Offbeat travel spots: The Japanese train station in the middle of nowhere

Deep inside the inland jungle of southwest Japan, along the winding udon noodle of the Nishiki River, is a train station. That mightn’t seem like a big deal. There are train stations all over Japan. So what?  

In typical Japanese fashion, this station isn’t quite what it seems… 

There’s no vending machine, no billboards trying to sell you something, no ticket booths or gates, and no way of getting in or out – except by train. It’s a station in the middle of nowhere. 

But it wasn’t built to be a Japanese game show prank.    

Seiryu Miharashi Station in Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture was built for a much purer purpose: as a viewing platform where you can pause to take in the bends of the Nishiki as it snakes its way through towering green mountains. 

In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Yes, this train station in the middle of Japanese nowhere was purpose-built to simply ‘be’, inviting travellers who decide to take the train along the Nishikigawa Seiryu Line to just ‘be’ too. 

How pure.

How to get to Seiryu Miharashi station

You can reach Seiryu Miharashi station by catching the Nishikigawa Seiryu Line, which runs from Iwakuni station all the way to a place that I haven’t the tongue strength to pronounce: Nishikimachifukagawa. 

You’ll only be able to get to Seiryu Miharashi station via a special train service which will drop you off, and then chug its way down the line. You’ll then have ample time to take in the beauty of your natural surroundings while you wait for the next train to pick you up.   

Travelling to Japan to see Seiryu Miharashi station? When you’re organising your itinerary for the land of the rising sun, make sure you consider packing a travel insurance policy. Plus, check out our travel insurance guide for Japan, as well as the Aussie government’s Smartraveller site, for some tips about the country.