Various railroads have operated in the Moji area in the past, including a line by JR Freight to Sotohama Station (near present day Idemitsu Art Museum Station) and a private passenger line known as the "Tanoura Public Rinkai Line" (田野浦公共臨港鉄道). After the closure of these lines, multiple proposals were made to preserve these lines as a heritage railway. One such proposal by the Heisei Chikuhō Railway was finally approved on March 13, 2008 between Mojikō Station and Mekari Park (now Kanmon Straits Mekari Station).[1][2]
In preparation for its reopening, promotional events were held on the tracks throughout 2008.[3] Plans for the railroad was formally announced January 2009, and naming rights to the station were sold before its formal opening on April 26.[4][5][6] For their preservation efforts, Kitakyushu City was awarded a "Railroad Cultural and Tourism Award" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.[7]
The 2018 Japan floods heavily damaged the tracks, forcing the line to be closed for a month.[8]
Operations
One four-car passenger train named the Shiokaze (潮風号) runs on the track. The line operates year-round (previously, only between March and November).[9] Except for certain weeks such as during the Obon period, trains only operate on weekends and holidays. Eleven round-trip services are run per day at 40-minute intervals.[10]
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