The is a Japanese railway line connecting Kawanishi and Nishiki-chō stations, all within Iwakuni, Yamaguchi. It is the only railway line operated by , a third-sector railway company which took over a former West Japan Railway Company (JR West) line in 1987. The company also operates bus lines and a travel agency. As its name suggests, the line parallels the Nishiki River. An extension to Nichihara via JR's Yamaguchi Line was proposed but not completed (see History section below).
The line saw a ridership of 119,758 passengers in 2025.
Basic data Distance: Gauge: Stations: 13 Track: single Electric supply: not electrified Railway signalling: Kawanishi – Kita-Gōchi: Automatic Kita-Gōchi – Nishiki-chō: Simplified automatic
Services All services on the line are Local trains, stopping at every station.
All trains run via through service to and from Iwakuni Station on the JR West Gantoku Line.
, there are 10 round trips per day between Iwakuni and Nishiki-chō. Trains generally operate around every 1½ hours, although in the middle of the day there is a gap of over 3 hours in services towards Nishiki-chō and over 2½ hours towards Iwakuni. Trips along the full line take 64–70 minutes.
Stations All stations are in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi. LineNameDistance Between
Stations (km)Distance Total (km)ConnectionsJR West Gantoku LineIwakuni 岩国 0.00.0San'yō Main LineNishi-Iwakuni 西岩国3.73.7Gantoku LineNishikigawa Seiryū Line川西1.95.6Gantoku Line清流新岩国3.99.5Sanyō Shinkansen ()守内かさ神1.511.0 南河内3.214.2 行波2.616.8 北河内2.719.5 椋野3.823.3 南桑3.126.4 清流みはらし1.728.1Temporary station, only served by special trains根笠1.029.1 河山4.433.5 柳瀬3.136.6 錦町1.738.3
Rolling stock
: 4 cars, diesel, manufactured in 2007–2008 by Niigata Transys.
History The opened to Kawayama on 1 November 1960, operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and was extended to Nishiki-chō in 1963. Construction of the proposed extension to Nichihara on the Yamaguchi Line commenced in 1967, and about 50% of the roadbed had been completed when construction was abandoned in 1980.
The Nishikigawa Railway was established on 1 April 1987, renaming and taking over operations of the line from 25 July of the same year.
The line saw its peak ridership of 584,170 passengers in the year 1988.
Seiryu Miharashi Station was opened on March 19, 2019. It is a only served by special trains, built as a viewing platform with scenic views facing the Nishiki River. There is no road or pedestrian access to the station.
See also List of railway companies in Japan List of railway lines in Japan
References This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.
External links