Yoshioka-Kaitei Station
Encyclopedia
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
within the Seikan Tunnel
Seikan Tunnel
The Seikan Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Japan, with a long portion under the seabed. Track level is about below seabed and below sea level. It travels beneath the Tsugaru Strait—connecting Aomori Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu and the island of Hokkaido—as part of the Kaikyo Line...
on the Kaikyo Line
Kaikyo Line
is an 87.8-kilometre railway line operated mainly by the Hokkaido Railway Company. The line runs from Naka-Oguni Station in Sotogahama, Aomori, through the Seikan Tunnel between Honshū and Hokkaidō, and on to Kikonai Station in Kikonai, Hokkaidō...
in Fukushima
Fukushima, Hokkaido
is a town located in Matsumae District, Oshima, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 5,549 and a density of 30.28 persons per km². The total area is 187.23 km².Industries in the town include squid fishing and tourism...
, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company
Hokkaido Railway Company
The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....
. The station is located 149.5 metres (490.5 feet) below sea level, making it the deepest underground station in the world.
Overview
One of two stations located within the Seikan Tunnel, along with Tappi-Kaitei StationTappi-Kaitei Station
is a railway station in the Seikan Tunnel on the JR Hokkaido’s Kaikyo Line, under the Tsugaru Strait. It is in the town of Sotogahama, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It is 32.5 kilometers from the Naka-Oguni Signal.-History:...
, it serves as an emergency escape point. By segmenting the undersea tunnel, in the event of fire or other disaster the stations provide safety equivalent to that of a much shorter tunnel. The effectiveness of the escape shafts located at the emergency stations is enhanced by exhaust fans that suck up smoke, television cameras to route passengers to safety, thermal (infrared) fire alarm systems and water spray nozzles.
Previously the station contained a museum detailing the history and function of the tunnel, and could be visited on special sightseeing tours. However, while Tappi-Kaitei remains as a museum, Yoshioka-Kaitei was closed to regular services on March 17, 2006 to make way for Hokkaido Shinkansen
Hokkaido Shinkansen
The is a high-speed rail line currently under construction between Aomori and Hokkaido through the Seikan Tunnel. Construction started in May 2005, and the initial Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate section is projected to open in 2015. There are long-term plans to extend the line to Sapporo...
preparations.
A special 781 series
781 series
The was an AC electric multiple unit formerly operated by Japan National Railways and later Hokkaido Railway Company on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1980 and 2007.-4-car sets :...
Doraemon
Doraemon
is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio which later became an anime series and an Asian franchise...
-themed train was then started running on July 15, 2006 to the station, which staged a exhibition. This service continued until August 27, 2006, while the station was shut down and to be used as storage space for Hokkaidō Shinkansen building materials.
History
- March 13, 1988 - Station opened, along with the Kaikyo LineKaikyo Lineis an 87.8-kilometre railway line operated mainly by the Hokkaido Railway Company. The line runs from Naka-Oguni Station in Sotogahama, Aomori, through the Seikan Tunnel between Honshū and Hokkaidō, and on to Kikonai Station in Kikonai, Hokkaidō...
- March 17, 2006 - Regular services stop calling at this station, to make way for the Hokkaido ShinkansenHokkaido ShinkansenThe is a high-speed rail line currently under construction between Aomori and Hokkaido through the Seikan Tunnel. Construction started in May 2005, and the initial Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate section is projected to open in 2015. There are long-term plans to extend the line to Sapporo...
- August 27, 2006 - Doraemon-themed train made its final stop at the station