Minamiaso Railway Takamori Line

All stations are within Kumamoto Prefecture. † The station name of Aso-Shimodajō has changed three times: • 12 February 1928: Aso-Shimoda (阿蘇下田) • 1 August 1993: Aso-Shimodajō-Fureai-Onsen (阿蘇下田城ふれあい温泉) • 15 July 2023: Aso-Shimodajō (阿蘇下田城) With 22 kana, Minamiaso Mizu-no-Umareru-Sato Hakusui-Kōgen Station (南阿蘇水の生まれる里白水高原駅|南阿蘇水の生まれる里白水高原]) was tied with Chōjagahamashiosaihamanasukōenmae Station in Ibaraki Prefecture as the longest station name in Japan; however, since 2020, the record is held by Tōjiin Ritsumeikan University Station in Kyoto, with 26 kana. ==Earthquake closure and reopening==

The entire Takamori Line was closed following significant damage to track and infrastructure following the Kumamoto earthquakes in April 2016. A section of the line between Nakamatsu and Takamori resumed service in July of the same year. However, the section between Tateno and Nakamatsu could not be reopened because of extensive earthquake damage to the track. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism estimated that a complete restoration would cost between 6.5 and 7 billion yen. After work was completed to restore the railway, the full line re-opened on 15 July 2023. Major work to reopen the line included the complete rebuilding of the badly damaged No. 1 Shirakawa arch bridge. == History ==

The single-track line was opened by the Japanese Government Railways in 1928. The only passing loop is at . Freight services ceased in 1984. Minamiaso Railway took over the line from Japanese National Railways (JNR) on April 1, 1986. It uses a simplified automatic railway signalling system. The line is not electrified. The MLIT tested a DMV railbus on the line in November, 2007. Uncompleted extension After the Takachiho line opened in 1972, construction of the section to Takamori continued until 1975 when flooding in the Takamori tunnel ( north of Takamori) resulted in work being suspended. Construction was formally abandoned in 1980. == See also ==