10 of Japan's most classic train stations.

More than just train stops, these 10 classic Japanese train stations are cultural and tourist symbols, where the past blends seamlessly with the rhythm of today.

Mojiko Station is part of the history of one of Japan's major industrial centers. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Once a stopover point for passengers for decades, these train stations have now become unique cultural, historical, and tourist destinations.

Below are 10 classic train stations in Japan, as selected by a panel of travel experts, railway professionals, journalists, and researchers.

Mojiko Station (Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture)

Completed in 1914 and restored in 2019 after six and a half years of renovation, Mojiko Station takes visitors back to the Taisho era (1912–1926), when it served as the railway gateway to one of Japan's most important ports.

Today, Mojiko Station is the center of the Mojiko Retro waterfront area, attracting over 2 million visitors annually.

Kawayu-Onsen Station (Teshikaga, Hokkaido)

Kawayu-Onsen Station exudes a rustic warmth, welcoming visitors to this northern hot spring town. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Located in the hot spring town of Kawayu-Onsen, the station stands out with its views of the nearby Mount Io volcano. According to photojournalist Yukiyasu Sugizaki, this wooden structure is "one of the most beautiful stations in Hokkaido." Since 1987, the Orchard Grass restaurant in the old station has served stews and hamburger steaks made with local beef, and its stained-glass windows create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere.

Kitahama Station (Abashiri, Hokkaido)

Kitahama Station is only about 20 meters from the coast. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Located on the coast, Kitahama Station offers stunning views of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. Inside, the walls and ceiling of the waiting room are covered with train ticket stubs and business cards – the mementos of tens of thousands of travelers over the decades.

This train station was featured in a famous Chinese film, making it a popular stop for many tour groups from the neighboring country. The rustic setting, combined with the sea waves, gives Kitahama the feel of a cinematic rest stop.

Yunokami-Onsen Station (Shimogo, Fukushima Prefecture)

Spring is the ideal time to visit Yunokami-Onsen Station. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Distinguished by its rare thatched roof, Yunokami-Onsen Station also boasts an open fireplace and footbaths fed by local hot springs. Every April, cherry blossoms bloom profusely along the station platform, creating a magical scene when illuminated at night.

According to Chiaki Yoshida, head of Local Line Daigaku – an organization that researches and promotes local railway culture in Japan – the thatched roofs blending with the cherry blossoms in spring create a breathtaking scene unlike any other station. It's a rare fusion of traditional architecture and local cultural experience.

Old Hammadera Park Station (Sakai, Osaka Prefecture)

The Hammadera Park train station was once almost demolished. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Built in 1907, this magnificent wooden structure was once nearly demolished but was relocated to its current position in 2017.

Saiki Nishizaki, founder of Ekisya.net—a website for train station enthusiasts in Japan—comments that the place is worth admiring for its elaborate decorative details. The old waiting room has been transformed into an exhibition space, and the station master's office has been renovated into a cafe, breathing new life into the more than 100-year-old building.

Dogo-Onsen Station (Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture)

Fans of novelist Natsume Soseki will feel like they've stepped into one of his novels when they visit Dogo-Onsen station. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

A building in the Western style of the Meiji period (1868–1912), Dogo-Onsen Station was constructed in 1911 and completely renovated in 1986.

According to Hitoshi Saimyo, president of the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, this is "a symbolic station representing one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan."

YouTuber and railway analyst Tetsu-bozu said the station is also associated with novelist Natsume Soseki, who frequently visited Dogo Onsen.

Ashino Park Station (Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture)

An attractive stopover point in the far north of Japan. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Built in 1930 and operating until 1975, Ashino Park Station is the only remaining building of the Tsugaru Railway line.

Featured in Osamu Dazai's novel Tsugaru, this single-story wooden structure with a red roof boasts "charming touches in the Western style." It is this very simplicity that gives Ashino Park its unique heritage value in northern Japan.

Old JR Nara Station (Nara, Nara Prefecture)

The building's design is very fitting for Japan's ancient capital. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Completed in 1934 and operational until 2003, JR Nara Station features a design that combines Japanese temple architecture with reinforced concrete construction, considered by Hitoshi Saimyo to be representative of the Imperial style.

Today, this place not only serves as a transportation hub but also provides guided tours, helping visitors fully experience the ancient atmosphere of the former capital.

Doai Station (Minakami, Gunma Prefecture)

Doai Station is located at the foot of Mount Tanigawa. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Located at the foot of Mount Tanigawa, Doai Station opened in 1936 and completed its current appearance in 1967. It is a unique underground station with 486 steps leading from the ground level down to the floor below.

According to photojournalist Yukiyasu Sugizaki, the sturdy concrete structure of Doai Station is a testament to "the dynamism of Japan's post-war economic boom." Getting off the train is not just about transportation, but also a journey of discovery into unique construction techniques.

Okutama Station (Tokyo)

A rest stop for hikers in the western suburbs of Tokyo. (Source: Nikkei Asia)

Located west of Tokyo, Okutama Station was renovated and reopened in April 2019, notable for its rare two-story wooden structure made from local forest wood.

The interior space includes changing rooms, a shoe washing area, and backpack storage – convenient for guests who come to climb mountains and participate in outdoor activities.

Matcha, the founder of Web Cafe Retro-Ekisha (a website dedicated to enthusiasts of classic train stations in Japan), commented: "This place is like a secret base that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city."

These ten classic train stations not only preserve architecture and history, but also reflect regional identity, linked to Japanese cultural and literary memories.

From thatched-roof railways in Fukushima and wooden-framed stations in Osaka to underground structures beneath Mount Tanigawa, all bear witness to the enduring appeal of railways – where the past and present intertwine in every step of the traveler.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/10-nha-ga-xe-lua-co-dien-nhat-nhat-ban-326075.html