JR West - [WTM] World Transit Maps

Disrupted due to heavy snow – Kisuki Line between Izumo-Yokota and Bingo-Ochiai

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West Kiha 120 type diesel car waiting for departure at Izumo-Sakane Station on the Kisuki Line where switchback is performed (image) ©Katsumi

JR West has announced that they will suspend operation until the further notice due to heavy snow between Izumo-Yokota Station and Bingo-Ochiai Station on the Kisuki Line.

“WEST EXPRESS GINGA” – New long-distance train starts running to the San-yo area

December 18, 2020December 17, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Kanmon Straits and Kanmon Bridge seen from the Karato Market in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi ©Katsumi

JR West’s new long-distance train “WEST EXPRESS Ginga” operates a daytime route connecting the Kansai and San-yo areas from December 2020 to March 2021.

Winter smooth sightseeing in Kyoto by train and on foot “Pedestrian-Friendly City Kyoto Rail Ticket”

November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Kyoto City will release the “Pedestrian-Friendly City Kyoto Rail Ticket” for Kyoto sightseeing in winter, which allows unlimited rides on routes within the valid area of 5 railway operators.

“ICOCA commuter pass” will be released between Osaka Metro and JR West

November 14, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

Osaka Metro and JR West will release the “ICOCA commuter pass” from Tuesday, December 8, 2020. So far, both companies have not sold mutually usable commuter passes and had to have two separate passes. From that day, people can get on with one IC card “ICOCA”, so it seems that the convenience of commuting to work or school will increase. It will be sold between all Osaka Metro lines and the JR West urban area including Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. 19 connecting points are defined, such as JR Osaka Station – Subway Umeda, Higashi-Umeda, and Nishi-Umeda Stations. In addition to purchasing a new “ICOCA commuter pass”, you can also purchase…

Summary of railway operation updates due to COVID-19 – West Japan (as of November 6, 2020)

November 6, 2020November 22, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

We have summarized the status of updates in operation schedules of each railway operator due to COVID-19 (as of November 6, 2020, excluding in normal operation). Please check the latest operation status before using. Izu Kyuko Some local trains are canceled from evening to night. The last train will be moved up at some stations. JR Central The Tokaido Shinkansen is operated by a special timetable based on the number of passengers. Some extra “Nozomi” trains will be set up on days when a number of passengers are expected. Meitetsu Of “μ-SKY” (Meitetsu-Gifu, Shin-Unuma and Meitetsu Nagoya – Central Japan International Airport), 22 trains on weekdays and 35 on Weekends…

Resumed operation of JR Geibi Line between Miyoshi and Shimo-fukawa (updated on August 15, 2020)

August 15, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR West restarted train operation of Geibi Line (芸備線) on Saturday, August 15, 2020 between Miyoshi Station (三次, Hiroshima) and Shimo-fukawa Station (下深川,Hiroshima), which has been disrupted due to the effects of the heavy rain disaster in July, 2020. In addition, the train operation of JR Fukuen Line (福塩線) was restarted on Thursday, August 13, 2020 between Fuchū Station (府中, Hiroshima) and Shiomachi Station (塩町,Hiroshima), which has been disrupted by the same reason.

Operation resumed between Tōjō and Bingo-ochiai stations on JR Geibi Line

April 24, 2020November 15, 2020 横山勝巳 / Yokoyama Katsumi

JR Geibi Line (芸備線) between Tōjō (東城) and Bingo-ochiai (備後落合) stations, which had been suspended due to a derailment accident, resumed operation from the first train on April 24, 2020. On March 9, an accident happened that a train climbed up on the earth and sand that flowed into the track between Tōjō and Bingo-yawata (備後八幡) stations, so they were suspending operation to remove the vehicle and perform restoration work.