Yoshioka-Kaitei Station

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Yoshioka-Kaitei Station (吉岡海底駅, -eki^?) is a train station within the Seikan Tunnel on the Kaikyo Line in Fukushima, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company. The station is located 149.5 metres (490.5 feet) ^[1] below sea level, making it the deepest underground station in Japan.

One of two stations located within the Seikan Tunnel, along with Tappi-Kaitei Station, it serves as an emergency escape point. By segmenting the undersea tunnel, in the event of fire or other disaster the stations provide safety equivalent to that of a much shorter tunnel. The effectiveness of the escape shafts located at the emergency stations is enhanced by exhaust fans that suck up smoke, television cameras to route passengers to safety, thermal (infrared) fire alarm systems and water spray nozzles.^[2]

Previously the station contained a museum detailing the history and function of the tunnel, and could be visited on special sightseeing tours. However, while Tappi-Kaitei remains as a museum, Yoshioka-Kaitei was closed to regular services on March 17, 2006 to make way for Hokkaido Shinkansen preparations.^[3]

A special Doraemon-themed train was then started running on July 15, 2006 to the station, which staged a "Nobita's room" (のび太の部屋, Nobita no heya^?) exhibition. This service continued until August 27, 2006, while the station was shut down and to be used as storage space for Hokkaidō Shinkansen building materials.^[1]

Contents 1 History 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] History

• March 13, 1988 - Station opened, along with the Kaikyo Line
• March 17, 2006 - Regular services stop calling at this station, to make way for the Hokkaido Shinkansen
• August 27, 2006 - Doraemon-themed train to make final stop at station

[edit] See also

• Seikan Tunnel
• Tappi-Kaitei Station

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Hokkaido 'Doraemon' train to make final run in summer (May 24, 2006).
2. ^ Morse, D. (May 1988). "Japan Tunnels Under the Ocean". Civil Engineering 58 (5): 50-53. 
3. ^ Hokkaido Railway Company (2005-12-22). About the March 2006 timetable changes. Retrieved on June 17, 2006.

[edit] External links

• "An undersea station tour guide"
• (Japanese) JR Hokkaido, Hakodate branch: "Seikan Tunnel"
• (Japanese) JR Hokkaido, Hakodate branch: "Yoshioka-Kaitei World"