The oldest streetcar in Japan, which ran well into the modern age in Kyoto on hydroelectric power
  The oldest streetcar in Japan (Chin-Chin Streetcar) is on display in the southern part of the Shin-en Garden. This streetcar was constructed in 1895 as part of the commemorative project to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital of Japan to Heian-kyo (now Kyoto). Along with the construction of the Heian Jingu Shrine, the streetcar embodied the spirit of the citizens in regard to the restoration of Kyoto. After the streetcar was put out of service, it was brought to the shrine and put on display. The streetcar used hydroelectric power generated by the Lake Biwa Canal and it was the first of its kind to run on the streets of a city in Japan. Once, the Chin-chin Streetcar ran for 6.3 km on the streets of Kyoto and Fushimi, until it was put out of service in 1962. The Chin-chin Streetcar influenced the development of modern technology and city planning not only in Kyoto, but also nationwide, and was a forerunner in the environmental and ecological fields.
   
Old streetcar (Chin-Chin Streetcar)
Old streetcar
(Chin-Chin Streetcar)
Replica of the Kyoto Denki Tetsudou (Kyoto Electric Railroad Co.) (Lake Biwa Canal Museum)
Replica of the Kyoto Denki Tetsudou
(Kyoto Electric Railroad Co.)
(Lake Biwa Canal Museum)
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