Lost in Japan's train station with the most beautiful ocean view.

Japan's train station closest to the sea.

The town of Futami on the coast of Iyo City is home to Shimonada Station, one of the railway stations on the Yosan Line connecting Takamatsu Station in Kagawa and Uwajima Station in Ehime, Japan. The station is managed by JR Shinkoku and began operations in 1935.

In 1981, the coastline adjacent to the station was reclaimed for the construction of a national highway, transforming it into "Japan's closest train station to the sea." However, the number of passengers stopping there was quite small due to the station's location in a deserted coastal area. Eventually, Shimonada Station removed its ticket inspectors. Since then, Shimonada Station has also been known as the "lonely station."

This unassuming station gained notoriety after appearing for three consecutive years on advertising posters for the Seishun 18 Kippu train. Train photography enthusiasts, known as toritetsu-san, flocked to the station to capture images and post them on social media, beginning to reveal the existence of the beautiful Shimonada to the world.

In 2001, the animated film Spirited Away, produced by Studio Ghibli, won an Oscar and became the highest-grossing anime film in Japanese history. Shimonada Station, with its beautifully clear, water-filled railway tracks featured in one scene, immediately became a sought-after destination for travel enthusiasts and was featured on social media, generating immense curiosity among both domestic and international tourists.

Following the success of "Spirited Away," the station has also been chosen as a setting by many manga authors and film directors. The film Hero (2007), starring Takuya Kimura, also featured scenes filmed here… With its ever-increasing appeal, Shimonada quickly became famous on the Japanese tourism map.

The natural landscape changes throughout the day.

A small canopy and a white sign bearing the station's name, along with two simple benches in the waiting area, nestled amidst the vastness of the sky, white clouds, and golden sunshine, make the station even more peaceful and poetic.

At every time of day, the train station possesses its own unique beauty. It's the pristine scene of the sun gradually rising above the sky, its first rays illuminating the sea, creating shimmering patches of light at dawn; or the vast panorama of the sky and emerald sea at midday, where the clouds are tinged with dreamy purple or vibrant orange, breathtakingly beautiful at sunset.

Shimonada Station is beautiful in summer, but in spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, their pink hues contrast against the cloudless blue sky, and in autumn, the carpet of butterfly-winged flowers flutters, making the natural landscape even more vibrant and colorful.

Besides admiring the vast and majestic beauty of nature, visitors here also have the opportunity to experience walking on the railway tracks leading down to the sea like Chihiro in the movie "Spirited Away," sitting in the vintage-styled ticket office that is over 85 years old, and stopping by the charming little café across the street. The café's cute and charming design makes it a must-visit for tourists arriving at the train station to buy drinks, take photos, and wait for their train.

If you're fit, you can also choose to cycle along the coast on the Yuyake Koyake route – this route passes through Futami, Iyo, Ehime to Nagahama, taking in the picturesque winding seascape. Those who want to enjoy a stylish experience while savoring Ehime cuisine can book a ticket on the Iyonada Monogatari – a luxurious scenic train that crosses the Iyonada Strait – to enjoy the Seto Sea views while enjoying delicious local dishes. Note that you need to book early as many tourists also want to experience this!

Things to note when visiting Shimonada:

You can reach Shimonada Station by taking a local train on the Yosan Line and boarding the train at JR Matsuyama Station. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs 630 yen (about 100,000 VND).

If you take the Iyonada Monogatari train, it will stop at Shimonada Station for about 10 minutes for passengers to admire the scenery and buy drinks. You can get off the train within those 10 minutes or stay at the station and wait for the next train.

Shimonada Coffee's mobile coffee cart operates from 2:30 PM on weekdays, from 11:00 AM on weekends, and closes at sunset at 6:00 PM. So if you come outside of these hours, you won't find the shop!

Futami town is also famous for its stunning sunsets, which you can watch from the train station. Watching Shimonada in the twilight is one of the most beautiful ways to capture this place in your photos!

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai