Yoshioka-Kaitei Station 吉岡海底駅 | |||||||||||||||
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 Yoshioka-Kaitei Station platform, June 2005 | |||||||||||||||
| General information | |||||||||||||||
| Location | Fukushima,Matsumae District, Hokkaido Japan | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 41°26′30″N140°14′23″E / 41.441792°N 140.239764°E /41.441792; 140.239764 | ||||||||||||||
| Operated by | .svg){kind=logo} JR Hokkaido | ||||||||||||||
| Line | Kaikyo Line | ||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 2side platforms | ||||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||||||
| Structure type | Underground | ||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||
| Status | Closed | ||||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||||
| Opened | 13 March 1988 | ||||||||||||||
| Closed |
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| Former services | |||||||||||||||
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Yoshioka-Kaitei Station (Japanese:吉岡海底駅,Hepburn:Yoshioka-Kaitei-eki) was a railway station on theKaikyo Line inFukushima, Hokkaido, Japan, operated byHokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). The station was underground and was located within theSeikan Tunnel under theTsugaru Strait linking the main Japanese island ofHonshu with the northern island ofHokkaido. The station was located 149.5 metres (490 ft) below sea level,[1] making it the deepest underground station in the world.
One of two stations located within the Seikan Tunnel, along withTappi-Kaitei Station, it served as an emergency escape point, and this role has not changed after its closure as a passenger station. By segmenting the undersea tunnel, in the event of a 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 remained as a museum until 2013, Yoshioka-Kaitei was closed to regular services on 17 March 2006 to make way forHokkaido Shinkansen preparations.[3]
A special781 seriesDoraemon-themed train then started running on 15 July 2006 to the station, which staged a "Nobita's room" (のび太の部屋,Nobita no heya) exhibition. This service continued until 27 August 2006, when the station was shut down and used as storage space for Hokkaido Shinkansen building materials.[1]
The station opened on 13 March 1988, along with theKaikyo Line.[4] From 17 March 2006, regular services stopped calling at this station to make way forHokkaido Shinkansen construction work, and on 27 August 2006, the special Doraemon-themed train also made its final stop at the station.
The station formally closed as of the end of 14 March 2014.[5]
