Japan Railway Journal

Season 9, Episode 10

Episode Title: Fukushima's Iizaka Line: Keeping Business on Track

Air Date: 2023-09-07

Overview:

Located in the Tohoku region of Japan, the Iizaka Line is a small privately-owned railway line in Fukushima Prefecture that connects Fukushima City to Iizaka Onsen. Operated by the railway division of a bus company, the 9.2km 12-station line boasted an annual ridership of 2.4 million before the pandemic. Despite its small size, the line has remained profitable, setting the example for rural railways across Japan. See how the company continues to maintain and improve its services, making the line convenient for all passengers, young and old, to keep the business on track.