The Rokko-Arima Ropeway is an aerial cableway in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, connecting the mountainous area of Mount Rokko with Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s historic hot spring destinations. Since April 2023, the service has been operated by Kobe Future City Organization. Today, only the Arima Line, formerly known as the Ura-Rokko Line, remains in operation. The Omote-Rokko Line is suspended, making the Arima Line the principal route currently known as the Rokko-Arima Ropeway.
The ropeway has used several generations of gondolas throughout its history, reflecting advances in cableway technology and passenger comfort.
Year built: 1993
Manufacturer: Mukogawa Vehicle Industries
Passenger capacity: 61 people
The third-generation gondolas were introduced in 2020. Manufactured by the Swiss company CWA, they were the first gondolas of their type to be introduced in Japan. Each can accommodate 42 passengers and offers a modern, comfortable ride through the mountain scenery.
The history of the Rokko-Arima Ropeway is closely linked to the development of tourism in the Mount Rokko area. The following milestones trace the evolution of the service.
1969: Rokko-Arima Ropeway Co., Ltd. was established.
1970: The Ura-Rokko Line, now called the Arima Line, and the Omote-Rokko Line both opened.
1972: Kobe City Urban Development Corporation took over the business.
1995: Both lines were suspended following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Services subsequently resumed after restoration work.
2004: The Omote-Rokko Line was suspended, leaving the Arima Line as the only operating route.
2014: The ropeway resumed operations after the introduction of a pioneering energy-saving system in Japan.
2023: Management was transferred to Kobe Future City Organization.
Rokko Sancho Station is located in the Mount Rokko area and serves as a convenient starting point for exploring the mountain’s natural scenery and sightseeing attractions. The ropeway offers an enjoyable way to travel between the mountain and Arima Onsen while taking in the views from above.
Arima Onsen Station provides access to the famous hot spring district of Arima Onsen, where visitors can enjoy traditional inns, public baths, and historic streets. The ropeway station is approximately a 15-minute walk from Arima-Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway’s Arima Line. Although the stations have similar names, they are separate facilities.
The Omote-Rokko Line was suspended on December 19, 2004, because passenger numbers had declined from their peak and upgrading the aging facilities would have required substantial investment.
The line passes through Setonaikai National Park, which creates additional challenges for any decision to dismantle it. Under Japan’s Natural Parks Act, removing the facilities would require the affected areas to be restored to their original condition. This would involve completely removing the support towers and addressing potential landslide risks, resulting in extremely high costs. Consequently, the line has remained suspended rather than being fully dismantled.
The Omote-Rokko Line had an unusual configuration in which the route changed direction at Tengu-iwa Station. Two cableway carriers operated on each of the two sections: between Omote-Rokko Station and Tengu-iwa Station, and between Tengu-iwa Station and Rokko Sancho Country Station. This arrangement allowed four carriers to operate simultaneously, making the system distinctive among Japanese ropeways.
Inclined route length: 2,764 meters
Vertical difference: 441 meters
Maximum gradient: 28 degrees 17 minutes
Operating system: Three-cable, reciprocating system, in which two carriers travel in opposite directions along the route. It is described as the second-longest system of this type in Japan.
Maximum operating speed: 5 meters per second
Journey time: Approximately 12 minutes
Number of support towers: 7
Energy-saving technology: Regenerative braking and a large-capacity energy storage system
The Rokko-Arima Ropeway is both an important transport link and a sightseeing attraction, connecting the natural beauty of Mount Rokko with the historic hot spring town of Arima Onsen. Its development reflects decades of technological progress, efforts to improve energy efficiency, and changes in regional tourism.
Although only the Arima Line is currently operating, the ropeway continues to offer visitors a memorable aerial journey through the mountains of Kobe.