Kintetsu Railway Monthly News in December 2025

Jan 09, 2026

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Kintetsu Railway Monthly News in December 2025

Welcome back to Kintetsu Railway Monthly News in December 2025 ✨

This month, we traveled to discover the beauty of autumn at Toji Temple in Kyoto. We also walked and admired the stunning transition from autumn to winter at the “48 Waterfalls of Akame.” Additionally, we enjoyed the sparkling Christmas event at Shima Spain Village and more!

1. Discover the beauty of autumn at Toji Temple in Kyoto [ 2 Dec 2025 ]

Discover the beauty of autumn at Toji Temple in Kyoto, where vibrant maple leaves reflected on the pond’s surface.

Toji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), offered special nighttime viewings of the Golden Hall (金堂) and the Sermon Hall (講堂) until Sunday, December 14th.

With over 200 maple trees displaying stunning colors and the iconic Five-Story Pagoda reflected in the pond, it was a captivating experience that no one wanted to miss.

We joined together to celebrate that beautiful season! ♪

※Photos from last year

More about Toji Temple

Address:

1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 601-8473, Japan

How to get there:

– Take Kintetsu railway line and get off at Toji Station and walk for about 10 minutes.

※From Kyoto: About 12 minutes, from Osaka and Namba: About 1 hour and 25 minutes

Map:

2. Walk and admire the beauty of the transition from autumn to winter at “48 Waterfalls of Akame” [ 5 Dec 2025 ]

Just an hour from Osaka, you can discover the famous “48 Waterfalls of Akame” located in a peaceful natural valley in Mie Prefecture, recognized as one of the ‘100 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Japan.’

The walking path along the waterfalls is about 3.3 kilometers long. From late October to late November, the trees throughout the valley transform into stunning autumn colors.

The winter season is equally enchanting! Starting December 6th, the waterfalls are illuminated at night, creating a serene atmosphere, with only the sound of cascading water, adding to the dreamy ambience.

If you visit during the colder months of January and February, you might even be fortunate enough to witness the magical sight of “frozen waterfalls.”

As the weather cools, consider taking the Kintetsu Line to relax in this beautiful natural valley.

※Photos from last year’s fall/winter period

More about 48 Waterfalls of Akame

Address:

Nagasaka-671-1 Akamecho, Nabari, Mie 518-0469, Japan

“Akame 48 Waterfalls” Illumination

Event Period: Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Sunday, January 25, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Closed December 29 – January 3)

How to get there:

Get off at Kintetsu Akameguchi Station and take the Mie Kotsu Bus for about 10 minutes.

※From Osaka Uehonmachi, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, and from Nagoya, it takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Map:

3. Sparkling Christmas event at Shima Spain Village [ 16 Dec 2025 ]

We had experienced a magical Christmas at this Southern European-style theme park together! 🎄☃️ Shima Spain Village hosted its “Sparkling Christmas” event until Thursday, December 25th! As the sun set, the lights of the Spanish-style townscape and the park’s attractions illuminated the night, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

A magnificent 7-meter-tall Christmas tree was on display, along with a vibrant light show that changed colors in sync with Christmas carols, enhancing the romantic ambiance of the evening.

※Photos from last year

More about Shima Spain Village

Address:

Japan, 〒517-0212 Mie, Shima, Isobecho Sakazaki, 字下山952-4

How to get there:

Get off at Kintetsu Ugata Station and take a direct bus to the theme park for about 13 minutes.

※From Osaka and Namba, it takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and from Nagoya, it takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Map:

4. Experienced a new kind of ninja adventure at Iga Ninja Village! [ 19 Dec 2025 ]

We introduced “BANSENSHUKAI” in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, the birthplace of the famous “Iga Ninja”! Here, visitors had the chance to experience a unique kind of ninja adventure, which opened this past summer!

Simply stepping into the grey building in the middle of the city, near Uenoshi Station, felt like entering the mysterious world of ninjas hiding in the shadows.

There were two experience courses to choose from: ‘The Knowledge Course.’ In this course, participants learned the teachings of ninjas from the ancient ninja manual “Bansenshukai.” Through a 20-minute audio guide, they gained insights into the concepts and philosophy of ninjas. Or ‘The Ninja Skills Training Course.’ In this exciting course, guests dressed up as cool ninjas and explored the building. They faced various situations where they had to hide from unexpected enemies, making it an adventure full of excitement!

Additionally, a restaurant was on-site, featuring premium ingredients from Iga City, including the famous Iga Beef. Guests enjoyed delicious meals accompanied by unique “Ninja” style service. ♪

Many experienced a new kind of realistic and memorable ninja adventure there!

More about BANSENSHUKAI in Iga City

Address:

29 Uenomarunouchi, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, 518-0873

How to get there:

Take the Kintetsu train to Iga-Kambe Station, then transfer to the Iga train for about 30 minutes and get off at Uenoshi Station. From there, it’s a 2-minute walk.

※From Osaka Namba, it takes approximately 1 hour.

Map:

5. Explore Imaicho, the “City of Miracles,” a perfectly preserved old-world charm in Nara Prefecture. [ 23 Dec 2025 ]

Upon arriving at Yagi-Nishiguchi Station, you’ll be greeted by the striking Sobubashi Bridge, with its vibrant red railings. You’ll also see the beautiful and historically significant old town area.

In Imaicho, residents preserve a traditional town from the Muromachi and Sengoku periods. Of the 700 buildings, about 500 are registered as historical structures, earning it the nickname “City of Miracles.”

Here, visitors can tour many of the historical buildings and important cultural properties, experiencing life from the past up close.

Begin your walk by picking up information brochures and details about the town at the elegant traditional-style building located in the southern part of the area!

One of the must-see attractions is… “Kawai Shuzo” is the only sake brewery in Imaicho that has been operating since the Edo period. Besides admiring the preserved original building, you can also sample three different types of Japanese sake through a tasting set. 🍶

Moreover, the area is filled with numerous cafes and restaurants that have been converted from old houses. Just walking along the streets is a pleasure. Next time, we’ll introduce you to more must-see spots in Imaicho!