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Yamagata's railways include the Ou Main Line, which runs through Okitama, Murayama, and Mogami, and the Uetsu Main Line, which runs north-south along the Sea of Japan in Shonai, and the Yonesaka Line and Rikuu West Line, which connect these lines east-west in the north and south of the prefecture
The area is a paradise for local trains, including the two train lines surrounded by these lines, two local train lines connecting Miyagi Prefecture, and the Yamagata Shinkansen, a mini-shinkansen also known as the "local Shinkansen."
What is the definition of a local line?
In a broad sense, it refers to local railway lines with few passengers, but here we have selected them based on the following criteria
Single track with few passengers, high possibility of closure
There are steam locomotives and tourist trains, and many photo spots
Routes that cross two prefectures are considered local routes in the prefecture where they originate
Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line (Akayu Station to Arato Station: 17 stations, 30.5 km)
Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line
commonly known as"Yamatetsu"is a third-sector company in the Okitama region, and it became famous for appearing in the movie"Swing Girls" (2004), known for the line "Let's play jazz!", where it ran through peaceful rural landscapes.
Recommended points of the Flower Nagai Line!
"Flower Nagai Line"suggests, the area along the line is home to many famous flower spots, and it is also one of Japan's leading wine-producing regions.
"Railway Girlsone of the"Ayugai RingoThe official Twitter account of"Ayumi"the "Yamatetsu Report" by
A photo of a decorated train and the Yamagata Shinkansen "Tsubasa" (Akayu Station)
YR-888 Swing Girls Painted Vehicle
At Akayu Station,"Swing Girls"and"Usagi Stationmaster Mocchii"trains wrapped with designs fromthe Yamagata Shinkansen "Tsubasa."you can see
Miyauchi Station's rabbit stationmaster "Mochii"
At Miyauchi Station, the rabbit stationmaster Mochii, the rabbit station staff Ten and Peter, and the part-time turtle assistant stationmaster Kamekichi keep the peace at the station
He will be on a "long vacation" from December 2021, but during that time his source of information will be "Rabbit Stationmaster Mochii" Twitter
JR Aterazawa Line (Kitayamagata Station to Aterazawa Station: 11 stations, 24.3 km)
which runs through the inland area of the prefectureThe "Fruit Line Aterazawa Line,", operates from Yamagata Station and is a popular route for students commuting to school.
Kiha 101 series on the Aterazawa Line
It's known for having few service disruptions and"the strongest Aterazawa Line"is called"Aterazawa"is an unusual pronunciation, and there are several theories about its origin, but the truth is not really known.
Recommended points of the JR Aterazawa Line!
The train windows offer a panoramic view of cherry orchards and rural landscapes, making it seem as if time has stopped
Ooe Town, where Aterazawa Station is located, is the birthplace of the folk song"Mogami River Boat Song,"and as you gaze upon the gentle flow of the Mogami River from the train window near the station, you will feel a sense of harmony with the melody of the boat song.
Cherry Land Sagae (Uzen Takamatsu Station)
Uzen-Takamatsu Station, this roadside stationthe "Sakuranbo Kaikan" (Cherry Blossom Hallwhere you can purchase specialty products from Turkey, the home of cherriesthe "Turkey Hall,"features
There are cafes where you can enjoy local cherry sweets, Turkish cuisine cafes, and restaurants serving delicious Yamagata specialties such as boiled sweet potatoes and ball-shaped konnyaku, and the riverside plaza of the Sagae River where families can play is also nearby
Cherry Land Sagae <Information>
Name: Roadside Station Sagae Cherry Land
Address: 919-8 Yakuwa Kawahara, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-0523
which operates in various locations"Kazekko" trolley trainevery year in late June to coincide with the cherry harvest seasonthe "Sakuranbo Kazekko" (Cherry Blossom Kazekko)will be transformed into
Enjoy the scenery of cherry orchards and countryside while feeling the fresh breeze from the open interior of the car
Other local lines worth riding in Yamagata
because it uses the standard gauge tracks of the Yamagata Shinkansen and operates with dedicated rolling stockthe "Yamagata Line"is specifically called
Another main railway line in Yamagata Prefecture,the Uetsu Main Line, has a section that runs along the Sea of Japan,the "Kirakira Uetsu."allowing passengers to enjoy sunsets over the Sea of Japan from the windows of sightseeing trains such as
Although both are main lines, they have the feel of a local line
JR Rikuu West Line (Shinjo Station to Amarume Station: 10 stations, 43.0 km)
This line connects the Ou Main Line and the UetsuMain Line in the northern part of the prefecture and is a popular route known as the "Oku no Hosomichi Mogami River Line"because it allows passengers to enjoy the scenery of the Mogami River.
Kiha 110 series diesel railcar on the Rikuu West Line
However, from May 14, 2022 to 2024, the entire line will be closed due to construction of the Shinjo Sakata Road, and bus transportation will be provided instead
JR Yonesaka Line (Yonezawa Station to Sakamachi Station: 20 stations, 90.7 km)
It was once an important connecting line in the southern part of the prefecture, linking the Ou Main Line and the Uetsu Main Line from east to west, but now it has become a local line with five round trips per day, allowing passengers to enjoy the rural atmosphere and the beauty of the Arakawa River valley
Kiha 110 series diesel railcars, the same type as those on the JR Yonesaka Line
Due to the heavy rains in August 2022, as of September 12th, bus service is being provided on the Yonesaka Line between Imaizumi Station and Sakamachi Station
Two local lines originating in Miyagi Prefecture
Although this article focuses on Miyagi Prefecture's local train lines, we will also introduce some spots within Yamagata Prefecture
Rikuu East Line (Kogota Station to Shinjo Station: 27 stations, 94.1 km)
Because it runs through hot spring areas in Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures,the "Oku no Hosomichi Yukemuri Line," and on the Yamagata side,Akakura OnsenandSemi Onsenthere are hot springs such as
JR Shinjo Station Locomotive Shed
Senzan Line (Sendai Station to Uzen-Chitose: 18 stations, 58.0 km)
famous for its autumn foliage,the Omoshiroyama Momijigawa Valleyfamous for Matsuo Basho's haikuTemple, a mountain templeoffers many tourist attractions, including
Senzan Line (E721 series 1000 series)
summary
Before the prefecture became a car-oriented society, railways developed as a means of transportation during the snowy winters, but many of the lines were discontinued in the 1970s
Even so, there are still many local lines that are loved by locals and are still going strong
Why not stock up on local sake, wine, and bento boxes featuring Yamagata beef and rice, and ride all the local train lines in Yamagata?
I'm a former Edoite (Tokyoite) who loves Morioka and the six prefectures of Tohoku, and I'm a big fan of history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and choral singing.
I'll introduce you to interesting things, delicious food, and great places in Tohoku!
![Mogami safflower](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== ""Mogami Safflower" certified as a Japanese Heritage and Japanese Agricultural Heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami Safflower" certified as a Japanese Heritage and Japanese Agricultural Heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
