Yoshioka-Kaitei Station

Yoshioka-Kaitei Station (吉岡海底駅, Yoshioka-Kaitei-eki) was a railway station on the Kaikyo Line in Fukushima, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). The station was underground and was located within the Seikan Tunnel under the Tsugaru Strait linking the main Japanese island of Honshu with the northern island of Hokkaido. The station was located 149.5 metres (490 ft) below sea level,[1] making it the deepest underground station in the world.

Yoshioka-Kaitei Station 吉岡海底駅
Yoshioka-Kaitei Station platform, June 2005
Location	Fukushima, Matsumae District, Hokkaido Japan
Coordinates	41°26′30″N 140°14′23″E
Operated by	JR Hokkaido
Line(s)	Kaikyo Line
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Other information
Status	Closed
History
Opened	13 March 1988
Closed	2014
Former services
Preceding station JR Hokkaido Following station Shiriuchi toward Hakodate Tsugaru-Kaikyo Line Tappi-Kaitei toward Naka-Oguni Shiriuchi toward Kikonai Kaikyo Line
Location
Yoshioka-Kaitei Location within Hokkaido Show map of Hokkaido Yoshioka-Kaitei Yoshioka-Kaitei (Japan) Show map of Japan

Map showing the Seikan Tunnel and the two underground stations

Overview

Platform sign of Yoshioka-Kaitei Station

One of two stations located within the Seikan Tunnel, along with Tappi-Kaitei Station, it served as an emergency escape point and this role has not changed after its closure as a passenger station. By segmenting the undersea tunnel, in the event of fire or other disaster the stations provide safety equivalent to that of a much shorter tunnel. The effectiveness of the escape shafts located at the emergency stations is enhanced by exhaust fans that suck up smoke, television cameras to route passengers to safety, thermal (infrared) fire alarm systems and water spray nozzles.[2]

Previously the station contained a museum detailing the history and function of the tunnel, and could be visited on special sightseeing tours. However, while Tappi-Kaitei remained as a museum until 2013, Yoshioka-Kaitei was closed to regular services on March 17, 2006 to make way for Hokkaido Shinkansen preparations.[3]

A special 781 series Doraemon-themed train then started running on July 15, 2006 to the station, which staged a "Nobita's room" (のび太の部屋, Nobita no heya) exhibition. This service continued until August 27, 2006, when the station was shut down and used as storage space for Hokkaido Shinkansen building materials.[1]

History

The station opened on March 13, 1988, along with the Kaikyo Line.[4] From March 17, 2006, regular services stopped calling at this station to make way for Hokkaido Shinkansen construction work, and on August 27, 2006, the special Doraemon-themed train also made its final stop at the station.

The station formally closed as of the end of March 14, 2014.[5]

See also

• List of railway stations in Japan

References

1. "Hokkaido 'Doraemon' train to make final run in summer". May 24, 2006.
2. Morse, D. (May 1988). "Japan Tunnels Under the Ocean". Civil Engineering. 58 (5): 50–53.
3. Hokkaido Railway Company (2005-12-22). "March 2006 timetable changes" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-06-17.
4. Ishino, Tetsu; et al., eds. (1998). 停車場変遷大事典 国鉄・JR編 [Station Transition Directory - JNR/JR] (in Japanese). II. Tokyo: JTB Corporation. p. 830. ISBN 4533029809.
5. 海峡線の３駅廃止　ＪＲ北海道、新幹線運行に備え [Kaikyō Line 3 stations close in preparation for Shinkansen operation]. SankeiBiz (in Japanese). March 15, 2014. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2014.

External links

• "An undersea station tour guide"