Yamakawa Station

Yamakawa Station (山川駅, Yamakawa-eki) is a passenger railway station located in the city of Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by JR Kyushu.^[1][2] A monument at the station proclaims it to be the southernmost conventional staffed railway station in Japan.

Yamakawa Station 山川駅
Yamakawa Station
General information
Location	Yamakawa Narikawa, Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima-ken 891-0516 Japan
Coordinates	31°12′40.90″N 130°37′47.32″E
Operated by	JR Kyushu
Line(s)	■ Ibusuki Makurazaki Line
Distance	50.0 km from Kagoshima-Chūō
Platforms	1 side platform
Other information
Status	Staffed
Website	Official website
History
Opened	25 March 1936 (1936-03-25)
Passengers
FY2015	188 daily
Services
Preceding station JR Kyushu Following station Ibusuki towards Kagoshima-Chūō Ibusuki Makurazaki Line Ōyama towards Makurazaki
Location Yamakawa Station Location within Kagoshima Prefecture Show map of Kagoshima Prefecture Yamakawa Station Yamakawa Station (Japan) Show map of Japan

The post says the southernmost (conventional) staffed railway station in Japan.

Lines

The station is served by the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line and is located 50.0 km from the starting point of the line at Kagoshima-Chūō.^[1]

Layout

It is an above-ground station with two opposing side platforms and two tracks. The two platforms are connected by a level crossing. Platform 1 and Platform 2 are the same for each direction, but Platform 1 is longer, with Platform 1 (station side) for five cars and Platform 2 for three cars. Platform 1 is mainly used, and Platform 2 is used when Platform 1 is not available due to train switching or other reasons. On the side of Platform 1 near Ibusuki Station, there are remains of the freight loading and unloading platform, transportation passageway, and staff room that were used until the time when freight services were available up to this station.

Platforms

1	■ ■ Ibusuki Makurazaki Line	for Nishi-Ei and Makurazaki
2	■ ■ Ibusuki Makurazaki Line	for Kagoshima-Chūō

• 
  Ticket gates and waiting room
• 
  Platform
• 
  Level Crossing
• 
  remnants of freight platform

History

The station was opened on 25 March 1936 by the Japanese Government Railways (JGR) to coincide with the opening of service from Ibusuki. The original station building was destroyed by an air raid on 29 March 1945. The line was extended on 22 March 1960 to Nishi-Ei, and to Makurazaki on 31 October 1961 with the name of the line is changed to the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line. With the privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR), the successor of JGR, on 1 April 1987, JR Kyushu took over control of the station.^[3][4]

Passenger statistics

In fiscal 2015, the station was used by an average of 13 passengers daily.

Surrounding area

• Japan National Route 269
• Yamakawa Bay

See also

• List of railway stations in Japan