general manager of sales planning at Nankai Electric Railway's rail division, said the operator hopes not only Kansai residents but also visitors from outside the region and inbound tourists will enjoy both the train journey and the trip to Koyasan.

The inaugural train later arrived at Gokurakubashi Station, where local children welcomed its arrival.

One elementary school student said the train looked cool and that the interior was cute, adding that he would love to ride it next time.

The new service is expected to strengthen tourism ties between Osaka and Koyasan, one of Japan's best-known spiritual destinations.

Source: ABCTVnews

Typhoon No. 30 Disrupts Flights, Ferries and Roads Across Okinawa

Typhoon No. 30 (Champar) brought widespread transport disruption to Okinawa on October 23, forcing the cancellation of flights and ferry services, closing airports and bridges, and leaving travelers stranded as violent winds and heavy rain swept across the Sakishima Islands, with further disruption expected through October 24.

Typhoon No. 30 Nears Okinawa with Violent Winds

Large and powerful Typhoon No. 30 was approaching Okinawa's Sakishima Islands at 3 p.m. on October 23, bringing violent winds reaching 51.7 meters per second, rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters and waves forecast to rise above 10 meters, with the storm expected to slow as it changes direction and prolong dangerous conditions across the region.

PHP Security Flaw Forces Shutdowns Across Japan, Including Takaichi's Website

A critical security flaw discovered in PHP, a programming language used by an estimated 70% of the world's web systems, has triggered widespread disruptions across Japan since October 21, forcing banks, restaurant chains, government agencies and other businesses to suspend online services as a precaution against potential cyberattacks.

Cyberattacks Hit Japanese Police and Businesses

A growing wave of cyberattacks across Japan has raised concerns over the possible use of Chinese-developed artificial intelligence in hacking operations, with personal information belonging to tens of thousands of police employees potentially exposed and major companies forced to suspend online services, while cybersecurity experts warn that slow decision-making within Japanese organizations is allowing damage to spread.

H3 Rocket Successfully Launches Mars Moon Probe

Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture on the morning of October 20th, placing the probe into its planned orbit in the first stage of a mission to collect samples from one of Mars' moons and return them to Earth.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Autumn Colors Sweep Across Tateyama in Japan's Northern Alps

The Northern Alps in central Japan have entered the height of their autumn colors, with the alpine landscape around Tateyama's Murodo Plateau in Toyama Prefecture offering spectacular views of red and yellow vegetation, rugged mountain ridges and the rare Japanese rock ptarmigan, a protected bird species whose survival depends on the delicate balance of the mountain ecosystem.

Japan Introduces Personalized Motorcycle License Plates

Motorcycle owners across Japan can now choose their preferred license plate numbers under a new system introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on October 19th, with popular numbers allocated by lottery and applications costing between 2,500 and 3,000 yen.

Hokkaido Hits Minus 4.3 Degrees as Autumn Chill Spreads Across Japan

Temperatures fell to their lowest levels of the season across much of Japan on the morning of October 18, with Rikubetsu in Hokkaido recording minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, the country's lowest temperature so far this autumn, before sunshine brought warmer conditions during the day and some areas experienced unseasonably hot weather.

Kyoto's 10,000 Yen Tourist Tax: Where Is the Money Going?

Kyoto City expects revenue from its accommodation tax to more than double to approximately 13.2 billion yen this fiscal year following a substantial increase in the maximum nightly levy to 10,000 yen, as the city seeks to address overtourism and ease the pressure that millions of visitors place on residents and public infrastructure.

Two-Ton Shrines Collide at Himeji's Nada Fighting Festival

The Nada Fighting Festival, known for its spectacular collisions between massive portable shrines weighing around two tons, drew large crowds to Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, on October 15, as participants repeatedly slammed the heavy structures into one another in a traditional ritual believed to please the gods.

Super El Niño Could Bring Japan a Warm Winter After Summer of Typhoons

The El Niño phenomenon developing in the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level since records began in 1949, with sea surface temperatures off Peru rising 4 degrees Celsius above normal in September, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 9, raising concerns about extreme weather worldwide and the prospect of an unusually warm winter in Japan.

Disney Imagination Sets Sail for Japan in 2029

Japan's first Disney cruise ship will be named "Disney Imagination," with Oriental Land and its partners planning to launch the service in spring 2029, offering a new Disney-themed travel experience departing from Tokyo.

Osaka's Glico Sign Reaches End of Life

Osaka's iconic Glico sign in Dotonbori will undergo a major renewal next spring after more than a decade of operation, with its current LED display set to be switched off for the final time on November 30.

< 2 3 4 5 >