Transit Hub · Oji

Asukayama Park Monorail (Ascargo) あすかパークレール(アスカルゴ)

A free, snail-shaped mini monorail beside JR Oji Station that crawls up the slope of Asukayama Park in about two minutes, a delight for kids and fans of oddball transport.

About

Asukayama Park, one of Edo's original cherry blossom spots, sits on a hill right next to Oji Station, and since 2009 the Asuka Park Rail, nicknamed Ascargo for its snail-like car, has carried visitors from the street up to the hilltop for free. The pod-shaped car holds around 16 people and climbs slowly along a short elevated track, with views over the Toden Arakawa tram and JR trains below. At the top are the park's cherry trees, a playground with a retired steam locomotive and a tram car, and three small museums, including the Paper Museum. In early April the line to board can be long, but on most days you will wait only a few minutes.

Highlights

• Snail-shaped pod car climbing a short hillside track
• Views over the JR lines and the Toden Arakawa tram
• Free to ride, and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers
• Hilltop playground with a preserved D51 steam locomotive and an old tram
• Asukayama cherry blossoms, an Edo-era hanami spot

Tips

• Operates roughly 10:00–16:00; it is paused for inspections on some Thursday mornings, at New Year (29 Dec–3 Jan) and in strong winds.
• In cherry blossom season, queues can run 30 minutes or more; walking up the stairs takes just five.
• Combine with the Toden Arakawa tram, which stops at Oji-ekimae right below.
• Use the South Exit of JR Oji Station; the lower station is beside the park entrance.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Asukayama ParkPark · 160 m away
• Paper MuseumMuseum · 210 m away
• Toden Tram Street Section at AsukayamaPhoto Spot · 220 m away
• Oji ShrineShrine · 350 m away
• Hokutopia Observation LobbyVista & View · 380 m away
• King SeimenRamen & Noodles · 480 m away
• Kairaku (Oji)Ramen & Noodles · 610 m away
• Oji Inari ShrineShrine · 690 m away