The line was first built to transport worshippers between Izumo and Ichibata Yakushi, a shrine to the east of the city. An extension to Matsue was completed in 1928.[1] Before World War II, the line connected directly to Ichibata Yakushi, where a station named Ichibata Station was located nearby. However, during the war, the line was designated as an "unnecessary line", and in 1944 the section between Ichibata and Ichibataguchi Station was closed. This section would later be disassembled in 1960 and parts were offered to the Nagoya Railroad. Because of this, there is still a switchback at Ichibataguchi Station.
Some services branch off the line at Kawato Station and continue along the Taisha Line to Izumo Taisha-mae Station.[2] There are local, express, and limited express services that run along on the line, along with the Izumotaisha express service and the Superliner limited express.[3]
