Japan’s southernmost JR station “Nishidaisan Station” has been confirmed to remain in operation

Reported and photographed by You Ru / Kyushu

The JR Kyushu Isahaya–Kagoshima Line, which was once at risk of being discontinued due to low ridership, has now been confirmed to remain in service. Spanning a total length of 87.8 kilometers, the southernmost terminus of the JR Kyushu Isahaya–Kagoshima Line is “Nishidaisan Station.” As the southernmost station on Japan’s main island, it sees a constant flow of visitors. Thanks to efforts by the Isa City Tourism Association to keep the line running, “Nishidaisan Station” has also been retained.


▲% The station building is compact, yet filled with the warmth of a local stop.


The JR Kyushu Isahaya–Kagoshima Line stretches 87.8 kilometers in total. Along the way, it passes the famous Ibusuki Sunamushi Onsen (sand bath hot springs) and is also the route of the Ibusuki no Tamatebako sightseeing train. “Japan’s southernmost station,” Nishidaisan Station, is also located here. Since its opening in 1960, it had long been recognized as “Japan’s southernmost station,” but after the opening of the Okinawa Urban Monorail in 2003, it was renamed “Japan’s southernmost JR station,” attracting many travelers who come to take photos.

Yukiichi Hara, a staff member of the Isa City Tourism Association, explained that although the JR Kyushu Isahaya–Kagoshima Line was indeed discussed for possible discontinuation due to low passenger numbers, efforts were made to preserve its southernmost station, “Nishidaisan Station.” As a result, they successfully lobbied JR to keep the line operational, which now has eight train services per day.Behind the station lies Sakurajima-Fuji (Mount Sakurajima, often compared to Mount Fuji), and in early spring, the area around the station is covered with fields of blooming rapeseed flowers. There is also a yellow mailbox on-site where visitors can send a postcard to themselves as a memento of their visit to “Japan’s southernmost JR station.”


▲ A yellow mailbox is available on-site for visitors to send a postcard to themselves.
% It’s a place brimming with local charm.