In the advent of railways in Japan in the late 19th century, and its golden age in the 20th century, many railway tracks were laid and hence many train stations were built rapidly throughout Japan, enabling people residing in remote places to travel to different places, and over the years the mode of transport grew exponentially in popularity. To date, there are more than 30,000km of railroads in Japan, with over 20,000km belonging to JR Group, and railway tracks have permeated to the far reaches of the country, from the northernmost lands of Hokkaido (北海道) to the furthest south of Kyushu (九州). As a result, there are a handful of train stations that have gained interests for visitors, such as the country’s northernmost and southernmost stations, and those have invoke a sense of nostalgia.
For this article, as part of our celebration of the railway service in Japan for October which includes Railway Day (鉄道の日 Tetsudō no hi), we will explore the less-than-usual train stations in the country, especially those with honourable titles and interesting characteristics that have attracted many people, even foreign visitors.
(Note: this is a two-part series exploring the world-class railways of Japan, and for part two, we will be focusing on the train stations.)
From one end to the other
When it comes to cardinal directions, the railways of Japan have reached the furthest ends that people didn’t think was possible. With people living as far northern prefecture of Hokkaido to the deep southern prefecture of Kagoshima (鹿児島県) in Kyushu, there are bound to be train stations built to serve the local community and travellers venturing to the furthest ends of the mainland.
If you like to know which stations lie on which extremity in Japan, have a look below:
① Northernmost station: Wakkanai Station (稚内駅) in Hokkaido; operated by JR Hokkaido
② Easternmost station: Higashi-Nemuro Station (東根室駅 Higashi-Nemuro-eki) in Hokkaido; operated by JR Hokkaido
③ Southernmost station: Nishi-Oyama Station (西大山駅 Nishi-Ōyama-eki) in Kyushu; operated by JR Kyushu
④ Westernmost station: Tabirahiradoguchi Station (たびら平戸口駅 Tabirahiradoguchi-eki) in Hirado (平戸), Nagasaki (長崎); operated by Matsuura Railway (松浦鉄道 Matsuura tetsudō)
- Westernmost JR train station: Sasebo Station (佐世保駅 Sasebo-eki), operated by JR Kyushu
Go low or go high
There are also some stations with their own unique quirks. For example, in the town of Minakami (みなかみ町) in Gunma Prefecture (群馬県), there is a train station on the Jōetsu Line (上越線) with an unusual layout. Known as the “mole station” (モグラ駅), Doai Station (土合駅) features two single-sided platforms on different levels of the station. One platform is above ground, and is for commuters heading towards Takasaki (高崎); the other platform however, is 70m underground and is for those heading towards Echigo-Yuzawa (越後湯沢) and Nagaoka (長岡) in Niigata Prefecture (新潟県). The Nagaoka-bound platform is accessible only by a 462-step staircase, and there are no lifts or escalators either. Commuters would take around 10 minutes just to climb down and reach the platform!
Furthermore, the train station is close to Mount Tanigawa (谷川岳), which belongs to the “100 Famous Japanese Mountains” (日本百名山 ). Because of this, the area is crowded with many hiking enthusiasts during non-winter seasons, where they can go up the mountain via Tanigawadake Ropeway, from Doaiguchi at the bottom to Tenjindaira at the top.
For those with adventurous hearts, they might be delighted to know that there’s a glamping site just outside Doai Station. DOAI VILLAGE is a one-of-a-kind glamping site for those who would like to spend a luxurious night at the “mole train station”, and it features facilities for accommodation, food and beverages, and even outdoor saunas. This site specially caters to travellers and hikers, and with this glamping site, the developers hope that it will help to bring more visitors to the area and revitalise local tourism.
On the flipside, there is another train station on the other side of the elevation spectrum. In the village of Minamimaki (南牧村) in Nagano Prefecture (長野県) is where Nobeyama Station (野辺山駅) is found, and at an altitude of 1,345.67m above sea level, it is the highest JR train station in Japan.
The station is along the Koumi Line (小海線), which is also home to some of the highest train stations in Japan. The highest elevation on this line is at 1,375m, between Nobeyama Station and Kiyosato Station (清里駅), and this elevation is also the highest among all JR lines. One special point to raise is that HIGH RAIL 1375, a Joyful Train by JR East, runs along this train line and commuters would not only pass through this station, but also enjoy the amazing highland scenery of the Yatsugatake Mountain Range.
That’s steep
Another train line worth mentioning, when it comes to high elevations, is the Ikawa Line (井川線 Ikawa-sen) in Shizuoka, operated by Oigawa Railway (大井川鉄道). What’s outstanding about this line is the terrain: the trains are operating in mountainous regions, so many trains have to go up steep slopes at an unnatural angle. Trains can normally ascend to 25 metres for every 1,000 metres, equalling 1.4 degrees.
However, between Abt Ichishiro Station (アプトいちしろ駅) and Nagashima Dam Station (長島ダム駅) on the Ikawa Line, the angle goes as high as 9 degrees, or a slope of 90‰, making it the steepest track for ordinary trains in Japan. This is made possible with the use of the Abt rack system which uses a tooth-shaped rail called a rail rack.
The railway track opened in October 1990 for dam construction works, but before this, the railway track with the steepest elevation was the Usui Pass (碓氷峠) on the Shin’etsu Main Line (信越本線), before its closure to make way for the Nagano Shinkansen (now Hokuriku Shinkansen) in 1997. The Usui 3rd Bridge (碓氷第三橋梁) was used as a railway passage for the pass, and it is also known as Meganebashi (めがね橋 spectacles bridge) because it resembles spectacles. It is also Japan’s largest arched brick bridge, and was designated a National Important Cultural Asset in 1993.
Outstation-ed
In some cases, the train stations are located in locations so remote that only a few people know exactly where they are. These train stations are known as hikyō-eki (秘境駅 secluded stations), a term coined by Ushiyama Takenobu (牛山隆信), and they were originally built to serve the local community. However, because of the decreasing population within the community—as a result of urban migration and declining population nationally—ridership fell over time, and the stations became desolate.
Many secluded stations can be found in remote areas that once had more people living there in the past. Because of the mountainous terrains and sparsely populated local community, the stations serve very few commuters, and they are often served by a single train line with very few trains. But there is one particular line that has gained attention for passing through particularly remote areas. That line is the Iida Line (飯田線), operated by JR Central.
The extensive line stretches from Aichi Prefecture (愛知県) to Nagano Prefecture via Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県), and has a reputation for passing through some of the most secluded stations. Five stations on this line are in the top 15 ranking for most secluded stations in Japan! Some people would ride on this line to seek out these stations, but along the way, they will discover hidden gems other than just the train stations.
For instance, Kowada Station (小和田駅), voted the third most secluded station in Japan, is located in the mountains of Shizuoka Prefecture. The train will make a 20-minute stop at this unmanned station and passengers can get off and explore the surrounding areas before hopping back on the train and resume their journey. Passengers will get an amazing view of the mountains and the magnificent Tenryu River (天竜川) right from the station platform. On a clear day, they can also spot a private house over the mountains, which would take around 40 minutes to trek to.
Just seven stops away from Kowada Station is Tamoto Station (田本駅), voted the sixth most secluded station in Japan. Like Kowada Station, this unassuming station is also unattended, and only features a small shelter on the platform. Commuters looking for a nice view can get off here and climb the stairs from the platform along the cliff and see the station from atop the bridge that stretches across the railroad tracks.
For those who find these modest train stations charming, they can continue their journey on the Iida Line and make a stop at Kinno Station (金野駅), voted the seventh most secluded station in Japan, and three stops away from Tamoto Station. This one is also unattended and only has a shelter on the platform. One interesting point to note: among all the 94 train stations along the Iida Line, this station has the fewest passengers on average, with less than 200 per year for the last few years.
Just one away from Kowada Station is the eleventh most secluded station in Japan: Nakaisamurai Station (中井侍駅). This station, akin to the other secluded stops along the Iida Line, is unattended and only has a waiting room for passengers. According to Nagano Prefecture’s official statistics, the average number of passengers boarding from this station per day is less than 10.
One honourable mention is the Shiteguri Station (為栗駅), yet another secluded station (ranked #14) that is also on the Iida Line. One outstanding feature of this station is its amazing view from the platform, especially in autumn. It also has the largest viewpoint among all the secluded stations on the line, so it is worth checking out.
Passengers on the Iida Line might notice that a particular section that’s a little peculiar. Between Shironishi Station (城西駅 Shironishi-eki) and Mukaichiba Station (向市場駅 Mukaichiba-eki), there is an S-shaped iron bridge where the line curves along a cliff. Perhaps unnoticeable to many passengers, what’s unique about it is how the bridge enables trains to bypass the cliff blocking the path by crossing from one side of the Misakubo River (塩郷川) to the other and back. In the past, the original plan was to dig a tunnel for this section. Unfortunately, it collapsed and the plan was scrapped, so the alternative was to build a bridge to go around the cliff instead. This is a rarity for railroads in Japan so those seeking out secluded stations on the Iida Line should look out for this specific bridge.
Picture perfect
And then there are stations with other honourable titles, such as one closest to the sea. There are several contenders, but the title goes to Omigawa Station (青海川駅) in Niigata Prefecture, found on the Shin’etsu Main Line (信越本線), and operated by JR East.
Better yet, the Joyful Train Koshino Shu*Kura stops here too, so sake lovers on board the train would also get to enjoy a wonderful view during their trip.
But for those purely interested in finding stations with picturesque settings, the following stations are lauded for their beautiful surroundings (listed in order of region, northernmost to southernmost):
① Kitahama Station (北浜駅) on the Senmō Main Line (釧網本線) in Abashiri (網走), Hokkaido; operated by JR Hokkaido
② Todoroki Station (驫木駅) on the Gonō Line (五能線) in Fukaura (深浦), Aomori Prefecture (青森県); operated by JR East
The Gono Line is also widely regarded to be one of the most scenic train routes, offering passengers a magnificent coastal view as it stretches between prefectures Akita (秋田) and Aomori. The Joyful Train Resort Shirakami passes by this station, although it doesn’t stop here.
③ Obasute Station (姨捨駅) on the Shinonoi Line (篠ノ井線 ) in Chikuma (千曲), Nagano Prefecture; operated by JR East
Resort View Furusato passing by Obasute at dusk. | ©JR East Nagano BranchIt is also worth noting that the Joyful Train Resort View Furusato also makes a stop at this picturesque station. I wrote about this before, so do have a look!
④ Okuoikojo Station (奥大井湖上駅) in Kawanehon (川根本), Shizuoka Prefecture; operated by Ōigawa Railway
⑤ Jokoji Station (定光寺駅) on the Chūō Main Line (中央本線) in Aichi Prefecture (愛知県); operated by JR Central
⑥ Amaharashi Station (雨晴駅) on the Himi Line (氷見線) in Takaoka (高岡), Toyama Prefecture (富山県); operated by JR West
⑦ Amarube Station (餘部駅) on the San’in Main Line (山陰本線) in Kami (香美), Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県); operated by JR West
There is a railway bridge named Amarube Viaduct on the San’in Main Line section between Amarube Station and Yoroi Station (鎧駅). Originally built in 1912, the bridge was replaced a few years ago and a new station named “Empty Station” (空の駅 kara-no-eki) was built. Visitors can walk on the railroad track on the old bridge, and there is also a lift that descends below.
⑧ Shimonada Station (下灘駅) on the Yosan Line (予讃線) in Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県), Shikoku (四国); operated by JR Shikoku
⑨ Chiwata Station (千綿駅) on the Ōmura Line (大村線) in Higashisonogi (東彼杵), Nagasaki Prefecture; operated by JR Kyushu
⑩ Kareigawa Station (嘉例川駅) on the Hisatsu Line (肥薩線) in Kirishima (霧島), Kagoshima Prefecture; operated by JR Kyushu
Out of bounds
For a picture-perfect station that is close to Tokyo, there is the Umi-Shibaura Station (海芝浦駅). Found on the Tsurumi Line (鶴見線) operated by JR East, and located in Yokohama (横浜) in Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県), this station is unlike most others because it’s not exactly accessible to the public. That’s because it’s within the premises of Toshiba Corporation, and only employees and authorised personnel can access this station. Even if one exits the ticket gate, they cannot leave because it’s directly connected to the corporation’s compound.
Nevertheless, many visitors come for the view around the station, and on a clear day, visitors can see the magnificent Yokohama Bay Bridge. To accommodate to the visitors, Toshiba has since developed a park within the premises named Umishiba Park, and visitors can access this park from the station. Visitors must note however, that taking photos of the surrounding buildings is strictly prohibited by the corporation.
Closing
As the demands of train commuters evolve, it becomes essential that railway companies rethink their services and upgrade their trains periodically. The trains in Japan have impressed people from all over the world, and it continues to improve in hopes of attracting even more people to visit the country and travelling with them. Plan your next “rail-ly” awesome train journey in Japan and explore the amazing trains for your next adventure!
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥30,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers. Pass holders can also reserve seats online for up to a month in advance for free on the JR-EAST Train Reservation.
JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area)
The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) is an affordable pass that offers unlimited train rides on JR East lines, including bullet trains, within the valid area for 5 consecutive days. It’s only ¥27,000, making it a considerable option for rail travellers.
Header image credit: JR East Hotels
