Hidden Wonders | An Abandoned Train Platform Deep in a Forest

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In the mountainous region of Oku-Mikawa in northeastern Aichi Prefecture, the Taguchi Line once operated as part of the Toyohashi Railway network. More than half a century has passed since its closure in 1968, yet remnants of the line, including tunnels, bridge piers, and train platforms, still remain.

Among these relics, the site of Mikawa-Okusa Station in Shinshiro City has become a popular destination. Passing through an unlit, hand-dug tunnel surrounded by forest, visitors may feel as though they've stepped into a storybook.

*The hand-dug tunnel leading to the ruins of Mikawa-Okusa Station.*

Getting to Mikawa-Okusa Station

To reach the site from Hon-Nagashino Station, head about three kilometers north along Prefectural Route 32 to the Kami-Okusa bus stop, serviced by Toyotetsu Bus. From there, a short walk west into a village and up a gentle slope leads to an embankment — once part of the Taguchi Line's railway track. Following the track and passing through a tunnel brings you to the ruins of Mikawa-Okusa Station.

*The embankment of the former Taguchi Line. A tunnel can be seen in the distance.*

This unmanned station once featured a single platform serving a single track. Today, the station sign and waiting area are gone. The cracked stone platform, now moss-covered and scattered with fallen branches, exudes an air of desolation.

Opened a year after the Taguchi Line's debut, Mikawa-Okusa Station was the second stop after Hon-Nagashino Station. Situated far from the nearest settlement, it reportedly saw little passenger traffic.

The tunnel leading to the station is dark and muddy, requiring a flashlight or smartphone for illumination. Its rough, hand-hewn walls stand as a testament to the determination of those who built the railway more than a century ago to connect the remote mountains of Oku-Mikawa.

Horaiji Station, a key stop on the line, served as a gateway to the famous Horaiji Temple, known for its autumn foliage. The station once featured a two-story building and welcomed numerous visitors, including those arriving on special trains operated by Japanese National Railways. Today, the site has been repurposed as a bus stop and parking lot.

*A train bound for Kiyosaki stopping at Mikawa-Okusa Station. The waiting room and station sign have since been removed. August 13, 1968. (Courtesy of the Shitara Town Tourism Association)*

Preserving the Past

In May 2021, a roadside station opened in Shitara Town near the former Kiyosaki Station. One of its highlights is a preserved wooden train car, the Moha 14, built in 1925 during the Taisho era. This car originally operated on the Toyokawa Railway, a precursor to the JR Iida Line, before being transferred to the Taguchi Line, where it remained in service until the railway's closure.

Visitors can step inside the car, which now houses exhibits such as photo panels, destination signs, and a ticket rack. The retro driver's seat offers a glimpse into early 20th-century train operations. Well-preserved under a roofed shelter, the car was relocated from another site in the town when the roadside station opened, serving as a cherished symbol of the Taguchi Line's history.

*The "Moha 14" preserved at roadside station (michi-no-eki) "Shitara." This wooden train car was in service until the Taguchi Line was closed.*

Rise and Fall of the Taguchi Line

The Taguchi Line began as the Taguchi Railway, opening its first section in 1929 to connect Horaiji-guchi Station (now Hon-Nagashino Station) to Mikawa-Ebi Station. By 1932, the line extended to Mikawa-Taguchi Station, spanning a total of 22.6 kilometers.

The railway was envisioned as a lifeline for transporting timber from the imperial forests near Mount Takanosu. Its construction was supported by the Imperial Household Ministry in response to local calls for improved access to the national rail network. The railway brought significant benefits, facilitating timber transport, daily commuting, and tourism to attractions like Horaiji Temple.

However, passenger numbers began to decline in the mid-20th century due to the rise of automobiles and rural depopulation. The Taguchi Line was absorbed by Toyohashi Railroad in 1956 but faced ongoing financial difficulties.

*A copy of a timetable from October 1967. Due to typhoon damage, trains were terminated at Kiyosaki. (Courtesy of JTB Publishing)*

In 1965, a typhoon caused severe flood damage, suspending operations between Kiyosaki and Mikawa-Taguchi stations. Despite efforts to resume service, the railway ultimately ceased operations in August 1968 following a farewell train journey.

The final days of the Taguchi Line are documented in historical records, including a reprint of the October 1967 railway timetable. By then, trains no longer reached Mikawa-Taguchi Station, with services terminating at Kiyosaki Station.

Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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