Chizu Express
Japanese third-sector railway
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Chizu Express (智頭急行株式会社, Chizu kyūkō Kabushikigaisha) is a Japanese third-sector railway that connects Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures. Chizu Express operates one line, the Chizu Line.
| |
Native name | 智頭急行株式会社 |
|---|---|
| Company type | Third-sector |
| Genre | Rail transport |
| Founded | 31 May 1986 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Area served | Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures |
| Services | Passenger railway |
| Website | www |
Unlike the majority of third-sector railway companies which operate at a loss, Chizu Express makes a profit due to the track access fees paid by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) to use the Chizu Line for its Limited Express trains Super Hakuto and Super Inaba. Net profit after tax for the 2024-2025 financial year was ¥263,580,481.[1]
Chizu Express Chizu Line
| Chizu Express Chizu Line | |
|---|---|
 A Chizu Express HOT7000 series train | |
| Overview | |
| Native name | 智頭急行智頭線 |
| Status | In operation |
| Owner | Chizu Express |
| Locale | Hyōgo, Okayama and Tottori prefectures |
| Termini | |
| Stations | 14 |
| Service | |
| Type | Regional rail |
| Operator(s) | Chizu Express |
| Rolling stock | HOT7000 series DMU, HOT3500 series DMU, KiHa 187 series DMU |
| History | |
| Opened | 3 December 1994 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 56.1 km (34.9 mi) |
| Number of tracks | Entire line single tracked |
| Character | Rural |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Minimum radius | 260 m |
| Electrification | None |
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
The Chizu Line connects Kamigōri Station in Kamigōri, Hyōgo Prefecture and Chizu Station in Chizu, Tottori Prefecture.
The 56.1 km (34.9 mi) Chizu Line is not electrified, but is a high-grade railroad with an operating speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). JR West Limited Express services Super Hakuto and Super Inaba operate on this line.
Some local trains operate a through service from Chizu to/from Tottori on the JR West Inbi Line.
| Name | Japanese | Distance (km) | Transfers | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamigōri | 上郡 | 0.0 |   Sanyo Main Line |
Hyōgo | Kamigōri, Akō District |
| Kokenawa | 苔縄 | 4.8 | |||
| Konohara-Enshin | 河野原円心 | 7.4 | |||
| Kuzaki | 久崎 | 12.2 | Sayō, Sayō District | ||
| Sayo | 佐用 | 17.2 |  Kishin Line | ||
| Hirafuku | 平福 | 22.5 | |||
| Ishii | 石井 | 27.1 | |||
| Miyamoto Musashi | 宮本武蔵 | 30.6 | Okayama | Mimasaka | |
| Ōhara | 大原 | 33.2 | |||
| Nishi-Awakura | 西粟倉 | 37.4 | Nishiawakura, Aida District | ||
| Awakura-Onsen | あわくら温泉 | 40.6 | |||
| Yamasato | 山郷 | 47.2 | Tottori | Chizu, Yazu District | |
| Koi-Yamagata | 恋山形 | 50.0 | |||
| Chizu | 智頭 | 56.1 |  Inbi Line | ||
| Through service to Tottori on the Inbi Line | |||||
History
Construction of the line was approved under the Railway Construction Act in 1922 and commenced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in June 1966.[2] Work was well advanced when a freeze on expenditure in 1980 resulted in construction being halted with 95% of the route acquired and 93% of the earthworks completed.[2]
The Tottori Prefectural Government facilitated the establishment of the Chizu Express Company in May 1986, which resumed construction.[2]
The line opened on December 3, 1994, and includes the 5,592 m Shitozaka tunnel.[2]
On the same day JR West's Super Hakuto Limited Express service commenced operation Shin-Osaka — Osaka — Tottori — Kurayoshi using the Chizu Line. Travel time between Osaka & Tottori was reduced to 2.5 hours, 1.5 hours faster than previous Limited Express trains[3]. Trains were extended to operate to/from Kyoto - initially as a temporary train[ja] from April 1995 then permanently for all trains from March 16, 1996. From March 16, 2024, 5 round trips were changed to operate to/from Osaka instead of Kyoto, leaving Kyoto with only 2 trips in each direction per day.
From November 29, 1997, the JR West Limited Express Super Inaba service commenced between Okayama and Tottori.[2]
