Sangi Railway

Sangi Railway (三岐鉄道 sangi tetsudō), is a railroad company providing connections between the Kintetsu and JR to Inabe via two different rail lines. The southern line known as the Sangi Line runs from Yokkaichi, and the northern line known as the Hokusei Line runs from Kuwana. The Hokusei Line, formerly owned by Kintetsu, has the distinction of being one of the four narrowest railway tracks in all of Japan (in fact 3 of the 4 are in Mie), and the cars are also a bit narrow.

The name "Sangi" is a combination of the kanji for Mie (三重) and Gifu (岐阜) and historically the line was meant to connect northern Mie to parts of Gifu, in the end of Sangi's train and bus lines run inside of Mie Prefecture, though Inabe is adjacent to Gifu. A few attractions like the railroad museum and the Wisteria Tetsudo large scale model railroad are in this area. To drum up business on this small railway they sponsor events like the Santa Train.

The two lines run relatively parallel and one can see the limestone quarry on the side of the mountain from the front of the trains, particularly in the winter when the mountain is striped with snow. Several cargo trains hauling limestone run down the Sangi Line and park in the yard at JR Tomida Station. Definitely a lot of interest for rail fans around this area.

General Details

All of the trains are local trains stopping at each station. Trains average just over two per hour with most trains continuing to the end of the line. Trains stopping short will be marked with a kanji character on the schedule to indicate which station is their final stop. Yellow and orange trains are for passengers. Brown and yellow trains are hauling limestone.

Map

This map shows the general layout of the two lines and associated bus routes. Note that in several places it is less than a 30 minute walk between the lines.

• Map

Schedule

Clicking on the name of a station will show the ascending and descending train departure times.

• Schedules

Fares

Clicking on the name of a station will show the fares from that station to all other stations on the same line.

• Fare Calculator

Discount Tickets

Many options are available for reduced fares as well. They can be purchased at attended stations.

• Day pass (1日乗り放題パス ichinichi norihōdai pasu)

  ¥1000 for unlimited travel on both lines

• Ageki Onsen round trip ticket (阿下喜温泉往復割引乗車券 ageki onsen ōfuku waribiki jōsha-ken)

  ¥1000 from Nishi Kuwana station, includes onsen fee. Lower prices from other stations.

• Multiple use tickets (回数券 kaisū-ken)

  Eleven rides for the price of ten, three month limit

• Off peak multiple use tickets (昼間割引回数券 hiruma waribiki kaisū-ken)

  Six rides for the price of five, three month limit, may be used between 10 and 4 on weekdays or anytime Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

• Commuter pass (定期券 teiki-ken)

  One, three, and six month passes as well as passes aligned to school terms (both trimester and semester)

Lines

Sangi Line

The Sangi Line (三岐線) runs from Kintetsu-Tomida Station in Yokkaichi to Nishi-Fujiwara Station in Inabe. It may be boarded directly from the Kintetsu platform at Tomida. Tickets can be purchased from the office at the west exit or from the conductor on the train.

Bicycles may be taken on the train with the following restrictions:

• Between Misato and Nishi-Fujiwara anytime is OK
• Between Oyachi and Daian - Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays are OK. Additionally, during Spring, Summer, and Winter holidays from 9AM to 4PM is OK.

There are recommended cycling courses near Heizu, Nyugawa/Ise-Hatta, and Nishi-Fujiwara stations.

Stations:

• Tomida (富田) - Connects with the Kintetsu Nagoya Line.
• Ōyachi (大矢知)
• Heizu (平津)
• Akatsuki Gakuen Mae (暁学園前)
• Yamajō (山城) - Not "Yamashiro"
• Hobo (保々) - Awesome name for a country train stop
• Hokusei Chūō Kōen Mae (北勢中央公園前)
• Umedoi (梅戸井)
• Daian (大安)
• Misato (三里) - Not to be confused with 美里 in Tsu
• Nyūgawa (丹生川)
• Ise-Hatta (伊勢治田)
• Higashi Fujiwara (東藤原)
• Nishi Nojiri (西野尻)
• Nishi Fujiwara (西藤原)

Hokusei Line

The Hokusei Line (北勢線) runs from Nishi Kuwana Station in Kuwana to Ageki Station in Inabe. It cannot be boarded directly from Kuwana Station, you have to go out the JR side of Kuwana Station, turn right, and walk about 200 meters. Eventually you'll find Nishi Kuwana Station, a cute little station which is immediately in front of the bus rotary and Lottteria. Despite its name and directions, it is actually southeast of Kuwana Station.

The narrow tracks make this line especially popular among Japanese railway fans.

Stations:

• Nishi Kuwana (西桑名) - Connects with the Kintetsu and JR (at Kuwana Station)
• Umamichi (馬道)
• Nishi Bessho (西別所)
• Rengeji (蓮花寺)
• Ariyoshi (在良)
• Hoshikawa (星川)
• Nanawa (七和)
• Anō (穴太) - Not to be confused with 安濃 in Tsu
• Tōin (東員)
• Ōizumi (大泉)
• Sohara (楚原)
• Ōda (麻生田)
• Ageki (阿下喜)

Community Bus

There are three community buses in the Tōin area which cost ¥100 for adults and are free for children. These are small orange buses which are not part of the Sangi company, but are aligned well with the stations.

• North-South Route

  Runs between Hokusei Chuo Koenguchi station and Toin station, servicing Oyashiro shrine, Toin town hall and Neopolis

• Eastern Route

  Runs from Ano station, servicing Toin Hospital and Neopolis

• East-West Route

  Runs between Ano and Toin stations, servicing the town hall. Since the town hall is near Toin station, this line will not be useful to most people.