Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department | Photos by Hankyu Railway
Hankyu Railway is one of the key public transport options for residents in Osaka, and recently, a topic has gone viral online — a mysterious ticket gate. This automated ticket gate is situated in the underground passage that links the up and down platforms at Hankyu Nishinomiya Station in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Standing alone in a corner of the station with no nearby ticket machines, this unusual setup has sparked online discussions. Some visitors even thought it was a gateway to another dimension, while others associated it with the entrance to Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series.
Hankyu Railway’s Mysterious Ticket Gate
Hankyu Railway posted photos of the gate taken from various angles on its official Twitter account
The gate is intended for commuters and students
However, this ticket gate does not appear on the official Hankyu Railway website’s station information map. The railway company also uploaded photos of the gate from multiple angles on its official Twitter account to introduce it. According to a spokesperson, the gate is only open from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday, for commuters and students, and is designated for use with commuter passes and IC cards.