Location & Access
Shiku Station (ししく) is situated in Komuro, Ina, Kitaadachi District, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It serves as a convenient access point for residents and visitors to the Ina area, offering connections to the broader Greater Tokyo Area via the New Shuttle system. The station is identified by the station number NS10.
Railway Lines
Shiku Station is exclusively served by the Ina Line, also known as the New Shuttle (ニューシャトル). This unique 12.7-kilometer (7.9 mi) rubber-tyred people mover system runs north from Ōmiya Station in Saitama, alongside the Tohoku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shinkansen elevated high-speed lines, through Ageo to Uchijuku Station in Ina. The line is double-tracked from Ōmiya to Maruyama Station and single-tracked from Maruyama to Uchijuku Station. The New Shuttle is operated by Saitama New Urban Transit Co., Ltd., a third-sector railway company with major shareholders including East Japan Railway Company and Tobu Railway.
Station History
The Ina Line, and consequently Shiku Station, opened on December 22, 1983, making it over 40 years old. The system was designed to provide efficient transportation in Saitama Prefecture, utilizing a manually driven rubber-tyred people mover technology. Its development was a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including local governments and major railway companies.
Travel Tips
When traveling to Shiku Station, remember that it is part of the New Shuttle system, which operates with rubber-tyred trains and runs at a maximum operating speed of 60 km/h (35 mph). The line offers scenic views as it parallels the Shinkansen lines. For up-to-date information on schedules and services, it's recommended to check the official Saitama New Urban Transit website.
