Its alignment is parallel with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen between Takamiya and Gokasho.

The line is 47.7 kilometres (29.6 mi) long, extending from Maibara to Kibukawa.

The Hikone to Yokaichi section opened in 1898, reaching Kibukawa in 1900.

The Hikone to Takamiya section was electrified at 600 V DC in 1925, with the Takamiya to Kibukawa section electrified at 1,500 V DC in 1928, and the Hikone to Takamiya section raised to that voltage at the same time.

[citation needed] Rapid train services were introduced in 2003, but were discontinued in 2013.