Tazawako Line
# Tazawako Line

The Tazawako Line (田沢湖線, Tazawako-sen) is a railway line operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) connecting Morioka Station in Morioka, Iwate and Ōmagari Station in Daisen, Akita, Japan.

Akita Shinkansen Komachi trains travel over the line, which was regauged in 1997 from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in).

## History

The section from Morioka to Shizukuishi opened on 25 June 1921, as the Hashiba Light Railway (橋場軽便), and was extended to Hashiba on 2 September 1922. Services to Hashiba Station ended in the 1940s.

In 1964, the Shizukuishi to Akabuchi section opened, and upon completion of the 3,915 m (2.433 mi) Sengan Tunnel, the Akabuchi to Tazawako section opened on 20 October 1966, completing the line.

Freight services ceased in 1982, the year the entire line was electrified.

In 1997, the line was converted to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) gauge, and became part of the Akita Shinkansen, with standard-gauge electric multiple unit (EMU) trains providing local services on the line.

In January 2022 it was announced that Maegata Station would be added between Morioka Station and Ōkama Station. Maegata station opened for service on 18 March 2023.

## Station list

| Station | Japanese | Distance (km) from Morioka | Transfers | | Location | Location |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Morioka | 盛岡 | 0.0 | Akita Shinkansen, Tohoku Shinkansen, Tohoku Main Line, Yamada Line Iwate Galaxy Railway Line | v | Morioka | Iwate |
| Maegata | 前潟 | 3.4 | | ｜ | Morioka | Iwate |
| Ōkama | 大釜 | 6.0 | | ◇ | Takizawa | Iwate |
| Koiwai | 小岩井 | 10.5 | | ◇ | Takizawa | Iwate |
| Shizukuishi | 雫石 | 16.0 | Akita Shinkansen | ◇ | Shizukuishi | Iwate |
| Harukiba | 春木場 | 18.7 | | ｜ | Shizukuishi | Iwate |
| Akabuchi | 赤渕 | 22.0 | | ◇ | Shizukuishi | Iwate |
| Tazawako | 田沢湖 | 40.1 | Akita Shinkansen | ◇ | Senboku | Akita |
| Sashimaki | 刺巻 | 44.4 | | ◇ | Senboku | Akita |
| Jindai | 神代 | 52.8 | | ◇ | Senboku | Akita |
| Shōden | 生田 | 55.3 | | ｜ | Senboku | Akita |
| Kakunodate | 角館 | 58.8 | Akita Shinkansen, Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway Akita Nairiku Line | ◇ | Senboku | Akita |
| Uguisuno | 鶯野 | 61.6 | | ｜ | Daisen | Akita |
| Ugo-Nagano | 羽後長野 | 64.6 | | ◇ | Daisen | Akita |
| Yariminai | 鑓見内 | 67.9 | | ｜ | Daisen | Akita |
| Ugo-Yotsuya | 羽後四ツ屋 | 70.2 | | ◇ | Daisen | Akita |
| Kita-Ōmagari | 北大曲 | 72.0 | | ｜ | Daisen | Akita |
| Ōmagari | 大曲 | 75.6 | Ōu Main Line, Akita Shinkansen (for Akita) | ^ | Daisen | Akita |

### Passing loops

* Ōchizawa passing loop (大地沢信号場, Ōchizawa-shingōjō) is a passing loop located in Shizukuishi, Iwate. (39°40′29″N 140°50′31″E﻿ / ﻿39.674763°N 140.842074°E﻿ / 39.674763; 140.842074)
* Shidonai passing loop (志度内信号場, Shidonai-shingōjō) is a passing loop located in Senboku, Akita.(39°41′25″N 140°46′48″E﻿ / ﻿39.690316°N 140.780134°E﻿ / 39.690316; 140.780134)

### Rolling stock

As of 2022, 701-5000 series trains belonging to Akita General Rolling Stock Center are used on this line.

