Apart from the massive, almost city-like main transportation hubs, train stations in and around Tokyo are usually fairly modern, decidedly utilitarian structures that allow commuters to get to and from their destinations with a minimum amount of fuss. As such, there’s rarely anything interesting or appealing about them. They simply do what they need to do and offer very little else.
There are, however, a couple of exceptions. There’s the fantastically dated section of subway that I covered earlier in the year, and the incredible example below: Kokudo Station just south of the capital.
During the daytime, the tunnel that allows access to the two small platforms is relatively bright, but once the sun goes down the sparse lighting gives it an atmosphere all its own. An element that further adds to the sense of age and history, with the station’s pre-war construction and subsequent opening in 1930 making it a genuine rarity.
Back in better days, the tunnel was filled with numerous businesses, bars and eateries, but unfortunately the remaining one closed last year. A terribly sad ending to a truly wonderful establishment that I documented 12 months ago. And now, with that place boarded up just like the rest of them, all that’s left are a few old signs, with the only option for drinks being the glowing, weirdly incongruous looking modern vending machines.
Here then are the photos. Images given added appeal by the colours the lighting creates inside the camera. All of them taken during a short period on a recent Saturday evening. A time when it would have once been full of people happily heading in and out of their favourite little bars, whereas now it’s just a few souls quietly passing through on their way home.
Sean says
These are awesome and that green hue. Wow! I’d love to travel through here!
Lee says
Thanks a lot, those colours were a real plus. Definitely worth the trip out there. A genuinely unique place.
YesterdaysHero says
Great photographs. Coincidentally I recently found out that a scene in Kurosawa’s Stray Dog was filmed here. A fact that makes me want to see it with my own eyes someday.
Lee says
Thanks a lot. Yeah, I read that when doing a bit of research about the station. Something I’d forgot and a film I still haven’t seen…
Once a Japan Expat says
Believe you are documenting the slow and inexorable erasure of everything Showa.
Lee says
It’s definitely a side of Japan that I find both beautiful and fascinating. But yeah, it’s sadly disappearing fast, so it feels important to see and photograph what I can before it’s gone forever.
Richard says
Only in Japan would I feel safe walking through an abandoned place like this! I wonder what will happen to it?
Love the last photo of the solitary person sitting on the platform.
Lee says
That’s a very good point. Hadn’t really thought about that. Could certainly feel quite different in other cities.
Cheers. Was hoping to get one person sat alone, and then right on cue he appeared.
Richard says
Oh yes, I would not want to walk through a place like that in many American cities….even in the daytime!
Re the last photo: it was ‘the right place at the right time.’ Thanks to the photography gods!
Take care
Lee says
Yes, it really was. Lovely when things work out like that. Didn’t even have to wait long either which was a real plus!