Train Stations: Why is Kokudo the Emptiest One?

Train stations are a cornerstone of daily life for Japanese people. Japan’s railways crisscross Tokyo and the entire country in a stunning model of expertise and punctuality. Visitors to Japan quickly learn how to use the rails effectively to maximize their enjoyment during their stay.

But as important as Japan’s railways are, there is one that is particularly famous (or even infamous) for how barren and desolate it is. Yokohama’s Kokudo Station is Japan’s emptiest train station and deserves a visit for the curious. It is not a dangerous place to visit, but one that is a bit out of the way and a bizarre place in that no one has made any efforts to alter it in any way.

Where is Kokudo Station?

Kokudo Station is in the Tsurumi Ward of Yokohama, just outside Tokyo proper. It is a little bit south of Haneda Airport and runs along an industrial stretch of the city. It isn’t a difficult station to find, but it does service a line that doesn’t receive much traffic, which led to its eventual stagnation.

Why is it unique?

This particular station is odd as it is fully unstaffed, unlike every other train station across the country. Automated ticket machines serve the passengers who visit, and aside from the stray cleaning staffer, no one works in the station itself.

Signs and shops that are many decades old still decorate the station walls, but none are in service anymore. Few people use the station for transportation; most simply visit out of curiosity. Famous director Akira Kurosawa used the station as a location for his film Stray Dogs due to its moody and lonely atmosphere.

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What restaurants can I visit nearby?

As liminal space as the train station may be, this doesn’t mean the rest of the city is as frozen in time as it is. Yokohama is a fabulous city to visit, and food is one of the reasons why it should be on a visitor’s itinerary. Tsurumi has plenty of great food, from sushi to tempura and casual izakaya. Kokudo Station may be a bit spooky and empty, but don’t let that dissuade you from exploring the city around it.

Tenkin Tempura

Located in a beautiful classic building, Tenkin offers a fantastic assortment of classic Japanese fare. While the tempura is the restaurant’s primary draw, its other dishes should not be missed. Tenkin offers sashimi, unagi, miso soup, and other food bowls. Small but clean and inviting, Tenkin is a great stop for those passing by the station.

Mogami Izakaya

Visiting a good izakaya can make for a beautiful afternoon or evening, and Mogami Izakaya is undoubtedly worth visiting. Typical fare includes edamame, karaage, various noodles, and many meat dishes. Walking through Tsurumi can build up a good thirst and an appetite, so sitting down for a hot meal and a cold drink is the perfect way of taking the edge off an exciting afternoon.

Harue Sushi

Don’t let Harue Sushi’s small storefront fool you; the food inside is top-notch. Colorful assortments of fresh fish are prepared to order. From traditional sushi rolls to fresh cuts of sashimi and small bowls of rice, Harue is a classic sushi restaurant through and through. Japan is famous for its sushi, and Harue helps keep that tradition alive.

Why should I visit train stations like Kokudo?

Train stations in Japan keep the country alive and running. Without them, millions of people wouldn’t be able to travel to and from work every day, and friends and family wouldn’t be able to visit each other across the country.

Visitors and travelers wouldn’t be able to experience the fantastic culture that Japan has to offer. Train stations are indescribable in their importance and significance to Japanese society, making Kokudo Station unique. 

It is incredibly unusual for a train station to fall into such a forgotten state. While it operates safely and doesn’t pose a risk to its passengers, it’s still a place left outside of time. Seeing decades-old advertisements and shopfronts sitting untouched for so long is fascinating and sad. The fact that no one has decided to renovate the station or utilize its storefronts is also strange. But as strange as the station is, it is a time capsule where people can step backward.

Have you ever been to Kokudo Station before? Was it as creepy and atmospheric as the pictures make it out to be? Did you stop by any of the nearby restaurants when you were done? Is it a place you’d visit again? Please let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your adventure at Japan’s emptiest and most unique train station.