Shikoku is Japan’s 4th largest island, and it has a lot for rail enthusiasts to see.
Trams, Rail & DMV
As is often the case, Shikoku being an island has done things a little differently from the main island of Honshu.
Until 1988 the Shikoku was not connected to the Honshu rail network and passengers travelling to Shikoku had to cross the Seto Inland Sea by Ferry.
Now one section of the only overnight sleeper express connects Tokyo with Shikoku (Sunrise Express Seto)
With the opening of the Seto Ohashi (bridge) in 1988 the 1 hour ferry journey became a 20 minute train or road journey.
Today, there are 6 companies operating rail and tram services on Shikoku. The largest being JR Shikoku, formed when JNR was privatized in 1987. It is the smallest of the JR companies, but is the largest operator on the island with a network of 855km.
Most of the network is non-electrified…
Most of the rail network in Shikoku is non-electrified. The exceptions are the Seto Ohashi Line, the Josan Line between Matsuyama and Takamatsu (which allows electric trains to run to / from Okayama, Takamatsu and Matsuyama) and the Dosan Line between Tadotsu and Kotohira. All Iyo Testusdo lines are electrified as are all Kotoden Lines and Tosaden tram lines.
The other companies are listed below. Iyo Tetsudo in the Matsuyama & Iyo area and Tosaden Kotsu both operate trams in the Matsuyama and Kochi areas respectively.
| Company name & Nickname | Route / km | Type & number of lines |
|---|---|---|
| JR Shikoku (四国旅客鉄道) (Island-wide) | 855.2 | Heavy Rail 9 lines |
| Iyo Tetsudo (伊予鉄道) “Iyo Tetsu” (Matsuyama / Iyoshi) | Heavy 33.3 Tram 6.9 | Heavy Rail 3 lines Tram 5 lines |
| Takamatsu Kotohira Denki Tetsudō (高松琴平電気鉄道) “Kotoden” (Takamatsu – Kotohira area) | 60 | Heavy Rail 3 lines |
| Tosa Denki Tetsudō (土佐電気鉄道) “Tosaden Kotsu” (Kochi-Gomen-Ino) | 25.3 | Tram 3 lines |
| Tosa Kuroshio Tetsudō (土佐電気鉄道) (Kochi-Tosa region) | 109.3 | Heavy Rail 3 lines |
| Asa Kaigan Railway (阿佐海岸鉄道) “Asato” (Muroto Cape area) | 10.0 (plus road route) | DMV 1 Line |
Shikoku is also where the first regular Dual Mode Vehicle (DMV) rail / bus service was introduced, on the Asa Kaigan Railway: Read More (TS Japan Rail Article)
Trams…and a rare rail / tram crossing
This crossing next to Otemachi Station and tram stop is a unique crossing! Not only do we have a rail line crossing the road…
but a busy tram line crossing the rail line. One of a few remaining right angled railway crossings in Japan
Kochi has the second largest tram network in Japan, second only to Hiroshima. It has three lines a short line, which runs from the station to a little way past the tram depot (you get quite a good view from the street) and a line which runs from Ino in the west thru to Gomen in the east via central Kochi which officially is two lines (Ino Line and Gomen Line) but trams run over both lines.
Matsuyama’s tram system is smaller and basically serves the central city area, although one line does go as far as the Dogo Onsen. There are two circular routes. Trams either start and finish their journeys’s at JR Matsuyama Station or Matsuyamashi Station. Iyo Tetsudo has a depot at Komachi which is used by its heavy rail and tram vehicles. It is interesting at Komachi the tram lines also cross the heavy rail lines (but not at right angles).
There is a lot of different trains to see; old and new…
For rail enthusiasts the variety of trains, many dating back to the 80s, is what is interesting… Here is a selection of just some of the trains that can be seen in Shikoku (both JR and non-JR lines)
JR Shikoku has been modernizing its Limited Express fleet with awarding winning train…
JR Shikoku’s 2700 series Diesel Limited Express unit was introduced in 2019 and in 2020 won the prestigious “Laurel Award“. It is used on Limited Express services throughout Shikoku. It uses a pendulum tilting system and the 2 & 3 car units allow JR Shikoku flexibility
Many tourist and themed trains…
The creator of the Japanese super hero anime character “Anpanman” came from Kochi and JR Shikoku runs a number of Anpaman themed Limited Express trains across Shikoku.
If you are travelling to / from Shikoku or across Shikoku you have a good chance of travelling on an “Anpanman train” (note not all cars are Anpanman themed internally)
There are also a few tourist trains operated by JR Kyushu that offer passengers a meal whilst travelling on one of the several scenic routes on the island and also so called Torokko ressha (truck or trolley train) that have open sides (no windows).
In Matsuyama, Iyo Tetsu operates its Botchan Train between Komachi, JR Matsuyama, Matsuyama Shi and Dogo Onsen. Botchan is a diesel powered replica of a steam locomotive that use to be operated by Iyo Tetsu and featured in a novel.
JR Rail Passes and passes
JR Rail Passes can be used on JR Shikoku local trains. We would point out that though that due to the low frequency of services on many lines, it is sometimes necessary to use Limited Express trains (on which JR Rail Passes are not valid). Travellers should also consider using the Shikoku regional passes. Iyo Tetsudo, and Tosa Kuroshio Tetsudo have free passes. Only on Kotoden services can any of the national IC cards be used.
You need to plan your trip…
Rail travel in Shikoku, (except between Okayama~Takamatsu~Matsuyama / Kochi) and in the Takamatsu and Matsuyama area requires some planning as apart from the above lines (and the tram lines), services are infrequent and / or do not connect up easily.
TS Japan Rail has access to the timetables and also data on which trains are rostered for which services, special events etc. We can help you with ideas and planning TS Japan Rail services for Rail enthusiasts
