“Why is this stele here?” someone asks. This is the Electricity Railroad Business Development Site Stele. It marks the beginning of Japan’s first electric railway.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Kyoto in the late 19th century. The capital was losing its vibrancy after the Meiji Restoration. Tokyo had become the new center of power. Kyoto needed revitalization.
Enter the Kyoto Electric Railway. This company planned to electrify the city. They envisioned a modern transportation system. The Biwako Canal project was key. It would provide hydroelectric power. This power would run Japan’s first streetcar.
The Kyoto Electric Railway launched its Fushimi Line in 1895. The line ran about six kilometers. It connected Shichijo Station to Fushimi Aburakake. Shichijo stop was also called Shichijo Station. Station meant “station” in English then.
This Electricity Railroad Business Development Site Stele marks that starting point. It stands near where Shichijo Station once stood. The streetcar’s opening was a major event. People were excited to ride this new invention.
Initially there were no designated stops. Passengers could board and exit wherever they pleased. The “Shichijo Station” name was informal. The official name was Higashihonganji Shioji Kudaru.
The Kyoto Electric Railway turbine design was special. It reflected the Biwako Canal’s hydropower. The Keage Power Plant supplied the electricity. The plant had two days of maintenance each month. On those days the streetcars did not run.
The company’s success spurred electric railway development across Japan. Today’s Shinkansen bullet trains trace their origins back here.
The Electricity Railroad Business Development Site Stele was erected in 1975. It commemorates the 80th anniversary of the railway. Several organizations helped create the stele. These included Japan National Railways and railway enthusiast groups.
This stele stands as a reminder of Kyoto’s innovative spirit. It celebrates the dawn of electric railways in Japan. As you stand here imagine the first streetcar. Hear the clanging bell. Picture the excitement of that first ride. The Electricity Railroad Business Development Site Stele marks more than just a location. It marks the beginning of a new era.