Documentations

Japan is covered by an extensive and reliable network of railways and sometimes hard to reach stations.

In December 19, 1936 the Doai station in Minakami, Gunma opened its doors to the public. Nothing special about it, except the fact that the platform is located 70 meter beneath a mountain. Travelers going north with the the Joetsu Line (East Japan Railway Company) pass the Shin-Shimizu tunnel (13,490m) to reach this station. But then they are in for quite a surprise: 462 steps lead up a 338 meter long tunnel going up from the platform to the station itself. But there is still no light at the end of the tunnel, because it takes another 143 meter with another 24 steps until the exit is reached.

There are signs which optimistically state that it’s a "10 minutes walk" but from experience this is very unrealistic, except you are a sprinter.