The venerable single-track Hojo Railway is a system mostly composed of unmanned "ghost stations." To operate this old system and continue its existence, city residents were recruited to serve as unpaid uniformed "volunteer stationmasters," donating their services and time. Now the system goes on, powered by regional loyalty and love of railroad tradition.
Formed in 1913 as the Banshu Railway, the line passed in ownership to Kasai City in 1984, with the mayor as president. The Hojo Railway now serves eight rural stations near the city.