Hakataminami Line

The Hakataminami Line (Japanese: 博多南線, Hepburn: Hakataminami-sen) is an 8.5-kilometre (5.3 mi) railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, connecting Hakata Station in Fukuoka with Hakataminami Station in Kasuga. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West).^[1]

Native name博多南線

Owner JR West

LocaleFukuoka City

Termini

• Hakata
• Hakataminami

Quick facts Overview, Native name ...

Hakataminami Line
700 series train on the Hakataminami Line, June 2004
Overview
Native name	博多南線
Owner	JR West
Locale	Fukuoka City
Termini	Hakata Hakataminami
Stations	2
Color on map	Blue
Service
Type	Heavy rail
System	Shinkansen
Services	Kodama shuttle
Operator(s)	JR West
Depot(s)	Hakata
Rolling stock	500, 700 and N700 series
History
Opened	1 April 1990; 35 years ago (1990-04-01)
Technical
Line length	8.5 km (5.3 mi)
Number of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	Overhead line, 25 kV 60 Hz AC
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Signalling	Cab signalling
Train protection system	ATC-NS

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The line was originally built by Japanese National Railways (JNR) to shuttle San'yō Shinkansen trains from the Hakata terminal to the Hakata Shinkansen Depot in Kasuga for storage and maintenance. At the time, Kasuga was a rural area, and JNR did not consider a station necessary. By the late 1980s, the area had developed into a suburb of Fukuoka, and JR West constructed Hakataminami Station adjacent to the depot. Service began on 1 April 1990.^[1]

Although the line uses Shinkansen rolling stock, it is not officially designated as a Shinkansen or mini-Shinkansen line.^[2] Most services are Kodama trains entering or leaving service on the San'yō Shinkansen.