Originally constructed in 1931, then totally rebuilt 7 years ago, Yubiso station in Gunma prefecture doesn’t boast the same dystopian feel or scale of the relatively nearby Tsutsuishi. What it does have, however, is a distinct and decidedly stark beauty.
There’s the almost monolith-like entrance.
Plus its two, very minimalist concrete tunnels.
This one in particular benefitting, at least appearance-wise, from the cold, damp surroundings.
The tiny waiting room, on the other hand, is a slightly different story. Admittedly it does have a window, but for the station’s 20 or so daily passengers, it’s a rather bleak spot to wile away the time between the none too frequent trains. Particularly so, one would imagine, during the region’s long, very harsh winters.
Harry says
I’m not convinced by its ‘beauty’, but a cool find. I second your thoughts on the waiting. Not somewhere I’d want to spend much time. It does not look warm…..
Lee says
That’s a fair call, it’s very subjective I guess. But yeah, definitely wouldn’t want to be hanging around in that waiting room for long, although presumably it’d still be warmer than the tunnel…
Denton says
Very cool. It’s one unique looking station! 🙂
Lee says
It is. Definitely makes a change from the usual, purely functional stations that are understandably the norm in Japan.
cdilla says
A great collection of photographs.
I wonder why the grey of contrete goes so well with the greenery of nature.
I’d also like to know the thought process behind the selection of colours for the seats. Probably random, or a secondary effect of individual seats being replaced from time to time.
Is that post outside the entrance a lamp, or is that a mirror sphere at the top?
Lee says
Cheers.
Yeah, even though it should do, it doesn’t look out of place at all really, does it?
Yeah, I would imagine so. Probably replaced from a station where the seats were outside and the colour has faded. Although that said, the one on the right does look a slightly different blue…
Good question. Don’t know to be honest. After taking the photos we headed off, so never saw it when the light faded.