Shimokita (train)

The Shimokita (しもきた) is a "Rapid" limited-stop train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Aoimori Railway Line, which runs from Aomori and Hachinohe to Ōminato via the former Tōhoku Main Line and Ōminato Line.[1]

Shimokita

JR East KiHa 100 series DMU car KiHa 100-202 at Aomori Station on a Shimokita rapid service in February 2004
Overview
Service type	Rapid
Status	Operational
Locale	Aomori Prefecture
First service	15 September 1961 (Semi express) 1 October 1966 (Express) 1 December 1993 (Rapid)
Current operator(s)	JR East Aoimori Railway
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Start	Aomori Hachinohe
Stops	12
End	Ōminato
Distance travelled	102.9 km (63.9 mi) Aomori - Ōminato 109.7 km (68.2 mi) Hachinohe - Ōminato
Service frequency	1 daily round trip service to Aomori 3 round trip services daily to Hachinohe
Line(s) used	Ōminato Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard only
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 100 series DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	None
Operating speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

Service pattern

There is one daily round trip service to Aomori, and three daily round trip services to Hachinohe.[2]

Station list

From Aomori

Station	Japanese	Distance (km)		Transfers	Location
		Between stations	Total
Aomori	青森	-	0.0	Ōu Main Line, Tsugaru Line	Aomori	Aomori
Higashi-Aomori	東青森	5.8	5.8
Asamushi-Onsen	浅虫温泉	11.4	17.2
Kominato	小湊	10.2	27.4		Hiranai
Noheji	野辺地	17.2	44.6	Aoimori Railway Line	Noheji
Mutsu-Yokohama	陸奥横浜	30.1	74.7		Yokohama
Shimokita	下北	25.3	100		Mutsu
Ōminato	大湊	2.9	102.9

From Hachinohe

Station	Japanese	Distance (km)		Transfers	Location
		Between stations	Total
Hachinohe	八戸	-	0.0	Tōhoku Shinkansen, Hachinohe Line, Aoimori Railway Line	Hachinohe	Aomori
Shimoda	下田	11.1	11.1		Oirase
Misawa	三沢	9.9	21		Misawa
Kamikitachō	上北町	10.5	31.5		Tōhoku
Noheji	野辺地	19.9	51.4	Aoimori Railway Line	Noheji
Mutsu-Yokohama	陸奥横浜	30.1	81.5		Yokohama
Shimokita	下北	25.3	106.8		Mutsu
Ōminato	大湊	2.9	109.7

History

Semi express (1961 - 1965)

The Shimokita name was first used on 15 September 1961 for a semi express service which operated between Morioka in Iwate Prefecture and Ōwani in Aomori Prefecture via Aomori.[3] This was discontinued on 30 September 1965, replaced by the Michinoku service.[3]

Express (1966 - 1982)

The Shimokita name was subsequently used from 1 October 1966 for an express service which operated between Morioka and Ikarigaseki in the down direction and between Ōwani and Morioka in the up direction.[3] This was discontinued on 14 November 1982.[3]

Rapid (1993 - )

A JR East KiHa 40 series DMU set on a Shimokita service in 2008

The Shimokita name was revived in 1993 when new KiHa 100 series DMU trains were introduced on the former Usori rapid services operating between Ōminato, Noheji, and Aomori.[4]

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan

References

1. 12月4日ダイヤ改正後の青森地区列車運転体系 [Operating pattern of Aomori area trains following 4 December timetable revision]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 39 no. 320. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. December 2010. pp. 24–25.
2. "Rapid (Ominato - Noheji - Aomori)". www.jreast.co.jp.
3. Teramoto, Mitsuteru (23 July 2001). 国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典 [JNR & JR Train Name Encyclopedia] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd. p. 277–278. ISBN 4-88732-093-0.
4. 列車名鑑1995 [Train Name Directory 1995] (in Japanese). Japan: Railway Journal. August 1995. p. 32.