Japan’s Most Instagrammed Train Station
Japan’s Most Instagrammed Train Station
Japan’s most famous train station |
What is Shimonada Train Station?
While Japan is one of the popular destinations for this, the most common photos usually shared are from Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto. I am pretty sure you have seen hundreds if not millions of photos with people posing with sakura or cherry blossom photos.
Not only that, other popular photos and selfies are taken with Mount Fuji, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Red Gates in Kyoto, Tokyo SkyTree and so on. To be honest, these are the most commercially popular places in Japan, and this article shares one of Japan’s most Instagrammed train stations, which is highly popular among the Japanese.
A beautiful sunset was photographed in Shimonada. Photo by Kosu from Japan |
Flowers bloom at the platform area. Photo by Visit Ehime Japan. |
NHK even ran their 72-hour documentary here in 2017, where they put a camera team here for three full days to document this station and its visitors. According to the documentary, Japanese photographers came from very far parts of Japan just to photograph this station.
Over the years, with the new generation of social media, more people have been attracted to this place due to social sharing. As photos went viral in Japan, it became a phenomenon for the Japanese to put the Shimonada train station on their bucket list.
One of the tourist trains stopping at Shimonada Station |
Now, modern social and lifestyle travellers from the world over are slowly beginning to learn about this unique and mysterious station. Soon, you can expect to see foreigners making their way here to get that Instagram photo, and this will slowly be shared among other travellers, who will, in turn, start visiting here.
The classic wooden station building. Photo by Kinarino Japan |
The wooden station building also houses some memorabilia, photos of the station, information and a guest book for visitors to read or even sign in. A station keeper comes by daily to open the place some simple housekeeping in and around the station area.
A classic red post box is also located just outside the station building for those who may want to post any letters or postcards from here. But you should have your post items ready and just slot them in the main box.
A beautiful sunset scene at the station. Photo by KinarinoJapan |
Best time to visit Shimonada Train Station
The most popular time to visit the Shimonada Station is just before sunset to catch that magical golden hour. However, many locals tend to come here on a clear day to photograph themselves sitting on the station platform facing the sea.
Summer would be a very good time, but you can expect huge crowds of locals visiting the train station. If you are all out for your epic Instagram shot, you should just rent a car and head there as early as possible to beat the crowd. This way, you can take your own sweet time.
March and April are also popular months as winter ends, and spring begins, with a nice blossom of flowers around the station area. Just by the station, a small sunflower garden has its own blooms, and they make a perfect photo when you visit during this time.
The local Yosai train arriving at Shimonada Station |
Shimonada Train Schedule
A few trains pass this station, and one of the best ways to experience it is by taking the Iyonada Monogatari Sightseeing Train. For those on a budget, it is better to take the local trains that make daily routine trips from Matsuyama station to Shimonada station here.
- Iyonada Monogatari Train – 4 times a day, weekends and public holidays only. This special train service uses an old classic retro train with a modern interior and facilities and makes a short stop here. Due to the popularity of this train service, advance reservations are only accepted and you can get more info and also book from Iyonada Monogatari website.
- Local Train along the Yosan Line – The local trains that ply the Matsuyama to Iyo-Ozu cities along the Yosan Line (Amber or Yellow Line) will make stops here. When buying your tickets, inform the ticket counter that you want to stop at Shimonada Station.
- Matsuyama Station to Shimonada Station Train
- This local train makes 8 stops before Shimonada.
- 11 trains are running hourly.
- Duration: 47-60 minutes, depending on the train schedule
- Train Schedule;
- 1st Train: 6.02 AM
- Last Train: 9.08 PM
- Ticket Price: ¥550 per person
Photos of Shimonada Station taken by various Instagrammers |
Random Instagram photos of the station |
Do’s and Don’ts at the Shimonada Station
As always, you must be ethical and polite, the Japanese way when you are here. There will be a lot of photographers and Instagrammers here, hence it is best to take your turn for your photos.
Do not take forever to get your photo at the platform bench, as many others want to take the same photo. Please take turns and let others get their photos. If you are done and are not happy with your photo, let the rest finish before you go again.
Do not shout or talk loudly there, as Japanese people are mild-mannered and soft spoken. If you smoke, please do not smoke at the station, as it is non-smoking. You can smoke in the car park area, and most importantly, do not simply throw your rubbish away as there are rubbish bins available.
An outdoor concert held at the platform of the Shimonada Station |
Shimonada Station Sunset Platform Concert
On the first Saturday of September, a special concert is held at the Shimonada train station platform. Local artists perform Japanese songs to a niche audience that witnesses this event once a year.
If you are here in early September, plan your trip so that you can catch the unique Sunset Platform Concert at the Shimonada Station on the first Saturday.
Map showing where Shimonada Station is located |
Where is Shimonada Train Station?
The Shimonada Station is located in Futamicho Okubo, Iyo, in the Ehime Prefecture of Shikoku Island. It is also located in the far northwest of the island, and the nearest large city is Matsuyama City. If you are self-driving, just use Waze and locate Shimonada, or you can key in the GPS Coordinates: 33°39’18.36″ N 132°35’21.12″ E or (DD Coordinates – 33.6551 132.5892).
The local train from Matsuyama. Photo by Libaclub Japan |
- Train: Yosan Line – Limited Express Limited Express Ishizuchi 29 towards Matsuyama
- Train Type: JR Shikoku Tilt Train (Modern fast train)
- Duration:2 Hours 40 minutes to 3 Hours
- Train ticket ¥6390 per person
The JR train board at the station |
What else is at Shimonada Station?
On peak periods like weekends and summers, you would be lucky to see one or two vendors who come in trucks to sell the local Shimonada Coffee, fruits, snacks and other drinks. They usually park around the station area by the road and are hard to miss.
A newly constructed road runs at the bottom of the station. Previously, that piece of land was a beach where the sea would meet the foot of the station. Shimonada Station was once the closest train station to the sea. It is disabled-friendly, with a ramp to the platform for wheelchair users.
Shimonada Station by the sea at Shikoku. Photo by Wikipedia Japan |
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