Revamping the Navigation Maps for Oigawa Railway's Key Stations

Oigawa Railway, a popular scenic train route in Japan, recognized for its Showa retro trains and operational steam locomotives, is enhancing visitor experience with a significant overhaul of its surrounding navigation maps known as 'Navita.' The revisions, spearheaded by Hyojito Co., Ltd., will be implemented at three key railway stations—Shin-Kanaya Station, Iyama Station, and Chikuhō Station—by July 2026.

The Significance of Oigawa Railway Stations

Oigawa Railway connects Kanaya Station in Shizuoka Prefecture to Ikawa Station, showcasing one of Japan's few 'Abt' style railway lines. It employs charming red small trolley trains that traverse breathtaking natural landscapes, offering scenic views widely appreciated throughout the country. Each weekend and tourist season, a substantial influx of visitors arrives, often not familiar with the area, thus the need for clear navigational guidance at stations is critical.

Features of the Key Stations

Shin-Kanaya Station

This serves as the starting point for steam locomotive journeys and acts as a maintenance hub. With its traditional wooden station building, visitors can observe locomotive inspection activities, including a rotating turntable and inspection facilities.

Iyama Station

The station building and platform exude a historical ambiance and are frequently featured as filming locations for various movies and dramas. Notably, the 'Iyama Cherry Blossom Tunnel,' which stretches over one kilometer along the tracks, attracts many tourists.

Chikuhō Station

Serve as a hub for transfers to the Ikawa Line (Southern Alps Abt Line), this station is a vital junction in the Oigawa main line.

Key Improvements in the 'Navita' Maps

To ensure the surrounding infrastructure continues to meet the needs of first-time visitors, the renovation will streamline both the design and installation processes of the navigation maps.

Sustainable Infrastructure Design

1. Integrated Design for Three Stations: Common specifications for the maps have been established, allowing for optimal processes from production to installation. By having uniform sizes and shared geographic data across the three stations, efficiency is significantly improved.

2. Unified Management System: Managing these three stations as a single entity reduces the effort required for future updates and maintenance, creating a sustainable operational framework.

Enhanced Tourist Experience with 'Wide Area and Major Station Maps'

The new common map will feature variations catering to tourists' needs effectively:

- Wide Area Map (Left Side): This map showcases the entire railway line from Shin-Kanaya Station to Ikawa Station, allowing visitors to easily grasp the big picture of the Oigawa Railway and its routes.
- Major Stations Detailed Map (Right Side): This section focuses on the three key stations, pinpointing significant tourist attractions and providing clear directions around each station.
- Location Display Adaptations: While maintaining a uniform design, adaptable indicators will display the current position based on where the map is installed, balancing clarity with commonality across the stations.

As the Oigawa Railway area enters its peak tourism seasons, with autumn's vibrant foliage and clear winter air drawing visitors, the company is committed to providing accessible navigation for both travelers and local residents. The 'Navita' initiative represents an ongoing effort to enhance guiding infrastructure, ensuring everyone can confidently navigate to their destinations.

About 'Navita'

'Navita' is an information hub that integrates regional data and advertisements, established by Hyojito Co., Ltd., across major train stations, local government offices, police boxes, and religious sites nationwide. By generating advertising revenue from local businesses, the program provides essential guidance boards to the public free of charge.

With years of development, 'Navita' has become a vital reference point for station users and passersby checking their location or destinations. More recently, advancements like digital signage and smartphone integration have modernized the service, while still focusing on supporting local convenience and economic revitalization.

Company Overview

- Company Name: Hyojito Co., Ltd.
- Head Office Locations: Tokyo Headquarters, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, etc.
- CEO: Takahiro Tokume
- Establishment: February 1967
- Website: Hyojito