The history of railways in the Okumikawa area began in 1900 (33rd year of Meiji period) with the opening of the Toyokawa Railway between Toyohashi and Oumi. In 1923 (12th year of Taisho period), when the Horaiji Railway opened between Oumi and Mikawa-kawai, residents of the former Taguchi-cho (now Shitara-cho) mostly demanded that the railway be extended to the upper reaches of the Toyokawa River. Since at that time, the forest near Mt. Dando in the upper reaches of the Toyokawa River was an imperial forest owned by the imperial family, the construction of a railroad was proposed to the former imperial household department in order to transport wood from the forest, which led to the establishment of the Taguchi Railway in 1927 (2nd year of Showa period).
In 1929 (4th year of Showa period), the company opened the section between Horaijiguchi (now on the JR Iida Line) and Mikawa Ebi (11.6 km), marking the beginning of the Taguchi Line. After that, it was extended to Kiyosaki (6.5 km) and further to Mikawa Taguchi (4.5 km), making the total length 22.6 km. After being operated and managed by JNR (currently JR), it was taken over by Toyohashi Railway in 1956 (31st year of the Showa period) and became the Toyohashi Railway Taguchi Line.
With the opening of the Taguchi Line, the Okumikawa region's lifestyle and industries have greatly developed, not only through the transportation of lumber, but also through the securing of fresh food, the opening of high schools along the railway line, the broadening of commuting areas, and the attraction of tourists.
However, depopulation and the progress of the automobile society led to a decrease in the number of passengers, and in 1968 (43rd year of Showa period), the line was unfortunately discontinued.

Traces of roadbeds, bridges, tunnels, platforms, etc. where the Taguchi Line ran still remain today, and you can imagine what it was like in the past. Until recently, traces of the station building remained at Mikawa Taguchi Station, the final stop, but now it is within the construction site of the Shitara Dam, and members of the general public are not permitted to enter. After the dam is completed, it is expected to be submerged.

Near the site of old Kiyosaki Station on the former Taguchi Line, the Roadside Station Michi-no-Eki Shitara, which opened in 2021, incorporates the Okumikawa Folk Museum, which displays materials related to the nature and history of Shitara-cho, as well as the lives of the people there. Wooden vehicles that played an active role on the line are also exhibited outdoors. Tools that were used when the train was in operation are displayed inside the train, and you can take a observation tour. You can enjoy nostalgic scenery of the railway.

Since many of the traces of the former Toyohashi Railway Taguchi Line do not have facilities such as parking lots, it is recommended that you participate in a tour so as not to cause trouble for surrounding neighborhoods. Toyohashi Railway, which operated the Taguchi Line, provides tours along the old Taguchi Line as needed using sightseeing buses and fixed-route buses as part of the Okumikawa Rediscovery Tour.

Toyohashi Railway Co., Ltd. Web Site (Japanese)