
A stop-off here is like a scene from an anime movie.
For people living in crowded cities in Japan, nothing tugs at the heartstrings more than a picturesque image of a tiny train station in the middle of the countryside. When it comes with an unmanned wooden building and a single-carriage train that quietly shuttles people back and forth, the wave of nostalgia becomes so intense that it’s almost too beautiful to bear.
One such train station has come to everyone’s attention in Japan recently, thanks to updates on social media, like this tweet from Twitter user @enuenuenubi.
久しぶりに感動した駅、因美線知和駅。あまりにも渋い、渋すぎる。こんなん確実に昭和のベッタベタな青春ラブストーリーに使われる奴じゃないですか。 pic.twitter.com/MtBiBNSNYB
— えぬびい (@enuenuenubi) December 26, 2017
The beautiful images show a day in the life of Chiwa Station, which sits on the Inbi Line in Okayama Prefecture.
Surrounded by nature and wildlife, the station building itself is filled with remnants from yesteryear, charming everybody who lays eyes on it. Dating back to 1931, when the station first opened, the wooden building still stands as it did so many decades ago, like a museum dedicated to preserving a sense of travel during the Showa Period (1926-1989).
To see just how peaceful and beautiful the train station is, check out this relaxing video below:
In the video, the one-carriage train can be seen stopping quietly at the station, picking up local passengers with only five Tottori, Chizu-bound trains per day, and six services running to Tsuyama.
Both services depart from the same platform, which is unmanned and has no automatic ticket vending machines.
Stepping inside the station building is like stepping back in time to the Showa Era, with an old phone and wooden furniture adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.
While the video was shot during the warmer months of the year, during winter the station looks equally beautiful under a blanket of snow.
因美線 知和駅 pic.twitter.com/VF03dmqtUc
— どーらく (@df5066) February 13, 2018
People travel from all around Japan to spend some time here, discovering all the little details inside the station while soaking up the rural atmosphere.
While Japan’s bustling cities have a lot to offer, towns in the countryside – and their tranquil train stations – often have a magical quality of their own, which makes them look like they’ve jumped straight out of an anime movie.
If you ever find yourself down Okayama way, be sure to hop on the train for a ride through the picturesque countryside. You might want to enjoy it while it lasts, though, because if this “time-travelling” Twitter user’s prediction is correct, the Japanese capital will be moving from Tokyo to Okayama by 2075.
Source, images: YouTube/oht3236






The Japanese train station where staff bow to departing passengers
We visit Kyushu’s oldest wooden train station building, get hit with a nostalgia overload
Undead train station in Yokohama is beautifully nostalgic, poignantly desolate
Doai Station: The deepest station in Japan is also one of the scariest, like a video game dungeon
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan now has potato chip-covered chocolate, and it’s amazing!【Taste test】
Japan’s new Pokémon donuts are here, so let’s eat Pikachu, Chansey, and some Poké Balls【Photos】
Japanese manhole covers become a hit with foreign tourists in off-the-beaten path Tokyo area
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Don’t forget that the best convenience store in northern Japan has branches farther south too
How to cook rice in a Ziploc container【SoraKitchen】
Japanese burger chain releases epic tofu burgers, designed by customers
Japanese fish that beat Pokémon Sapphire are retiring from video game streaming【Video】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
This unstaffed Japanese train station is like a Ghibli anime come to life
Japanese train station building set up in just two hours with the help of 3D printing
JR West comes up with brilliant plan to save turtles and prevent train delays, touches netizens
12 beautiful Japanese train stations by the sea
Harajuku Station’s beautiful old wooden building is set to return, with a new complex around it
World’s first 3D-printed train station building planned by JR West
Japanese train station returns lost item to customer with a heartwarming message
Is it a Lawson or a train station? We investigate the mysterious Sekiguchi Station
Attempted murder at a Japanese train station
New study ranks the most notorious Japanese train stations for perverts
The most beautiful train station in Japan? Award-winning design by Kengo Kuma wows travellers
Yamanote Line train temporarily suspended after carriage fills with smoke in Tokyo
Petition gathers support for men-only train carriages in Japan
New Japanese train station has no entrance or exit, only used to admire the scenery
Searching for Totoro at Totoro Station in Totoro, Japan
Old soba restaurant on Japanese train station platform serves noodles with a side of nostalgia
Leave a Reply