# Sōya Main Line

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The **Sōya Main Line** (宗谷本線, *Sōya-honsen*) is a Japanese railway line operated by [Hokkaido Railway Company](/source/Hokkaido_Railway_Company) (JR Hokkaido) in [Hokkaido](/source/Hokkaido). The line connects [Asahikawa Station](/source/Asahikawa_Station) in [Asahikawa](/source/Asahikawa,_Hokkaid%C5%8D) and [Wakkanai Station](/source/Wakkanai_Station) in [Wakkanai](/source/Wakkanai,_Hokkaid%C5%8D), and is the northernmost railway line in Japan. The name comes from [Sōya Subprefecture](/source/S%C5%8Dya_Subprefecture).

On 19 November 2016, JR Hokkaido's president announced plans to rationalize the network by up to 1,237 km, or ~50% of the current network,[1] including proposed conversion of the Nayoro - Wakkanai section of the Soya Line to [Third Sector](/source/Public-private_partnership#Japan) operation, but if local governments are not agreeable, the section will face closure.

## Services

One *[Sōya](/source/S%C5%8Dya_(train))* [limited express](/source/Limited_express) service operates each way between and daily, and two *[Sarobetsu](/source/Sarobetsu_(train))* limited express services also operate each way between Asahikawa and Wakkanai daily.

All-stations "Local" train services operate between and , at approximately 1 to 2 hour intervals. All-stations "Local" train services operate between Nayoro and Wakkanai, at approximately 3 to 4 hour intervals. Four Rapid *Nayoro* services operate between Nayoro and Asahikawa in each direction daily.

## Stations

- L: Limited Express (*Sōya* / *Sarobetsu* )
- R: All Rapid *Nayoro* services
- r: Some Rapid *Nayoro* services
- -: Some local trains skip marked stations

Station Distance (km) Limited Express Sōya / Sarobetsu / Rapid Nayoro Connections Location [* 1] 旭川 0.0 L R Hakodate Main Line Sekihoku Main Line Furano Line Asahikawa Asahikawa-Yojō 旭川四条 1.8 r Sekihoku Main Line 新旭川 3.7 Sekihoku Main Line Kita-Asahikawa Freight Terminal 北旭川(貨) 6.6 (Closed 1 November 1967) 西永山 7.2 Nagayama[* 1][* 2] 永山 9.3 R 北永山 11.4 - (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 南比布 14.7 Pippu, Kamikawa Pippu[* 2] 比布 17.1 R (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 北比布 20.2 Ranru[* 2] 蘭留 22.8 R Shiokari[* 2] 塩狩 28.4 Wassamu, Kamikawa Wassamu[* 2] 和寒 36.3 L R (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 東六線 41.4 Kenbuchi, Kamikawa Kembuchi[* 2] 剣淵 45.2 R (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 北剣淵 50.2 Shibetsu[* 1][* 2] 士別 53.9 L R Shibetsu (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 下士別 58.3 Tayoro 多寄 61.7 r Mizuho 瑞穂 64.5 - Fūren[* 2] 風連 68.1 r Nayoro Nayorokōkō[* 2] 名寄高校 74.1 R Nayoro[* 1][* 2] 名寄 76.2 L R Nayoro Main Line (Closed 1989) Shinmei Line (Closed 1994) Nisshin 日進 80.2 (Closed 18 March 2006) 智東 87.9 (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 北星 89.3 Chiebun 智恵文 91.2 Chihoku 智北 93.3 - (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 南美深 95.6 Bifuka, Nakagawa Bifuka[* 1][* 2] 美深 98.3 L Bikō Line (Closed 1985) Hatsuno (Closed 16 March 2024) 初野 101.9 (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 紋穂内 105.0 Onnenai (Closed 16 March 2024) 恩根内 112.1 Toyoshimizu signal base (Converted 13 March 2021[2]) 豊清水信号場 117.9 Teshiogawa-Onsen 天塩川温泉 121.5 - Otoineppu, Nakagawa Sakkuru 咲来 124.7 Otoineppu[* 1][* 2] 音威子府 129.3 L Tempoku Line (Closed 1989) Osashima 筬島 135.6 Kamiji signal base (Converted 25 May 1977, closed 14 March 1985) 神路信号場 143.1 Nakagawa, Nakagawa Saku[* 2] 佐久 153.6 (Closed 1 September 1990) 琴平 158.2 Teshio-Nakagawa[* 2] 天塩中川 161.9 L (Closed 1 July 2001) 下中川 165.8 (Closed 13 March 2022) 歌内 170.3 Toikanbetsu 問寒別 175.8 Horonobe, Teshio Nukanan 糠南 178.0 (Closed 1 July 2001) 上雄信内 181.5 Onoppunai (Closed 15 March 2025) 雄信内 183.7 (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 安牛 189.7 Minami-Horonobe (Closed 15 March 2025) 南幌延 191.6 (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 上幌延 194.6 Horonobe[* 1][* 2] 幌延 199.4 L Haboro Line (Closed 1987) (Closed 18 March 2006) 南下沼 205.6 Shimonuma 下沼 207.2 Toyotomi[* 2] 豊富 215.9 L Toyotomi, Teshio (Closed 13 March 2021[2]) 徳満 220.9 (Closed 18 March 2006) 芦川 226.6 Kabutonuma[* 2] 兜沼 230.9 Yūchi 勇知 236.7 Wakkanai Bakkai (Closed 15 March 2025) 抜海 245.0 Minami-Wakkanai[* 1][* 2] 南稚内 256.7 L Tempoku Line (Closed 1989) Wakkanai[* 1] 稚内 259.4 L

Northern extremity: Wakkanai

### Closed stations

- Ashikawa, Kami-Onoppunai and Shimo-Nakagawa: Since 1 July 2001
- and Minami-Shimonuma: Since 18 March 2006
- W39 , W50 , W71 , W41 , W35 , W53 , W33 , W56 , W43 , W75 , W58 and W69 : Since 13 March 2021, of which Toyoshimizu is downgraded to a signal base
- W65 : Since 12 March 2022
- W55 and W57 : Since 16 March 2024[3]
- W68 , W70 , W78 : Since 15 March 2025[4]

## History

The line was originally built as part of a link between mainland Japan and the then Japanese northern frontier of [Karafuto](/source/Karafuto_Prefecture) (southern half of [Sakhalin](/source/Sakhalin) Island). From Wakkanai Port, a ferry to then Ōdomari (present [Korsakov](/source/Korsakov_(town))) operated until the end of [World War II](/source/World_War_II).

The first segment of the line from Asahigawa (present Asahikawa) to Nagayama was built by the [Hokkaido Government Railway](/source/Hokkaido_Government_Railway) in 1898. The line was extended to Nayoro in 1903, and to Wakkanai in 1922 along the route of the later [Tempoku Line](/source/Tempoku_Line) (天北線, Tenpoku-sen) via [Hamatombetsu](/source/Hamatonbetsu,_Hokkaid%C5%8D). The present route via was opened as part of the Teshio Line (天塩線, Teshio-sen).

After Japan's defeat in the war, the line lost its function as a link to Sakhalin, but remained important as a trunk line into the northern part of Hokkaido. The Sōya Main Line gradually lost all of its branch lines, and presently constitutes a long branch from the [Hakodate Main Line](/source/Hakodate_Main_Line).

### Timeline

- August 12, 1898: Opened as Teshio Line (天塩線, *Teshio-sen*) (I) of Hokkaido Government Railway, between Asahigawa (present Asahikawa) and Nagayama
- November 25, 1898: Extended to Ranru
- November 15, 1899: Extended to Wassamu
- August 5, 1900: Extended to Shibetsu
- September 3, 1900: Extended to Nayoro
- April 1, 1905: Transferred to [Imperial Japanese Government Railways](/source/Imperial_Japanese_Government_Railways)
- November 3, 1911: Extended to Onnenai
- September 21, 1912: Renamed Sōya Line (宗谷線, *Sōya-sen*)
- November 5, 1912: Extended to Otoineppu
- October 20, 1919: Renamed Sōya Main Line (宗谷本線, *Sōya Honsen*)
- October 5, 1921: Renamed Sōya Line
- November 1, 1922: Completed to Wakkanai (present Minami-Wakkanai) via later Tempoku Line
- November 4, 1922: Renamed back to Sōya Main Line
- November 8, 1922: Teshio Line (II) between Otoineppu and Pompira (present Teshio-Nakagawa)
- May 1, 1923: Chihaku Ferry ([稚泊連絡船](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A8%9A%E6%B3%8A%E9%80%A3%E7%B5%A1%E8%88%B9), *Chihaku Renrakusen*) commenced Wakkanai - [Ōdomari](/source/Korsakov_(town))
- November 10, 1923: Extended to Toikambetsu
- June 25, 1924: Teshio North Line (天塩北線, *Teshio-hokusen*) opened Wakkanai - Kabutonuma. Teshio Line renamed Teshio South Line (天塩南線, *Teshio-nansen*)
- July 20, 1925: Teshio South Line extended to Horonobe
- September 25, 1926: Teshio South and North lines connected, renamed to Teshio Line (天塩線, *Teshio-sen*) (II), Otoineppu - Wakkanai
- December 26, 1928: Extended to Wakkanaikō (present Wakkanai).
- April 1, 1930: Entire stretch of the Teshio Line became a part of Sōya Main Line. The section Otoineppu - Hamatombetsu - Wakkanai separated as Kitami Line (北見線, *Kitami-sen*), later [Tempoku Line](/source/Tempoku_Line) ([天北線](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E5%8C%97%E7%B7%9A), *Tempoku-sen*).
- June 30, 1935: Teshio Line (III), later [Haboro Line](/source/Haboro_Line) from Horonobe opened.
- August 25, 1945: Chihaku Ferry ceased operation when all of Sakhalin becomes part of the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union).
- July 15, 1965: The 1256m Shimodaira Tunnel and realignment opened to avoid an avalanche trouble-spot.
- November 10, 1984: Automated block system introduced, ticketing of most (29) stations unstaffed
- November 1, 1986: [CTC](/source/Centralized_traffic_control) implemented, above noted stations completely unstaffed.
- April 1, 1987: [Japanese National Railways](/source/Japanese_National_Railways) privatized, [Hokkaido Railway Company](/source/Hokkaido_Railway_Company) succeeded the entire line as [Category 1](/source/Rail_transport_in_Japan#Three_categories_of_railway), [Japan Freight Railway Company](/source/Japan_Freight_Railway_Company) as [Category 2](/source/Rail_transport_in_Japan#Three_categories_of_railway) between Asahikawa and Nayoro. All the temporary stations were reclassified as regular stations
- 1995: The ferry between Wakkanai and Korsakov "resumed" after 50 years, although not directly connected to the railway.
- March 2000: Tracks of Asahikawa - Nayoro upgraded for faster operation. The *[Super Sōya](/source/Super_S%C5%8Dya)* limited express train commenced.

### Former connecting lines

- Shibetsu station - A 762mm (2'6") gauge line was constructed between 1920 and 1925 along the Teshio River valley to transport forestry products, extending 21.4 km to 'Upper' Shibetsu, where it connected to the Shibetsu Forest Railway. Initially horse drawn, a steam locomotive was introduced in 1928. The line closed in 1959.
- Nayoro station - A 138 km line known as the [Nayoro Main Line](/source/Nayoro_Main_Line) was built from Nayoro to Engaru on the [Sekihoku Main Line](/source/Sekihoku_Main_Line) between 1915 and 1921, operating until 1989. There were four lines connecting to the Nayoro Main line: - The 20 km Kohin'nan line from Okoppe to Om, operated from 1935 to 1985. Some construction work on a proposed extension to Kitami Esashi (see below) was undertaken before the proposal was abandoned. - The 34 km line from Shokotsu to Kitami Takinoue, opened 1923 and closed 1985. - The 28 km 762mm gauge line from Monbetsu to Motoyama, which operated from 1943 to 1973 - The 6 km 762mm gauge line from Yubetsu to Saromako, which operated from 1930 to 1939
- [Nayoro](/source/Nayoro_Station) was also the junction for the [Shinmei Line](/source/Shinmei_Line) to Fukagawa on the [Hakodate Main Line](/source/Hakodate_Main_Line), which reached the Soya line in 1941, closing in 1995. A 51.2 km line was proposed from [Shumarinai](/source/Shumarinai_Station) on that line to [Chikubetsu](/source/Chikubetsu_Station) on the [Haboro Line](/source/Haboro_Line) (see below) with construction commencing in 1959. A substantial steel truss bridge was constructed before work was abandoned in 1962.
- Bifuka station - A 21 km 762mm gauge line was built to Niupu in 1935. In 1960 it was decided to replace the line with a 1067mm gauge line and extend it 58 km to Kitami Esashi, the terminus of a line from Hamatonbetsu on the Tempoku line (see below). The 762mm gauge line closed in 1963 and the 1067mm line opened in 1964. Substantial construction of the line to Kitami Esashi continued until abandoned in 1979, after 13.3 Billion Yen had been expended. The Bifuka - Niupu section closed in 1985.
- Otoineppu station - The Tempoku line was constructed north commencing in 1914, reaching Minami-Wakkanai in 1922. It closed in 1989. This line had the Hamatonbetsu - Kitami Esashi branch line operating from 1936 until 1985. The Utanobori Municipal Tramway was a network of 762mm gauge lines, with a 16.2 km line from Shotonbetsu to Kitami Esashi and 2 branch lines, each 10 km long. It operated 1929–70, being horse drawn until 1933.
- Toyotomi station - The Nisso Coal Co. operated an 18 km line to Sanko from 1940/45 until the mine closed in 1972.
- Toikanbetsu station - The Horonobe Municipal Tramway was a 16 km 762mm gauge line to Kamitoikan, which operated 1930–71. It was extended 4 km to a coal mine in 1941, at which time a steam locomotive was introduced. The coal mine and extension closed in 1958.
- Horonobe station - The initial northern section of the [Haboro Line](/source/Haboro_Line) opened in 1935. The initial southern section from [Rumoi](/source/Rumoi_Main_Line) opened in 1927, and the sections were linked in 1958. The line closed in 1987.

## See also

- [List of railway lines in Japan](/source/List_of_railway_lines_in_Japan)

## References

1. ["JR Hokkaido says it can't maintain half of its railways"](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/19/business/jr-hokkaido-says-cant-maintain-half-railways/#.WDjkB9J96Ul). 2013-05-10.

1. ["来春のダイヤ見直しについて"](https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/CM/Info/press/pdf/20201209_KO_kaisei.pdf) [Spring Timetable Revision]. *jrhokkaido.co.jp*. 2020-12-09. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201209060401/https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/CM/Info/press/pdf/20201209_KO_kaisei.pdf) 2020-12-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 February 2024.

1. ["恩根内など北海道内の無人駅5駅が廃止 地元の存続要望なく歴史に幕"](https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS3H7GFDS3HIIPE00Y.html) [Five unstaffed stations in Hokkaido including Onnenai abolished without local request for continuation] (in Japanese). *Asahi Shimbun*. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2025.

1. ["JR北海道 日本最東端の駅など5駅廃止 今夜の運行を最後に"](https://news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/na-k10014749901000) [JR Hokkaido to close five stations, including Japan's easternmost station, with tonight's service as the last] (in Japanese). *[NHK](/source/NHK) NEWS WEB*. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2025.

1. Staffed station

1. Station with [passing loop](/source/Passing_loop)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sōya Main Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dya_Main_Line) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dya_Main_Line?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.