San'in Main Line

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Sanin Main Line
Overview
Other name(s)Sagano Line (Kyoto - Sonobe)
Native name山陰本線
OwnerLogo of the West Railway Company (JR West) JR West
LocaleKyoto, Hyōgo, Tottori, Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures
Termini
Stations159
Service
TypeRegional rail
Operator(s)JR West
JR Freight
History
Opened15 February 1897; 127 years ago (1897-02-15)
Last extension24 February 1933; 91 years ago (1933-02-24)
Technical
Line length676.0 km (420.0 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Operating speed85 km/h (53 mph)
130 km/h (81 mph)
Route map

0.0
Kyōto
JR Central: Tōkaidō ShinkansenRight arrow
Up arrowTōkaidō Main Line (JR Kyoto Line)Right arrow
The section is popularly called the Sagano Line
34.2
Sonobe
Sonobe-Ayabe section
38.2
Funaoka
41.9
Hiyoshi
44.3
Shinkyūdaigakumae
47.1
Goma
51.9
Shimoyama
58.6
Wachi
Yura River
60.7
Aseri
65.5
Tachiki
69.0
Yamaga
76.2
Ayabe
Ayabe-Fukuchiyama section
80.3
Takatsu
82.8
Isa
88.5
Fukuchiyama
Fukuchiyama Train District
Fukuchiyama-Wadayama section
95.2
Kamikawaguchi
102.4
Shimo-Yakuno
109.8
Kami-Yakuno
Kyoto-Hyōgo border
115.6
Yanase
119.0
Wadayama
Wadayama-Toyooka section
124.2
Yabu
131.2
Yōka
Shukunami Signal Box
138.7
Ebara
142.4
Kokufu
148.4
Toyooka
Left arrowKitakinki Tango Railway: Miyazu Line
Toyooka-Kinosaki Onsen section
153.7
Gembudō
158.0
Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen-Tottori section
166.0
Takeno
(Nozomi) Kirihama Beach
-1996
Aidani Signal Box
173.4
Satsu
175.7
Shibayama
180.0
Kasumi
185.4
Yoroi
Amarube Viaduct
187.2
Amarube
191.8
Kutani
197.9
Hamasaka
199.8
Moroyose
204.2
Igumi
207.5
Higashihama
211.9
Iwami
214.8
Ōiwa
219.1
Fukube
Takiyama Signal Box
230.3
Tottori
Tottori-Kurayoshi section
234.5
Koyama
235.8
Tottoridaigakumae
239.6
Suetsune
244.7
Hōgi
247.6
Hamamura
252.8
Aoya
258.9
Tomari
264.6
Matsuzaki
270.1
Kurayoshi
Kurayoshi-Hōki-Daisen section
275.2
Shimohōjō
280.1
Yura
285.8
Urayasu
287.6
Yabase
291.3
Akasaki
295.5
Nakayamaguchi
297.7
Shimoichi
303.6
Mikuriya
304.7
Nawa
308.8
Daisenguchi
312.7
Yodoe
318.2
Hōki-Daisen
Hōki-Daisen-Yonago section
321.2
Higashiyamakōen
Yonago City Station
323.0
Yonago
/ (left) Yonago Station Mae Station
Yonago-Shinji section
331.8
Yasugi
336.6
Arashima
342.2
Iya
345.3
Higashi-Matsue
351.9
Matsue
354.6
Nogi
358.5
Tamatsukuri-Onsen
364.5
Kimachi
368.9
Shinji
Shinji-Izumoshi section
373.0
Shōbara
379.1
Naoe
Left arrowIchibata Electric Railway: Kitamatsue Line
384.6
Izumoshi
Ichibata Electric Railway: Tachikue Line
389.4
Nishi-Izumo
Izumo Railway Rolling Stock Office
Nishi-Izumo-Gōtsu section
391.4
Izumo-Jinzai
393.5
Kōnan
400.1
Oda
404.0
Tagi
411.5
Hane
413.7
Kute
417.2
Ōdashi
420.2
Shizuma
422.8
Isotake
428.9
Nima
431.9
Maji
434.8
Yusato
437.9
Yunotsu
440.8
Iwami-Fukumitsu
443.6
Kuromatsu
448.0
Asari
454.3
Gōtsu Station
Gōtsu-Masuda section
458.7
Tsunozu
460.5
Uyagawa
463.3
Hashi
465.6
Kushiro
469.7
Shimokō
473.3
Hamada
478.7
Nishi-Hamada
482.8
Sufu
487.6
Orii
492.6
Miho-Misumi
497.6
Okami
502.7
Kamate
507.2
Iwami-Tsuda
514.5
Masuda Station
Masuda-Nagatoshi section
524.3
Todakohama
528.0
Iinoura
533.8
Esaki
540.4
Susa
549.2
Utagō
555.6
Kiyo
560.2
Nago
564.5
Nagato-Ōi
569.1
Koshigahama
572.0
Higashi-Hagi
575.8
Hagi
578.2
Tamae
583.9
Sammi
588.1
Ii
594.5
Nagato-Misumi
Senzaki
Left arrowSenzaki Branch Line
599.6
Nagatoshi
Nagatoshi-Hatabu section
604.9
Kiwado
609.0
Nagato-Furuichi
613.5
Hitomaru
617.9
Igami
622.1
Nagato-Awano
627.4
Agawa
631.1
Kottoi
635.1
Takibe
639.9
Nagato-Futami
643.5
Ukahongō
645.7
Yutama
650.2
Kogushi
652.9
Kawatana-Onsen
655.4
Kuroimura
658.8
Umegatō
662.7
Yoshimi
665.6
Fukue
668.2
Yasuoka
Kajikuri Station
669.6
Kajikuri-Gōdaichi
670.7
Ayaragi
673.8
Hatabu
Down arrowSan'yō Main Line

The Sanin Main Line (山陰本線, San'in-honsen) is a railway line in western Japan, which connects Kyoto and Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West). It is the major railway line of the San'in region, approximately paralleling the Japan Sea, crossing Kyoto, Hyōgo, Tottori, Shimane, and Yamaguchi prefectures. The main portion from Kyoto to Hatabu is the longest single continuous railway line in Japan at 673.8 km (418.7 mi), although no regularly scheduled train operates over the entire line.

The section between Kyoto and Sonobe, connecting Kyoto and its northern suburbs, is a part of JR West's Urban Network and is nicknamed the Sagano Line.

Basic data[edit]

  • Distances: 676.0 km (420.0 mi)
  • Operators
  • Track:
    • Double: Kyoto – Sonobe, Ayabe – Fukuchiyama, Hōki-Daisen – Yasugi, Higashi-Matsue – Matsue, Tamatsukuri-Onsen – Kimachi
    • Single: the rest
  • Electric supply:
    • Kyoto – Kinosaki-Onsen, Hōki-Daisen – Nishi-Izumo: 1,500 V DC
  • Railway signalling:
    • Kyoto – Nishi-Izumo: Automatic
    • Nishi-Izumo – Hatabu, including "Senzaki branch line": Special Automatic; a simplified automatic system
  • Maximum speed in service:
    • Kyoto – Saga-Arashiyama: 120 km/h (75 mph)
    • Saga-Arashiyama – Umahori: 130 km/h (81 mph)
    • Umahori – Ayabe: 120 km/h (75 mph)
    • Ayabe – Fukuchiyama: 130 km/h (81 mph)
    • Fukuchiyama – Tottori: 95 km/h (59 mph)
    • Tottori – Izumoshi: 120 km/h (75 mph)
    • Izumoshi – Masuda: 110 km/h (68 mph)
    • Masuda – Hatabu: 95 km/h (59 mph)
    • Nagatoshi – Senzaki: 85 km/h (53 mph)

Stations[edit]

From Kyoto to Sonobe (Sagano Line)[edit]

Stations on this segment
Kyoto - Umekōji-Kyōtonishi - Tambaguchi - Nijo - Emmachi - Hanazono - Uzumasa - Saga-Arashiyama - Hozukyo - Umahori - Kameoka - Namikawa - Chiyokawa - Yagi - Yoshitomi - Sonobe

From Sonobe to Kinosaki-Onsen[edit]

This section is designated the letter "E".

Rapid trains are operated as local trains and stop at every station between Sonobe and Fukuchiyama.

No. Station Distance
(km)
Transfers Location
 E16  Sonobe 園部 34.2 ( E16  Sagano Line) Nantan Kyoto
 E17  Funaoka 船岡 38.2  
 E18  Hiyoshi 日吉 41.9  
 E19  Shinkyūdaigakumae 鍼灸大学前 44.3  
 E20  Goma 胡麻 47.1  
 E21  Shimoyama 下山 51.9   Kyōtamba, Funai
 E22  Wachi 和知 58.6  
 E23  Aseri 安栖里 60.7  
 E24  Tachiki 立木 65.5  
 E25  Yamaga 山家 69.0   Ayabe
 E26  Ayabe 綾部 76.2 Maizuru Line
 E27  Takatsu 高津 80.3  
 E28  Isa 石原 82.8   Fukuchiyama
 E29  Fukuchiyama 福知山 88.5
 E30  Kamikawaguchi 上川口 95.2  
 E31  Shimo-Yakuno 下夜久野 102.4  
 E32  Kami-Yakuno 上夜久野 109.8  
 E33  Yanase 梁瀬 115.6   Asago Hyōgo
 E34  Wadayama 和田山 119.0 Bantan Line
 E35  Yabu 養父 124.2   Yabu
 E36  Yōka 八鹿 131.2  
 E37  Ebara 江原 138.7   Toyooka
 E38  Kokufu 国府 142.4  
 E39  Toyooka 豊岡 148.4 Willer Trains Miyatoyo Line
 E40  Gembudō 玄武洞 153.7  
 E41  Kinosaki-Onsen 城崎温泉 158.0  

From Kinosaki-Onsen to Yonago[edit]

This section is designated the letter "A".

Station Distance
(km)
Transfers Location
Kinosaki-Onsen 城崎温泉 158.0   Toyooka Hyōgo
Takeno 竹野 166.0  
Satsu 佐津 173.4   Kami, Mikata
Shibayama 柴山 175.7  
Kasumi 香住 180.0  
Yoroi 185.4  
Amarube 餘部 187.2  
Kutani 久谷 191.8   Shin'onsen, Mikata
Hamasaka 浜坂 197.9  
Moroyose 諸寄 199.8  
Igumi 居組 204.2  
Higashihama 東浜 207.5   Iwami, Iwami Tottori
Iwami 岩美 211.9  
Ōiwa 大岩 214.8  
Fukube 福部 219.1   Tottori
Tottori 鳥取 230.3 Inbi Line
Koyama 湖山 234.5
Tottoridaigakumae 鳥取大学前 235.8
Suetsune 末恒 239.6
Hōgi 宝木 244.7
Hamamura 浜村 247.6
Aoya 青谷 252.8
Tomari 258.9 Yurihama, Tōhaku
Matsuzaki 松崎 264.6
Kurayoshi 倉吉 270.1 Kurayoshi
Shimohōjō 下北条 275.2 Hokuei, Tōhaku
Yura
(Conan Station)
由良
(コナン駅)
280.1
Urayasu 浦安 285.8 Kotoura, Tōhaku
Yabase 八橋 287.6
Akasaki 赤碕 291.3
Nakayamaguchi 中山口 295.5 Daisen, Saihaku
Shimoichi 下市 297.7
Mikuriya 御来屋 303.6
Nawa 名和 304.7
Daisenguchi 大山口 308.8
Yodoe 淀江 312.7 Yonago
Hōki-Daisen 伯耆大山 318.2 Hakubi Line
Higashiyama-kōen 東山公園 321.2
Yonago 米子 323.0 Sakai Line

From Yonago to Masuda[edit]

This section is designated the letter "D".

  • TL: Rapid Tottori Liner (快速とっとりライナー)
  • AL: Rapid Aqua Liner (快速アクアライナー)
  • CL: Rapid Commuter Liner (快速通勤ライナー)
  • All the trains stop at stations signed "+". Most trains stop at "‡". Most trains do not stop at "*". No trains (other than local) stop at "-".
  • Rapid Commuter Liner runs from Nishi-Izumo to Yonago, one direction alone
Station Distance
(km)
TL AL CL Transfers Location
Yonago 米子 323.0 + + + Sakai Line Yonago Tottori
Yasugi 安来 331.8 + + +   Yasugi Shimane
Arashima 荒島 336.6 + + +  
Iya 揖屋 342.2 + + +   Matsue
Higashi-Matsue 東松江 345.3 + + +  
Matsue 松江 351.9 + + +  
Nogi 乃木 354.6 + + -  
Tamatsukuri-Onsen 玉造温泉 358.5 + + -  
Kimachi 来待 364.5 + + -  
Shinji 宍道 368.9 + + + Kisuki Line
Shōbara 荘原 373.0 + + + Izumo
Naoe 直江 379.1 + + +  
Izumoshi 出雲市 384.6 + + + Kita-Matsue Line (Dentetsu-Izumoshi)
Nishi-Izumo 西出雲 389.4      
Izumo-Jinzai 出雲神西 391.4   *    
Kōnan 江南 393.5   *    
Oda 小田 400.1   *    
Tagi 田儀 404.0   *    
Hane 波根 411.5   *     Ōda
Kute 久手 413.7   *    
Ōdashi 大田市 417.2   +    
Shizuma 静間 420.2   *    
Isotake 五十猛 422.8   *    
Nima 仁万 428.9   +    
Maji 馬路 431.9   *    
Yusato 湯里 434.8   *    
Yunotsu 温泉津 437.9   +    
Iwami-Fukumitsu 石見福光 440.8   *    
Kuromatsu 黒松 443.6   *     Gōtsu
Asari 浅利 448.0   *    
Gōtsu 江津 454.3   +   Sankō Line (closed 1 April 2018)
Tsunozu 都野津 458.7   +    
Uyagawa 敬川 460.5   *    
Hashi 波子 463.3   +    
Kushiro 久代 465.6   *     Hamada
Shimokō 下府 469.7   *    
Hamada 浜田 473.3   +    
Nishi-Hamada 西浜田 478.7   +    
Sufu 周布 482.8   *    
Orii 折居 487.6   +    
Miho-Misumi 三保三隅 492.6   +    
Okami 岡見 497.6   *    
Kamate 鎌手 502.7   *     Masuda
Iwami-Tsuda 石見津田 507.2   *    
Masuda 益田 514.5   +   Yamaguchi Line

From Masuda to Shimonoseki[edit]

Station Distance
(km)
Transfers Location
Sanin Main Line
Masuda 益田 514.5 Yamaguchi Line Masuda Shimane
Todakohama 戸田小浜 524.3  
Iinoura 飯浦 528.0  
Esaki 江崎 533.8   Hagi Yamaguchi
Susa 須佐 540.4  
Utagō 宇田郷 549.2   Abu, Abu
Kiyo 木与 555.6  
Nago 奈古 560.2  
Nagato-Ōi 長門大井 564.5   Hagi
Koshigahama 越ヶ浜 569.1  
Higashi-Hagi 東萩 572.0  
Hagi 575.8  
Tamae 玉江 578.2  
Sammi 三見 583.9  
Ii 飯井 588.1  
Nagato-Misumi 長門三隅 594.5 Nagato
Nagatoshi 長門市 599.6 Mine Line, Sanin Main Line "Senzaki branch line"
Kiwado 黄波戸 604.9  
Nagato-Furuichi 長門古市 609.0  
Hitomaru 人丸 613.5  
Igami 伊上 617.9  
Nagato-Awano 長門粟野 622.1   Shimonoseki
Agawa 阿川 627.4  
Kottoi 特牛 631.1  
Takibe 滝部 635.1  
Nagato-Futami 長門二見 639.9  
Ukahongō 宇賀本郷 643.5  
Yutama 湯玉 645.7  
Kogushi 小串 650.2  
Kawatana-Onsen 川棚温泉 652.9  
Kuroimura 黒井村 655.4  
Umegatō 梅ヶ峠 658.8  
Yoshimi 吉見 662.7  
Fukue 福江 665.6  
Yasuoka 安岡 668.2  
Kajikuri-Gōdaichi 梶栗郷台地 679.6  
Ayaragi 綾羅木 670.7  
Hatabu 幡生 673.8 Sanyō Main Line
Shimonoseki 下関 677.3  

Senzaki Branch Line[edit]

Station Distance
(km)
Transfers Location
Nagatoshi 長門市 0.0 Mine Line, Sanin Main Line Nagato Yamaguchi
Senzaki 仙崎 2.2  

History[edit]

The line was built by three different private companies, which were subsequently nationalised and connected by the Japanese Government Railway (JGR). The Kyoto Railway opened the section to Sonobe between 1897 and 1899. The Bantsuru Railway opened the Ayabe to Fukuchiyama section (as part of the current Maizuru Line) in 1904. Both companies were nationalised in 1907.

The first section opened by the JGR was between Yonago and Mikuriya in 1902, and the line was then progressively extended eastward, reaching Tottori in 1907 and Iwami in 1908, the same year the current Bantan Line opened to Wadayama and Yoka. Construction of that line continued westward, and the two lines were connected in 1912. In the meantime, the Sonobe to Ayabe section was opened in 1910, and the Fukuchiyama to Wadayama section the following year. In addition, construction from Yonago progressed westward, opening to Matsue in 1908 and Izumoshi in 1910, resulting in the 385 km (239 mi) continuous line upon the 1912 connection mentioned above. At the western end, the Choshu Railway opened the Hatabu to Kogushi section in 1914.

A map of the completed San'in 1933 route.

From Izumoshi, construction continued progressively westward, opening to Masuda in 1923, and to Todakohama in 1925, the year that the Choshu Railway was nationalised and the Kogushi to Takibe section opened, with construction then continuing from both directions until the two sections were connected in 1933, completing the current line.

Double-tracking[edit]

The Yonago to Hoki-Daisen section was double-tracked between 1962 and 1966, with the Ayabe to Fukuchiyama section double-tracked in between 1968 and 1969, and the Tamatsukuri-Onsen to Kimachi section in 1970. The Matsue to Higashi-Matsue section was double-tracked in 1979, and the Yonago to Yasugi section in 1980. The original Saga-Arashiyama to Umahori section was built on the banks of the Hozugawa in a narrow gorge. A new double-track alignment was opened in 1989, and the original alignment became the Sagano Scenic Railway. Further double-tracking occurred in stages, with the entire Kyoto to Sonobe section double-tracked by 2010.[citation needed]

Electrification[edit]

The Hoki-Daisen to Izumoshi section was electrified in 1982 in conjunction with the electrification of the Hakubi Line. The Fukuchiyama to Kinosaki section was electrified in 1986 in conjunction with the electrification of the Fukuchiyama Line. The Sonobe to Fukuchiyama section was electrified between 1985 and 1986, and the Kyoto to Sonobe section in 1990.[citation needed]

Former connecting lines[edit]

An Izushi Railway train
Yamamori Station circa 1981
  • Fukuchiyama Station: The Hokutan Railway operated a 12 km (7.5 mi) line to Koumori between 1923 and 1971.
  • Ebara Station: The Izushi Railway operated an 11 km (6.8 mi) line to Izushi between 1929 and 1970.
  • Iwami Station: The Iwai Prefectural Government opened a 3 km (1.9 mi) 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge line to Iwai Onsen in 1925. In June 1934, 149 of the 216 buildings at Iwai Onsen burnt down, and then in September that year Typhoon Muroto caused such extensive damage to the line that it was out of service until February 1936. In 1944, the line was closed and materials recycled for the Japanese war effort.[citation needed]
  • Kurayoshi Station: In 1912, a 4 km (2.5 mi) line to Kamii opened, and was extended 11 km (6.8 mi) to Sekigane in 1941 and a further 5 km (3.1 mi) (as a passenger-only section) to Yamamori in 1958. Freight services ceased in 1974 and the line closed in 1985.
  • Yonago Station: The Hakuhi Electric Railway operated a 12 km (7.5 mi) line, electrified at 600 V DC, to Hosshoji between 1924 and 1967. A 6 km (3.7 mi) electrified branch from Aga to Mori operated between 1930 and 1944.
  • Arashima Station: The Hirose Railway opened an 8 km (5.0 mi) line, electrified at 600 V DC to Izumo Hirose in 1928. In 1954, the company merged with the Ichibata Electric Railway, and the line closed in 1960.
  • Izumoshi Station: On the northern side of the station, the 8 km (5.0 mi) Taisha Line opened in 1912, on the opposite bank of the Ogamogawa to the Izumo-Taisha Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway line. Freight services ceased in 1974, and the line closed in 1990.
  • Gotsu Station: The Sanko Line operated 1930 - 2018.
  • Nishi-Hamada Station: A 2 km (1.2 mi) freight-only line to Hamada Minato to service the port operated between 1955 and 1982.
  • Hatabu Station: The Choshu Railway opened a 27 km (17 mi) line from Higashi-Shimonoseki to Kogushi via Hatabu in 1914. A proposed extension to Nagato was not built due to funding constraints. The part from Hatabu to Kogushi was nationalised in 1925, with the Hatabu station being moved to its present location in 1928, and the line becoming a part of the San'in Main Line in 1933. The remaining 2.2 km (1.4 mi) Choshu Railway line from Hatabu to Higashi-Shimonoseki was electrified at 600 V DC in 1926. The company merged with the Sanyo Electric Railway (today Sanden Kotsu, not to be confused with the eponymous company operating in the Hyōgo Prefecture) in 1928, and the line was extended to Karato in 1932 in order to connect it to the Sanyo Electric Chōfu to Hikoshima-Guchi line. The line was closed in 1971.

References[edit]

This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.