Difference between revisions of "Sangi Railway"

Revision as of 15:52, 24 December 2010

Sangi Tetsudo (三岐鉄道), is a railroad company providing connections between the Kintetsu and JR lines to Inabe City (員弁市) via two railways. The southern route is the Sangi Line (三岐線), running from the Kintetsu Tomida Station (近鉄富田) to Nishi Fujiwara Station (西藤原), and the northern route is the Hokusei Line (北勢線) running from Nishi Kuwana Station (西桑名) to Ageki Station (阿下喜).

Reportedly, the name is a combination of Mie and Gifu; while, Inabe City is adjacent to Gifu, their train and bus lines are all inside of Mie Prefecture. A few attractions like the railroad museum and the large scale model railroads are in this area. To drum up business on this small railway they sponsor events like the Santa Train.

The northern line, formerly owned by Kintetsu, has the distinction of being the narrowest track in Japan, and the cars are also a bit narrow. The tracks 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 they 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.

Sangi Line

The Sangi Line may be boarded directly from the Kintetsu Tomida Station. 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 (三里) and Nishi Fujiwara (西藤原) anytime is OK. Between Oyachi (大矢知) and Daian (大安) 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 (平津), Nyugawa/Ise Hatta (丹生川・伊勢治田), and Nishi Fujiwara (西藤原) stations.

Sangi Line Stations

• 富田 Tomida
• 大矢知 Oyachi
• 平津 Heizu
• 暁学園前 Akatsuki Gakuenmae
• 山城 Yamajo (not, Yamashiro)
• 保々 Hobo (awesome name for a country train stop)
• 北勢中央公園前 Hokusei Chuo Koenmae (perhaps the longest name in Japan)
• 梅戸井 Umedoi
• 大安 Daian
• 三里 Misato (not to be confused with 美里 in Tsu)
• 丹生川 Nyugawa
• 伊勢治田 Ise Hatta
• 東藤原 Higashi Fujiwara
• 西野尻 Nishi Nojiri
• 西藤原 Nishi Fujiwara

Hokusei Line

The Hokusei Line may be boarded from the Nishi Kuwana Station. This station (despite its name and directions found on the internet) is just east and south of Kuwana station. After getting off either Kintetsu or JR trains, go out the east exit, turn right, and walk about 200 meters. Just past the outdoor toilets, bus office, and Lotteria you will find a cute little station.

Hokusei Line Stations

• 西桑名 Nishi Kuwana
• 馬道 Umamichi
• 西別所 Nishi Bessho
• 蓮花寺 Rengeji
• 在良 Ariyoshi
• 星川 Hoshikawa
• 七和 Nanawa
• 穴太 Ano (Not to be confused with 安濃 in Tsu)
• 東員 Toin
• 大泉 Oizumi
• 楚原 Sohara
• 麻生田 Oda
• 阿下喜 Ageki