The Toi Line offers a fascinating glimpse into history and nature, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. Originally built in 1933 as a military railway to protect the strategic Tsugaru Strait, the line's incomplete construction during the Greater East Asia War leaves behind a captivating story of ambition interrupted by wartime challenges. Walking along the remnants of the railway, you'll encounter tunnels and striking concrete arch bridges that resemble Roman aqueducts, standing as silent witnesses to the past. The Hakodate City section has been transformed into a scenic road and cycling path, perfect for leisurely exploration. Meanwhile, the Toimachi section retains its historical charm, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the untouched beauty of the original structures. One of the highlights of the visit is the breathtaking view of the Tsugaru Strait. On a clear day, you can spot the town of Ōma across the water, adding a picturesque backdrop to your adventure. Whether you're there for the history or the views, the Toi Line is a unique destination that bridges the past and the present in an unforgettable way.

My first visit. Last time, while heading to Hakodate from the Shikabe side, I missed it😱. These are remains of the former Toi Line. According to the information, the line was planned to connect today's Goryokaku Station with the former town of Toi over ２９.２km. However, as wartime conditions worsened, construction was halted with ２.８km left. So the Toi Line is a phantom? railway that never saw a single train run☺️. This is an arch bridge built at that time. Some sections of the route are now roads or walking paths. Around Cape Shiokubi and near the mouth of the Shiodomari River, where it wasn't repurposed, piers, abutments, and arch bridges remain👏. During my visit, major landslide prevention and restoration work was underway👏.

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The concrete arch bridge of the former Japanese National Railways Toi Line was larger and higher up than I expected, and impressive to see. I don't know much about railways, but it's a historical remnant, so I'm glad I got to see it this time.

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Visited on 2025·R7.7.5. To put it bluntly, “a planned railway never materialized, but bridges and things were already built and then abandoned.” This is the concrete 8-arch bridge “汐首岬第1陸橋(汐首陸橋)” on Toi's unfinished line. A railway less than 30km long was planned to branch from Goryokaku Station to Toi Station, carrying supplies to “汐首岬砲台,” part of the Tsugaru Fortress in Toi, but the tracks were never laid. Entry onto the bridge is prohibited, and the areas around nearby homes are private property, so entry there is prohibited too. It seems we can only keep watching it crumble, like Lake Nukabira's “士幌線タウシュベツ川橋梁跡” (trains actually ran there, so it's different from the unfinished line's “旧戸井線汐首橋梁跡,” though···)🧐🤔😭. Is there no way for it to become industrial heritage or a cultural property?🤗.

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May 23, 2026 (Saturday) A historical structure visible from the road. Modern civil engineering heritage: an arch bridge. A place I like.