Today the Hakubi-sen is the fastest and most important connection between the San'yô (the Inland Sea coast) and the San'in (the Japan Sea coast) in Western Japan. Hakubi-sen trains start in the city of Okayama and travel down the San'yô Honsen for 15, 9 km as far as Kurashiki. Here they branch off onto the Hakubi-sen proper. After 138, 4 km they reach the Japan Sea coast at Hôki Daisen and join the San'in Honsen for the onward journey westward, first to Yonago (4,8 from Hôki Daisen), then to Matsue (33, 7 km from Hôki Daisen), and finally to Izumo (66, 4 km from Hôkai Daisen) and the railway yard 4, 8 km further on. On their way, Hakubi-sen trains have to tackle some very steep inclines with tight curvature. Coming from Kurashiki they first climb along the Takahashi River past the ancient castle town of Bitchû Takahashi up to Niimi. From here they work through the gorge around Nunohara to Bitchû Kôjiro. Then starts the descent along the Hinogawa River. At Kami Iwami the border between Okayama Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture is crossed. Passing the fierce-looking Hôki Daisen extinct volcano (1729 m high), Hakubi-sen trains arrive at the junction of Hôki Daisen, which also has a container terminal served by freight trains from Okayama several times a day. Direct passenger trains go on to Yonago, Matsue and Izumo.
The Hakubi-sen was built bit by bit between 1919 and 1928. Originally, the line was only of minor importance, but after completion of the Shinkansen from Ôsaka to Okayama (with through trains from Tôkyô) in 1972 it completely altered its character to become part of the fastest connection from these big cities to the population centres of the San'in. Many sections were entirely rebuilt (starting in 1968), partly with double-track, and electrification (DC 1500 V) was completed in 1982. To this day, the intercity expresses using the line are class 381 tilting electric multiple units well suited for the line. The Nunohara gorge area with its viaduct saw the last of the famous triple-headed steam freight trains in 1972 (using class D51 locomotives). In October / November 2000 the line was seriously affected by violent earthquakes.
Local services today see approximately 3 trains an hour from Okayama to Bitchû Takahashi, of which one continues up the line to Niimi. Some of these trains work to and from the Akô-sen. On the northern side of the line, there are 3 local trains each (some working through to and from Izumo) in the morning and evening, with 2 during the day and 3 additional trains to Shôyama, 43 km up the line from Hôki Daisen.
Express intercity trains "Yakumo" with only few stops provide an hourly service between Okayama and Izumo. In addition there is a through sleeping car express "Sunrise Izumo"; this train leaves Tôkyô at 22:00, arriving at Izumo next morning at 09:58. The return journey starts at Izumo at 18:51, with arrival in Tôkyô next morning at 07:08.
The name of the line derives from the names of the old provinces of Hôki 伯耆 (today part of Tottori prefecture around the towns of Yonago and Kurayoshi) and Bitchû 備中 (today the western part of Okayama prefecture around Kurashiki and the old castle town of Takahashi); the two characters 伯 and 備 together are read "Hakubi".
# On July 5/6, 2018, the line was badly damaged by torrential rain, flooding and landslides. Train services have had to be suspended between Gôkei and Kami Iwami (71, 4 km). Reopening is foreseen for the beginning of August. #
