[Akita Prefecture] 4 recommended local railway routes! Akita's wide variety of local routes
table of contents
- 1 What is the definition of local line?
- 2 JR Gono Line (Higashi-Noshiro Station - Kawabe Station: 43 stations 147.2km)
- 3 Recommended points for JR Gono Line!
- 4 JR Oga Line (Oiwake Station - Oga Station: 9 stations 26.4km)
- 5 Recommended points for JR Oga Line!
- 6 Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Akita Nairiku Line (Takasu Station - Kakunodate Station: 29 stations 94.2km)
- 7 Recommended points for the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway!
- 8 Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line (Ugohonjo Station - Yajima Station: 12 stations 23.0km)
- 9 Recommended points on the Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line
- 10 Other local trains you should take in Akita
- 11 summary
In addition to the lines introduced here, the local lines that run within Akita Prefecture include the Hanawa Line and Kitakami Line from Iwate, as well as the two JR Main Lines, mini-standard railroad crossings, and a variety of other lines such as the single-track Shinkansen.
What is the definition of local line?
In a broader sense, it refers to regional railway lines with few passengers, but here we selected them based on the following criteria.
- Single track with few passengers, high possibility of closure
- There are steam locomotive trains and sightseeing trains, and there are many spots for great photos.
In addition, routes that span two prefectures are considered local lines of the prefecture where the route starts.
JR Gono Line (Higashi-Noshiro Station - Kawabe Station: 43 stations 147.2km)
The final stop is not Goshogawara Station, but Kawabe Station in Inakadate Village.
The Noshiro Line and the Goshogawara Line were constructed to connect Noshiro and Goshogawara with the Ou Main Line, and both lines were extended and connected. Operation is divided at Fukaura Station, but there is a rapid train that runs directly through the entire line, and all trains from Kawabe Station run to Hirosaki Station.
Recommended points for JR Gono Line!
In Noshiro, where basketball is popular, there is a basketball goal on the station platform. Also, the highlight of the train is the sunset over the Sea of Japan, where you can enjoy the ever-changing blue of the sky over the Sea of Japan.
Juniko and Shirakami-Sanchi (Juniko Station)
The Shirakami Mountains are the general name for the mountainous area on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, and are home to a rare virgin forest consisting mainly of beech trees, making it Japan's first World Heritage Site in December 1993.
Juniko consists of 33 small lakes, including Aoike, which has a beautiful cobalt blue water surface.
Juniko <Information>
- Name: Juniko (Shirakami Mountains)
- Address: Matsugami, Fukaura-cho, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture, 038-2206
- Phone number: 0173-77-2138 (Juniko Visitor Center)
- Official URL: Juniko Forest Association
Google Map
Resort Shirakami
From Akita Station, the service runs between Hirosaki Station (1 round trip) and Aomori Station (2 round trips), almost every day from April to November, and in the winter, only the Aomori service runs on weekends and holidays.
There are 2+2 reserved seats with a low floor and large windows, and fully flat box seats for four people, and events such as live Tsugaru shamisen performances and Tsugaru dialect storytellers are held in the observation room spaces at both ends.
There are three types of cars: ``Aoike'', ``Buna'', and ``Kumagera'', and the interiors are made from wood from the railway line.
Resort Shirakami＜Information＞
- Train name: Resort Shirakami
- Period: Every day (3 round trips)
- Official URL: JR East Resort Shirakami (Tsugi/Aoike/Kumagera)
JR Oga Line (Oiwake Station - Oga Station: 9 stations 26.4km)
There are only 15 local trains, and from Oiwake Station you can take the Ou Main Line all the way to Akita.
Two-car trains in red and blue Namahage colors run, and the area between Akita Station and Oga Station, including the area between Akita Station and Oiwake Station on the Ou Main Line, is nicknamed the ``Oga Namahage Line.''
Recommended points for JR Oga Line!
The track is far from the coast, and there are few spots where you can see the ocean from the train window, but highlights include Mt. Kanpuzan, the symbol of Oga, and the Funakoshi Channel iron bridge that connects Hachirogata and the Sea of Japan.
Roadside Station Oga (Oga Station)
The roadside station near the station is known as ``Namahage no Sato Ogare'' and is a hub for tourism and regional revitalization.
Enjoy a white peach soft serve at Oga Gelato, play with Akita dogs at the Akita Inu Fureai Dokoro, and enjoy a cruise around Oga Bay on the pleasure boat Sukai II from the pier.
Roadside Station Oga <Information>
- Name: Roadside station Oga (Namahage no Sato Ogare)
- Address: 1-19 Funakawa Shinhama-cho, Funakawa Port, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
- Phone number: 0185-47-7515
- Official URL: Roadside Station Oga (Namahage no Sato Ogare)
Google Map
Storage battery train EV-E801 series “ACCUM”
It is a "general AC storage battery-powered train" that is rare nationwide, and is an all-electric, environmentally friendly vehicle that uses electricity from overhead wires on the electrified section of the Ou Main Line, and runs on charged storage batteries for the non-electrified section from Oi Station. .
Since the 2021 timetable revision, all trains are operated by the battery electric train EV-E801 series "ACCUM".
Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Akita Nairiku Line (Takasu Station - Kakunodate Station: 29 stations 94.2km)
Nicknamed the "Smile Rail Akita Nairiku Line," it runs through the mountains in the northern part of the prefecture and is a third-sector line that also includes express trains.
Takanosu Station and Kakunodate Station have separate JR stations, station buildings, and ticket gates.
However, the platforms are connected and you may be able to transfer from there.
Recommended points for the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway!
Hunters in Akita are called ``Matagi,'' and the Ani region along the line preserves that culture as ``the birthplace of Matagi.''
Utto hot spring Matagi no Yu (Ani Matagi Station)
A hot spring inn located about 5 minutes by car from Ani Matagi Station, with a Matagi Museum attached, where you can enjoy deep mountain cuisine such as bear hot pot and Dobrok named "Matagi's Dream".
Uchito Onsen Matagi no Yu <Information>
- Name: Uchito Onsen Matagi no Yu
- Address: 67, Aniuchi Tosen Kitato Michigami, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture
- Phone number: 0186-84-2612
- Official URL: Unexplored Inn Uchito Onsen Matagi no Yu
Google Map
live train
A variety of event trains are planned on the Akita Nairiku Line, including the ``Gottsuo Tamatebako Train,'' where you can enjoy home-cooked meals from local farmers, and the ``Akita French Train,'' which uses local ingredients.
Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway <Information>
Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line (Ugohonjo Station - Yajima Station: 12 stations 23.0km)
This is an ``Oraho (us)'' railway that is rooted in local life and runs at the foot of Mt. Chokai on the border with Yamagata Prefecture.
This line is popular as a local sightseeing line, with monthly event train plans.
Yuri Kogen Railway <Information>
Link: Yuri Kogen Railway official website
Recommended points on the Yuri Kogen Railway Chokai Sanroku Line
Each of the 12 stations has its own charm, and there are some that will make you want to get off the train, such as an unmanned station tucked away in the countryside, a station with a simple post office, and a station where you can play with wooden toys.
Maegou Station
Currently, there are only three single lines in Japan with tablet and staff closures, and you can see the tablet and staff exchanges at Maego Station. For more information, there is a detailed explanation page on the official website of Yuri Kogen Railway.
Link: Yuri Kogen Railway official website – tablet blockage, staff blockage
Maegō Station＜Information＞
- Name: Maegō Station
- Address: 68 Maegoegishi, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
- Phone number: 0184-53-3436
Google Map
Obakogo
This is the nickname for all trains running on the Chokai Sanroku Line, chosen through public recruitment at the time of its opening.
There is the ``Magokoro Train,'' which has attendants dressed as ``Akita Obako'' on board, and the ``Toy Train,'' which is full of toys that children will love.
Link: Yuri Kogen Railway Official Website – Train Attendant Dressed as an Akita Obako
Other local trains you should take in Akita
The Ou Main Line and Uetsu Main Line in Akita Prefecture each have single-track sections, so you can enjoy the feeling of being on a local train.
Tazawako Line (Omagari Station - Morioka Station: 17 stations 75.6km)
Due to demand as a daily route, Akita Shinkansen standard gauge vehicles were introduced.
Sightseeing spots along the line include Koiwai Farm in Iwate Prefecture, Lake Tazawa, and Kakunodate Samurai Residence.
summary
The Akita Shinkansen, a mini Shinkansen, runs on conventional lines, so it is a "local Shinkansen line" with a maximum speed of 130 km.
Due to the heavy rain disaster in August 2022, the Ou Main Line, Gono Line, Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway, Hanawa Line, etc. are currently out of service as of September 11th, and restoration is awaited.
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