This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
There are currently many "electric trains" running on Japan's railways, but because electric trains are vehicles that basically run by continuously drawing in electricity from an external source, they cannot run on lines without power facilities. there are a few vehicles that run on power from on-board storage batteries, like electric cars One line where a battery-powered train runs the Oga Line in Akita Prefecture .
What is the Oga Line?
The Oga Line is a JR East railway line that runs from Oiwake Station in Akita City, Akita Prefecture to Oga Station in Oga City. It is 26.4 km long and has nine stations. As the name suggests, it runs through the Oga Peninsula.
The final stop, Oga Station, is located in the center of Oga City. From Oga Station, you can take the Namahage Shuttle , a ride on an Ainori taxi that requires a reservation in advance, to tour Oga's attractions, such as the Namahage Museum, Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, Shinzan Shrine, Oga Onsen, and Oga Aquarium GAO.
As of the timetable revision in March 2025, there will be 15 round trips of local trains (trains that stop at all stations) running daily on both weekdays and holidays. There are no trains that start or end at Oiwake Station, the starting point of the Oga Line, and all trains run on the Ou Main Line between Akita Station and Oiwake Station. The section between Akita Station and Oga Station, including the Ou Main Line, has been nicknamed the Oga Namahage Line
A train running on the Oga Namahage Line
Oga ran from the Tokyo metropolitan area and entered the Oga Line to Oga Station. For more information, please see the "Oga" article.
The Oga Line is a non-electrified line, meaning that it does not have the power facilities necessary for trains to run (such as power lines strung above the tracks). As a result, regular trains cannot run on it , and diesel railcars that run on diesel fuel must be used. Until the timetable revision in March 2021, the Oga Line also operated diesel railcars called the Kiha 40 series.
What is the EV-E801 series battery-powered train ACCUM?
The Kiha 40 series diesel railcars were around 40 years old and were showing signs of aging, so the Oga Line began introducing new cars in 2017. These new cars are the battery-powered EV-E801 series nicknamed ACCUM
Storage battery train EV-E801 series ACCUM
Each train consists of two cars, and can be operated in two-car or four-car formations. Currently, this is a rare vehicle that only operates on the Oga Line and Ou Main Line (there are other lines where other types of battery-powered trains operate, but these are also limited to certain lines).
Namahage an important intangible folk cultural property of the Oga region , and Namahage is also depicted next to the boarding and alighting doors.
On the electrified Ou Main Line (between Akita Station and Oiwake Station), ACCUM raises the pantograph (current collector) on the roof and runs like a normal train. On the non-electrified Oga Line, however, it cannot operate as a train, so it runs using electricity stored in its onboard batteries, just like an electric vehicle
When the train arrives at its final destination, Oga Station, it raises the pantograph on the overhead wires (electric lines) that are only installed on the platform area, and charges the batteries while the train is stopped.The train then returns to Oiwake Station, running again on the power of the storage batteries.The electricity used to charge the batteries at Oga Station is generated by a wind power plant operated by JR East.
ACCUM stopped at Oga Station, where there are charging facilities
One two-car ACCUM train was introduced in 2017, and five more were introduced in March 2021. This resulted in the retirement of the Kiha 40 series, leaving only ACCUMs running on the Oga Line. Some of the retired Kiha 40 series cars have been transferred to Kominato Railway, a private railway in Chiba Prefecture.
Tourist spots accessible via the Oga Line and the Namahage Shuttle
Generally, traveling in rural areas is inconvenient without a car (your own car or a rental car), but you cannot drive yourself without a driver's license, and even if you can drive yourself, some people may find the cost of renting a car to be a heavy burden
However, if you use the Oga Line and the previously introduced "Namahage Shuttle" (reservations required in advance), you can tour Oga without having to drive yourself (please note that reservations must be made by 9 PM the day before, and that you may have to share the ride if there are other passengers). Here we will introduce spots that can be reached by the Oga Line and Namahage Shuttle.
Roadside Station Oga Namahage Village Ogare
Oga Namahage Village Ogare Roadside Station is a roadside station located a 3-minute walk south from Oga Station, the terminus of the Oga Line. It sells seafood and agricultural products from Oga City, and visitors can interact with Akita dogs (mainly on holidays).
Information <Oga Roadside Station>
Name Roadside Station Oga Namahage Village Ogare
Address: 1-19 Shinhamacho, Funakawa Port, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0185-47-7515
Closed on January 1st and 2nd, and on other special closures during the winter
The Mayama area is home to the Namahage Museum, Oga Mayama Folklore Museum, and Mayama Shrine. The Namahage Museum displays over 150 Namahage masks and costumes, and screens the film "A Night with Namahage" on a large screen. Additionally, the Oga Mayama Folklore Museum, housed in an ancient Magariya folk house, offers educational courses where you can experience Namahage with demonstrations.
According to legend, Oga Onsenkyo is the place where Shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro discovered the hot springs and let his soldiers rest during his expedition to the east. It is said that the head of the Satake clan, who served as lords of the Akita domain during the Edo period, also enjoyed bathing there.
The water at Oga Onsen contains salt, and the salt on your skin after bathing prevents sweat from evaporating, making it popular as a moisturizing, skin-beautifying bath. As of April 2025, there are six inns in operation.
Information<Oga Onsenkyo>
Name: Oga Onsenkyo
Location: Kusakihara, Yumoto, Kitaura, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Oga Aquarium GAO exhibits around 400 species of creatures, including the sandfish, Akita's prefectural fish, as well as polar bears and penguins. The large aquarium, which recreates the waters of Oga from spring to summer, is a sight to behold. This is a representative aquarium in Akita Prefecture, with an exhibition area dedicated to sandfish and unique exhibits such as fish that live in the rivers and fields of Akita's forests.
Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/3810
This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
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Information<Oga Aquarium GAO>
Name: Oga Aquarium GAO
Location: Toga Shiohama, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) From November to February of the following year, 9:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00)
Closed on the third Thursday of every month, etc. (please check)
Depending on the season, the Namahage Shuttle can take you to scenic spots like Nyudozaki, Unshoji Temple, a famous spot for hydrangeas, and the Kanpuzan Rotating Observatory. The Namahage Shuttle only operates at certain times, so please check in advance and plan your visit accordingly.
The Oga Line not only serves as a means of transportation for local residents, but also attracts tourists to Oga with its trains that run nowhere else. Take a ride on the Oga Line and experience the sightseeing spots that can only be found in Oga.
![matagi](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/matagi-150x150.jpg.webp "The popular "Matagi" tradition of wild game began in Kitaakita City! [Akita Prefecture]")
