Akita Nairiku Line

The Akita Nairiku Line, nicknamed Smile Rail, is a Japanese railway line located in Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. It operates between in the city of Kitaakita and in the city of Semboku. The Akita Nariku Line is the only railway line operated by the third-sector company Akita Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo.

Service outlines

Trains on the line are operated as "Local", "Rapid", or "Special Rapid", along with the Express Moriyoshi service.

Station list

All stations are in Akita Prefecture.
Transfers are available only at Takanosu and Kakunodate.

Local trains stop all stations.
* Rapid = Can only be used by paying a rapid fare.
* Express Moriyoshi - Express fare costs 160 yen up to 50 km, 320 yen for longer journeys
* ●：All trains stop
*◆・▲・▼：Partly trains stop（▲：Only inbound、▼：Only outbound）
*：Pass
History

Aniai Line

On December 10, 1934, the Japanese Government Railways opened the Aniai Line connecting Takanosu with over a length of 15.1 kilometers. Following World War II, the JGR became the Japanese National Railways, and the line was further extended to by October 15, 1963.

Kakunodate Line

On November 1, 1971, the JNR Kakunodate Line began operations from Kakunodate to, with construction continuing north towards Hitachinai to provide a connection to the Aniai Line. However construction was suspended in 1980 due to JNR funding constraints.

Closure

The Kakunodate Line was closed by JNR on 11 September 1981, and the Aniai Line on 22 June 1984.

Reopening

The third-sector Akita Nairiku Jūkan Railway Company reopened both the Aniai Line – as the Akita Nairiku Kita Line – and the Kakunodate Line – as the Akita Nairiku Minami Line – on November 1, 1986. It also recommenced construction of the suspended link which opened on April 1, 1989, creating the current through-route.

Nicknames

Between 2012 and 2017, the line was nicknamed the Akita Bijin Line, referencing the prefecture's beautiful women, known as. On November 1, 2017, the nickname was changed to Smile Rail Akita Nairiku Line.