 The section between Oji and Takada was opened in 1891 by the Osaka Railway.The Minami Kazu Railway opened the Takada to Yoshinoguchi section in 1896, and extended the line to Gojo in 1898, the same year the Kiwa Railway opened the Gojo to Hashimoto section, extending it to Wakayama in 1900, the year the Osaka Railway merged with the Kansai Railway.The line was electrified in 1980.