Yodo Line

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The Yodo Line is a rural railway in Shikoku, Japan, run by JR Shikoku. It mostly runs on a single track with no electrification. The line is about 76.3 km long, uses 1,067 mm gauge, and trains can travel up to 85 km/h.

Route and what it does
- The line connects Kubokawa in Kochi Prefecture to Uwajima in Ehime Prefecture, passing through Wakai. It’s also called the Shimanto Green Line because it runs along the scenic Shimanto River to Ekawasaki before turning toward Uwajima.
- The first part, from Kubokawa to Kawaoku Junction just after Wakai, is not JR-owned; it’s part of the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Nakamura Line and requires an extra fare. After Wakai, the Yodo Line becomes JR and continues to Kita-Uwajima, where trains link with the Yosan Line and head into Uwajima.

What services run
- The Yodo Line operates local trains that stop at all stations. Most trains are driver-only (wanman) services.

Scenery
- It’s known for its quiet, scenic countryside along the Shimanto River.

History in brief
- The line began in 1914 as a narrow-gauge line from Uwajima to Chikanaga. It was extended in 1923 toward Yoshino, then nationalized in 1933 and re-gauged to 1,067 mm in 1941. Kita-Uwajima became the starting point, and a new route to Ekawasaki opened in 1953, with the Ekawasaki–Wakai section opening in 1974. The line was then linked with the Dosan Line and renamed the Yodo Line; CTC signalling was added, and freight services ended.

Rolling stock
- Trains used on the line include KiHa 32, KiHa 31, and KiHa 185 DMUs.