Guide
The Keage Incline, located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, is the remains of an inclined railway that once served as part of the transport route for the Lake Biwa Canal. It was in operation from 1891 (Meiji 24) until 1948 (Showa 23). This facility was designed to transport boats up and down steep inclines by placing them on carriages and pulling them with cables. Today, it is preserved as an industrial heritage site and is designated as a national historical site. It is especially famous for the spectacular scenery of cherry blossoms blooming along both sides of the tracks in spring, attracting countless visitors.
The Lake Biwa Canal was constructed to connect Kyoto with Otsu. However, because the route featured significant changes in elevation, certain sections were difficult for boats to navigate directly. To solve this, the incline system was implemented. In this method, rails were laid along the sloping waterway, and boats were placed on carriages that were pulled up or down using a cable-car principle. The Keage Incline spanned approximately 640m between the Keage Reservoir and the Nanzen-ji Reservoir, with a gradient of 1/15. The operation was powered by electricity from the Keage Power Station. As water transport declined due to the development of railways and other transport in the Showa era, operations ceased in 1948, and electrical equipment was removed by 1960. In 1977, the site was restored as an industrial heritage site.
The greatest draw is the sight of the historic rails and the restored carriages that evoke the era of boat transport. Two restored carriages are displayed—one halfway up the slope and one near the Keage Reservoir. The site also holds literary significance; in the final part of Naoya Shiga's masterpiece, "An Interrupted Journey" (An'ya Kōro), the protagonist visits the incline, making it a culturally significant location. Visitors can currently walk along the preserved rails and experience the atmosphere of the past.
The most iconic season for the Keage Incline is spring. From March to April, the cherry trees lining both sides of the incline reach full bloom, creating a stunning