Doai Station

Doai Station is an unmanned station located in Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, at the foot of Mount Tanigawa on the JR Joetsu Line, and is beloved nationwide by railway enthusiasts and travel lovers as 'Japan's deepest underground station.' Its most distinctive feature is that the upbound (toward Minakami) platform is at ground level, while the downbound (toward Nagaoka) platform is located approximately 70 meters underground within the Shin-Shimizu Tunnel. Passengers descend 486 steps (some accounts say 462 + 24 steps) from the ticket gate to reach the platform, taking approximately 10 minutes—a structure unlike any other.

This structure came about because when the Shin-Shimizu Tunnel opened in 1967, the downbound line was completely underground. The old ground-level track was kept as the upbound line, resulting in the upper and lower platforms being extremely far apart at a single station. The long staircase stretches straight ahead with handrails, and the dimly lit walls create a mystical atmosphere as if leading to another world. Benches for rest are positioned midway along the stairs, where visitors enjoy taking commemorative photos.

The station building above ground features a mountain cabin design with a triangular roof, and has long been used by climbers as a gateway to Mount Tanigawa. Though unmanned in recent years, the station building now houses a café and glamping facility 'DOAI VILLAGE,' offering unique accommodation where guests can stay overnight at the station. This has completely transformed the station's image from 'hidden gem station' or 'forgotten station,' and its appeal as a tourist destination has been reevaluated.

Nearby attractions include the Tanigawa Ropeway, Ichinokura Gorge, Yuhigeso Hot Spring, and Doai-yama House. The area offers activities year-round—hiking and trekking in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and skiing in winter. When accessing by train, advance timetable confirmation is essential due to very limited service (only a few trains daily). The sense of accomplishment upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, followed by the magnificent view of Mount Tanigawa that unfolds when returning to ground level, offers a special experience only visitors can truly appreciate.