Tokyo’s train system is both efficient and convenient, but using it is often anything but pleasant due to the network’s truly monstrous number of daily passengers. Outside the capital, however, train travel can be a very different beast altogether, and this is particularly true in rural areas, where the journeys are often slow and peaceful, making them an enjoyable part of the day, rather than a necessary evil one simply has to endure.
The only trouble with such a relaxing experience is that a key part of the peacefulness is down to a distinct lack of other travellers, making many routes financially unsustainable. This being Japan, the majority continue to run at least a limited service, as they provide essential transportation for students and the elderly in smaller, less well connected communities. But inevitably there are limits, and over the years a large number of lines have already been closed. For a couple of examples, earlier this year I photographed an abandoned route and its environs just north of Tokyo, and prior to that, the lovely old stations of a disused line in Hokkaido.
In fact, Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido is at the sharp end of this issue, as the perfect storm of a shrinking population and urban migration have already resulted in a multitude of line closures, with many more set to follow. Not that this is a particularly recent problem, as one that disappeared just over 30 years ago was the Shibetsu Line. It opened way back in December 1933, but the service sadly ended on April 30th 1989. The tracks are now overgrown, but the platform where its branch line started from is amazingly still intact due to the station also being part of another, somewhat busier route. Understandably it’s a little forlorn looking, especially so in the rain, but at the same time it boasts a quiet, melancholic beauty all its own.
Coli says
Lovely chairs. They seem so stately perched there like that:) How do you always come across these great finds?
Lee says
They do, don’t they? So glad they didn’t remove them.
I can’t take any of the credit. My mate and travelling partner did all the planning and research. I just took some photos. Same with the other abandon lines mentioned in the write-up. He did all the hard work.
Jenn says
This is so very poignant. I feel just like the seats are waiting for the train……. 🙁
Lee says
Yeah, the really do. Waiting and waiting…
DavidT says
This is so cool it’s like a real life Ghibli movie set! 🙂
Lee says
It’s definitely a great place. Very little to it, and yet it’s really quite special.
cdilla says
That’s a great mini article to accompany the photographs. That one from behind the seats must be one of my favourites of your captured haikyo scenes. The blurry ghosts of passengers long gone are just on the edge of vision.
You really were at the pointy end of Hokkaido. Took me longer to find than I expected given there is a location name in the photographs, but here, if you zoom right in, you can see those lonely chairs right in the distance.
https://tinyurl.com/y2uuoh4q
I wonder what the scene would look like under snow.
Lee says
Thanks. Always nice to be able to give a bit of background info with stuff like this.
Must admit, I really like it myself. Just something about it. The quietness. The colours of the seats. And like you say, those hints of passengers past.
Cheers. Seeing them again through the gap made me smile. When I first saw them they made me smile as well, but I was disappointed it was such a lousy day. Now though, I’m not so sure, as the mistiness and the puddles on the seats probably make for very different, and more atmospheric photos than if it had been nice and sunny. Hmm, and in the snow. The seats would stand out even more, but the platform itself would likely be indistinguishable from the surroundings. Still like to see it though, so maybe one day…
Sander says
Still better maintained than railway stations in many other countries 🙂
Lee says
Haha, that’s very true!