History
Haraigawa Station opened on 23 March 2019 between Toyomane and Tsugaruishi on Sanriku Railway's Rias Line, coinciding with the completion of the reconstructed Miyako-Kamaishi segment of the former Yamada Line and its transfer to the third-sector operator. The station carries the nickname "Aratana Kibō" ("new hope"), chosen by public ballot in 2018. As with Yagisawa-Miyakotandai, the project arose after the 2011 tsunami: surrounding districts had escaped serious damage and absorbed displaced residents, prompting Miyako City to back a new stop. The build was funded through national rail-revitalisation subsidies channelled via Sanriku Railway. The station consists of a single side platform with a shelter.
History summarized from Japanese & English Wikipedia · last reviewed 2026-05-18.
Notes
Haraigawa was named "Aratana Kibō" ("new hope") through a public ballot following the 2011 tsunami, reflecting that the surrounding district had escaped flooding and gained displaced residents from harder-hit coastal neighbourhoods.