On March 14, 2025, the JR Hanasaki Line's Higashi-Nemuro Station, recognized as Japan's easternmost station, closed its doors after 64 years of operation. This farewell came as local residents and rail enthusiasts gathered to bid adieu, reflecting on the station's historical significance and the sadness surrounding its closure.
The station, which opened on September 1, 1961, has long been loved by locals, especially students commuting to nearby schools. Over the years, Higashi-Nemuro Station became more than just a stop on the rail line; it became part of the community's identity. Unfortunately, recent trends showed the number of daily users had declined sharply due to increased reliance on buses for transportation, resulting in fewer than one passenger per day in recent times.
On the final day, fans flocked to witness the last trains arriving and departing. "This is really sad and unfortunate," said one local resident, encapsulating the widespread melancholia felt by many. Meanwhile, Yuudai Muraoka, who traveled from Nagoya, expressed deep emotions about the closure. "I came here to show my son. I've visited many times, and it's emotional to be here for the last time," he shared, highlighting the sentimentality of the event.
The farewell event saw passengers receiving special certificates marking their arrival at the easternmost station, with many capturing photographs of their last moments at Higashi-Nemuro Station. A group of railway fans distributed commemorative postcards and key holders, helping create lasting memories of this momentous closure.
Many gathered on the platform to wave goodbye, with banners reading, "Thank you, Higashi-Nemuro Station," displaying their appreciation for the role the station played in their lives. People shared heartwarming anecdotes and expressed their gratitude for the memories created there over decades.
Transitioning away from the sentimental farewell, the operational closure of Higashi-Nemuro Station has practical roots: JR Hokkaido has sought to cut costs amid declining ridership. The station's closure follows the JR Hokkaido timetable revision scheduled for March 15, aimed at eliminating underutilized stations. The closure of Higashi-Nemuro, along with four other stations, reflects the tough economic realities facing the rail industry.
After the closure, Nemuro Station, located about 1.2 kilometers west of Higashi-Nemuro Station, will assume the title of Japan’s easternmost station. Many expressed their thoughts on this transition; Kazuo Suzuki, who heads the Yuumei Kukan Hanasaki Line Association and has worked tirelessly to advocate for the station's preservation, lamented, "The usual has become unusual, and it makes me feel lonely," pointing to the bittersweet necessity of such changes.
Despite the closure, the final hours of Higashi-Nemuro Station were filled with celebration, remembrance, and community solidarity. On the day of closure, community events included speeches, memories shared, and the distribution of tokens of appreciation among attendees. The last scheduled train departed at 9:42 PM, signaling the end of an era for both the train line and the residents who depended on it.
Reflecting on the future, residents and fans expressed hope for keeping the memory of Higashi-Nemuro Station alive. "We all have fond memories tied to this station; it's hard to accept it's going away," Kazuo Suzuki added, summing up the mixed feelings surrounding its closure.
Tomorrow marks the transition as Nemuro Station takes its new role, but today, the solemnity and nostalgia of Higashi-Nemuro Station's farewell resonate deeply within the hearts of the many who cherished their easternmost station. The legacy remains, intertwined with the journeys taken and the lives touched by this beloved place.