Sans Footfall, This Train Decided To Stop. Then It Noticed A High School Girl Using It And...
Without the station, Kana Harada would have had to walk 73 minutes to reach another train line for school.
A small railway station in a remote Japanese village became popular for an unusual reason. Even with almost no passengers left, railway authorities continued to run a train solely to serve one high school student. Yes, you read that right
Even years after its closure, the story of the Kyu-Shirataki Station on Hokkaido Island stands out. There were plans to shut it down due to low ridership, but officials decided to delay the demolition when they learned about its lone passenger, Kana Harada, a dedicated student who relied on the train for her school commute.
At first, the trains in the region were used by several students to travel to and from school. In fact, their parents even asked Japan Railways to keep the station running even though only a few passengers used it.
Over time, the number of commuters dropped because of the station's remote location. Eventually, Kana became the only regular passenger. To match her school schedule, the train began stopping at Kyu-Shirataki Station only a few times a day: once in the morning to pick her up and a few times after school to drop her off.
After reviewing the situation, the railway company decided to keep the station open until March 2016, which allowed Kana to complete her graduation without disruption.
12/24 石北本線 旧白滝駅数年前にも訪問した白滝へ。この駅の唯一の利用者の高校生が来春卒業のため、この駅も来春に廃止。この日は高校生とその取材のためNHKの方がいました。古い待合室の裸電球がまた何とも言えない。 pic.twitter.com/zmHACS3Dlo — きこう (@kikou9186) December 26, 2015
The Shirataki Series
Kyu-Shirataki was part of the 'Shirataki Series," which included Kami-Shirataki, Kyu-Shirataki, and Shimo-Shirataki stations. All three were scheduled for closure due to dwindling passenger numbers. However, Kana's daily commute from Kyu-Shirataki inspired the railway company to keep it operational until her graduation. Without this lifeline, she would have faced a gruelling 73-minute walk just to reach another train line for school.
Her journey, though made easier by the station, was far from simple. Only four trains stopped at Kyu-Shirataki each day, and just two matched her school timings. This forced Kana to rush through classes or skip after-school activities to catch her ride.
A Story That Touched Many Online
Kana's story has resurfaced online, and social media users reacted with admiration for the railway authorities and Kana's dedication.
Another added, 'That's insane. I'm so impressed."
'One student could potentially change the world," someone else remarked while a person shared, 'This is called government service—I wish India gets inspired by this."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kei Nagahashi (@kei.nagahashi)
Farewell To The Beloved Station
When Kana graduated in March 2016, Kyu-Shirataki Station was finally closed, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Japan's rural railway history. To bid farewell, a small ceremony was held where flowers were placed at the station, and a paper banner read, 'Kyu-Shirataki Station, 69 Years, Thank You!"
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First Published:
August 19, 2025, 08:08 IST
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