The Aichi Loop Line (愛知環状鉄道線) is a Japanese railway line connecting Okazaki Station in Okazaki and Kōzōji Station in Kasugai, operated by the Aichi Loop Railway (愛知環状鉄道). The company or the line is abbreviated as Aikan (愛環). This is the only line the company operates. Despite its name, the line is not a true loop, but a north-south line situated east of Nagoya, which can be considered as an unclosed loop (with the JR Tokaido line and Chuo Line serving as the portions of the circle). The Aichi Loop Railway is a third-sector company, with shares held by public sector such as Aichi Prefecture, the city of Toyota, and also by private companies. Unlike typical third-sector lines in Japan, the Aichi Loop Line makes a profit, since the line functions as a commuter rail line for nearby Toyota Motor factories.

Basic data

Services

There are no rapid services. All trains stop at every station. Three to four trains run per hour.

Station list

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Rolling stock

Services are operated by a fleet of 2-car 2000 series EMUs.

History

The first section of the line between Okazaki and Kitano-Masuzuka opened in 1970 as the Okata Line (岡多線), a freight rail line of Japanese National Railways (JNR). The section between Kitano-Masuzuka and Shin-Toyota was extended and the whole line started a passenger service in 1976. Another part of the line, between Setoshi and Kōzōji, was originally planned as the JNR Seto Line, a (later cancelled) freight line. The Okata Line, merged with the planned Seto Line route and the link between two, was renamed the Aichi Loop Line in 1988. The newly founded Aichi Loop Line Company took over the line from Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), with services starting on 31 January 1988. Beginning on 1 October 2005, through-service began over the JR Chuo Main Line to Nagoya Station. This service has since been discontinued.