Miyaji Station Explained

Miyaji Station
Native Name:宮地駅
Native Name Lang:ja
Symbol Location:jp
Symbol:jrk
Style:JR Kyushu
Address:Ichinomiyamachi Miyaji, Aso-shi, Kumamoto-ken 869-2612
Country:Japan
Coordinates:32.9372°N 131.1175°W
Operator: JR Kyushu
Line: Hōhi Main Line
Distance:53.4 km from
Platforms:1 island platform
Tracks:2 + numerous sidings
Structure:At grade
Status:Staffed ticket window (outsourced)
Map Type:Japan Kumamoto Prefecture#Japan
Map Dot Label:Miyaji Station
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Zoom:17

is a passenger railway station located in the city of Aso, Kumamoto, Japan. It Is operated by JR Kyushu.[1]

Lines

The station is served by the Hōhi Main Line and is located 53.4 km from the starting point of the line at .

Layout

The station consists of an island platform serving two tracks at grade. The station building is a wooden structure of traditional Japanese design with a double tiled roof and has been built and decorated to resemble a Shinto shrine. It houses a waiting room and a staffed ticket window. Access to the island platform is by means of a level crossing. South of the station are numerous passing loops, sidings and a turntable, all belonging to a depot on the Hōhi Main Line.[2] [3] [4]

Management of the station has been outsourced to the JR Kyushu Tetsudou Eigyou Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of JR Kyushu specialising in station services. It staffs the ticket window which is equipped with a POS machine but does not have a Midori no Madoguchi facility.[5] [6]

Platforms

History

On 21 June 1914, Japanese Government Railways (JGR) opened the (later the Miyagi Line) from eastwards to . The line was extended eastward in phases and Miyaji was established as the eastern terminal on 25 January 1918. On 2 December 1928, the station was linked up with, the western terminus of the, which had been extended westwards in phases from since 1914. Through-traffic was established between Kumamoto and Ōita. The two lines were merged and the entire stretch redesignated as the Hōhi Main Line. With the privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR), the successor of JGR, on 1 April 1987, Miyaji station came under the control of JR Kyushu.

On 17 September 2017, Typhoon Talim (Typhoon 18) damaged the Hōhi Main Line at several locations. Services between Aso and Nakahanda, including Miyaji, were suspended and replaced by bus services. Rail service from Aso through Miyaji to Miemachi was restored by 22 September 2017[7] Normal rail services between Aso and Ōita were restored by 2 October 2017.[8]

Environs

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JR Kyushu Route Map. JR Kyushu. 23 February 2018.
  2. Web site: 宮地. Miyaji. 22 April 2018. hacchi-no-he.net.
  3. Book: Kawashima, Ryōzō. ja: 図説: 日本の鉄道 四国・九州ライン 全線・全駅・全配線・第6巻 熊本 大分 エリア. 2013 . Kodansha. 9784062951654. Japan Railways Illustrated. Shikoku and Kyushu. All lines, all stations, all track layouts. Volume 6 Kumamoto Ōita Area. Japanese. 39, 78.
  4. Web site: 宮地. Miyaji. 22 April 2018. Blog entry with good photographic coverage of station facilities.
  5. Web site: 熊本支店内各駅. Stations within the Kumamoto Branch. 17 April 2018. JRTE website.
  6. Web site: 宮地駅. Miyaji Station. 22 April 2018. jr-mars.dyndns.org. See images of tickets sold.
  7. Web site: 豊肥本線の運休区間が縮小…阿蘇~三重町間再開. Zone of suspended services on Hōhi Main Line reduced. Aso to Miemachi reopens. 15 April 2018. 22 September 2017. Response.jp. https://web.archive.org/web/20171002021236/https://response.jp/article/2017/09/22/300113.html. 2 October 2017.
  8. Web site: 10 月2日(月)からの日豊本線・豊肥本線の運転計画について(お知らせ). Operations plan for Nippo Main Line and Hōhi Main Line (notice) . 2017-10-01. 29 September 2017. JR Kyushu. https://web.archive.org/web/20170930180557/http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/common/inc/emergency/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2017/09/29/170929_1002keikaku.pdf. 30 September 2017.