JR West has completed restoration work on the San-in Main Line between Hitomaru Station and Takibe Station, which was damaged and suspended due to heavy rains that began on June 30, 2023, and will resume train service from the first train on September 27 (Sat), 2025.
Severe Damage Caused by the June 2011 Heavy Rains
Continuous heavy rains caused landslides that damaged 69 railway facilities along the approximately 51-kilometer section of the San-in Main Line in Yamaguchi Prefecture between Nagato City Station and Kogushi Station. In particular, the Awanogawa Bridge between Nagato-Awano Station and Agawa Station sustained severe damage, with its foundations damaged by rising water levels and strong currents due to the heavy rains, causing the bridge piers to sink and tilt.
Between Nagatoshi Station and Hitomaru Station, and between Takibe Station and Kogushi Station (excluding the Awanogawa Bridge), service resumed on June 22, 2024, following construction work to remove soil and sand that had flowed into the tracks and restore the washed-out embankments and crushed stone. Regarding the bridges, a decision was made to rebuild one tilted pier that was deemed unfit for use and repair the remaining piers and girders. Restoration work continued year-round from June 2024. Following the completion of this work, test trains began operating on September 5 (Fri), and driver training and equipment functionality were confirmed.
The cruise train “Mizukaze” will also run via the San-in Line
On the last section of the San-in Main Line that was closed, between Hitomaru Station and Takibe Station, 11 round-trip local trains will operate daily starting with the first train on September 27 (Sat), marking the full resumption of service. The replacement bus service between Nagatoshi Station and Kogushi Station will end on September 26 (Fri).
The sightseeing train “○○ no Hanashi,” which began operation in August 2017, will also return to the San-in Main Line after a two-year, three-month hiatus. Starting September 27 (Sat), it will operate one round trip per day between Shin-Shimonoseki Station, Shimonoseki Station, and Higashi-Hagi Station, mainly on weekends and holidays. All reserved box seats offer views of the Hibikinada Sea and the coastline stretching out over the Sea of Japan. Pre-order items, including bento boxes made with local ingredients, sake, and sweets sets, have been updated and are now available. Additionally, the cruise train “TWILIGHT EXPRESS Mizukaze” will resume operation on the San-in Main Line starting on September 29 (Mon), with the San-in Course (eastbound) departing from its starting station.
