A large crowd of people disembarked at Ishikari-Numata Station in western Hokkaido. Their destination was a train running through rice paddies covered in lingering snow. It was the JR Rumoi Line, the shortest major railway line in Japan, running at a total length of 14.4 km.
On the 31st, the Rumoi Line’s last run came to an end, bringing its 116-year history to a close. The station was bustling with people bidding farewell, and comments such as “It will be even lonelier (with the line being closed)” and “It’s sad because it has such a long history” were heard. The Rumoi Line, which opened in 1910, transported coal and timber.
As the population of the surrounding area decreased due to the closure of coal mines, the number of passengers also declined, leading to the decision to close the line. With the train that has supported the lives of the town for over 100 years being closed, residents expressed concerns such as, “We don’t have a car, so we use the train (to go to the hospital, etc.).
If it becomes a bus, we’ll have no choice but to take the first bus in the morning, get checked (at the hospital), and come back near evening.” Even after the railway line is discontinued, Ishikari-Numata Station will remain as a hub for the town.
Yoshiki Murakami, Numata Town Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team member: “The pioneering spirit. It’s inevitable that things will disappear, but we must think about how to develop and build upon them.” Ceremonies will be held at the three stations on the final day, the 31st.
We are reporting live from Ishikari-Numata Station in Numata Town, where the ceremony will be held. Dawn on the final day is just around the corner.
This is Ishikari-Numata Station on the Rumoi Line. This station building will also be closing its doors today. It was raining lightly here in Numata Town until just a few minutes ago. It felt almost like a rain of tears. To commemorate this final day, a board counting down the days until the last day has been set up in front of the station building. It says “Thank you Rumoi Main Line,” and the number above it is pointing to zero, which seems to reflect the voices of people who are sad to see it go.
There is also a stage in front of the station building, where a farewell ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. It seems that there will be a performance by the local brass band. Yesterday, many people came to visit in anticipation of the final day. This is a scene from around 4 PM yesterday. When the Rumoi Line train arrived, it was bustling with many railway enthusiasts. Limited edition goods for the last run were popular in front of the station, and many people were seen taking commemorative photos. (Railway enthusiast) “The station building is old and has a Showa era feel to it. I really hope it will remain.”
Q. Where are you from today? (Railway enthusiast) “I came from Tottori Prefecture. I’m sad that one of the JR lines is being discontinued.” You can really see how much it was loved. The Rumoi Line has a long history and has carried people’s lives, and we will be broadcasting live coverage of the first train arriving at Ishikari-Numata Station.
The JR Rumoi Line, with its 116-year history and known as “Japan’s shortest main line,” will make its final run on March 31st.
The JR Rumoi Line, which connects Fukagawa Station and Ishikari-Numata Station, will be discontinued after the 31st. The Rumoi Line opened in November 1910, but the section between Mashike and Rumoi was discontinued in 2016. Regarding the remaining section between Fukagawa and Rumoi, JR Hokkaido consulted with local governments as it was one of the red-light sections with a transport density of less than 200 people, and the section between Ishikari-Numata and Rumoi was scheduled to be discontinued in 2023.
The current Fukagawa-Ishikari-Numata section is 14.4 kilometers long, making it “Japan’s shortest main line,” but its 116-year history will come to an end on the 31st. The live stream will show the train running from above, departing Fukagawa Station at 12:31 PM and arriving at Ishikari-Numata Station at 12:52 PM, as well as the final train, departing Ishikari-Numata at 9:11 PM and bound for Fukagawa.
On March 31st, a railway line will disappear from Hokkaido. It is the JR Rumoi Line between Fukagawa and Ishikari-Numata. At 14.4 km in length, it is the shortest main line in Japan, and HBC will be live streaming the last run from Ishikari-Numata Station on YouTube. ▼Reporter: HBC Announcer: Shun Itoga
▼Last train: Fukagawa to Ishikari-Numata at 8:51 PM, Ishikari-Numata to Fukagawa at 9:11 PM
The JR Rumoi Line between Ishikari-Numata and Fukagawa will make its final run on March 31st. The Hokkaido Shimbun will live stream the final northbound train departing Ishikari-Numata Station around 8:45 p.m. on the 31st, seen off by residents and railway enthusiasts.
JR Rumoi Line closes its doors after 115 years of history. From the arrival to the departure of the last train from Ishikari-Numata Station, announcer Yoda provides live commentary from the platform. A surprise fireworks display brings people to tears. 660 people ride the final run.
On March 31st, the JR Rumoi Line between Ishikari-Numata and Fukagawa (14.4 km) saw its final day of operation. At each station and along the line, residents and railway enthusiasts called out “Thank you for your hard work” and “Thank you,” expressing their gratitude to the railway that had supported the local economy and daily life for 116 years. (Photo by Masaki Furumaya, Hokkaido Branch Press Division, March 31, 2026)
