Japan Keeps This Defunct Train Station Running for Just One Passenger

CHamilton · Jan 9, 2016

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.

Bob Dylan · Jan 9, 2016

Sounds sort of like Japan's version of the Cardinal and the late Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia!

railiner · Jan 10, 2016

I'm surprised that railfans have not inflated the ridership before the end.......

Although I'm not clear if its the entire route, or just that station stop that is affected....that would make a difference....

Thirdrail7 · Jan 10, 2016

No child left behind, indeed!

NorthShore · Jan 11, 2016

All aboard the graduation train!

(Too bad she'll have to drive home from college to see her parents.)

user 1215 · Jan 22, 2016

railiner said:
I'm surprised that railfans have not inflated the ridership before the end.......

Although I'm not clear if its the entire route, or just that station stop that is affected....that would make a difference....

Only three stops are closing along the line. These are pretty decrepit stations. There are so many beautiful rural routes in Japan that I wish I could have enjoyed in the 20 years I was there.
These station cuts are nothing like the Beeching Cuts of the UK. They really try hard to keep things running until just about the last person left is the one to turn out the lights.

Here is another article about Japan losing some of its rail charm in a Fortune article that was quoted by the piece that the OP linked to:

http://fortune.com/2015/07/14/tama-rural-japan-trains/

Other more popular lines are still closed since the Great Kanto Earthquake that shut down the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant and the tidal wave that hit Sendai.

All in all, I have but one conclusion. I need to get out there and ride some trains.