Yosan Line

The Yosan Line (予讃線, Yosan-sen) is the principal railway line on the island of Shikoku in Japan, connecting the major cities of Shikoku, and via the Honshi-Bisan Line, with Honshu. It is operated by the Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku), and is aligned approximately parallel with the Inland Sea coast, connecting the prefectural capitals of Takamatsu (Kagawa Prefecture) and Matsuyama (Ehime Prefecture) and continuing on to Uwajima. The name of the line comes from Iyo (伊予) and Sanuki (讃岐), the old names of Ehime and Kagawa, respectively.

Yosan Line
JR Shikoku 8000 series Shiokaze limited express near Kan'onji Station
Overview
TypeHeavy rail
LocaleKagawa, Ehime Prefectures
TerminiTakamatsu
Uwajima
Stations94
Operation
Opened1889
Operator(s)JR Shikoku
Technical
Line length297.6 km (184.9 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationTakamatsu — Iyoshi (1,500 V DC)
Operating speed130 km/h (80 mph)
Route map

The line consists of two alignments between Mukaibara and Iyo-Ōzu. The original main line follows the coast via Iyo-Nagahama, while the direct line, opened in 1986 as a bypass of the lengthy coastal route, goes through the mountains via Uchiko, part of which is known as the Uchiko Line (as it was originally part of the Uchiko branch), and all limited express trains now use this route.

Until 1988 the Yosan Line, along with the Dosan Line, connected with the Rail Ferry (from Uno) at Takamatsu Station. Direct services from Okayama now operate with the completion of the Great Seto Bridge system, over which the Honshi-Bisan Line travels.

Basic data
  • Operators, distances:
    • Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) (Services and tracks)
      • Takamatsu — Uwajima: 297.6 km (184.9 mi)
      • Mukaibara — Uchiko: 23.5 km (14.6 mi)
      • Niiya — Iyo-Ōzu: 5.9 km (3.7 mi)
    • Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight) (Services)
      • Takamatsu – Iyo-Yokota: 203.0 km (126.1 mi)
  • Double-tracked section: Takamatsu – Tadotsu
  • Railway signalling: Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
  • Maximum speed:
    • Takamatsu – Matsuyama: 130 km/h (80 mph)
    • Matsuyama – Uchiko, Iyo-Iwaki – Unomachi: 120 km/h (75 mph)
    • Other sections: 110 km/h (70 mph)

Services

As the most important trunk line of Shikoku, the line has many limited express services. These include:

There are two rapid services. The Sunport Nanpū Relay-Gō rapid service connects Takamatsu and Iyo-Saijō. The Marine Liner rapid service connects Takamatsu with Okayama via the Seto-Ōhashi Line.

Local service typically serves one of four sections of the Yosan Line, generally divided at Kan'onji, Iyo-Saijō, and Matsuyama.

History

The first segment of the line, from Tadotsu to Marugame, was constructed by the Sanuki Railway Co. and commenced operation in 1889. The Marugame - Takamatsu section opened in 1897, and in the company was nationalised in 1906.

The line was extended west from Tadotsu in sections commencing in 1913, reaching Matsuyama in 1927. Further west, a private 762mm (2'6") gauge line was opened from Iyo Nagahama - Iyo Ozu, with the line being privatised in 1933. The line from Matsuyama was extended in sections to Iyo Nagahama between 1927–35, with the former private line being regauged to 1067mm (3'6") gauge in 1935. Further western extensions opened 1936-45, when Uwajima (and the Yodo Line) was connected to the Yosan line.

On August 1, 1933, the entire line was renamed the Yosan Main Line. In 1987, with the privatization of the Japanese National Railways, the line became simply the Yosan Line.

The Takamatsu - Tadotsu section was duplicated 1965-70, and CTC signalling commissioned in 1985 between Takamatsu - Matsuyama. The 'direct line' between Mukaibara - Iyo Ozu (including the 6,012m Inuyose tunnel) opened in 1986, incorporating part of the former Uchicko branch and shortening the route by 6.3 km.

The Takamatsu - Tadotsu section was electrified in 1987, enabling direct Takamatsu - Okayama services when the Seto Ohashi Bridge system opened the following year.

The Iyo Hojo - Matsumoto - Iyoshi section was electrified in 1990, with the Tadotsu - Imabari section being energised in 1992, and the Imabari - Iyo Hojo section in 1993, enabling direct Matsuyama - Okayama electric services to be introduced.

Following the Tohoku major earthquake, JR Shikoku, JR East, and JR Freight announced that JR Shikoku's popular Ampanman Torokko Train would tour areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.[1]

Former connecting lines

Sakaide station -

  • The Kotohira Express Railway Co. operated a 16 km line to Kotohira on the Dosan Line 1930-44, with the line formally closing in 1954.
  • The Kotohira Sangu Railway Co. operated a 27 km line to Tadotsu 1922/28 - 63, with a 7 km branch to Kotohira operated 1923-63.

Niihama Station - The Sumitomo Copper Co. operated a 15 km 762 mm gauge line to Hinokiogawa (known as the 'bottom line') opened in 1893 which included a 3 km duplicated section. It carried passengers 1929-55, and was electrified at 600 V DC in 1950. The mine closed in 1973 and the railway 4 years later. An isolated 5.5 km 762 mm line, situated at 80 0m elevation (known as the 'top line') and connected to the bottom line by a cableway operated 1893–1911.

Station list
  • Local trains stop at every station.
  • For information on the Shiokaze, Ishizuchi, Uwakai and other limited express services, please see their respective articles.
Legend
Station: "●": all trains stop; "▲": some trains stop; "｜": all trains pass
Track: "∥": double-track section; "◇": single-track section (passing allowed); "｜": single-track section (no passing); "v" & "^": transition to/from double-track section

Takamatsu – Iyo-Saijō
  • Sunport: Includes Sunport Nanpū Relay-Gō rapid service; non-rapid Nanpū Relay-Gō trains stop at every station.
Station
number		 Station Japanese Distance (km) Rapid Transfers   Location
Between
stations		 Total Sunport Marine Liner
Y00 Takamatsu 高松 - 0.0 ● ● ■ Kōtoku Line (T28)
Kotoden Kotohira Line (Takamatsu-Chikkō)		 ∥ Takamatsu Kagawa
Y01 Kōzai 香西 3.4 3.4 ｜ ｜   ∥
  Takamatsu Freight Terminal 高松貨物ターミナル 1.3 4.7 ｜ ｜   ∥
Y02 Kinashi 鬼無 1.4 6.1 ▲ ▲   ∥
Y03 Hashioka 端岡 3.4 9.5 ● ▲   ∥
Y04 Kokubu 国分 2.4 11.9 ▲ ▲   ∥
Y05 Sanuki-Fuchū 讃岐府中 2.3 14.2 ｜ ｜   ∥ Sakaide
Y06 Kamogawa 鴨川 2.4 16.6 ▲ ▲   ∥
Y07 Yasoba 八十場 2.0 18.6 ｜ ｜   ∥
Y08 Sakaide 坂出 2.7 21.3 ● ● Honshi-Bisan Line (Seto-Ōhashi Line: Marine Liner through service[* 1]) ∥
Y09 Utazu 宇多津 4.6 25.9 ● Honshi- Bisan Line through service Honshi-Bisan Line (Seto-Ōhashi Line: some trains through to Tadotsu and Takamatsu[* 1]) ∥ Utazu, Ayauta District
Y10 Marugame 丸亀 2.6 28.5 ●   ∥ Marugame
Y11 Sanuki-Shioya 讃岐塩屋 1.5 30.0 ●   ∥
Y12 Tadotsu 多度津 2.7 32.7 ● ■ Dosan Line (D12) (some trains through towards Utazu) ∨ Tadotsu, Nakatado District
Y13 Kaiganji 海岸寺 3.8 36.5 ●   ◇
  Tsushimanomiya[* 2] 津島ノ宮 3.3 39.8 ●   ｜ Mitoyo
Y14 Takuma 詫間 2.2 42.0 ●   ◇
Y15 Mino みの 2.5 44.5 ●     ｜
Y16 Takase 高瀬 2.5 47.0 ●     ◇
Y17 Hijidai 比地大 3.0 50.0 ●     ｜
Y18 Motoyama 本山 2.4 52.4 ●     ◇
Y19 Kan'onji 観音寺 4.1 56.5 ●     ◇ Kan'onji
Y20 Toyohama 豊浜 5.5 62.0 ●     ◇
Y21 Minoura 箕浦 4.4 66.4 ●     ◇
Y22 Kawanoe 川之江 5.8 72.2 ●     ◇ Shikokuchūō Ehime
Y23 Iyo-Mishima 伊予三島 5.4 77.6 ●     ◇
Y24 Iyo-Sangawa 伊予寒川 4.1 81.7 ●     ◇
Y25 Akaboshi 赤星 4.2 85.9 ●     ｜
Y26 Iyo-Doi 伊予土居 2.7 88.6 ●     ◇
Y27 Sekigawa 関川 3.6 92.2 ●     ◇
Y28 Takihama 多喜浜 7.2 99.4 ●     ◇ Niihama
Y29 Niihama 新居浜 3.7 103.1 ●     ◇
Y30 Nakahagi 中萩 4.8 107.9 ●     ◇
Y31 Iyo-Saijō 伊予西条 6.4 114.3 ●     ◇ Saijō
(continues below)
  1. Trains traveling through onto the Honshi-Bisan Line from Takamatsu do not serve Utazu but pass through it; this is reflected in fare calculations.
  2. Tsushimanomiya Station opens only during the August 4 and 5 summer festival at the nearby Tsushima Shrine. Among seasonal stations the station has the shortest number of operating days per year in Japan.

Iyo-Saijō – Iyo-Nagahama – Uwajima
Station
number		 Station Japanese Distance (km) Transfers   Location
Between
stations		 From
Takamatsu
(continued from above)
Y31 Iyo-Saijō 伊予西条 - 114.3   ◇ Saijō
Y32 Ishizuchiyama 石鎚山 3.5 117.8   ◇
Y33 Iyo-Himi 伊予氷見 2.5 120.3   ｜
Y34 Iyo-Komatsu 伊予小松 1.3 121.6   ◇
Y35 Tamanoe 玉之江 2.9 124.5   ｜
Y36 Nyūgawa 壬生川 2.3 126.8   ◇
Y37 Iyo-Miyoshi 伊予三芳 3.4 130.2   ◇
Y38 Iyo-Sakurai 伊予桜井 7.6 137.8   ◇ Imabari
Y39 Iyo-Tomita 伊予富田 3.8 141.6   ◇
Y40 Imabari 今治 3.3 144.9   ◇
Y41 Hashihama 波止浜 4.7 149.6   ◇
Y42 Namikata 波方 2.7 152.3   ◇
Y43 Ōnishi 大西 4.1 156.4   ◇
Y44 Iyo-Kameoka 伊予亀岡 5.5 161.9   ◇
Y45 Kikuma 菊間 4.0 165.9   ◇
Y46 Asanami 浅海 4.7 170.6   ◇ Matsuyama
Y47 Ōura 大浦 3.2 173.8   ◇
Y48 Iyo-Hōjō 伊予北条 3.1 176.9   ◇
Y49 Yanagihara 柳原 2.2 179.1   ｜
Y50 Awai 粟井 1.2 180.3   ◇
Y51 Kōyōdai 光洋台 2.0 182.3   ｜
Y52 Horie 堀江 2.6 184.9   ◇
Y53 Iyo-Wake 伊予和気 2.1 187.0   ◇
Y54 Mitsuhama 三津浜 3.7 190.7   ◇
Y55
U00		 Matsuyama 松山 3.7 194.4 Iyotetsu Ōtemachi Line (Matsuyama-Ekimae) ◇
U01 Ichitsubo 市坪 3.5 197.9   ◇
U02 Kita-Iyo 北伊予 2.4 200.3   ◇ Masaki, Iyo District
U02-1 Minami-Iyo 南伊予 1.6 201.9   ｜ Iyo
U03 Iyo-Yokota 伊予横田 1.1 203.0   ｜ Masaki, Iyo District
U04 Torinoki 鳥ノ木 1.8 204.8   ｜ Iyo
U05 Iyoshi 伊予市 1.2 206.0 ■ Iyotetsu Gunchū Line (Gunchūkō) ◇
U06
S06		 Mukaibara 向井原 2.5 208.5 ■ Yosan Line (for Uchiko) ｜ Iyo
S07 Kōnokawa 高野川 5.4 213.9   ｜
S08 Iyo-Kaminada 伊予上灘 3.2 217.1   ◇
S09 Shimonada 下灘 5.3 222.4   ｜
S10 Kushi 串 2.6 225.0   ｜
S11 Kitanada 喜多灘 3.2 228.2   ｜ Ōzu
S12 Iyo-Nagahama 伊予長浜 4.9 233.1   ◇
S13 Iyo-Izushi 伊予出石 2.8 235.9   ｜
S14 Iyo-Shirataki 伊予白滝 3.4 239.3   ◇
S15 Hataki 八多喜 2.4 241.7   ｜
S16 Haruka 春賀 1.7 243.4   ｜
S17 Gorō 五郎 2.3 245.7   ｜
  Iyo-Wakamiya Junction 伊予若宮信号場 - (247.1) Official junction of Uchiko branch ◇
S18
U14		 Iyo-Ōzu 伊予大洲 3.8 249.5 ■ Yosan Line (for Niiya) ◇
U15 Nishi-Ōzu 西大洲 2.1 251.6   ｜ Ōzu
U16 Iyo-Hirano 伊予平野 1.9 253.5   ◇
U17 Senjō 千丈 7.1 260.6   ◇ Yawatahama
U18 Yawatahama 八幡浜 2.2 262.8   ◇
U19 Futaiwa 双岩 4.7 267.5   ◇
U20 Iyo-Iwaki 伊予石城 4.9 272.4   ◇ Seiyo
U21 Kami-Uwa 上宇和 3.0 275.4   ｜
U22 Unomachi 卯之町 2.0 277.4   ◇
U23 Shimo-Uwa 下宇和 2.6 280.0   ◇
U24 Tachima 立間 6.6 286.6   ◇ Uwajima
U25 Iyo-Yoshida 伊予吉田 2.7 289.3   ◇
U26 Takamitsu 高光 4.6 293.9   ｜
U27 Kita-Uwajima 北宇和島 2.2 296.1 ■ Yodo Line (G46)[** 1] ◇
U28 Uwajima 宇和島 1.5 297.6 ■ Yodo Line (G47) ∧
  1. Although the official start of the Yodo Line is at Kita-Uwajima, all trains run through to/from Uwajima

Mukaibara – Uchiko – Iyo-Ōzu
  • Station list includes the Uchiko Line section between Uchiko and Niiya.
  • All stations located in Ehime Prefecture.
Line Station
number		 Station Japanese Distance (km) Transfers   Location
Between
stations		 Total
Yosan
Line		 U06 Mukaibara 向井原 - From Mukaibara
0.0		 From Takamatsu
208.5		 ■ Yosan Line (for Matsuyama (U06), Iyo-Nagahama (S06))
All trains through to Iyoshi and/or Matsuyama		 ｜ Iyo
U07 Iyo-Ōhira 伊予大平 2.8 2.8 211.3   ｜
U08 Iyo-Nakayama 伊予中山 7.4 10.2 218.7   ◇
U09 Iyo-Tachikawa 伊予立川 6.7 16.9 225.4   ◇ Uchiko, Kita District
U10 Uchiko 内子 6.6 23.5 232.0   ◇
Uchiko
Line		 From Niiya
5.3
U11 Ikazaki 五十崎 1.6 3.7 233.6   ｜
U12 Kitayama 喜多山 2.5 1.2 236.1   ｜ Ōzu
U13 Niiya 新谷 1.2 0.0 237.3   ◇
Yosan
Line
  Iyo-Wakamiya Junction 伊予若宮信号場 - (3.5) (240.8) Official junction of Iyo-Nagahama branch ◇
U14 Iyo-Ōzu 伊予大洲 5.9 5.9 243.2 ■ Yosan Line (for Uwajima (U14), Iyo-Nagahama (S18))
Some trains through to Uwajima		 ◇
gollark: Anyway, have you not noticed how all the documentation and design of potatOS was written *after* all the code?
gollark: You could just say that. It would probably be clearer.
gollark: Most of these things are in the Apiaristics Division building, not dedicated complexes, but still.
gollark: We have to manufacture messiahs *somewhere* and it's really rather hard without a centralized facility.
gollark: It *may* also have been retroactively self-causing.

See also

References

This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia

  1. "「アンパンマントロッコ」東北へ、被災地の子供たちに笑顔と元気をお届け!". 2012-02-07. Retrieved April 4, 2012.

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