The name of the new tourist train has been decided as “GRAN Tenkuu”! The logo and detailed exterior design have been released, and a special website will open on November 6th!
Nankai Electric Railway Press release: October 21, 2025 The name of the new tourist train has been decided as “GRAN Tenkuu”! The logo and detailed exterior design have been released, and a special website will open on November 6th! The name of the new tourist train scheduled to begin operation at the end of fiscal year 2025 has been decided upon as “GRAN Tenkuu” after an internal public contest and customer vote. Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (President: Nobuyuki Okajima, hereinafter “Nankai Electric Railway”) has decided on the name “GRAN Tenkuu” (Gran Sky) for its new tourist train, scheduled to begin operation at the end of fiscal year 2025, after an internal public contest and customer vote. “GRAN Tenku” is a new tourist train that will replace the currently operating “Tenku” (operating between Hashimoto Station and Gokurakubashi Station) and will begin operating between Namba Station and Gokurakubashi Station. With high-quality, hospitable service and scenery that changes with the seasons, the train journey itself is planned to be a special experience in a luxurious space away from everyday life. While carrying on the passion of our loyal “Tenku” customers, we hope to provide our passengers with a relaxing journey in a calming space and heartfelt hospitality. In addition, a logo was created to coincide with the name decision. It expresses the appeal of train travel, where you can experience the joy of learning and making new discoveries while experiencing local culture.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-a4037a2bce7f5416bd1d3cbfcd587b0f-3900×2757.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-7f1512eed0e439386554381f04e0c646-3900×3257.jpg “GRAN “Tenku” Exterior In addition, details of the exterior design have been decided. A calm crimson base color will be used, with gold accents for decoration. The design features decorations throughout, featuring motifs of rhododendrons and other plants that bloom at Mount Koya, evoking a connection with the surrounding areas. 1. Name We received 857 applications for the internal recruitment in June 2025, and 5,498 votes in the customer vote in August. GRAN TENKUU A relaxing space and heartfelt hospitality allow everyone to spend a peaceful and relaxing time on a journey. We put our heart and soul into the name GRAN TENKUU, which we hope to deliver to our guests. 2. Logo With its understated and subdued luxury and timeless beauty, the logo expresses the charm of train travel, where you can experience the joy of learning and making new discoveries while experiencing local culture.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-3e41341c1ba80d5c87c8ab0338bd7840-3900×2757.jpg “GRAN Tenku” logo 3. Exterior Design The exterior design will have a deep red base with gold accents. The side design of each car features graceful wings, inspired by Nankai Electric Railway’s corporate emblem (commonly known as the “feather wheel mark”), expressing the desire to expand the possibilities of travel. In addition, decorations featuring motifs of plants associated with the line, such as rhododendrons found at Mount Koya, are featured throughout. The design is intended to encourage passengers to enjoy a journey on Nankai Electric Railway, connecting them with the local areas and discovering their charms and culture. *The left side is toward Namba Station. The opposite side of all cars except car 3 has the same design.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-37228c0d090818995eaede98c944c716-3900×932.jpg Car 1
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-d17c2e2797288eba7188aaf427109193-3900×856.jpg Car 2
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-e05cd6ba058155509121b6fb1b7a52d2-3900×804.jpg Car 3
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-9d5be20a083b000ec77ef05e59290f3c-3900×842.jpg Car No. 4
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-c084fab209821cc18a25d8c44f6110ff-3900×871.jpg Car 3 (mountain side) *Right side is toward Namba Station 4. Other A special website for the new tourist train “GRAN Tenkuu” will open at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 6th. This special website will gradually provide information about the operation of “GRAN Tenkuu,” as well as information about the trains and services. URL:
https://www.nankai.co.jp/traffic/kankoutrain/grantenku/ Summary of previous press releases regarding the new tourist train 1. May 15, 2025 Press Release: “New tourist train scheduled to begin operation at the end of fiscal year 2025” We aim to launch a new, luxurious tourist train at the end of fiscal year 2025 to replace the currently operating tourist train “Tenkuu” (running between Hashimoto Station and Gokurakubashi Station). The train will run between Namba Station and Gokurakubashi Station, and each carriage will be uniquely designed, with comfortable seats and windows offering panoramic views. To make the train journey itself a special experience, we also plan to provide high-quality, hospitable service, including attentive attendants and meals made with local ingredients. View Details 2. July 1, 2025 Press Release: “A sacred journey begins at Namba Station’s new tourist train-only “Platform 0 (tentative name)!”” Namba Station’s platform 1, designated for disembarking only, will be renovated and repurposed as “Platform 0 (tentative name),” a new tourist train-only platform. The renovation work is scheduled to begin late at night on Friday, August 1, 2025, and be completed by the end of fiscal year 2025. The lighting effects and curvilinear design express the idea that “Namba’s vibrations will spread to the areas along the line and resonate with the charms of each region.” We aim to create a high-quality, memorable space that is worthy of being a “starting point” for connecting with the community. View Details 3. Press Release, August 8, 2025: “Customer voting for the new tourist train name has begun! Exterior design revealed!” 』 We held an internal contest to name the train, receiving 857 suggestions from employees. After a rigorous selection process, we selected three proposals. Passengers will then vote to choose one as the official name. The exterior design of the new tourist train features a calming crimson base color, blending in with the natural beauty of the Koya Road and standing out against the lush green scenery. View details About the currently operating tourist train “Tenku”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/76595/54/76595-54-27f71140c004ca35a641c86d82f223c4-2816×1880.jpg Currently Operating Tourist Train “Tenku” Regular service began on July 3, 2009, running between Hashimoto Station and Gokurakubashi Station. Currently, there are two round trips per day on weekdays for three days, and three round trips per day on Saturdays and holidays. The two-car 2200 series train has a total of 76 reserved seats. The train is equipped with “One View Seats” offering panoramic views of the Kinokawa River, Fudotani River, and rugged mountain scenery on the north and west sides of the tracks, as well as four-person
“compartment seats,” and an “observation deck space” on the
Namba/Hashimoto side carriages that lets in fresh forest air (outside air). Last fiscal year, approximately 22,000 passengers rode the train, and since the start of regular service, a total of
approximately 430,000 passengers have ridden the train (as of the end of August 2025). After the end of regular service, the train is scheduled to operate irregularly for the time being as a train exclusively for group passengers, such as chartered tours. *Press release dated September 24, 2025: “The tourist train “Tenku” will end regular service on March 20, 2026.” Learn more *For details on the “Tenku” sightseeing train, including its schedule, please check the special website. View details For more information about this release