Aichi Loop Line

Aikan local train at Yakusa Station.

Aichi Loop Line (愛知環状鉄道線, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō-sen, "Aichi Loop Railway Line") is a Japanese railway line between Okazaki Station, Okazaki and Kōzōji Station, Kasugai, operated by Aichi Loop Line Company (愛知環状鉄道, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō, "Aichi Loop Railway"). The company or the line is abbreviated as Aikan (愛環). This is the only line the company operates. Contrary to its name, the line is not a true loop line, but a north-south line east to central Nagoya, which can be considered as an unclosed loop.

Aichi Loop Line Company is a third sector company, meaning it's a private company funded by public sectors, such as Aichi Prefecture, Toyota City, and others. Unlike typical third sector lines in Japan, Aichi Loop Line is steadily making a profit, since the line functions as a commuter rail for nearby Toyota Motor factories.

Basic data

• Operators, distances:
  • Aichi Loop Line Company (Services and tracks)
    • Okazaki — Kōzōji: 45.3 km / 28.1 mi.
  • Japan Freight Railway Company (Services)
    • Okazaki — Kita-Okazaki: 5.3 km / 3.3 mi.
    • However, the freight rail operation ceased in 1999.
• Gauge: 1067 mm / 3 ft. 6 in.
• Stations: 23
• Double-track line:
  • Naka-Okazaki — Kita-Okazaki
  • Kitano-Masuzuka — Mikawa-Kamigō
  • Setoshi — Kōzōji
• Electric supply: Whole line (1500 V DC)
• Railway signalling: Automatic (ATS-ST)

History

The first section of the line, between Okano and Kitano-Masuzuka, originally started in 1970 as Okata Line (岡多線), a freight rail line of JNR. The section between Kitano-Masuzuka and Shin-Toyota was extended and the whole line started a passenger service in 1976. Another part of the line, between Setoshi and Kōzōji, was originally planned as JNR Seto Line, a once cancelled freight line. Okata Line, merged with the planned Seto Line route and the link between two, was renamed as Aichi Loop Line in 1988. Concurrently, newly founded Aichi Loop Line Company succeeded the line from JR Central.

Services

There is no rapid service. All trains make stop at all stations. Trains run 2 times per an hour in daytime, 3 or 4 times per an hour in morning and evening.

Stations

No.	Station name	Japanese	Total dist. (km)	Transfers	Location (All within Aichi)
01	Okazaki	岡崎	0.0	JR: Tōkaidō Main Line	Okazaki
02	Mutsuna	六名	1.7
03	Naka-Okazaki	中岡崎	3.4	Meitetsu: ■ Nagoya Line (Okazaki-​Kōen-​Mae)
04	Kita-Okazaki	北岡崎	5.3
05	Daimon	大門	6.5
06	Kitano-Masuzuka	北野桝塚	8.7
07	Mikawa-Kamigō	三河上郷	10.7		Toyota
08	Ekaku	永覚	12.4
09	Suenohara	末野原	14.0
10	Mikawa-Toyota	三河豊田	15.9
11	Shin-Uwagoromo	新上挙母	17.6	Meitetsu: ■ Mikawa Line (Uwagoromo)
12	Shin-Toyota	新豊田	19.5	Meitetsu: ■ Mikawa Line (Toyotashi)
13	Aikan-Umetsubo	愛環梅坪	21.5
14	Shigō	四郷	23.5
15	Kaizu	貝津	25.5
16	Homi	保見	26.8
17	Sasabara	篠原	29.2
18	Yakusa	八草	32.0	Aichi Rapid Transit: Linimo (L09)
19	Yamaguchi	山口	34.6		Seto
20	Setoguchi	瀬戸口	36.7
21	Setoshi	瀬戸市	39.1	Meitetsu: ■ Seto Line (Shin-​Seto)
22	Nakamizuno	中水野	41.9
23	Kōzōji	高蔵寺	45.3	JR: Chūō Main Line	Kasugai
Through service to/from Nagoya, JR Chūō Main Line

See also

• List of railway lines in Japan
• Tokai Transport Service Johoku Line

External links

• Template:Ja icon Aikan official website