On 12 April 1912, Nansatsu Railway was granted a permit to construct and operate a steam-operated railway line between Naka-Ijūin Village, Hioki District and Makurazaki, Kawabe District in Kagoshima Prefecture, with capital funds of one million yen.

After World War II, through service with the Japanese National Railways (JNR) to Kagoshima commenced in 1949, and diesel trains were introduced in 1952.

[5] The 1950s were said to be the Makurazaki Line's heyday,[5] and it played an important role in transportation across the Satsuma Peninsula.

However, passenger numbers started to gradually decrease through the 1960s, due to motorization, the completion of main roads, and a dwindling population along the route.

On 13 December 1982, Kagoshima Kōtsū finally gave notice of their intention to cease operations on the Makurazaki Line.