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Nihonkai (train)
Encyclopedia
East Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
(JR East). The train runs overnight between Osaka Station
Osaka Station
is a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
and Aomori Station
Aomori Station
is a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
using the Tōkaidō Main Line
Tokaido Main Line
The is the busiest trunk line of the Japan Railways Group , connecting Tōkyō and Kōbe stations. It is long, not counting its many freight feeder lines around the major cities...
, Kosei Line
Kosei Line
The is one of commuter rail lines and services in Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto Metropolitan Area, operated by West Japan Railway Company. The line was completed in 1974 by the former Japanese National Railways to provide faster access from the Kansai region to the Hokuriku region...
, Hokuriku Main Line
Hokuriku Main Line
The is a 358.3 kilometer line of the West Japan Railway Company from Maibara Station in Maibara, Shiga to Naoetsu Station in Jōetsu, Niigata. It serves the Hokuriku region on the northern central coast of Honshū, the largest island of Japan, as well as offering connections to the regions of...
, Shin'etsu Main Line
Shin'etsu Main Line
The is a set of lines operated by the East Japan Railway Company in Japan. The bulk of the line runs from Shinonoi Station in Nagano Prefecture to Niigata Station in Niigata Prefecture, with several connections to other lines including Hokuriku Main Line at Naoetsu Station in Niigata Prefecture...
, Uetsu Main Line
Uetsu Main Line
The is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
, and Ōu Main Line
Ou Main Line
The is a railway line in Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company . It runs from Fukushima Station in Fukushima, Fukushima through Akita Station in Akita, Akita to Aomori Station in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture...
.
Area of operations
The Nihonkai operates between Osaka StationOsaka Station
is a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
and Aomori Station
Aomori Station
is a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
on the following lines:
- Tōkaidō Main LineTokaido Main LineThe is the busiest trunk line of the Japan Railways Group , connecting Tōkyō and Kōbe stations. It is long, not counting its many freight feeder lines around the major cities...
(JR Kyoto LineJR Kyoto LineThe is the common name of a portion of the Tōkaidō Main Line, between Kyoto Station and Osaka Station. The line is one of commuter rail lines and services in Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto Metropolitan Area, owned and operated by West Japan Railway Company ....
) - Kosei LineKosei LineThe is one of commuter rail lines and services in Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto Metropolitan Area, operated by West Japan Railway Company. The line was completed in 1974 by the former Japanese National Railways to provide faster access from the Kansai region to the Hokuriku region...
- Hokuriku Main LineHokuriku Main LineThe is a 358.3 kilometer line of the West Japan Railway Company from Maibara Station in Maibara, Shiga to Naoetsu Station in Jōetsu, Niigata. It serves the Hokuriku region on the northern central coast of Honshū, the largest island of Japan, as well as offering connections to the regions of...
- Shin'etsu Main LineShin'etsu Main LineThe is a set of lines operated by the East Japan Railway Company in Japan. The bulk of the line runs from Shinonoi Station in Nagano Prefecture to Niigata Station in Niigata Prefecture, with several connections to other lines including Hokuriku Main Line at Naoetsu Station in Niigata Prefecture...
- Uetsu Main LineUetsu Main LineThe is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
- Ōu Main LineOu Main LineThe is a railway line in Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company . It runs from Fukushima Station in Fukushima, Fukushima through Akita Station in Akita, Akita to Aomori Station in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture...
There are two trains which operate daily. The journey time is around fifteen hours, depending on the exact route taken.
Locomotive
The Nihonkai is hauled by a JNR Class EF81JNR Class EF81
The EF81 class of electric locomotives are Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement multi-voltage AC/DC electric locomotives operated on passenger and freight services in Japan.-EF81-300:...
electric locomotive dispatched from Tsuruga and operated by JR West Fukui Operations Center.
Passenger cars
- 24 series cars based at JR East Aomori depot
- Generator car: Kani 24
- Car No. 1: Orone 25-300: Class A single deluxe private compartments
- Car No. 2: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 3: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 4: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 5: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 6: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 7: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 8: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car Nos. 9-11: Ohane 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- Car No. 12: Ohanefu 25: Class B open compartment couchettes
- During the off-season, Car Nos. 9-12 are not used.
Conductors for the train are managed by the Ōsaka Conductors Office.
Designated stops
- ●：Stop
- ↓・↑：Pass, does not stop
- ■ or ■ indicates areas where the Class B cars can be used as a normal (non-sleeper) Limited Express seat.
- ■ indicates a Standing Seat Limited Express Ticket is required.
- ■ indicates a Reserved Seat Ticket is required.
Station ↓ ↑ Osaka Osaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....● ● Shin-Ōsaka Shin-Osaka Stationis a train station in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the western terminus of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and the eastern terminus of the Sanyō Shinkansen. The lines are physically joined, and many trains offer through service....● ● Kyoto Kyoto Stationis the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest train station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof...● ● Tsuruga Tsuruga Stationis a JR West railway station in Tsuruga, Fukui, Japan. It is located on the Hokuriku Main Line, Obama Line. The station is operating normally, but the platforms and station entrance are currently under construction...● ● Fukui Fukui Station (Fukui)is a JR West and Echizen Railway train station located in the city of Fukui, Fukui Prefecture, Japan.Fukui-Ekimae Station on the Fukui Railway Fukubu Line is located approximately 150 meters to the west.- JR Fukui Station :...● ● Kagaonsen Kagaonsen Stationis a train station in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...● ● Kanazawa Kanazawa StationKanazawa Station is a JR West railway station located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the biggest station in Ishikawa Prefecture....● ● Takaoka ● ● Toyama Toyama Stationis a JR West railway station located in the city of Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.It is the biggest terminal station in Toyama.The , the terminal of the local Toyama Chihō Railway is next to the JR Toyama Station.-Lines:*JR West**Hokuriku Main Line...● ● Uozu Uozu Stationis a train station in Uozu, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...● ● Itoigawa Itoigawa Stationis a JR West railway station located in the city of Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.-Lay out:1 side platform and 1 Island platform with Kirikaki platform.-History:...● ● Naoetsu Naoetsu Stationis a JR East and JR West railway station in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. It is located on the Hokuriku and Shinetsu main lines, as well as the Hokuhoku Line.-Lines:*JR East**Shinetsu Main Line*JR West**Hokuriku Main Line*Hokuetsu Express**Hokuhoku Line...● ● Niitsu Niitsu Stationis a railway station in Akiha-ku, Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company .-Lines:Niitsu Station is served by the following lines.* Uetsu Main Line* West Ban'etsu Line* Shin'etsu Main Line-External links:*...● ↑ Tsuruoka Tsuruoka Stationis a JR East railway station located in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...● ● Sakata Sakata Station (Yamagata)is a East Japan Railway Company railway station located in Sakata, Yamagata, Japan.-Limited express trains:* Inaho * Akebono * Nihonkai -Adjacent stations:...● ● Ugo-Honjō Ugo-Honjo Stationis a railway station located in Yurihonjō, Akita Prefecture, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company .-Lines:* Uetsu Main Line. Runs north-south along the coast.* Yuri Kōgen Railway Chōkai Sanroku Line. Small line running from Honjo to Yashima....● ● Akita Akita Stationis a railway station in Akita, Akita, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-Platforms:- Limited express trains :* Komachi * Tsugaru * Inaho * Akebono * Nihonkai -Surrounding area:...● ● Higashi-Noshiro Higashi-Noshiro Stationis a railway station on the JR East. It is located in Noshiro, Akita, Japan.-Station structure:* 2-way, 3-track, above-ground station.Platforms...● ● Takanosu Takanosu StationTakanosu Station is a station on the Ōu Main Line in Kita-Akita, Akita.-Lines:*JR East Ōu Main Line*Akita Nairiku Railway Akita Nairiku Line-Adjacent stations:...● ● Ōdate Station Odate Stationis the western terminus of the Hanawa Line, and also a station on the Ōu Main Line located in Odate, Akita. Ōdate Station is home to a Hachikō statue .- Lines :* JR East** Ōu Main Line** Hanawa Line...● ● Ōwani Owani Stationof Kōnan Railway Company and of East Japan Railway Company northern Ōu Main Line an integrated railway station located in the town of Ōwani, Minamitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture Japan...● ● Hirosaki Hirosaki Stationis a joint railway station on the JR East northern Ōu Main Line and Kōnan Railway located in the city of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture Japan. It is 447.1 rail kilometers from the southern terminus of the Ōu Main Line at Fukushima Station...● ● Aomori Aomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...● ●
History
- July 31, 1924: With the completion of the Uetsu Main LineUetsu Main LineThe is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
, an express running between Kobe Station and Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
was created, however from Toyama StationToyama Stationis a JR West railway station located in the city of Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.It is the biggest terminal station in Toyama.The , the terminal of the local Toyama Chihō Railway is next to the JR Toyama Station.-Lines:*JR West**Hokuriku Main Line...
north, it ran as a local train. - August 15, 1926: The entire trip to Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
was switched to Express Service. - September 15, 1929: The service diagram was revised so that travel was between Osaka StationOsaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
and Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
. - February 1, 1943: The express train between Osaka StationOsaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
and Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
ceased operation. - July 5, 1947: An express train that would become the origin of the Nihonkai began passenger service between Osaka StationOsaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
and Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
. - November 8, 1950: The above-mentioned express train was formally christened "Nihonkai".
- February 9, 1961: While the Nihonkai was traveling on the Uetsu Main LineUetsu Main LineThe is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
, the ground under the tracks collapsed causing a derailment. The C57 steam locomotive was seriously damaged. - October 1, 1968: With the introduction of the 20 series Passenger Car (Sleeper Car), the Nihonkai became an Overnight Limited Express train. Furthermore, the Nihonkai became a newly created Overnight Limited Express, the former Overnight Express became the new KitaguniKitaguniThe is an overnight train service that operates in Japan. Operated by West Japan Railway Company , it runs between Niigata Prefecture and Osaka in the Kansai region...
. - 1969: While in the Hokuriku Tunnel a fire broke out on-board the Nihonkai. Three years later, on-board the KitaguniKitaguniThe is an overnight train service that operates in Japan. Operated by West Japan Railway Company , it runs between Niigata Prefecture and Osaka in the Kansai region...
an identical fire broke out, and killed thirty people. - March 10, 1975: The Nihonkai began using the Kosei LineKosei LineThe is one of commuter rail lines and services in Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto Metropolitan Area, operated by West Japan Railway Company. The line was completed in 1974 by the former Japanese National Railways to provide faster access from the Kansai region to the Hokuriku region...
. Also, the change to 14 series passenger cars was made, however the inclusion of a dining car was ceased. The 14 series cars which were used for special and seasonal trains began running two trains in each direction. Later in 1976, the train switched to using 24/25 series cars. At this time, the use of a train headboard on the locomotive was discontinued. - October 2, 1978: The Nihonkai, which had been running as a seasonal train, was upgraded to regular service, running one train in each direction. All trains used 24/25 series cars following the withdrawal of 14 series cars from service.
- November 15, 1982: The KitaguniKitaguniThe is an overnight train service that operates in Japan. Operated by West Japan Railway Company , it runs between Niigata Prefecture and Osaka in the Kansai region...
, which was running the same route as the Nihonkai, was changed to service Niigata StationNiigata Stationis a train station operated by East Japan Railway Company in Chūō-ku, Niigata, Japan. It opened on May 3, 1904.The station is at the centre of Niigata city, the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast in Honshū...
. Because of this, the number of overnight trains servicing Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
from Osaka StationOsaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
was reduced to just one. - February 1, 1984: The use of the "Nihonkai" locomotive headboard was resumed.
- 1986: During the summer, Nihonkai 1 and 4 had a Mani 50 luggage car attached in order to carry motorbikes. This ceased in 1998.
- 1987: Nihonkai 2 and 3 began operating with Class A accommodation cars.
- March 12, 1988: With the opening of the Seikan TunnelSeikan TunnelThe Seikan Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Japan, with a long portion under the seabed. Track level is about below seabed and below sea level. It travels beneath the Tsugaru Strait—connecting Aomori Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu and the island of Hokkaido—as part of the Kaikyo Line...
, JR West extended Nihonkai's area of service from Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
to Hakodate StationHakodate Stationis a railway station in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company . It is the terminus of the Hakodate Main Line and the Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line; Hakodate Municipal Transit streetcars stop at the adjacent Hakodate Eki-mae Station....
. On the day before the tunnel was to open 12 March, the first Hakodate Station bound train left Osaka StationOsaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
. The next day when the tunnel was opened, the Overnight Limited Express Hokutosei was already in route and holds the honor of being the first Overnight Train to pass through the tunnel. - 1989: The Twilight Express, operating to and from Sapporo StationSapporo Stationis a train station located in Kita-ku and Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is served by Hakodate Main Line and other lines of Hokkaido Railway Company , and is also connected to the Sapporo Subway. The JR Hokkaido part is in Kita-ku while the Sapporo Subway part is in Chūō-ku.Sapporo Station...
, began operation. However, in consideration of Nihonkai 1 and 4, the Twilight Express did not stop in Oshima SubprefectureOshima Subprefectureis a subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 2004 it had a population of 456,621 and an area of 3,715.38 km².Hakodate Airport is located in the City of Hakodate.- Geography :-Towns and villages by district:* Futami District** Yakumo* Kameda District...
. It stopped only in Iburi SubprefectureIburi Subprefectureis a subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan.- Geography :Located in south-central Hokkaido, Iburi stretches East-West and North-South. Iburi covers an area of . Iburi borders Oshima subprefecture to the West, Shiribeshi, Ishikari, and Sorachi subprefectures to the North, and Hidaka subprefecture to the...
and Ishikari SubprefectureIshikari Subprefectureis a subprefecture of Hokkaidō prefecture, Japan, located in the western part of the island. Its population in 2003 was 2,279,943.There are 6 cities, three towns, and one village under its jurisdiction. The subprefectural capital is Sapporo, also the capital of Hokkaidō prefecture...
. - December 1998: After the Overnight Limited Express Seto was changed to the 285 series285 seriesThe is an electric multiple unit train type operated jointly by Central Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company on the overnight Sunrise Izumo/Sunrise Seto limited express service in Japan....
Sunrise Express, an excess of 25 series Class A Single Deluxe Private Compartment Cars became available and then began use on Nihonkai 1 and 4. - October 23–November 28, 2004: Due to the effects of the Niigata-ken Chūetsu Earthquake2004 Chuetsu earthquakeThe occurred at 5:56 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2004 . The Japan Meteorological Agency has named it the Heisei 16 Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake or The Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake of 2004...
, all trains on all lines in Niigata PrefectureNiigata Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
stopped running. - November 29, 2004: Nihonkai 1 and 4 resumed service. However, when operating between Nagaoka Station and Kashiwazaki StationKashiwazaki Stationis a train station in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.- Adjacent stations :...
, trains operated at very slow speeds. Nihonkai 2 and 3 did not resume service for some time after the earthquake. - December 13, 2004: Nihonkai 2 and 3 resumed service. As above, it operated at slow speed.
- December 25, 2005–January 18, 2006: Due to a derailment accident on the Uetsu Main LineUetsu Main LineThe is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
, all trains on the line ceased operations. - March 18, 2006: Due to a decrease in the number of passengers, Nihonkai 1 and 4 ceased service to Hakodate StationHakodate Stationis a railway station in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company . It is the terminus of the Hakodate Main Line and the Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line; Hakodate Municipal Transit streetcars stop at the adjacent Hakodate Eki-mae Station....
, and returned to originating and terminating at Aomori StationAomori Stationis a railway station located in Aomori, Aomori, Japan. The station opened on 1 September 1891.-Lines:Aomori Station is served by the following lines.*Ōu Main Line *Tsugaru-Kaikyō Line *Aoimori Railway Line...
. - July 13–August 8, 2006: Service is suspended due to a landslide on the Uetsu Main LineUetsu Main LineThe is a railway in the Tōhoku and Chūbu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata and Akita Station in Akita...
between Koiwagawa StationKoiwagawa Stationis a JR East railway station located in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...
and Atsumi Onsen StationAtsumi Onsen Stationis a JR East railway station located in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan.-History:*1923-03-18: Station begins operation as .*1977-10-01: Station is renamed to Atsumi Onsen Station-Adjacent stations:...
. - December 25, 2007: JR West announces that the Nihonkai 2 and 3 services will be discontinued from the March 15, 2008 timetable revision due to falling passenger numbers.