Taiwan Railways Adds a New Sister — Yilan Line and Japan’s Hyogo Sanyo Electric Railway Become Sister Railways

▲ Taiwan Railways’ Yilan Line and Hyogo Sanyo Electric Railway became sister railways and sister stations today (22nd), with mascots representing both Taiwan and Japan also appearing to celebrate the occasion. (Photo / fromWeng Huiping’s personal Facebook page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Another sister station for Taiwan Railways has been added today (22nd)! Taiwan Railways’ Yilan Line and the Hyogo Sanyo Electric Railway in Japan, which leads to the country’s top-ranked castle “Himeji Castle,” have become sister railways. The stations sharing the same name on both lines — “Kameyama Station” — have also been named sister stations. In addition, in conjunction with the reopening of Himeji Castle next March, the Sanyo Electric Railway has also begun selling the “Himeji Tourist Pass.”

Japan’s Sanyo Electric Railway runs directly from Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture to commercial hubs in Osaka such as Umeda and Namba, making it an important regional railway in Hyogo Prefecture. The railway spans 63.2 kilometers and passes through scenic spots including Kobe City, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and suburban coastal areas. Both its route length and operational connections are very similar to those of the Yilan Line, and it even shares a station with the same name — Kameyama Station (亀山駅). This has led to the idea of jointly creating new tourism opportunities between the two regions. Additionally, the Sanyo Electric Railway is also a key mode of transport to Japan’s World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle.

▲ A key mode of transport to Japan’s World Heritage Site “Himeji Castle” — the Sanyo Electric Railway — has now become a sister station with Taiwan Railways’ Yilan Line. (Photo / fromSanyo Electric Railway “Esuko 0 Series” (Image placeholder))

At today’s signing ceremony, Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Kuang-shih and Legislative Yuan Transportation Committee convener and multiple committee members including Yeh Yi-chin were invited to attend as dignitaries, adding honor and prestige to the event. The mascots representing Himeji Castle — “Shiromaru Hime” (白丸姫 / Shiromaru-hime) — and the symbol of Hyogo Prefecture’s rebirth from adversity, “Yellow Phoenix” (はばたん / Habatan), along with Yilan Green Expo mascots Xiaofengling and Xiaodidu, also participated together to witness this historic moment.

The Sanyo Electric Railway has also started selling limited-edition commemorative entrance tickets to mark the sister railway agreement, which include four commemorative tickets that can be used at “Sanyo Himeji Station, Kameyama Station, Sanyo Akashi Station, and Itashiki Station” (one per station), priced at 600 yen each. They also come with a souvenir postcard for Taiwanese travelers holding the ticket. In addition, in line with the reopening of Japan’s national treasure and World Heritage Site — Himeji Castle — next March, the “Himeji Tourist Pass” will go on sale starting mid-January next year to attract Taiwanese travelers to visit and admire the beauty of Himeji Castle.

%The reopening date is currently under restriction, but it is expected to reopen in March 2015. (Photo / from Wikipedia)