[Miyagi Prefecture] 3 recommended local lines in Miyagi Prefecture! From the capital of forests to the land of mountains and water

There are many JR local lines in the northern part of the prefecture, and the rush hours for commuting to and from Sendai Station are comparable to those in the metropolitan area. spreads out in the car window.

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 Rikuu East Line (Kogida Station - Shinjo Station: 27 stations 94.1km)

It connects Kogota Station in the northern part of the prefecture with Shinjo Station in Yamagata Prefecture, and is affectionately known as the ``Oku-no-Hosomichi Steam Line'' due to the many hot springs along the line, but due to the lack of passengers, there have been calls for it to be abolished. not.

Recommended points on the JR Rikuu East Line!

As the name suggests, the ``Oku no Hosomichi Steam Line'' has four hot spring stations in the prefecture, and the area near the famous Naruko Onsen Station offers a spectacular view of Naruko Gorge.

During the fall foliage season, you can slow down and drive slowly at scenic spots.

Naruko Onsen Station

There is a free footbath called ``Poppo no Yu'' in front of the station building, where you can easily enjoy the famous bluish sulfur spring with floating flowers.

Why not take a walk while admiring the Naruko Kokeshi dolls that are scattered throughout the station and hot spring town, or try your hand at painting a Kokeshi doll at a Kokeshi shop?

INFORMATION
  • Facility name: Naruko Onsen Station
  • Address: Naruko Onsen Kawarayu, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
  • Phone number: 050-2016-1600
  • Google Map Naruko Onsen Station

 

Rapid steam train

Festival-wrapped reclining seat cars for the six Tohoku prefectures will be introduced in 2022, and retro-wrapped trains commemorating the 150th anniversary of the railway are also in operation.

This is a comfortable train with attendant sales on board and free Wi-Fi service.

INFORMATION
  • Event train: Rapid Yukemuri
  • Period: Every weekend etc.
  • Phone number: 050-2016-1600
  • URL: Rapid steam train

JR Ishinomaki Line (Ogoda Station - Onagawa Station: 14 stations 44.7km)

From Ishinomaki Station, you can enjoy different views from the train window, such as the rural scenery in the direction of Kogoda and the coastline of Mangokuura in the direction of Onagawa.

Recommended points for JR Ishinomaki Line!

During the Great East Japan Earthquake, Onagawa Station was destroyed by the tsunami and there were rumors that it would be abolished, but a new station was built inland and operations resumed.

Onagawa Station is directly connected to Ishinomaki Station on the Senseki Tohoku Line by the first up and last outbound trains.

Ishinomori Manga Museum (Ishinomaki Station)

It was built in the middle of the old Kitakami River, which resembles Manhattan Island, and was named ``Mangattan'' by the late local manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori, and there are exhibits and attractions such as original drawings of his works.

The word "manga" in the facility's name was proposed by Mr. Ishinomori.

During the Great East Japan Earthquake, exhibits and other items were washed away by the tsunami, but with encouragement from all over the country, it was revived 1 year and 8 months later.

INFORMATION
  • Facility name: Ishinomori Manga Museum
  • Address: 2-7 Nakase, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0225-96-5055
  • URL: Ishinomori Manga Museum
  • Google Map Ishinomori Mangakan

 

Mangokuura (Watanami Station - Urashuku Station)

Between Watanoha Station and Urashuku Station, the calm Mangokuura stretches out from the train window.

It is an inland sea where delicious oysters are grown and the sunsets are beautiful.

INFORMATION
  • Name: Mangokuura
  • Google Map Mangokuura

 

JR Kesennuma Line (Maeyachi Station - Yanaizu Station: 6 stations 17.5km)

In the past, the entire line was railway, but now BRT runs from Yanaizu Station to Kesennuma by bus.

The area between Yanaizu Station and Kesennuma Station was severely damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake, and efforts to restore the railway were given up on, and the line was revived as the Kesennuma Line BRT, with buses running on a dedicated road using the original route.

From Maeyachi Station, there is a train that goes directly to Kogoda Station via the Ishinomaki Line.

Recommended points for JR Kesennuma Line!

The railway section offers a view of the countryside, while the BRT section runs along the coast, but the section where you can see the sea is shorter than it was in the railway era, as there is a huge sea wall.

Even so, you can still see the remnants of the railway's past, such as the remains of tunnels and platforms.

Kitakatsumaguroya Tanakamae store (Kesennuma BRT/Fudonosawa Station)

Many repeat customers come here to try the Kamatoro Steak, and the fragrantly grilled swordfish belly is juicy, fatty, yet refreshing, and you can eat as much as you want.

They also have tuna offal, so it's a must-see for tuna lovers.

INFORMATION
  • Facility name: Kitakatsumaguroya Tanakamae store
  • Address: 1-3-18 Tanakamae, Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0226-24-7010
  • URL: Kitakatsumaguroya Tanakamae store
  • Google Map Kitakatsumaguroya Tanakamae store

 

Routes connecting the forest capital of Sendai to the countryside

All of these lines are used for commuting to work or school in the suburbs of Sendai City, and once you get through the city, you can enjoy the atmosphere of a local line.

JR Senseki Line (Aoba-dori Station - Ishinomaki Station: 33 stations 49.0km)

Most of the lines run underground in the center of Sendai city, but they are not directly connected to the Sendai Municipal Subway.

This is the only line that stops at Matsushima Kaigan Station, so it is a popular way to sightsee in Matsushima.

JR Senzan Line (Sendai Station - Uzen Chitose Station: 18 stations 58.0km)

After passing through Ayashi Station, a commuter town in Sendai City, the train gradually becomes deeper into the mountains and transforms into a local line that runs through a mountainous area.

JR Joban Line (Nippori Station - Iwanuma Station: 80 stations 343.7km)

It is the longest line in Japan that cannot be called a ``main line,'' and it joins the Tohoku Main Line, which separates at its starting point, Nippori Station, at its terminal point, Iwanuma Station.

JR Tohoku Main Line (Tokyo Station - Morioka Station: 150 stations 535.3km)

It used to be Japan's longest railway line, running from Ueno Station to Aomori Station, but now there are no night trains departing from Ueno, and there are no direct trains from Tokyo to Morioka.

JR Senseki Tohoku Line (Sendai Station - Ishinomaki Station: 21 stations 48.5km)

This line fulfills the local desire to shorten the travel time between Sendai and Ishinomaki by connecting the Senseki Line and the Tohoku Main Line and taking advantage of the advantages of each.

Other local trains you should take in Miyagi Prefecture

The Abukuma Express Line that comes from Fukushima is also a valuable transportation route to the southern part of the prefecture.

Abukuma Express Line (Fukushima Station - Tsukigi Station: 24 stations 54.9km)

On the third sector route introduced in Fukushima's local lines, recommended points along the route in Miyagi Prefecture include JAXA Kakuda Space Center in Kakuda and the German-style craft beer shop Sennan Shinken Factory.

INFORMATION
  • Facility name: Kakuda Space Center
  • Address: 1 Kimigaya Koganazawa, Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0224-68-3111
  • URL: JAXA Kakuda Space Center
  • Google Map Kakuda Space Center

 

INFORMATION

 

summary

In the past, when it came to Miyagi's local trains, ``Kurihara Denen Tetsudo'' was the most representative.

Nicknamed ``Kuriden,'' the cute one-car train that ran through the countryside was popular, but it was sadly discontinued in August 2010.

Now, you can meet vehicles from yesteryear at the Kuriden Museum in Kurihara City.

INFORMATION
  • Facility name: Kuriden Museum
  • Address: 17-1 Kawakitazukanone, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture
  • Phone number: 02281-24-7961
  • URL: Kuriden Museum
  • Google Map Kuriden Museum

 

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