Japan Keeps This Defunct Train Station Running for Just One Passenger

[yuiyoshida]

For years, there’s only been one passenger waiting at the Kami-Shirataki train station in the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Japan: A high-school girl, on her way to class. The train stops there only twice a day—once to pick up the girl and again to drop her off after the school day is over.

It sounds like a Hayao Miyazaki film. But according to CCTV News, it was a decision that Japan Railways—the group that operates the country’s railway network—made more than three years ago.

At that time, ridership at the Kami-Shirataki station had dramatically fallen because of its remote location, and freight service had ended there as well. Japan Railways was getting ready to shut the station down for good—until they noticed that it was still being used every day by the high-schooler. So they decided to keep the station open for her until she graduates. The company’s even adjusted the train’s timetable according to the girl’s schedule. The unnamed girl is expected to graduate this March, which is when the station will finally be closed.

People are tipping their hats to the Japanese government for making education a top priority. “Why should I not want to die for a country like this when the government is ready to go an extra mile just for me,” one commenter wrote on CCTV’s Facebook page. “This is the meaning of good governance penetrating right to the grassroot level. Every citizen matters. No Child left behind!”

http://www.citylab.com/commute/2016/01/japan-keeps-this-defunct-train-station-running-for-just-one-passenger/423273/

[Art_from_Ark]

1. A few additions/clarifications to this story

This station has had just two trains stopping (one coming, one going) since 1992.
The plan to close the station was announced last July.
The line is operated by JR Hokkaido.
The station has been unmanned since 1983.
The schedule was indeed revised to accommodate the high school student's schedule, who was the only user to have a train pass for that station.
Once the station is closed this coming March, the nearest train station will be 25 miles away.

[kentauros]

2. I'm assuming they'll remove the rails and bed, too.

Do they do anything like the "Rails to Trails" projects in the US?

[Art_from_Ark]

3. They'll continue to use the tracks

It's the Sekihoku Honsen, the major rail link between (Shin-)Asahikawa and Abashiri. Only the stops at the station will be discontinued.

[kentauros]

4. I see.

I got the impression that with freight no longer going there that it was truly defunct.

Also, by the looks of that photo, do they use a smaller gauge for their trains? It looks narrower.

[Art_from_Ark]

5. A Wiki article on that station

says that the freight stop at that particular station was discontinued many years ago and apparently the tracks were taken out. But there is still freight transport on that line, so I don't know whether the old bed near that station has been converted to another use. It shows up as a white line next to the current track in aerial photographs.



The gauge is 3 feet, 6 inches. It was originally 2 feet, 6 inches, according to the Wiki article.

[kentauros]

6. I don't know rail gauges offhand, so I had to look them up.

But it's also interesting that they use a lighter bed material. Whenever I look at US aerials, I look for a darker color for finding railroads.

2'-6" is the second narrowest gauge for transit, and 3'-6" is a kind of narrow standard gauge.

It makes sense that they'd keep it for freight use. That's such a tiny little town. They'd be best served by lorries. Looking at it reminds me of the Takahata anime "Only Yesterday" (can't remember the Japanese title.) I need to get that movie out and watch it again

[Art_from_Ark]

7. Only Yesterday-- Omohide Poroporo

おもひでぽろぽろ

[kentauros]

8. That's it.

Such a beautiful movie