Former Kamisunagawa Station - Hokkaido

Former Kamisunagawa Station (上砂川駅) is an abandoned station of the Hokkaido Railway Company. It is located in the town of Kamisunagawa, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

上砂川駅
Former Kamisunagawa Station

Former Kamisunagawa Station details

Kamisunagawa Station is an abandoned station located in Kamisunagawa, Hokkaido. It was opened in 1926 and served as the terminal station of the Kamisunagawa branch line of the Hakodate Main Line. However, the station was closed on May 16, 1994, as the Kamisunagawa branch line was discontinued.

Former Kamisunagawa Station - Kamisunagawa town, Hokkaido Prefecture

At its peak, it serves hundreds of passengers but it suddenly dropped after the closure of the mines. As a matter of fact, in 1981, Kamisunagawa Station saw an average of 115 passengers per day. However, by 1992, that number had dwindled to only 10.

Former Kamisunagawa Station facade



When the Mitsui Sunagawa Coal Mine was operating, Kamisunagawa Station had many siding tracks. However, with the closure of the mine, the siding was no longer in use and replaced with a bar. In 2010, the station building's position was relocated closer to Sunagawa, and the direction was changed from when it was in service. The station was an above-ground station with a single platform and one track. The platform was located on the south side of the track. Today, the former waiting room displays photographs related to TV/movie shooting, making it a tourist spot that attracts many fans.

Inside the Former Kamisunagawa Station



You can still get the stamp of the station here. However, the ink pads are mostly dry






Kamisunagawa Station has also been featured in several films. It was used as a filming location for the 1984 TV drama "Yesterday, Sad Betsu" and the 1981 film "Eki STATION." The single "Hibetsu," released in 2013 by Natsumi Kawano, is a song set in this station.

Preserved Yo 8055 and Suyuni 60 218





The station building has been relocated to the track site in the station's premises and preserved with a 90-degree orientation. At the entrance, visitors will now find a sign displaying the name "Hibetsu Station". The former waiting room now features an array of photographs related to TV and movie filming, making it a popular tourist destination that attracts many fans. Additionally, the Yo 8055 type conductor's coach and the Suyuni 60218 type passenger car are on display and well-preserved on the platform, offering visitors an exciting glimpse into the station's historical past.

Team Nicerio visits the Former Kamisunagawa Station






My family and I visited the Former Kamisunagawa Station for the first time last September 11, 2022, as part of our September 9-11 Road Trip. It was my 314th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was the first place that we visited in Kamisunagawa. I included it in our itinerary as I was interested in seeing the preserved Yo 8055 conductor's coach and Suyuni 60218 passenger car. We were lucky to have been able to visit it during its opening period hence, we were also able to get the Eki station stamp for our stamp collection.

Former Kamisunagawa Station Fee

It’s FREE to enter and explore the Former Kamisunagawa Station. Even if it’s abandoned it still serves as a mini museum of the town.

Former Kamisunagawa Station operating hours

The old station building is open to the public only from early April until mid-November. The Former Kamisunagawa Station is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Why visit the Former Kamisunagawa Station?

Although there is nothing much to do inside the Former Kamisunagawa Station, it serves as a reminder of the station's history and its place in Hokkaido's transportation infrastructure. However, if you're a train enthusiast, then you would probably be interested to see the Yo 8055 conductor's coach and the Suyuni 60218 passenger car.

Getting to the Former Kamisunagawa Station

From Takikawa Station walk towards Takikawa Eki Mae bus stop and ride the Utashinai Sen Route of the Chuo bus line. Board down at Chuo 1 Chome [Kamisunagawacho] bus top. From there, walk for about 120 meters to reach the Former Kamisunagawa Station. 

Travel time: 40 minutes
Fare: 590 yen

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Location: Japan, 〒073-0201 Hokkaido, Sorachi District, Kamisunagawa, 中央北１条１丁目２−２

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 20, 2024 at 8:35 AM

    It's sad that it's already closed but good that the local preserved it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 23, 2024 at 4:33 PM

      True. I wish they would add more displays in it though.

      Delete

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