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: Igaya

Prefecture: Saga

Line(s): Nagasaki Main Line

Average No. of Daily Passengers: 253

This place was my next port of call after spending some time at the quirky station designed to look like Japan’s most iconic folklore creature. The two stations couldn’t have been more contrasting in styles but I can equally appreciate them both. I loved the simplicity of this one at Igaya, particularly the tiny and basic concrete station building with three steps leading up to it which seems like a rather annoying little hinderance for less able-bodied people. For the record, there is a rather time-consuming ramp for wheelchair users so it’s not like they haven’t been catered for at all.

Igaya opened in December 1928 and is about as local as you can get. There’s no toilet, ticket machine, shop, bus stop or anything really! A solitary drinks vending machine (as well as a can bin or two) is as exciting as it gets! I guess parking isn’t a problem either if I can accentuate the positives.

It’s a two platform station with a pedestrian bridge for those wanting to use the one heading in the direction of Tosu which is located about 20 kilometres away.

There are only about two regular trains per hour so (without planning ahead) a wait is likely but thankfully the waiting rooms are sheltered on both platforms.

Admittedly, Igaya station was just the gateway to the Eiffel Tower of Saga (although it is still about 30 minutes on foot to get to that quirky sight!) and one that I was completely unaware of until I disembarked there. More often than not, I’m aware of the unstaffed stations I visit so on a trip to Kyushu where so much had to be planned meticulously due to time constraints, this place was a wonderful little bonus for someone like me who appreciates the beauty of such simple stations.

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   #11. Kubiki   #12. Kamakurakōkōmae   #13. Daishimae   #14. Minami-Takada   #15. Mochida   #16. Minami-Takasaki   #17. Screen   #18. Takio