Kamoshika

Kamoshika

Kamoshika service at Aomori Station, September 2007
Overview
Service type	Limited express
First service	1986 (Express) 1997 (Limited express)
Last service	2010
Current operator(s)	JR East
Route
Service frequency	6 daily
Line used	Ōu Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Green + standard
Technical
	485 series EMU
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	20 kV AC
Operating speed	95 km/h (60 mph)

The Kamoshika (かもしか^?, lit. "Japanese Serow") was a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) which ran between Akita and Aomori via the Ōu Main Line. The service was discontinued from December 2010.

There were three services in each direction daily, stopping at the following stations.

Trains were normally formed of 3-car 485 series EMUs based at Akita depot, sometimes strengthened to 6 cars during busy seasons. Green car (first class) accommodation was included in Car 1.

The Kamoshika was first introduced on 1 November 1986 as an express service operating between Kami-Suwa, Iida, and Nagano. This service was discontinued from the start of the revised timetable on 13 March 1988.

The Kamoshika name was revived from March 1997 as a limited express service operating between Akita and Aomori, replacing the former Tazawa limited express service which ran between Morioka and Aomori via Akita before the Akita Shinkansen was opened.

From the start of the revised timetable on 4 December 2010, the Kamoshika services were discontinued, replaced by Tsugaru services, formerly operating between Hachinohe and Hirosaki, which were rerouted to operate between Aomori and Akita.