INTO ASHIO VALLEY: THE LOST RAIL

I continued my road trip and arrived at Ashio Valley—once known for a copper mine that caused a major pollution problem at the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century. The first stop is Mato Station of Watarase Keikoku Railway, which took over JR Ashio Line originally built for the mine.

ドライブを続け、足尾の谷までやってきた。ここは19世紀末から20世紀初頭にかけて大規模な鉱毒事件を起こした銅山で知られる。最初に立ち寄ったのは、銅山用の鉄道を原点とするJR足尾線を引き継いだ「わたらせ渓谷鐵道」の間藤駅。

Mato Station is a terminus station for the passenger service. The freight railroad beyond Mato was abandoned more than 20 years ago, but traces of the rail line are still there.

旅客輸送は間藤駅が終点。そこから先の貨物線は20年以上前に廃止されたが、いまだに廃線跡を見ることができる。