Ekikanai

Ekikanai is a term used in discussions of railway networks to denote that there is no direct service or link between two specified stations. It is formed from the Japanese words ekikan, meaning the distance or connection between stations, and nai, the negation. In practice, ekikanai signals that travelers cannot move directly between the two stations and must transfer or use an alternative route.

Etymology and usage. The concept reflects the absence of a direct interstation connection rather than a lack of any railway service in general. It is most often encountered in planning documents, timetable notes, and route diagrams where the availability of direct connections is mapped. In English-language summaries, ekikanai may be translated as “no interstation direct service” or “no direct link.”

Context and interpretation. Ekikanai is typically used to describe a pair of stations within a network where a direct rolling stock service does not operate. It helps planners and travelers understand transfer requirements and route options. The term is technical and may appear primarily in professional or study contexts rather than everyday passenger guidance.

Examples.

- ある区間は ekikanai である。すなわち、駅Aと駅Bの間には直通列車が運行されていない。 (Translation: A certain segment is ekikanai, meaning that there is no direct service between Station A and Station B.)

- 路線図の注記には ekikanai が示され、乗り換えが必要であることを示す。 (Translation: The timetable diagram note shows ekikanai, indicating that a transfer is required.)

See also. 駅間, 直通運転, 路線図, 鉄道用語.

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