, referred to as and officially Kinki-Nippon Railway, is a Japanese passenger railway company, managing infrastructure and operating passenger train service. Its railway system is the largest in Japan, excluding Japan Railways Group. The railway network connects Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tsu, Ise, and Yoshino. Kintetsu Railway Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kintetsu Group Holdings Co., Ltd.

History

On September 16, 1910, was founded and renamed a month after. Osaka Electric Tramway completed Ikoma Tunnel and started operating a line between Osaka and Nara (present-day Nara Line) on April 30, 1914.

Abbreviations

;From its founding to present

:*September 16, 1910—April 14, 1941:

:*April 15, 1941—May 31, 1944:

:*June 1, 1944—1948: or

:*Present: — used for the official corporate name in English since 2003.

;Acquired or merged companies

:*Sangu Express Electric Railway Co., Ltd.:

:*Ise Electric Railway Co., Ltd.:

:*Osaka Railway Co., Ltd.:

:*Nara Electric Railway Co., Ltd.:

:*Mie Electric Railway Co., Ltd.:

Lines

thumb|300px|Map of the Kintetsu Railway

Owned and operated lines (Type I Railway Business), funiculars, and aerial tramway

Following lines belong to Kintetsu's and Business under the Railway Business Act. This means that Kintetsu is the owner and operator of the lines.

lines

All lines operate with 1,500 V DC overhead catenary except for the Keihanna Line, which operates on 750 V DC third rail. The newest Hinotori 80000 series EMU trainsets entered revenue service on limited express services between Osaka Namba and Kintetsu Nagoya in spring 2020. Eight six-car sets and three eight-car sets, 72 vehicles in total, will enter service by 2021. The end cars in each set will be designated "High Grade cars" with 1+2 abreast seating and a seat pitch of . The intermediate "Regular" cars will have 2+2 abreast seating and a seat pitch of . Seating in both types of accommodation will consist of fixed-back shell seats.

A new generation of rolling stock for the commuter fleet, designated as the 8A series, entered service in October 2024. Another type of new generation rolling stock, designated as the 1A series, entered service in January 2026.

<gallery>

File:Kintetsu 21020.jpg|21020 series Urban Liner next

File:Kintetsu-30000 001 JPN.JPG|30000 series Vista EX

File:Kintetsu1400Series02.jpg|1400 series

File:Kintetsu 5820 series 001.JPG|5820 series

File:Kintetsu7000Series01.jpg|7000 series

File:Kintetsu 80000 series Nagoya Station (49703548326).jpg|alt=Kintetsu 80000 series Hinotori train at Kintetsu Nagoya station|80000 series Hinotori

</gallery>

Future

Additional rolling stock types were announced in June 2025:

  • 1B series (Osaka Line, Yamada Line, Toba Line, Nagoya Line, Yamada Line, Toba Line)
  • 6A series (Minami-osaka Line, Nagano Line, Gose Line, Yoshino Line)

Fare cards

thumb|KIPS ICOCA card: the contactless smart card sold by the Kintetsu Railway

Kintetsu accepts ICOCA, PiTaPa, and other compatible nation-wide IC cards throughout their network except on the Ikoma cable car and Katsuragi ropeway. Various discount tickets are also available from their website or ticket machines, with varying valid areas and usage periods. Surutto Kansai passes can be used in the Keihanshin area, west of Aoyamachō and north of Tsubosakayama stations.

Offices of Kintetsu

  • Headquarters and Osaka Transportation Department, Railway Headquarters, Railway Headquarters: 1-55, Uehommachi Rokuchome, Tennoji-ku, Osaka
  • Nagoya Transportation Department, Railway Headquarters: 16-11, Unomori Itchome, Yokkaichi, Mie

See also

  • Yamato Bunkakan

References

  • about Kintetsu