page_title: Kesennuma Line
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Kesennuma Line / History
caption_attribution_description: English: It takes a picture facing Kesennuma on the platform at Shizugawa Station in Minamisanriku, Miyagi. The station building that is sure to exist under the bank at the right side (sea side) of this image has flowed out. 日本語: 志津川駅のプラットホーム上で気仙沼方へ向かって撮影。画像右側（海側）の土手下にあったはずの駅舎は流失してしまった。（宮城県本吉郡南三陸町）
context_page_description: The Kesennuma Line is a local rail line in Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company. It connected Maeyachi Station in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi to Kesennuma Station in the city of Kesennuma, Miyagi. The route links the north-eastern coast of Miyagi Prefecture, with the Ishinomaki Line available for transfer in the south, and the Ōfunato Line in the north.
  A large section of the railway infrastructure between Minami-Kesennuma Station and Rikuzen-Togura Station, including tracks, stations, and railway bridges, were badly damaged or completely destroyed by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Destroyed stations include Minami-Kesennuma and Shizugawa Station, as well as various others. As a result of the catastrophic damage to the line and prohibitive costs of restoration as a railway, JR East officially proposed the line's conversion into a dedicated bus rapid transit route on 27 December 2011. At present only the Maeyachi to Yanaizu section is operated as a railway, with services on the balance of the route provided by buses.
context_section_description: April 11, 1956: Ōfunato Line begins operation as a freight line between Kesennuma and Kesennuma-Minato stations
  February 11, 1957: Kesennuma Line operates as a passenger line between Minami-Kesennuma and Motoyoshi stations. Ōfunato Freight Line is merged into the Kesennuma Line. Kesennuma to Minami-Kesennuma is open to the public. Minami-Kesennuma, Matsuiwa, Rikuzen-Hashikami, Ōya, Oganezawa, Motoyoshi stations begin operation
  November 10, 1960: Fudōnosawa station begins operation
  July 20, 1967: Saichi station begins operation
  October 24, 1968: Yanaizu Line begins operation between Maeyachi and Yanaizu stations. Wabuchi, Nonodake, Rikuzen-Toyosato, Mitakedō, and Yanaizu stations begin operation
  December 11, 1977: Kesennuma Line connects Motoyoshi and Yanaizu stations. Rikuzen-Yokoyama, Rikuzen-Togura, Shizugawa, Shizuhama, Utatsu, Rikuzen-Minato, Kurauchi and Rikuzen-Koizumi stations begin operation. The freight line between Motoyoshi and Minami-Kesennuma is abolished. Kesennuma Line merges with the Yanaizu Line and runs from Maeyachi to Kesennuma. The freight line runs from Minami-Kesennuma to Kesennuma-Minato.
  November 1, 1979: The remaining freight line is abolished and Kesennuma-Minato station ceases operation.
  April 1, 1987: Kesennuma Line becomes part of JR East.
  March 22, 1997: Ōya station is renamed Ōya-Kaigan station
  March 11, 2011: Line closed following major damage in 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
  April 29, 2011: Rail service restored on Maeyachi - Yanaizu segment.
  May 7, 2012: Local authorities agree to BRT service to Kesennuma.
  August 20, 2012: BRT roadway completed between Rikuzen-Hashikami and Saichi.
  December 22, 2012: BRT service commences between Yanaizu and Kesennuma.
caption: Remains of Kesennuma Line near Shizugawa Station following 2011 tsunami
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