The Koumi Line is a 78.9 km long line connecting Kobuchizawa Station in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture and Komoro Station in Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture.
The line was opened in 1919 by its predecessor, Saku Railway, between Koumi and Komoro Stations. In 1935, the line was extended to Kobuchizawa Station and opened to traffic. Since its opening, the Koumi Line has been a popular commuter rail line and a gateway to sightseeing in Kiyosato and Nobeyama.
The greatest feature of the Koumi Line is that it runs at high elevation. Between Kiyosato and Nobeyama stations, the line passes through the highest point on the JR line at 1,375 meters above sea level, and the nine stations between Kai-Koizumi and Matsubarako stations are among the nine highest elevation stations on the JR line, giving the line its nickname, "Yatsugatake Kogen Line (Yatsugatake Plateau Line)".
Along the line, highland vegetables are cultivated at high altitude and in the cool summer climate, and near Nobeyama Station, the train runs through an expanse of highland vegetable fields. Ekiben that incorporate fresh highland vegetables from Yatsugatake picked along the line are also popular.
In July 2017, "HIGH RAIL 1375," a sightseeing train with a planetarium inside, began operation, running between Kobuchizawa and Komoro stations mainly on Saturdays and holidays.
In this DLC, the train from Kobuchizawa Station to Kai-Koizumi Station makes a major 180-degree change of direction on a curve built on embankment with the Yatsugatake mountains at its side; from Kiyosato Station to Nobeyama Station, the train runs up a steep slope with a maximum grade of 33‰ to the highest point on the JR line; and from Shinanokawakami Station to Koumi Station, the train offers a powerful view across multiple layers of the Chikuma River, known as the longest river in Japan.
*For production reasons, movies recorded with Kiha 110 series are used. Please be forewarned.
Highlights
- Omagari Curve / Kobuchizawa Station - Kai-Koizumi Station
"Omagari Curve" is the first famous place on the Koumi Line. On the right side of the track, you will see terraced rice paddies covered with lush greenery, and on the left side, you will see the magnificent view of Mt.Kaikomagatake, one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan.
- Doryu Falls/Kai-Oizumi Station - Kiyosato Station
Doryu Falls is located on the left side of the trail immediately after exiting Kawamata Tunnel.
A walking trail is available, so you can enjoy hiking from Kiyosato Station.
- Highest point of elevation on the JR Line/Kiyosato Station - Nobeyama Station
The train climbs a steep 33‰ grade from Kobuchisawa Station. The number 33‰ means that the train climbs 33 meters for every 1,000 meters it travels, which is very steep for a railroad.
When the gradient is completed, you will reach 1,375 meters, the highest point on the JR line.
- Yatsugatake Mountain Range/Kiyosato Station - Nobeyama Station
The parabolic antenna of the Nobeyama Cosmic Radio Observatory can be seen on the right side of the highest point of the JR Line. The antenna is 45 m in straight line and observes the universe by capturing radio waves as stars are born and as they disappear.
- Plateau vegetables(Kogen Yasai)/ Nobeyama Station - Shinano-Kawakami Station
The area between Nobeyama Station and Shinano-Kawakami Station is a production area for plateau vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, and Chinese cabbage, which are shipped to the Kanto and Kansai regions. Kawakami Village boasts the largest production of lettuce in Japan.
- Chikuma River / Saku-Hirose Station - Saku-Uminokuchi Station
The Chikuma River originates from Mt. Kobushigatake in Kawakami Village, passes through Sakudaira, Ueda Basin, and Zenkojidaira, and flows into the Sea of Japan from Niigata Prefecture, where it is renamed the Shinano River.
With a total length of 367 km, it is known as the longest river in Japan. The train will continue to the vicinity of Koumi Station, with the Chikuma River switching sides on either side of the train.
About Kiha E200 Series
The "Kiha E200 Series" debuted in the summer of 2007 as the world's first hybrid train that combines a diesel engine and storage batteries.
The electricity stored in the storage batteries is used to power the motor and move the train. Compared to conventional diesel railcars, the Kiha E200 Series more environmentally friendly.
Route Information
- Section: Koumi Line Outbound Kobuchizawa ⇒ Komoro
- Total length: 78.9 km
- Number of Stations: 31
- Security equipment: ATS-P(R)
Train schedules that can be operated
- Train Number：131D
- Type/Destination: Local train to Komoro
- Section where you can drive: Nakagomi(08:50)→Komoro(09:17)
- Type of train: Series Kiha E200, 2 cars
- Responsible for real voice train announcements: Koumi train crew depot
- Train Number：227D
- Type/Destination: Local train to Nobeyama
- Section where you can drive: Kobuchizawa(11:56)→Nobeyama(12:27)
- Type of train: Series Kiha E200, 2 cars
- Responsible for real voice train announcements: Koumi train crew depot
- Train Number：229D
- Type/Destination: Local train to Komoro
- Section where you can drive: Kobuchizawa(13:36)→Komoro(15:52)
- Type of train: Series Kiha E200, 2 cars
- Responsible for real voice train announcements: Koumi train crew depot
