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List of closed railway lines in Japan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Due to motorization beginning in the 1960s, the completion of the Meishin Expressway, the debut of Boeing 727 planes on domestic flights in Japan, and the depopulation of rural areas, many railway lines in Japan have been forced to close down due to lack of riders and increased costs to maintain the lines.[1] With Japanese National Railways (JNR) building more and more infeasible lines, along with additional Shinkansen lines such as the San'yō Shinkansen, nearly all JNR lines – except for those in the Tokyo area and Shinkansen lines – fell into deficit, putting the existence of JNR at risk.[2] This resulted in movements to close such infeasible railway lines owned by the JNR, such as those known as the Deficit 83 Lines and Specified local lines.

The closure of deficit local lines around Japan continues today, post-disbandment of JNR and formation of Japan Railways Group. In November 2016, JR Hokkaido announced that it was unable to maintain most of its railway lines, with the length of unmaintainable sections exceeding 1,200 km.[3][4] Deficit railway lines in Japan have largely been replaced by bus services or transferred to third sector companies, although some replacement bus lines have later been closed due to a lack of users.[5]

Between the mid-1990s and fiscal 2025, approximately 1,366 km of railway track across 68 sections—about 5% of Japan’s total network—were discontinued, according to analysis by Kyodo News. The closures were concentrated in rural and depopulating areas, with around one-third of the total length located in Hokkaido.[6]

Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism indicate that the rate of closures has increased over time: 387 km were closed by fiscal 2005, 445 km in the following decade, and 534 km by fiscal 2025.[6]

Of the total discontinued track, 680 km were operated by companies formed after the privatisation of Japanese National Railways, while 686 km were run by other railway operators. In Hokkaido, two local railway companies alone accounted for the closure of 140 km and 116 km of lines, respectively.[6]

Closed railway lines

  • This list does not include industrial lines and lines that were transferred to 3rd sector companies that still operate as a railway line.
  • Station names use names at the time of line closure.
More information Name of the line, Photo ...
Name of the line Photo Prefecture Terminus Length of closed section Closure date
Aioi Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Bihoro–Kitami-Aioi 36.8 km (22.9 mi) April 1, 1985[7]
Bikō Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Bifuka–Niupu 21.2 km (13.2 mi) September 17, 1985[8]
Haboro Line
Hokkaidō Rumoi–Horonobe 141.1 km (87.7 mi) March 30, 1987[9]
Hiroo Line
Hokkaidō Obihiro–Hiroo 84.0 km (52.2 mi) February 2, 1987[10]
Iburi Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Kutchan–Datemombetsu
Kyōgoku–Wakikata
83.0 km (51.6 mi)
7.5 km (4.7 mi)
November 1, 1986[11]
Iwanai Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Kozawa–Iwanai 14.9 km (9.3 mi) July 1, 1985[12]
Kōhin'hoku Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Hama-Tombetsu–Kitami-Esashi 30.4 km (18.9 mi) July 1, 1985[13]
Kōhin'nan Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Ōmu–Okoppe 19.9 km (12.4 mi) July 15, 1985[14]
Konpoku Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Shiretoko-Shari–Koshikawa 12.8 km (8.0 mi) December 1, 1970[15]
Manji Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Shibun–Manji-Tanzan 23.8 km (14.8 mi) April 1, 1985[16]
Setana Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Kunnui–Setana 48.4 km (30.1 mi) March 16, 1987[17][18]
Shihoro Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Obihiro–Tokachi-Mitsumata 78.3 km (48.7 mi) March 23, 1987[19]
Shiranuka Line
Hokkaidō Shiranuka–Hokushin 33.1 km (20.6 mi) October 23, 1983[20]
Shokotsu Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Shokotsu–Kitami-Takinoue 34.3 km (21.3 mi) April 1, 1985[21]
Temiya Line
Hokkaidō Minami-Otaru–Temiya 2.8 km (1.7 mi) November 5, 1985[22]
Tomiuchi Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Mukawa–Hidakachō 82.5 km (51.3 mi) November 1, 1986[23]
Yūmō Line
Hokkaidō Naka-Yūbetsu–Abashiri 121.8 km (75.7 mi) March 20, 1987[24]
Sasshō Line
Hokkaidō Shin-Totsukawa–Ishikari-Numata
Hokkaidō-Iryōdaigaku–Shin-Totsukawa
34.9 km (21.7 mi)
47.6 km (29.6 mi)
June 19, 1972[25]
April 17, 2020[26]
Chihoku Line
Hokkaidō Ikeda–Kitami 140.0 km (87.0 mi) Transferred to Hokkaidō Chihoku Kōgen Railway Company on June 4, 1989, then closed on April 21, 2006[27]
Esashi Line
Hokkaidō Goryōkaku–Kikonai
Kikonai–Esashi
37.8 km (23.5 mi)
42.1 km (26.2 mi)
Transferred to South Hokkaido Railway Company on March 26, 2016.[28]
May 12, 2014.[29]
Hakodate Main Line branch
Hokkaidō Sunagawa–Kami-Sunagawa 7.3 km (4.5 mi) May 16, 1994[30]
Horonai Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Iwamizawa–Ikushumbetsu
Mikasa–Horonai
18.1 km (11.2 mi)
2.7 km (1.7 mi)
July 13, 1987[31]
Matsumae Line [ja]
—
Hokkaidō Kikonai–Matsumae 50.8 km (31.6 mi) February 1, 1988[32]
Nayoro Main Line
Hokkaidō Nayoro–Engaru
Naka-Yūbetsu–Yūbetsu
138.1 (85.8 mi)
4.9 km (3.0 mi)
May 1, 1989[33]
Rumoi Main Line
Hokkaidō Rumoi–Mashike
Rumoi–Ishikari-Numata
16.7 km (10.4 mi)
35.7 km (22.2 mi)
December 4, 2016[34][35]
April 1, 2023[36]
Shibetsu Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Shibecha–Nemuro-Shibetsu
Naka-Shibetsu–Attoko
69.4 km (43.1 mi)
47.5 km (29.5 mi)
April 30, 1989[37]
Shinmei Line
Hokkaidō Fukagawa–Nayoro 121.8 km (75.7 mi) September 4, 1995[38]
Tempoku Line
Hokkaidō Otoineppu–Minami-Wakkanai 148.9 km (92.5 mi) May 1, 1989[39]
Utashinai Line [ja]
Hokkaidō Sunagawa–Utashinai 14.5 km (9.0 mi) April 25, 1988[40]
Hakodate Transportation Bureau Shinonome Line [ja]
—
Hokkaidō Horai-Chō–Matsukaze 1.6 km (1.0 mi) April 1, 1992[41]
Sekishō Line Yūbari branch line
Hokkaidō Yūbari–Shin-Yūbari 16.1 km (10.0 mi) March 31, 2019[42]
Nemuro Main Line (Partial)
Hokkaidō Furano–Shintoku 81.7 km April 1, 2024[43]
Ugo Kōtsū Ogachi Line [ja]
-
Akita Nishimonai–Fumoto
Yuzawa–Nishimonai
2.8 km (1.3 mi)
8.9 km (5.5 mi)
December 1, 1967[44]
April 1, 1973[44]
Yamagata Kōtsū Takahata Line [ja]
Yamagata Takahata–Niijyuku
Nukanome–Takahata
10.4 km (6.4 mi)
5.2 km (3.2 mi)
October 1, 1968[45]
November 18, 1974[45]
Yamagata Kōtsū Obanazawa Line [ja]
-
Yamagata Ōishida–Obanazawa 2.6 km (1.6 mi) September 10, 1970[46]
Ugo Kōtsū Ousyou Line [ja]
-
Akita Yokote–Numadate 15.3 km (9.5 mi) July 20, 1971[47]
Hanamaki Dentetsu Line [ja]
Iwate Hanamaki–Hanamaki-Onsen 8.2 km (5.0 mi) February 16, 1972[48]
Kawamata Line [ja]
Fukushima Matsukawa–Iwashiro-Kawamata 12.2 km (7.6 mi) May 14, 1972[49]
Yamagata Kōtsū Sanzan Line [ja]
Yamagata Uzen-Takamatsu–Mazawa 11.4 km (7.1 mi) November 18, 1974[50]
Shōnai Kōtsū Yunohama Line [ja]
Yamagata Tsuruoka–Yunohama-Onsen 12.3 km (7.6 mi) April 1, 1975[51]
Niccyū Line [ja]
Fukushima Kitagata–Atsushio 11.6 km (7.2 mi) April 1, 1984[52]
Kōnan Railway Kuroishi Line
Aomori Kawabe–Kuroishi 6.2 km (3.9 mi) April 1, 1998[53]
Shimokita Kōtsu Ōhata Line [ja]
Aomori Shimokita–Ōhata 18.0 km (11.2 mi) April 1, 2001[54]
Nanbu Jūkan Railway Nanbu Jūkan Railway Line
Aomori Noheji–Shichinohe 20.9 km (13.0 mi) August 1, 2002[55]
Kurihara Den'en Railway Line
Miyagi Ishikoshi–Hosokura Mine Park Mae 25.7 km (16.0 mi) April 1, 2007[56]
Kosaka Smelting & Refining Kosaka Line
Akita Ōdate–Kosaka 22.3 km (13.9 mi) April 1, 2009[57]
Towada Kankō Electric Railway Line
Aomori Misawa–Towadashi 14.7 km (9.1 mi) April 1, 2012[58][59]
Iwaizumi Line
Iwate Moichi–Iwaizumi 38.4 km (23.8 mi) April 1, 2014[60]
Ōfunato Line (Partial)
Iwate Kesennuma–Sakari 43.7 km (27.1 mi) April 1, 2020[61]
Kesennuma Line (Partial)
Miyagi Yanaizu–Kesennuma 55.3 km (34.3 mi) April 1, 2020[61]
Agatsuma Line branch line
Gunma Naganohara–Ōshi 5.8 km (3.6 mi) May 1, 1971[62]
Chūō Main Line branch lines
Tokyo Kokubunji–Tōkyō-Keibajyō-Mae
Kita-Fuchū–Shimogawara
5.6 km (3.5 mi)
3.8 km (2.4 mi)
April 1, 1973[63]
September 20, 1976[63]
Itsukaichi Line branch line
Tokyo Musashi-Itsukaichi–Musashi-Iwai 2.7 km (1.6 mi) November 15, 1982[64]
Sagami Line branch line
Kanagawa Samukawa–Nishi-Samukawa 1.5 km (0.9 mi) March 31, 1984[65]
Odakyū Mukōgaoka-Yūen Monorail Line
Kanagawa Mukōgaoka-Yūen–Mūkōgaoka-Yūen Seimon 1.1 km (0.6 mi) February 1, 2001[66]
Hitachi Dentetsu Line [ja]
Ibaraki Ōmika–Jōhoku-Ōta, Ayukawa 18.1 km (11.2 mi) April 1, 2005[67]
Kashima Railway Line
Ibaraki Ishioka–Hokota 26.9 km (16.7 mi) April 1, 2007[68]
Ueno Zoo Monorail
Tokyo Ueno Zoo East–Ueno Zoo West 0.3 km (0.18 mi) December 27, 2023[69]
Yanagase Line [ja]
Fukui
Shiga
Tsuruga–Kinomoto 26.1 km (16.1 mi) May 11, 1964[70]
Akatani Line [ja]
Niigata Shibata–Higashi-Akatani 18.9 km (11.7 mi) April 1, 1984[71]
Uonuma Line [ja]
Niigata Raikōji–Nishi-Ojiya 12.6 km (7.8 mi) April 1, 1984[72]
Shimizukō Line
Shizuoka Shimizu–Miho 8.3 km (5.2 mi) April 1, 1984[73]
Yahiko Line (partial)
-
Niigata Higashi-Sanjō–Echigo-Nagasawa 7.9 km (4.9 mi) April 1, 1985[74]
Niigata Kōtsū Densya Line [ja]
Niigata Hakusan-Mae–Higashi-Sekiya 36.1 km (22.4 mi) April 1, 1993[75]
Shin'etsu Main Line (Partial)
Gunma
Nagano
Yokokawa–Karuizawa 11.7 km (7.2 mi) October 1, 1997[76]
Tokaido Main Line branch line (Partial)
-
Aichi Nagoya kamotsu Terminal–Nishi Nagoyakō 7.0 km (4.3 mi) March 31, 2001[77]
Noto Railway Nanao Line (Partial)
Ishikawa Nanao–Anamizu 20.4 km (12.6 mi) April 1, 2001[78]
Meitetsu Ibi Line [ja]
Gifu Chūsetsu–Hon-Ibi 12.7 km (7.8 mi) October 1, 2001 (~Hon-Ibi)
April 1, 2005 (Entire Line)[79]
Meitetsu Tanigumi Line [ja]
Gifu Kurono–Tanigumi 7.6 km (4.7 mi) October 1, 2001[79]
Meitetsu Yaotsu Line [ja]
Gifu Akechi–Yaotsu 7.3 km (4.5 mi) October 1, 2001[80]
Meitetsu Takehana Line (Partial)
Gifu Egira–Ōsu 6.7 km (4.1 mi) October 1, 2001[81]
Nagano Electric Railways Kato Line [ja]
Nagano Yashiro–Kishima 50.4 km (31.3 mi) April 1, 2002 (Shinshu-Nakano–Kishima)[82]
Keifuku Electric Railroad Eiheiji Line [ja]
Fukui Kanazuchi–Eiheiji 24.6 km (15.2 mi) September 18, 1969 (Kanazuchi–Higashifuruguchi)
October 21, 2002 (Higashifuruguchi–Eiheiji)[83]
Meitetsu Mikawa Line (Partial)
Aichi Hekinan–Kira-Yoshida
Sanage–Nishi-Nakagane
25.0 km (15.5 mi) April 1, 2004[84]
Meitetsu Gifu Shinai Line
Gifu Gifueki-Mae–Nagarakitamachi, Chūsetsu 7.6 km (4.7 mi) April 1, 2005[79]
Meitetsu Minomachi Line [ja]
Gifu Tetsumeichō–Seki 18.8 km (11.6 mi) April 1, 2005[85]
Meitetsu Tagami Line [ja]
Gifu Tagami–Keirinjo-Mae 1.4 km (0.8 mi) April 1, 2005[86]
Noto Line
Ishikawa Anamizu–Takojima 61.0 km (37.9 mi) April 1, 2005[87]
Tōkadai Shin-kōtsū Peach Liner
Aichi Komaki–Tōkadai-Higashi 7.4 km (4.6 mi) October 1, 2006[88]
Kamioka Line [ja]
Gifu Inotani–Okuhida-Onsenguchi 19.9 km (12.4 mi) December 1, 2006[89]
Meitetsu Monkey Park Monorail Line
Aichi Inuyama-Yūen–Dōbutsuen 1.2 km (0.75 mi) December 28, 2008[90]
Hokuriku Railroad Ishikawa Line (Partial)
Ishikawa Tsurugi–Kaga-Ichinomiya 2.1 km (1.3 mi) November 1, 2009[91]
Yashiro Line [ja]
Nagano Yashiro–Suzaka 24.4 km (15.2 mi) April 1, 2012[92]
Sasayama Line
Hyogo Sasayamaguchi–Fukusumi 17.6 km (10.9 mi) March 1, 1972[93]
Maizuru Line branch line
Kyoto Higashi-Maizuru–Naka-Maizuru 3.4 km (2.1 mi) November 1, 1972[94]
Wakayama Line (Old route)
-
Wakayama Tainose–Kiwa Unknown October 1974[95]
Fukuchiyama Line branch line
Hyogo Tsukaguchi–Amazaki-kō 4.6 km (2.8 mi) February 1, 1984[96]
Takasago Line
Hyogo Kakogawa–Takasago-kō 8.0 km (4.9 mi) December 1, 1984[97]
Bantan Line (Branch line)
Hyogo Himeji–Shikamakō 5.6 km (3.5 mi) October 31, 1986[98]
Kajiya Line
Hyogo Nomura–Kajiya 13.2 km (8.2 mi) April 1, 1990[99]
Katamachi Line (partial)
Osaka Kyōbashi–Katamachi 0.5 km (0.3 mi) March 8, 1997[100]
Wakayamako Line (partial)
Wakayama Wakayamako–Suiken 2.6 km (1.6 mi) May 26, 2002[101]
Arita Tetsudo Arita Tetsudo Line [ja]
Wakayama Fujinami–Kanayaguchi 5.6 km (3.4 mi) January 1, 2003[102]
Miki Railway Miki Line
Hyogo Yakujin–Miki 6.6 km (4.1 mi) April 1, 2008[103]
Ujina Line (JNR) [ja]
Hiroshima Hiroshima–Ujina 5.9 km (3.7 mi) April 1, 1972, freight services terminated October 1, 1986.[104]
Shimotsui Dentetsu Shimotsui Line [ja]
Okayama Kojima–Chayamachi
Shimotsui–Kojima
14.5 km (9.0 mi)
16.5 km (10.2 mi)
April 1, 1972[105]
January 1, 1991[105]
Kurayoshi Line [ja]
Tottori Kurayoshi–Yamamori 20.0 km (12.4 mi) April 1, 1985[106]
Taisha Line (JR West)
Shimane Izumoshi–Taisha 7.5 km (4.7 mi) April 1, 1990[107]
Katakami Line [ja]
Okayama Katakami–Yanahara 33.8 km (21.0 mi) July 1, 1990[108]
Mine Line (branch line)
Yamaguchi Minami-Ōmine–Ōmine 2.8 km (1.7 mi) April 1, 1997[109]
Kabe Line (partial)
Hiroshima Kabe–Sandankyō 46.2 km (28.7 mi) December 1, 2003[110]
Sankō Line
Shimane
Hiroshima
Gōtsu–Miyoshi 108.1 km (67.1 mi) April 1, 2018[111]
Skyrail Midorizaka Line
Hiroshima Midoriguchi–Midori-Chuo 1.3 km (0.8 mi) May 1, 2024[112]
Kajiyabara Line [ja]
Tokushima Itano–Kajiyabara 6.9 km (4.3 mi) January 16, 1972[113]
Komatsushima Line [ja]
Tokushima Nakata–Komatsushima 1.9 km (1.2 mi) March 14, 1985[114]
Uchiko Line (Partial)
Ehime Gorō–Niiya 0.2 km (0.1 mi) March 2, 1986[115]
Close

Closed railway lines in Kyūshū, Okinawa

More information Name of the line, Photo ...
Name of the line Photo Prefecture Terminus Length of closed section Closure date
Ashiya Line [ja] Fukuoka Ongagawa–Chikuzen-Ashiya 6.2 km (3.9 mi) April 1, 1961[116]
Yunoki Line [ja] Nagasaki Hidariishi–Yunoki 3.9 km (2.4 mi) September 1, 1967[117]
Koubukuro Line [ja] Fukuoka Kotake–Futase
Koubukuro–Ikisu
7.6 km (4.7 mi) and
2.5 km (1.5 mi) (freight branch)
December 8, 1969[118]
Karatsu Line branch line Saga Yamamoto–Kishitake 4.1 km (2.5 mi) August 20, 1971[119]
Usunoura Line [ja] Nagasaki Saza–Usunoura 3.8 km (2.4 mi) December 26, 1971[120]
Sechibaru Line [ja] Nagasaki Yoshii–Sechibaru 6.7 km (4.2 mi) December 26, 1971[120]
Ōita Kōtsū Yabakei Line [ja] Ōita Nakatsu–Morizane-Onsen 36.1 km (22.4 mi) October 1, 1975[121]
Chikuhi Line (Partial) Hakata–Meinohama
Nijinomatsubara–Yamamoto
TBA March 22, 1983[122]
Makurazaki Line Ijūin–Makurazaki 49.6 km (30.8 mi) March 18, 1984[123]
Tsuma Line [ja] Sadowara–Sugiyasu 19.3 km (12.0 mi) December 1, 1984[124]
Miyanoharu Line [ja] Era–Higo-Okuni 26.6 km (16.5 mi) December 1, 1984[125]
Katsuki Line [ja] Nakama–Katsuki 3.5 km (2.2 mi) April 1, 1985[126]
Muroki Line [ja] Ongagawa–Muroki 11.2 km (7.0 mi) April 1, 1985[127]
Soeda Line [ja] Kawara–Soeda 12.1 km (7.5 mi) April 1, 1985[128]
Katsuta Line [ja] Yoshizuka–Chikuzen-Katsuta 13.8 km (8.6 mi) April 1, 1985[129]
Yabe Line [ja] Hainuzuka–Kurogi 19.7 km (12.2 mi) April 1, 1985[130]
Kikuchi Line
(Partial)
Miyoshi–Kikuchi 10.6 km (6.6 mi) February 16, 1986[131]
Urushio Line [ja] Shimo-Kamoo–Shimo-Yamada 7.9 km (4.9 mi) April 1, 1986[132]
Miyanojyō Line [ja] Sendai–Satsuma-Ōkuchi 66.1 km (41.1 mi) January 10, 1987[133]
Ōsumi Line [ja] Kokubu–Shibushi 98.3 km (61.1 mi) March 14, 1987[134]
Saga Line [ja] Saga–Setaka 24.1 km (14.9 mi) March 28, 1987[135]
Shibushi Line [ja] Nishi-Miyakonojyō–Shibushi 38.6 km (24.0 mi) March 28, 1987[136]
Yamano Line [ja] Minamata–Kurino 55.7 km (34.6 mi) February 1, 1988[137]
Kami-Yamada Line [ja] Iizuka–Buzen-Kawasaki 25.9 km (16.0 mi) September 1, 1988[138]
Miyada Line [ja] Katsuno–Chikuzen-Miyada 5.3 km (3.3 mi) December 23, 1989[139]
Hososhima Line [ja] Hyūgashi–Hososhima 3.5 km (2.2 mi) December 1, 1993[140]
Nishi Nippon Railroad Kita-Kyūshū Line [ja] Kurosaki-Ekimae–Orio 5.1 km (3.1 mi) November 26, 2000[141]
Nishitetsu Kaizuka Line (partial) Nishitetsu-Shingū–Tsuyazaki 9.9 km (6.1 mi) April 1, 2007[142]
Takachiho Railway Line Nobeoka–Takachiho 50.0 km (31.1 mi) September 6, 2007 (Nobeoka-Makimine)
December 28, 2008 (Rest of the line)[143]
Shimabara Railway Line (partial) Shimabarakō–Kazusa 35.3 km (21.9 mi) April 1, 2008[144]
Close

Railway lines to be closed

These lines have

See also

Notes

1.^ Although Kato Line was closed, the line was technically split into several lines, where the "Yashiro Line" section became an actual line after the closure of the Kato Line and the "Kishima Line" section, and the remaining section was incorporated into Nagano Line. As of 2024, only the section between Suzaka and Yudanaka remains in operation.
2.^ The length of the entire former line, including sections that still operate as a part of Nagano line.
3.^ Kabe–Aki-Kameyama rebuilt and reopened on March 4, 2017.[110]

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