Hojo Railway is a small railway company serving the area around Kasai City in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan. Established in 1984, it operates the Hojo Line, a rural railway originally inherited from Japanese National Railways (JNR). The line runs through peaceful countryside, offering passengers a glimpse of rural life and a relaxed way to explore the region.
Hojo Railway is operated under a third-sector business model, with investment from Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture, and other public-sector stakeholders. Its headquarters are located at Hojo-machi Station, the northern terminus of the line. Beyond providing everyday transportation, the railway plays an important role in connecting local communities and promoting regional tourism.
One of Hojo Railway’s distinctive initiatives is its Stationmaster Program, which invites members of the public to apply for stationmaster positions. Selected stationmasters help manage and maintain station buildings while also planning and organizing community events.
The program encourages participants to make use of their individual skills, hobbies, and interests to revitalize local communities and attract more passengers. This creative approach to regional railway management was selected for the 100 Selections of the New Japanese Style, a recognition of innovative Japanese design and cultural practices.
Hojo Railway operates a variety of special trains throughout the year, turning ordinary railway journeys into memorable experiences. In January, passengers may enjoy an Oden Train featuring the traditional Japanese hot pot dish. During the summer holidays, the Kabutomushi Train, named after the Japanese rhinoceros beetle, offers a seasonal attraction for families and children.
An August Beer Train provides a festive atmosphere for adult passengers, while December brings illumination-viewing trains and the popular Santa Train. The Santa Train service began in 1989 and has become a familiar seasonal tradition for local residents and visitors.
Since 2019, the railway has also operated a Donut Train on an irregular basis. Passengers can enjoy doughnuts produced by Maruchu Seika, a confectionery company headquartered in Kasai City. These themed services help make the railway a destination in its own right rather than simply a means of transportation.
Hojo Railway sells commemorative tickets, keychains, miniature cars, and other railway-themed souvenirs. Some items are particularly distinctive, including paperweights made from used railway rails and products incorporating railway crossing warning lights.
Visitors can also purchase local products such as Hojo Railway Cider, honey, and kawara senbei, a traditional baked cracker. These sales help support local producers and strengthen the railway’s connection with the surrounding community.
On July 10, 2020, the railway began selling Tetsuincho, a special stamp book designed for collecting commemorative railway stamps. The initial supply sold out in just three days, demonstrating the enthusiasm of railway fans for this popular collectible.
Hojo Railway has also explored environmentally conscious railway operations. In 2008, it conducted a trial run using biodiesel fuel (BDF) in cooperation with Kasai City. The initiative aimed to make better use of alternative fuels and develop more sustainable transportation through collaboration with the local community.
The Flower 2000 series takes its name from the Hyogo Prefectural Flower Center in Kasai City. Introduced in 2000, these diesel railcars belong to the LE-DC type and feature a bogie design.
Two vehicles, Flower 2001 and Flower 2002, are currently listed in the series. Each has a passenger capacity of 126 people. In addition to regular services, the trains are used for special events, including the railway’s themed seasonal journeys.
Hojo-machi Station is also a place of interest for railway enthusiasts. Two retired vehicles are preserved there: KiHa 30 No. 18, which once operated on the Hojo Line, and DD16 No. 7, formerly used on the Fukuen Line.
These preserved vehicles offer a glimpse into the history of Japanese local railways and provide an opportunity to appreciate the trains that once supported regional transportation.
Hojo Railway was established on October 18, 1984. On April 1, 1985, it took over the Hojo Line from Japanese National Railways and began operating the service as an independent railway company.
In April 1986, the railway introduced train radio communications to support safer operations. The Santa Train began running in December 1989, establishing a tradition of seasonal services designed to bring enjoyment to local residents and visitors.
The Kabutomushi Train was introduced in July 1999. Over time, the railway continued to develop new themed services, introduce additional vehicles, and expand community involvement through initiatives such as volunteer stationmasters.
In October 2010, Hojo Railway began an initiative to use fuel made from waste cooking oil in passenger railcars, an effort described as a first in Japan at the time. This project built on earlier experiments with alternative fuels and reflected the railway’s interest in environmentally conscious operations.
On August 2, 2019, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism approved the introduction of a safety system known as the ticket-and-instruction block system, designed to support train movements on the line. Work to restore a passing loop at Hokkeguchi Station was completed in April 2020, and the facility entered service on September 1 of that year, allowing trains to pass one another at the station.
On March 13, 2022, KiHa 40 series railcars began operating on the line, further expanding the railway’s rolling stock options.
The Hojo Line connects Ao Station with Hojo-machi Station over a distance of 13.6 kilometers. Ao Station provides connections with the JR Kakogawa Line, making it a useful starting point for exploring the area by rail.
Although the Hojo Line and Kakogawa Line share a platform at Ao Station, the connecting track has been removed, so trains do not operate directly between the two lines. Passengers transferring between services should check the relevant departure information before traveling.
Hojo Railway does not accept major Japanese transportation IC cards such as ICOCA or PiTaPa. Passengers should therefore purchase tickets using cash or use the railway’s available coupon tickets. It is advisable to prepare cash before boarding, especially when traveling from smaller rural stations.
The introduction of the ticket-and-instruction block safety system and the restoration of the passing facility at Hokkeguchi Station represent important steps in maintaining safe and reliable operations on this single-track rural line.
In June 2024, Hojo Railway announced that both its annual passenger numbers and sales revenue for fiscal year 2023 had reached record highs since the railway adopted its third-sector operating structure.
The railway carried 387,836 passengers during the fiscal year, an increase of 2% compared with the previous year. Commuter passes for students accounted for 179,280 passenger journeys, up 4.3%. Annual revenue reached approximately 97.33 million yen, an increase of 1% year on year.
These results were attributed in part to growing numbers of students commuting from Kasai City to high schools in neighboring areas, including Ono, Nishiwaki, and Kakogawa, as well as the recovery in travel following the COVID-19 pandemic. The figures highlight the railway’s continuing importance as both a local transportation service and a community asset.
Hojo Railway offers a different perspective on Hyogo Prefecture, away from the region’s major cities and busy tourist destinations. Its short route, seasonal event trains, preserved railway vehicles, and community-based activities make it an appealing choice for railway enthusiasts, families, and travelers interested in local Japanese culture.
For visitors exploring the Akashi and Kakogawa area, a journey on the Hojo Line provides an opportunity to enjoy quiet countryside scenery while discovering a railway that continues to support everyday life in the communities it serves.