Think of train stations in Japan and the mighty Shinjuku station is sure to come to mind for many people. That is the world’s busiest train station, and Japan monopolises the top 50 list with only five of them not in this country. However, at the other end of the scale are some tiny stations which are usually unstaffed and used by very few commuters.

Station: Kubiki

Prefecture: Niigata

Line(s):  Hokuhoku Line

Average No. of Daily Passengers: 170

The explanation board inside this rural station says that it is half-egg shaped and that the designer didn’t really have an image of anything in particular in mind. However, it really is difficult to look beyond the image of a UFO.

The exterior is the main highlight but the inside is also quite charming and impressive with the inner walls painted black, red and yellow behind the eyeballs which does make it reminiscent of a Bond villain’s lair. Facilites include a ticket machine, a vending machine and a bench.

Kubiki station opened in March 1997 with the opening of the Hokuhoku Line. It is 53.6km from Muikamachi and has two side platforms as here is a point where trains can pass each other on what is often a single track line. There is pretty much nothing outside and around the station but there is ample parking for cars and bicycles as well as a toilet block.

Visiting this station by train needs some planning otherwise you might have a long wait till the return train or the next train running southwards. I had about 30 minutes at the station which was perfect but back in Naoetsu I then had a very long wait for the next train. Be careful as the trains don’t run so often in this part of the country.

Click on the following links for previous ‘Unstaffed Stations of Japan’ posts…

1. Kamiyagi   #2. Funamachi   #3. Inazusa   #4. Yodo   #5. Nebukawa   #6. Miyamae   #7. Arao   #8. Higashi-Abiko   #9. Nukazawa   #10. Shin Shibaura