The boom in luxury trains and special services in Japan continues. On 24 April, the private railway Nankai will start a new service called Gran Tenku from Osaka to sacred mountain Kōyasan. A four-car EMU Class 2000 train, consisting of cars MoHa 2151 + MoHa 2101 + MoHa 2051 + MoHa 2258, will be used for this special service.
In the Japanese vehicle classification system, “Mo” (モ) means “powered” and “Ha” (ハ) means “ordinary class” or “other than specified categories”.
The train will offer a direct connection between Osaka (specifically, Namba Station in Osaka, where the private Nankai line ends) and Gokurakubashi Station. The Gran Tenku will replace Nankai’s existing Tenku sightseeing train, which has primarily operated between Hashimoto and Gokurakubashi since 2009; thus, a transfer was involved on the way from Osaka. The final part of the journey, between Hashimoto and Gokurakubashi, takes place in a mountainous region, so the trains have to negotiate curves with a minimum radius of 100 m and gradients up to 50 ‰.
Gokurakubashi station, the terminus, provides access to the sacred Mount Koya (Kōyasan in Japanese), a large temple settlement in the Wakayama Prefecture. Here the train name – the meaning of “Tenku”, is “firmament”, and the word Gran is often associated with luxury in Japan.
The exterior of the train is painted a deep crimson colour and adorned with golden decorations. Additionally, rhododendron decorations, a plant that blooms at Kōyasan, are placed in various locations.
- Car No. 1 has 24 relaxation seats arranged in 1 + 2 rows and equipped with power outlets, featuring a rhododendron pattern. The ceiling features local traditional craft patterns, and the floor is made from Cryptomeria japonica plywood. There is also a barrier-free WC.
- Car No. 2 has 30 seats with power outlets arranged to face the side windows, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery.
- Cars 3 and 4 resemble the lobby lounges of high-class hotels.
- In car 3, there is a service counter in the centre of the car where passengers can purchase light meals and souvenirs.
- Car 4 features the “Gran Seat” and “Gran Seat Plus” (16 seats), which have sofa-type seating for four people. The ‘Gran Seat Plus’ with tables and sofas is a separate area, allowing passengers to enjoy meals in a more special and relaxing space.
The fare consists of a normal distance-based price and an additional fee of 2,630 yen for cars 1 and 2, with an extra 6,000 to 8,500 yen for one drink or 11,000 to 16,500 yen for a meal. The fee also includes a ticket that passengers can use to take the cable car to Kōyasan. The roughly 20 km long journey have roughly 90 min travel time.