Japan Keeps This Defunct Train Station Running for Just One Passenger

[anant_s]

The train makes only two stops—one when a lone high-school student leaves for school and the other when she returns.

https://twitter.com/x/status/682398012333670400

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!”

Others, like the creator behind this YouTube video, grieve over the struggling railways of rural Japan. With the country’s record-low birthrate, aging population, and the threat of losing a third of its population by 2060, Japan faces a number of crises including a surplus of vacant housing and a shrinking workforce. The nation’s railroad system is being hit by these shifts.

Japan’s impressively efficient high-speed rails have continued to expand to the outskirts of the country, rendering many of Japan’s older, low-tech railways obsolete. Kami-Shirataki station, for example, sits in the town of Engaru in the rural part of Hokkaido, which lost at least 20 rail lines in the past few decades,according to Fortune.

But if this story of a young girl and her special connection to the Kami-Shiratki station is any indicator, Japan’s disappearing rural railroads will be remembered for their service to even the most remote parts of the country.

Japan Keeps The Defunct Kami-Shirataki Train Station Open for Just One High-School Girl - CityLab

@Levina @Nihonjin1051 @thesolar65 @WAJsal @Rain Man @Armstrong

 

[NIA]

There is a country (Forgive me I don't remember name) in Africa. There at every station bus has to make a stop even if there are no passengers. I read in newspaper long ago.
Nice thread!!

 

[dray]

That's an amazing gesture by the Japanese railways officials!!

 

[xenon54 out]

Perfect exsample of a state that cares for the well being of its citizen.

 

[thesolar65]

@anant_s @Rain Man @BDforever @Nihonjin1051 @Levina @WAJsal

It seem there are two bogies plus one engine!! Nice, but what if this happens?

"Suddenly there is another passenger, an old woman. After some time the woman asks for water and the girl offers her some and then they chat. Then the subject of ghost comes. The Old woman asks if the Girl believes in ghost!! The girl says no. And at school station the girl gets down first and waits for old woman to get down....but there was no one"!!

 

[SrNair]

@anant_s @Rain Man @BDforever @Nihonjin1051 @Levina @WAJsal

It seem there are two bogies plus one engine!! Nice, but what if this happens?

"Suddenly there is another passenger, an old woman. After some time the woman asks for water and the girl offers her some and then they chat. Then the subject of ghost comes. The Old woman asks if the Girl believes in ghost!! The girl says no. And at school station the girl gets down first and waits for old woman to get down....but there was no one"!!

What is this ?Another series of Grudge ?
On topic :I like that Japanese Railway and Govt .
@Nihonjin1051 your nations demography is shrinking
I think you can help your nation

 

[anant_s]

It seem there are two bogies plus one engine!! Nice, but what if this happens?

Standard arrangement for short rakes Dada.

"Suddenly there is another passenger, an old woman. After some time the woman asks for water and the girl offers her some and then they chat. Then the subject of ghost comes. The Old woman asks if the Girl believes in ghost!! The girl says no. And at school station the girl gets down first and waits for old woman to get down....but there was no one"!!

Ok i'll tell a similar spooky story from my college days.
During my undergraduate engineering college days, while studying in Agra, we used to go out for our dinner on Saturday nights, as the hostel mess did not serve that evening.
Winters can be harsh in northern India and Agra is no different. One foggy night, i was returning back in group of three, riding on 2 bicycles. My room mate Sudip Mandal was riding in front of me and i was peddling a little slowly as another mate was sitting behind.
The fog was thick and very limited visibility. The road was extremely deserted and little street light on it. Our hostel road was a cement road at a tri junction from main road and when the junction came, Mandal didn't turn right. I shouted to find where he was going. I thought he missed the turn. He stopped some 50-60 yards from junction and i peddled furiously to reach him. When asked where he thinks he is going, he said i wanted to drop the oldman sitting behind back on cycle.
We asked what oldman, there is no one.
I'm a GOD fearing man, but i don't think i prayed any harder in my entire life that almost rushing back to hostel.
I don't know if Mandal played a prank with us, but i haven't been spooked more ever.

 

[naveen mishra]

respect for japanese rail and government

 

[911]

The girl says no. And at school station the girl gets down first and waits for old woman to get down....but there was no one"!!

Scary

 

[Mirza Jatt]

wow!! Well done Japanese Railways.

 

[SrNair]

Standard arrangement for short rakes Dada.


Ok i'll tell a similar spooky story from my college days.
During my undergraduate engineering college days, while studying in Agra, we used to go out for our dinner on Saturday nights, as the hostel mess did not serve that evening.
Winters can be harsh in northern India and Agra is no different. One foggy night, i was returning back in group of three, riding on 2 bicycles. My room mate Sudip Mandal was riding in front of me and i was peddling a little slowly as another mate was sitting behind.
The fog was thick and very limited visibility. The road was extremely deserted and little street light on it. Our hostel road was a cement road at a tri junction from main road and when the junction came, Mandal didn't turn right. I shouted to find where he was going. I thought he missed the turn. He stopped some 50-60 yards from junction and i peddled furiously to reach him. When asked where he thinks he is going, he said i wanted to drop the oldman sitting behind back on cycle.
We asked what oldman, there is no one.
I'm a GOD fearing man, but i don't think i prayed any harder in my entire life that almost rushing back to hostel.
I don't know if Mandal played a prank with us, but i haven't been spooked more ever.

Agreed bro .I had also face a situation like that .Almost made me insane .
I will confirm thoroughly if I do something .And will recheck again and again.At that day in my home I locked down entire doors and windows before I goes to bed .I recheck it again and also an out house in our compound .
But at night it opens with a big sound , almost freaked me out but somehow I managed to close it again .But same thing happens again and again .At that same time phone began to ringing and it was a bad news that my grandfathers brothers is dead .
Still dont know how I finish that night

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

View attachment 285990

Why does the train have multiple carriages if there is only one person?

 

[anant_s]

Agreed bro .I had also face a situation like that .Almost made me insane .
I will confirm thoroughly if I do something .And will recheck again and again.At that day in my home I locked down entire doors and windows before I goes to bed .I recheck it again and also an out house in our compound .
But at night it opens with a big sound , almost freaked me out but somehow I managed to close it again .But same thing happens again and again.
Still dont know how I finish that night

As a kid i was big fan of a series on StarTV (This is sometime in 1995-96) called the The X Files. it dealt with a lot of paranormal stuff and you would agree, that more you hear things like that, more you start believing them.
I however had an antidote for paranoia of being alone. Course books.
The idea was to keep mind drifting to certain thoughts and in my experience there is no better remedy/lullaby than course books. Instant sleep and next morning you wake up fresh with no more ghosts around

Why does the train have multiple carriages if there is only one person?

I'm assuming the train works on different routes at other times. So even though it picks and drops one passenger on the said schedule, at other times it would have more passengers to serves (perhaps on some other lines), justifying the 2 coaches.

 

[Maarkhoor]

There is a country (Forgive me I don't remember name) in Africa. There at every station bus has to make a stop even if there are no passengers. I read in newspaper long ago.
Nice thread!!

Brother this happens in Dubai also.

 

[dray]

@anant_s @Rain Man @BDforever @Nihonjin1051 @Levina @WAJsal

It seem there are two bogies plus one engine!! Nice, but what if this happens?

"Suddenly there is another passenger, an old woman. After some time the woman asks for water and the girl offers her some and then they chat. Then the subject of ghost comes. The Old woman asks if the Girl believes in ghost!! The girl says no. And at school station the girl gets down first and waits for old woman to get down....but there was no one"!!

Standard arrangement for short rakes Dada.


Ok i'll tell a similar spooky story from my college days.
During my undergraduate engineering college days, while studying in Agra, we used to go out for our dinner on Saturday nights, as the hostel mess did not serve that evening.
Winters can be harsh in northern India and Agra is no different. One foggy night, i was returning back in group of three, riding on 2 bicycles. My room mate Sudip Mandal was riding in front of me and i was peddling a little slowly as another mate was sitting behind.
The fog was thick and very limited visibility. The road was extremely deserted and little street light on it. Our hostel road was a cement road at a tri junction from main road and when the junction came, Mandal didn't turn right. I shouted to find where he was going. I thought he missed the turn. He stopped some 50-60 yards from junction and i peddled furiously to reach him. When asked where he thinks he is going, he said i wanted to drop the oldman sitting behind back on cycle.
We asked what oldman, there is no one.
I'm a GOD fearing man, but i don't think i prayed any harder in my entire life that almost rushing back to hostel.
I don't know if Mandal played a prank with us, but i haven't been spooked more ever.

Agreed bro .I had also face a situation like that .Almost made me insane .
I will confirm thoroughly if I do something .And will recheck again and again.At that day in my home I locked down entire doors and windows before I goes to bed .I recheck it again and also an out house in our compound .
But at night it opens with a big sound , almost freaked me out but somehow I managed to close it again .But same thing happens again and again .At that same time phone began to ringing and it was a bad news that my grandfathers brothers is dead .
Still dont know how I finish that night

Time to call our ghost expert @Levina