The Tazawako Line (田沢湖線, Tazawako-sen) is a railway line operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) connecting Morioka Station in Morioka, Iwate and Ōmagari Station in Daisen, Akita, Japan.

Tazawako Line
Series E6 Shinkansen EMU runs on Tazawako Line
Overview
Native name田沢湖線
LocaleIwate, Akita prefectures
Termini
Stations18
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Operator(s)JR East
Rolling stock701 series
History
Opened25 June 1921 (1921-06-25)
Technical
Line length75.6 km (47.0 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Electrification20,000 V AC, 50 Hz overhead catenary
Operating speed130 km/h (80 mph)
Route map


km
0.0
Morioka Akita Shinkansen
3.4
Maegata
6.0
Ōkama
10.5
Koiwai
16.0
Shizukuishi Akita Shinkansen
18.7
Harukiba
22.0
Akabuchi
Hashiba
closed
1944
28.6
Ochizawa signal box
Sengan
Tunnel
3.915 mi
6.301 km
34.4
Shiodonai signal box
40.1
Akita ShinkansenTazawako
44.4
Sashimaki
52.8
Jindai
55.3
Shōden
58.8
Kakunodate Akita Shinkansen
61.6
Uguisuno
64.6
Ugo-Nagano
67.9
Yariminai
70.2
Ugo-Yotsuya
72.0
Kita-Ōmagari
75.6
Ōmagari Akita Shinkansen

Akita Shinkansen Komachi trains travel over the line, which was regauged in 1997 from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in).

History

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The section from Morioka to Shizukuishi opened on 25 June 1921, as the Hashiba Light Railway (橋場軽便), and was extended to Hashiba on 2 September 1922.[1] Services to Hashiba Station ended in the 1940s.

In 1964, the Shizukuishi to Akabuchi section opened, and upon completion of the 3,915 m (2.433 mi) Sengan Tunnel, the Akabuchi to Tazawako section opened on 20 October 1966, completing the line.[1]

Freight services ceased in 1982, the year the entire line was electrified.[citation needed]

In 1997, the line was converted to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) gauge, and became part of the Akita Shinkansen, with standard-gauge electric multiple unit (EMU) trains providing local services on the line.

In January 2022 it was announced that Maegata Station would be added between Morioka Station and Ōkama Station.[2] Maegata station opened for service on 18 March 2023.

Station list

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Station Japanese Distance (km)
from Morioka
Transfers   Location
Morioka 盛岡 0.0 Akita Shinkansen, Tohoku Shinkansen, Tohoku Main Line, Yamada Line
Iwate Galaxy Railway Line
v Morioka Iwate
Maegata 前潟 3.4
Ōkama 大釜 6.0   Takizawa
Koiwai 小岩井 10.5  
Shizukuishi 雫石 16.0 Akita Shinkansen Shizukuishi
Harukiba 春木場 18.7  
Akabuchi 赤渕 22.0  
Tazawako 田沢湖 40.1 Akita Shinkansen Senboku Akita
Sashimaki 刺巻 44.4  
Jindai 神代 52.8  
Shōden 生田 55.3  
Kakunodate 角館 58.8 Akita Shinkansen, Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway Akita Nairiku Line
Uguisuno 鶯野 61.6   Daisen
Ugo-Nagano 羽後長野 64.6  
Yariminai 鑓見内 67.9  
Ugo-Yotsuya 羽後四ツ屋 70.2  
Kita-Ōmagari 北大曲 72.0  
Ōmagari 大曲 75.6 Ōu Main Line, Akita Shinkansen (for Akita) ^
Passing loops

Rolling stock

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As of 2022, 701-5000 series trains belonging to Akita General Rolling Stock Center are used on this line.

References

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  1. ^ a b Ishino, Tetsu, ed. (1998). 停車場変遷大辞典 国鉄・JR編 [Station Transition Directory - JNR/JR] (in Japanese). Vol. I. Japan: JTB. p. 75. ISBN 4-533-02980-9.
  2. ^ "田沢湖線盛岡駅~大釜駅間の新駅名を「前潟駅」に決定しました" [The new station name between Morioka Station and Okama Station on the Tazawako Line has been decided to be "Maegata Station".] (PDF). jreast.co.jp (in Japanese). 27 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
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