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Aichi Loop Line

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Aichi Loop Line
Logo of Aichi Loop Line
Local train approaching Mutsuna Station
Overview
LocaleAichi Prefecture
Termini
Stations23
Service
TypeCommuter rail
Operator(s)Aichi Loop Railway
Rolling stockAichi Loop Railway 2000 series
History
Opened31 January 1988
Technical
Line length45.3 km (28.1 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC
Operating speed110 km/h (68 mph)
Route map
Map of Aichi loop line and other nearby lines
Map of Aichi loop line and other nearby lines

The Aichi Loop Line (愛知環状鉄道線, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō-sen; "Aichi Loop Railway Line") is a Japanese railway line connecting Okazaki Station in Okazaki and Kōzōji Station in Kasugai. It is the sole line operated by Aichi Loop Railway (愛知環状鉄道, Aichi Kanjō Tetsudō). The line and operating company are both abbreviated as Aikan (愛環). Despite its name, the line is a north–south line situated east of Nagoya and not a true loop; however, it can be said to form a loop with the JR Tokaido Line and Chuo Line serving as other portions of the circle.

The Aichi Loop Railway is a third-sector company, with shares held by public sector such as Aichi Prefecture, the city of Toyota, and also by private companies. Unlike typical third-sector lines in Japan, the Aichi Loop Line makes a profit, as it functions as commuter rail for nearby Toyota Motor factories and offices.

History

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The line's construction was proposed by the amended Railway Construction Act on 30 March 1927. The line was described as a railway line starting from Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture, passing through Koromo and terminating at Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture.[1] The Ministry of Railways considered establishing bus routes before constructing railway lines for some of the proposed lines that were considered hard to sustain. Out of the seven candidates, this route was selected as the first bus route of this plan. The bus route opened as the Okata Line (岡多線) on 20 December 1930 with seven buses and ten trucks. This bus line has since been abolished in 2002.[2]

The first section of the line between Okazaki and Kitano-Masuzuka opened in 1970, as a railway line of the Japanese National Railways (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 part of a freight line planned as the JNR Seto Line. The line did not do well under JNR ownership, and it was later designated for closure.[3]

The newly founded third-sector Aichi Loop Line Company took over the line, now renamed to the Aichi Loop Line, from Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), with services starting on 31 January 1988. Beginning on 1 October 2005, through service began with the JR Chuo Main Line to Nagoya Station.[4][3]

Network and operations

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Three to five trains run in each direction per hour, while one or two train run in each direction instead during the first and last hours of service. Trains in two-car or four-car formations are operated. Some services operate with reduced cars, or are not operated at all during weekends.[5]

The line does not form a loop line by itself, although it connects to the Chūō Main Line or the Tōkaidō Main Line on each side of the terminus. Toyota factories and offices, along with various schools, are located alongside the line,[6] and the line transports commuters to those locations, allowing it to turn a profit despite its status as a former JNR-owned third-sector company.[7]

Infrastructure

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Station list

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Station
No. 		Station Japanese Distance (km) Transfers Location
Between
stations 		Total
01 Okazaki 岡崎 - 0.0 Tōkaidō Main Line Okazaki
02 Mutsuna 六名 1.7 1.7  
03 Naka-Okazaki 中岡崎 1.7 3.4 Meitetsu Nagoya Line (Okazaki-Kōen-Mae)
04 Kita-Okazaki 北岡崎 1.9 5.3  
05 Daimon 大門 1.2 6.5  
06 Kitano-Masuzuka 北野桝塚 2.2 8.7  
07 Mikawa-Kamigō 三河上郷 2.0 10.7   Toyota
08 Ekaku 永覚 1.7 12.4  
09 Suenohara 末野原 1.6 14.0  
10 Mikawa-Toyota 三河豊田 1.9 15.9  
11 Shin-Uwagoromo 新上挙母 1.7 17.6 Meitetsu Mikawa Line (Uwagoromo)
12 Shin-Toyota 新豊田 1.9 19.5 Meitetsu Mikawa (Toyota) Line (Toyotashi)
13 Aikan-Umetsubo 愛環梅坪 2.0 21.5  
14 Shigō 四郷 2.0 23.5  
15 Kaizu 貝津 2.0 25.5  
16 Homi 保見 1.3 26.8  
17 Sasabara 篠原 2.4 29.2  
18 Yakusa 八草 2.8 32.0 Linimo (L09)
19 Yamaguchi 山口 2.6 34.6   Seto
20 Setoguchi 瀬戸口 2.1 36.7  
21 Setoshi 瀬戸市 2.4 39.1 Meitetsu Seto Line (Shin-Seto)
22 Nakamizuno 中水野 2.8 41.9  
23 Kōzōji 高蔵寺 3.4 45.3 Chūō Main Line Kasugai
↓Through service to Nagoya Station via the Chūō Main Line↓

Rolling stock

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Services are operated by a fleet of 2-car 2000 series EMUs.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "鉄道敷設法中改正・御署名原本・昭和二年・法律第三七号". www.digital.archives.go.jp. Retrieved 2025-10-24. 愛知県岡崎ヨリ挙母ヲ経テ岐阜県多治見ニ至ル鉄道
  2. ^ "国鉄が開設した「最初のバス路線」とは？ "自動車駅"も存在 当時に近いルートをたどって乗り継いでみた". 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  3. ^ a b "名鉄以外も個性派ぞろい､愛知ご当地鉄道事情". 東洋経済オンライン (in Japanese). 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  4. ^ Terada, Hirokazu (19 January 2013). データブック日本の私鉄 [Databook: Japan's Private Railways]. Japan: Neko Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978-4-7770-1336-4.
  5. ^ "高蔵寺駅の時刻表｜愛知環状鉄道株式会社". www.aikanrailway.co.jp. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  6. ^ "愛知環状鉄道は、名古屋圏つなぐ通勤・通学の足…車窓からは岡崎城を望めます". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  7. ^ "愛知環状鉄道、三セクなのに絶好調 実は沿線に…：朝日新聞". 朝日新聞 (in Japanese). 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  8. ^ 私鉄車両編成表 2012 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2012]. Japan: JRR. July 2012. p. 97. ISBN 978-4-330-29911-2.
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