Nemuro Line

Nemuro Line
A KiHa 283 series DMU between Shakubetsu and Ombetsu
Overview
Type	Regional rail
Locale	Hokkaido
Termini	Takikawa Nemuro
Stations	68
Operation
Opened	1901
Owner	JR Hokkaido
Technical
Line length	443.8 km (275.8 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	None
Route map

Nemuro Main Line (根室本線, Nemuro Honsen) is a railway line in Hokkaido operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), connecting Takikawa Station in Takikawa and Nemuro Station in Nemuro, including Obihiro and Kushiro. Higashi-Nemuro is the most easterly situated station on the Japanese rail system.

On 19 November 2016, JR Hokkaido's President announced plans to rationalise the network by up to 1,237 km, or ~50% of the current network, including closure of the Nemuro Line between Furano and Kami-Ochiai Junction. The section between Kushiro and Nemuro is proposed for conversion to Third Sector operation, but if local governments are not agreeable, such sections will also face closure.

The line is roughly divided into three segments. The segment between Takikawa and Shintoku is now a quiet local line. The rapid train Karikachi () runs twice a day, and there is one local train service every 1 to 2 hours.

The segment between Shintoku and Kushiro remains a part of the important trunk route between Sapporo and eastern Hokkaido. The limited express train Super Ozora runs between Sapporo and Kushiro six times a day, while the Super Tokachi runs twice a day, Tokachi four times a day, both between Sapporo and Obihiro. There is one local train service every 1 to 2 hours.

The segment between Kushiro and Nemuro is again a quiet local line. This segment has the official nickname Hanasaki Line (花咲線, Hanasaki-sen). There are two rapid trains Nosappu () and Hanasaki () which run once a day each. Other than that, there is one local train service every 2 to 3 hours.