When I learned about Okuōikojō Station – one of Japan’s most beautiful and remote train stations – I just knew that I had to include it in my Japan itinerary.
While it is difficult to visit Okuōikojō Station from Tokyo, breaking up the journey between Tokyo and Kyoto by staying overnight in Shizuoka allows you to fit in this scenic day trip into your journey.
Whether you’re a train nerd, or just a fan of nature and off-the-beaten-track places, you won’t regret adding this unique destination to your Japan plans. Keep reading on to learn how to get to Okuōikojō Station!
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Why is Okuōikojō Station so special?
Okuōikojō Station is one of Japan’s most isolated and beautiful train stations, sitting in the middle of Oku-oi Rainbow Bridge, and perched on a cliff overhanging the lake’s turquoise waters.
This unmanned station dates back to 1990 and it is only used by tourists. When I visited, despite being in the middle of the busy Autumn foliage season, my fiancé and I were practically the only Western tourists among mostly Japanese visitors.
Since it isn’t easy to reach, it felt very special to explore a part of Japan that still feels like a well-kept secret.
What is the Ōigawa Main Line?
The Ōigawa Main Line is a private train line dating back to 1927, operated by Ōigawa Railway in Japan.
The railway runs through a remote mountain area with very little population and no main towns or villages. As such, the majority of passengers are tourists or hikers visiting the local hot spring resorts or the Japanese Southern Alps.
Ōigawa Railway is famous for operating restored heritage steam locomotives from the 1930s, which attract trainspotters from all over. Even if you don’t ride on one of the steam trains, you may spot them at one of the train stations along the way.
How to get to Okuōikojō Station from Shizuoka, Japan
Aptly known as one of the most remote stations in Japan, Okuōikojō Station takes a little effort to reach. This makes a day trip here very special – and forces you to sit back, relax, and do nothing except enjoy the ride and the views.
The journey involves taking a few train rides and bus, between Shizuoka and the isolated station up in the Southern Alps. Along the way, you’ll ride on both the Ōigawa Main Line and the Ōigawa Railway Ikawa Line – the steepest railway running in Japan.
Next, I will describe exactly how to get to Okuōikojō Station as a day trip from Shizuoka, Japan.
Previously, it was possible to ride the Ōigawa Railway directly to Senzu Station. However, in 2022, the railway suffered severe typhoon damage, and it is still partly suspended today.
So, now, to reach Okuōikojō Station, it is necessary to board a Community Bus between Ieyama and Senzu Stations.
As departure times are limited, the timings in this guide are the only way to successfully coordinate train and bus times for a day trip to Okuōikojō Station from Shizuoka.
6:00 – 6:25 AM: Arrive at Shizuoka Station
The day will start bright and early, leaving from your hotel in time to arrive at Shizuoka Station by 6:25 AM.
I recommend packing some snacks and water for the day, as there will be limited opportunities to purchase food before arriving at Okuōikojō Station in the mid-morning. Additionally, there is only one cafe by Okuōikojō Station, which is only open on select days of the week and on weekends, and closed in winter.
Where to stay in Shizuoka
Due to the day’s early start, I suggest staying at a hotel within walking distance from Shizuoka Station.
I stayed at the Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Shizuoka Ekinan, only a 5-minute walk away from Shizuoka Station. The hotel itself is not luxurious, but it was very affordable, the room was spacious for Japanese standards, and it was comfortable. As we only stayed in Shizuoka for a couple of nights, it was more than enough for us.
Other accommodations I also recommend near Shizuoka Station:
Budget ($)
Hotel Capsule Inn Shizuoka
A budget-friendly option near Shizuoka Station, this accommodation offers bunk bed rooms, as well as private rooms and individual rooms separated by gender.
Premium ($$)
Hotel Grand Hills Shizuoka
For a more premium accommodation option, check out the panoramic rooms at Hotel Grand Hills. The hotel is also perfectly located right across from Shizuoka Station.
6:30 AM: Board the Tokaido Line towards Kanaya Station
We caught the 6:33 AM Tokaido Line (Local Toyohashi) train for to Kanaya Station.
The journey takes about 30 minutes, over 8 stops.
Note: This journey is covered by the JR Pass. If you don’t have a JR Pass, it costs approximately ¥590 (USD 3.75).
7:05 AM: Purchase tickets at Kanaya Station
When arriving at Kanaya Station, you will have about 20 minutes to purchase your train tickets to board the Ōigawa Main Line train.
You will need to exit the Tokaido Line via the barrier, and transfer to the Ōigawa Main Line. To do so, enter the room to the left before the train platform (you should see signs pointing inside), where you’ll be able to purchase tickets from the vending machine.
At the vending machine, you will see one set of buttons with black labels for Adult tickets, and a second set underneath with red-labelled buttons for Child tickets.
Additionally, you will notice the buttons for Nukuri and Kawaneonsen-Sasamado stations have red crosses on them. These are the stations where train service is currently suspended, and cannot be selected. Press the button for Ieyama and pay – the machine accepts both cash and IC Card (Suica).
Note: This journey is not covered by the JR Pass. An adult ticket costs ¥830 (USD 5.30), while a child ticket costs ¥420 (USD 2.70).
7:20 AM: Board the Ōigawa Main Line train to Ieyama
Once you have your paper tickets, a staff member will check them and you can board the train on the platform.
This 45-minute portion of the journey has some scenic views and glimpses of green tea plantations (did you know that Shizuoka produces about 40% of Japan’s green tea?).
Once you approach Ieyama Station, you may also be able to spot Thomas the Tank Engine, which has been converted into a Percy train.
As one of the original stations of the Ōigawa Main Line (opened in 1929), Ieyama Station has been a film location for several Japanese films and TV dramas.
8:15 AM: Board the Kawane-Honcho Town Community Bus
Previously, it was possible to ride the Ōigawa Railway directly to Senzu Station. However, in 2022, the railway suffered severe typhoon damage, and part of the Ōigawa Main Line is still suspended today. Now, in order to reach Senzu Station it is necessary to board the Community Bus between Ieyama and Senzu Stations.
A line will start forming on the outside of Ieyama Station, facing the road, waiting for the Kawane-Honcho Town Community Bus. The bus journey takes roughly 45 minutes.
When boarding the bus, collect a paper ticket from the dispenser before sitting down. The bus fare is paid in cash into the box by the bus driver when leaving the bus (no change is given).
The journey costs ¥500 (USD 3.20) per adult.
9:00 AM: Purchase tickets and board the Ikawa Line at Senzu Station
Arriving at Senzu Station, you’ll need to head to the ticket office and purchase return tickets to Okuōikojō Station.
Adult tickets cost ¥720 (USD 4.60) each way.
The Ikawa Line train to Okuōikojō Station departs at 9:15 AM.
On your way to the platform, you’ll be able to spot some of the Ōigawa Railway’s steam locomotives, modelled after characters from the Thomas & Friends children’s TV series.
The journey between Senzu Station and Okuōikojō Station takes about one hour, and it is the most scenic portion of this day trip.
Tip: I recommend trying to get a seat by the window, on the right-hand side of the train, for the best views.
The red touristic train rides alongside the Ōi River, offering beautiful views of the dams, bridges, and gorges with turquoise waters. The train ride is especially beautiful in the Autumn.
The train conductor provides commentary throughout the journey, although only in Japanese. We tried using the speech-to-text function on the Google Translate app to translate the audio commentary, but with mixed results.
The Ikawa Line (also called the Southern Alps Abt Line) is the only Abt railway in Japan, which is a system used for trains riding on steep mountain railways.
The Ikawa Line includes a section with the steepest railway in Japan. When the train arrives at Abt Ichishiro station, passengers are allowed to leave the train momentarily to watch the coupling of the Abt System Electric Locomotive.
It is a curious moment, which makes this journey even more special!
10:20 AM: Arrive at Okuōikojō Station
Finally, once at Okuōikojō Station, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the area and take in the beautiful natural scenery and views.
Okuōikojō Station is considered one of the most remote and beautiful train stations in Japan, built on a peninsula and towering above the lake’s turquoise waters. Exiting the station, it’s possible to cross the Oku-oi Rainbow Bridge via the walkway parallel to the railroad tracks.
Getting to the viewpoint where you get the best view of Okuōikojō Station involves climbing very steep stairs and a short hike along a mountain path, which isn’t suitable for people with mobility issues. If you are patient, you’ll be able to spot one of the trains pulling into the station.
Before descending the stairs back to the station, you can take a short walk up to a second viewpoint.
Food and drink at Okuōikojō Station
There is only one small cafe by Okuōikojō Station, run by just one or two people and only open on select days during the week and on weekends. Because of this, I recommend bringing snacks, in case the cafe is closed.
Kojo Station Cafe (湖上駅カフェ) is perched on the hill above Okuōikojō Station, and provides a good view facing the river and the mountains opposite. From the garden below, you can also admire Oku-oi Rainbow Bridge suspended over the lake’s turquoise waters.
The cafe is cash-only and serves a very quirky Lakeside curry dish, which mimics the station’s image on the plate. When I visited, there was a big family ordering curry dishes for everyone, and the staff in the kitchen were quite overwhelmed with the orders. Please keep in mind that orders may take a little time.
I didn’t try the curry, but ordered a drink and two cheesecake slices. I expected the desserts to be homemade, but they weren’t. Instead of a fresh cake slice, we received a couple blocks of frozen, packaged cheesecake.
Therefore, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the cafe for its food. Nevertheless, considering that it is the only food spot available, and for the views, I’d say it’s at least worth stopping for a drink.
1:05 PM: Board the Ikawa Line back to Senzu Station
Once you’ve admired the beautiful natural scenery around Okuōikojō Station and grabbed a drink, it’s time to board the train back to Senzu Station.
You will have yet another opportunity to leave the train momentarily, and observe the de-coupling of the Abt System Electric Locomotive.
Tip: This time, I recommend trying to get a seat by the window, on the left-hand side of the train, for the best views.
2:35 PM: Board the Community Bus to Ieyama
Once back at Senzu Station, you’ll have a few minutes to board the Kawane-Honcho Town Community Bus back to Ieyama Station.
Tip: The bus stops here, on the street bus stop across the road from the main train station building.
3:40 PM: Board the Ōigawa Main Line to Kanaya Station
Arriving at Ieyama Station, purchase a train ticket back to Kanaya Station. Head to the platform and wait for the next train.
4:30 PM: Board the Tokaido Line towards Shizuoka Station
Finally, you’ll take the Tokaido Line train back to Shizuoka Station. You’ll arrive in time to enjoy some shopping and a relaxed dinner back in Shizuoka city.
Visiting Okuōikojō Station in Japan: Frequently Asked Questions
Last thoughts
If visiting Okuōikojō Station is on your Japan bucket list, I hope my guide helps you plan your journey and make the most of your time!
Feel free to write any questions you may have in the comments – I’ll do my best to help.
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