Originally it was set up to connect the cities in Shiga and Mie prefectures along the Tokaido to the Tokaido Line, which was not included in the route of the Government Railway Company.
当初は官設鉄道の経路から外れた東海道沿いの滋賀、三重県下の都市を東海道線に結ぶ目的で設立された。