# Sakurajima Line > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sakurajima_Line > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sakurajima_Line.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakurajima_Line > Source revision: 1336878675 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Railway line in Osaka, Japan This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Please help improve this article by citing more sources. Find sources: "Sakurajima Line" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2015) Sakurajima Line A 323 series train on the Sakurajima Line Overview Other name JR Yumesaki Line Status Operating Owner JR West Locale Konohana-ku, Osaka Termini Nishikujō Sakurajima Stations 4 Service Type Heavy rail Operator(s) JR West, JR Freight Rolling stock 323 series History Opened April 5, 1898; 128 years ago (April 5, 1898) (first section) April 25, 1961; 65 years ago (April 25, 1961) (current form) Technical Track length 4.1 km (2.5 mi) Number of tracks Double-track (Universal City-Sakurajima) Twin single-track (Nishikujo-Universal City) Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Electrification 1,500 V DC (Overhead line) Operating speed 95 km/h (59 mph) Train protection system ATS-P Route map Legend Osaka Loop Line Umeda Freight Line 0.0 Nishikujō Hanshin Namba Line Osaka Loop Line Rokken'ya River Hokukō Branch Line Hokkō Canal Bridge No. 2 3.4 Osaka Hokukō ( closed 1982 ) 2.4 0.0 Ajikawaguchi 3.2 Universal City Hokkō Canal Bridge No. 1 4.0 Sakurajima (2nd 1966- 1999 ) 4.1 Sakurajima (3rd opened 1999 ) 4.5 Sakurajima (1st closed 1966 ) km The **Sakurajima Line** (桜島線, *Sakurajima-sen*) is a railway line in [Osaka](/source/Osaka), Japan, operated by [West Japan Railway Company](/source/West_Japan_Railway_Company) (JR West) connecting [Nishikujō Station](/source/Nishikuj%C5%8D_Station) to [Sakurajima Station](/source/Sakurajima_Station). It is also referred to as the **JR Yumesaki Line** (JRゆめ咲線). The entire line is within [Konohana-ku, Osaka](/source/Konohana-ku%2C_Osaka), and connects the [Osaka Loop Line](/source/Osaka_Loop_Line) to [Universal Studios Japan](/source/Universal_Studios_Japan) (**USJ**). The nickname "Yumesaki Line" was determined in a public poll upon the opening of USJ and the Universal City station. While it was not the first choice, its pleasant sound together with the vision of the area around the Sakurajima Line and USJ being a place where Osaka's dreams were continuing to be born made it the selected choice. The line is used primarily by a mix of factory workers and tourists. There is also freight traffic operating between Suita and Ajikawaguchi. ## Stations No. Station Japanese Distance (km) Transfers JR-P14 Nishikujō 西九条 0.0 Osaka Loop Line (JR-O14) Hanshin: Namba Line (HS 45) JR-P15 Ajikawaguchi 安治川口 2.4 JR-P16 Universal City ユニバーサルシティ 3.2 JR-P17 Sakurajima 桜島 4.1 ## Service In addition to trains that operate only on the Sakurajima Line itself, there are also direct services from [Tennōji](/source/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Station), [Kyōbashi](/source/Ky%C5%8Dbashi_Station_(Osaka)), and [Osaka](/source/Osaka_Station) stations that alternate during non-peak times. Also, during peak travel seasons, seasonal trains (such as the *Universal Express* limited express service) will run through to/from the [Hokuriku Main Line](/source/Hokuriku_Main_Line). However, as the number of visitors to USJ has been on the decline in recent years, such special trains are now only rarely operated. In 2025 during the 2025 Expo there will be a temporary Train called the Expo liner from/to Shin Ōsaka and Sakurajima stopping at Ōsaka,Universal City, and Sakurajima. These trains operate once an hour [1] As a contingency in the event of a service disruption, the line has bi-directional signalling, meaning trains can operate in either direction on either line between Nishikujō and Universal City. While *Universal Express* trains make their final stop at Universal City, there are no [points](/source/Railroad_switch) for them to change directions at that station. Such trains proceed to Sakurajima and change directions there. ## History This section needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Originally the Nishikujō – Sakurajima section was not a separate line, but part of the Nishinari Line, which was operated by the private Nishinari Railway and featured a movable bridge over the Hokkō Canal on the Ajikawaguchi to Sakurajima section. A portion of the Nishinari Line became a part of the [Osaka Loop Line](/source/Osaka_Loop_Line) when it was completed in 1961, with the rest becoming the Sakurajima Line. The line served as a commuter route for workers in factories along the line as well as for freight, with limited off-peak patronage. This continued until the construction of USJ, which resulted in tourists being the main users of the line. From the end of operations on the [Katsuki Line](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A6%99%E6%9C%88%E7%B7%9A) on April 1, 1985, until the beginning of service on the [Miyazaki Kūkō Line](/source/Miyazaki_K%C5%ABk%C5%8D_Line) on July 18, 1996, the Sakurajima Line was the shortest passenger line among the JR Group companies. (Including freight lines, the shortest at the time was the [Shinminato Line](/source/Shinminato_Line) in [Toyama Prefecture](/source/Toyama_Prefecture).) Sakurajima Station was relocated on April 1, 1999, the lift-bridge on the former line being unused since the canal was filled in the 1990s. When service began at Universal City Station, there were requests by local residents and business owners for a new station ("Haruhinode Station") between Nishikujō and Ajikawaguchi stations. However, not enough demand was forecast and the requests were not met. ### Chronology Disaster at Ajikawaguchi, 1940 - April 5, 1898: Nishinari Railway from Osaka to Ajikawaguchi (5.79 km) opens - December 1, 1904: Leased by Railway Operation Bureau - April 1, 1905: Ajikawaguchi - [Tenpōzan](/source/Tenp%C5%8Dzan) section (1.61 km) opens; leased at same time - December 1, 1906: Nationalized by [JGR](/source/Japanese_Government_Railways) - October 12, 1909: Line named "Nishinari Line" by JGR - April 15, 1910: [Sakurajima Station](/source/Sakurajima_Station) opens; Sakurajima - Tenpozan section demolished - May 1, 1934: Gasoline multiple unit (MU) service begins, using [KiHa 42000](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KiHa_42000&action=edit&redlink=1) train cars - January 29, 1940: Gasoline MU derailment and fire at Ajikawaguchi station kills 189 and injures 69 - May 1, 1941: Osaka - Sakurajima section electrified (1,500 V DC). - November 21, 1943: Freight branch line established between Ajikawaguchi and Osaka - April 25, 1961: Osaka Loop Line service begins; Nishi-kujo - Sakurajima section separated and renamed the "Sakurajima Line" - March 1, 1966: Sakurajima Station relocated 0.5 km east - November 15, 1982: Freight branch line between Ajikawaguchi and Osaka Hokukō abolished - April 1, 1987: With the privatization of JNR, Sakurajima Line becomes part of JR West - April 1, 1999: Ajikawaguchi - Sakurajima section moved to avoid planned USJ theme park; Sakurajima Station moved 0.1 km west - May 9, 1999: Through operation from Osaka Loop Line stopped due to construction of [Universal City Station](/source/Universal_City_Station) - March 1, 2001: [Universal City Station](/source/Universal_City_Station) opens; Sakurajima Line also referred to as "JR Yumesaki Line" by JR West - March 3, 2001: Through operation from Osaka Loop Line restarts - December 16, 2005: 201 series trains enter service - October 1, 2008: All station platforms become non-smoking; designated smoking areas on platforms are abolished (concourse smoking rooms were removed in October 2003) ## Rolling stock ### Current #### Passenger - [323 series](/source/323_series) (8-car formation) (since 2016) One train features USJ wrap advertising for [Super Nintendo World](/source/Super_Nintendo_World) (since 2021)[2] #### Freight - [M250 series](/source/M250_series) - [EF210](/source/JR_Freight_Class_EF210) ### Former - [KiHa 42000](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KiHa_42000&action=edit&redlink=1) (3-car formation) (from 1934 to 1961) - [101 series](/source/101_series) (6-car formation) (from 1961 to 1991) - [103 series](/source/103_series) (6-and 8-car formation) (from 1969 to 2017) - [201 series](/source/201_series) (8-car formation) (from 2005 to 2019) Because the Sakurajima Line is the main access route for USJ, 103 series and 201 series 8-car trains are decorated with USJ advertisements, although previously 103 series 6-car trains also featured USJ-related [wrap advertising](/source/Wrap_advertising). ## Extension plans On September 10, 2009, the then Governor of Osaka Prefecture [Tōru Hashimoto](/source/T%C5%8Dru_Hashimoto) announced that he was examining a 4 km extension of the Sakurajima Line from [Sakurajima](/source/Sakurajima_Station) to [Trade Center-mae](/source/Trade_Center-mae_Station) on the [Nankō Port Town Line](/source/Nank%C5%8D_Port_Town_Line) (New Tram).[3] This was to improve access to the [World Trade Center](/source/World_Trade_Center_(Osaka)) (WTC) in [Suminoe-ku](/source/Suminoe-ku%2C_Osaka), to which the governor considered moving the prefectural government offices. Traveling from Osaka Station to the WTC requires at least 30 minutes, and this inconvenience is considered a major obstacle to any move. Although the prefecture is willing to foot at least part of the estimated construction cost of 100 billion yen, there has been no discussion yet of the effect on travel patterns with existing transit agencies/companies. Of the estimated 4 km length of the extension, approximately 3 km would be underground. Travel times between Osaka and the WTC are expected to drop to 20 minutes if completed. ## See also - [List of railway lines in Japan](/source/List_of_railway_lines_in_Japan) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Special "Parade Trains" to operate during Osaka Expo"](https://essential-japan.com/news/osaka-expo-train-services-start-with-special-parade-trains/). *essential-japan.com*. Retrieved 2025-08-21. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Bishop, Rollin (27 January 2021). ["Super Nintendo World Has a Themed Train Now"](https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/super-nintendo-world-train-universal-studios-japan/). *ComicBook.com*. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 14 June 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [JR桜島線延伸、WTCと直結提案 橋下知事、府庁移転へ執念](https://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/local/090910/lcl0909101419003-n1.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090913091227/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/local/090910/lcl0909101419003-n1.htm) 2009-09-13 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - *Sankei Shinbun*, September 9, 2009 ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Sakurajima Line](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sakurajima_Line). - [JR West Global Site](http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html) (in English) v t e Transit in Keihanshin Shinkansen Tōkaidō Shinkansen San'yō Shinkansen Hokuriku Shinkansen (planned) Chūō Shinkansen (planned) JR West Hokuriku Main Line/Biwako Line/JR Kyoto Line/JR Kobe Line/Akō Line/Wadamisaki Line Kosei Line Kusatsu Line Nara Line San'in Line Sagano Line Osaka Higashi Line JR Takarazuka Line JR Takarazuka JR Tōzai Line/Gakkentoshi Line Kakogawa Line Bantan Line Kishin Line Maizuru Line Osaka Loop Line JR Yumesaki Line Hanwa Line (Hagoromo Branch) Kansai Airport Line Wakayama Line Man-yō Mahoroba Line (Sakurai Line) Kansai Line Yamatoji Line Kinokuni Line Naniwasuji (under construction) Osaka Metro Midōsuji Line Tanimachi Line Yotsubashi Line Chūō Line Sennichimae Line Sakaisuji Line Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line Imazatosuji Line Nankō Port Town Line Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line Kaigan Line Hokushin Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line Tōzai Line Hankyu Railway Kōbe Main Line Itami Line Imazu Line Koyo Line Takarazuka Main Line Minoo Line Kyōto Main Line Senri Line Arashiyama Line Hanshin Main Line Hanshin Namba Line Mukogawa Line Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Main Line Oto Line Nakanoshima Line Katano Line Uji Line Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Main Line Takashinohama Line Airport Line Tanagawa Line Kada Line Wakayamako Line Kōya Line Shiomibashi Semboku Line Naniwasuji (under construction) Kintetsu Railway Namba/Nara Line Ikoma Line Kyoto/Kashihara Line Tenri Line Tawaramoto Line Keihanna Line Osaka Line Shigi Line Minami Osaka/Yoshino Line Domyoji Line Nagano Line Gose Line Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line Sanda Line Kōen-Toshi Line Ao Line Namboku Line Other heavy rail lines Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway Namboku Kōbe Rapid Tōzai Namboku Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line Aboshi Line Mizuma Eizan Main Kurama Chizu Express Light metros and monorails Kobe New Transit Port Island Rokkō Island Osaka Monorail Main Line Saito Line Tram and light rails Hankai Tramway Hankai Uemachi Keifuku Arashiyama Kitano Keihan Ōtsu Keishin Ishiyama Sakamoto Hinterland Wakayama (Kishigawa) Noseden Myoken Nissei Ohmi Main Yōkaichi Taga Shigaraki Kohgen Funiculars and aerial lifts Keifuku Eizan Cable Eizan Ropeway Iwashimizu-Hachimangū Cable Ikoma Cable Line Nishi-Shigi Cable Line Katsuragisan Ropeway Cable Line Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway Maya Cable Mount Kongo Ropeway Rokko Cable Rokkō Arima Ropeway Yoshino Ropeway Public ferries Kanko Kisen Hankyu Ferry Nankai Ferry Akashi-Awaji Ferry Major terminals Rail Gion-Shijō Higashi-Umeda JR Namba Kitashinchi Kyōbashi Kyōto Kyoto Kawaramachi Nishi-Umeda Ōsaka Sanjo Sannomiya Shin-Ōsaka Tennoji Tsuruhashi Umeda Bus OCAT Airports Itami Kansai Kobe Ports Kobe Osaka Sakai Senboku [ja] Himeji [ja] Miscellaneous Kansai Airport People Mover Wing Shuttle Smart cards ICOCA PiTaPa Rail transport in Japan List of named passenger trains of Japan List of through trains in Japan List of Osaka Metro stations Station numbering Japan transit: Tokyo Keihanshin Chūkyō Fukuoka–Kitakyushu Hokkaido Aomori Sendai Akita Niigata Toyama Nagano Hakone–Fuji–Izu Okayama Hiroshima Shikoku Metro systems Shinkansen monorails (list) trams (list) aerial lifts (list) v t e JR West lines Shinkansen San'yō Shinkansen (Hakataminami) Hokuriku Shinkansen Main Kansai Kisei Sanin San'yō Takayama Tōkaidō Hokuriku Local Akō Bantan Line Etsumi-Hoku JR Takarazuka Line Fukuen Line Gantoku Geibi Line Hakubi Line Hanwa Line Himi Honshi-Bisan Line Inbi Line Jōhana JR Tōzai Line Kabe Line Kakogawa Line Kansai Airport Line Gakkentoshi Line Kibi Line Kishin Line Kisuki Line Kosei Line Kure Line Kusatsu Line Maizuru Line Mine Nanao Nara Line Obama Ōito Onoda Osaka Higashi Line Osaka Loop Sakai Line Man-yō Mahoroba Line (Sakurai Line) JR Yumesaki Line Tsuyama Line Ube Uno Line Wakayama Line Yamaguchi Other Biwako Line JR Kyōto Line JR Kōbe Line Sagano Yamatoji Seto-Ōhashi Past Gannichi Hokuriku Main Hapi Fukui Ishikawa Ainokaze Toyama Echigo Tokimeki Nihonkai Hisui Kajiya Miki Miyazu Noto Sankō Shigaraki Taisha Toyamakō Wakasa Gakkentoshi Kyobashi - Katamachi --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sakurajima Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakurajima_Line) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakurajima_Line?action=history)). 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