Esashi Line

The Esashi Line (江差線, Esashi-sen) is a Japanese railway line operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). It connects Goryōkaku (near Hakodate) and Kikonai. The section beyond Kikonai to Esashi closed in May 2014.

Stations

All stations are in Hokkaido.
Track: ∥: Double track, ∨: Double track ends, ◇: Passing loop |: No passing loop

Former Kikonai - Esashi section (closed May 2014)

History

The Goryokaku to Kamiiso section opened on 15 September 1913, and was extended to Kikonai on 25 October 1930. The Kikonai to Yunotai section opened on 10 December 1935, and was extended to Esashi on 10 November 1936.

The Goryokaku to Kikonai section was electrified on 13 March 1988 as part of the upgrading of the line associated with the opening of the Seikan Tunnel and associated Kaikyo Line linking Hokkaido to Honshu.

On 7 August 2012, JR Hokkaido announced its intention to close the 42 km non-electrified section of the line between Kikonai and Esashi in spring 2014 due to a lack of financial viability. In fiscal 2011, the Kikonai to Esashi section was served by six return services daily, with an average patronage of 41 passengers per km daily, the lowest for any of JR Hokkaido's lines. The Kikonai - Esashi section was closed in 2014, with the last services operating on 11 May.