Kareigawa Station

Kareigawa Station is a JR Kyushu station in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Its station building is the oldest in the prefecture and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property. Although it is an unmanned station, limited express trains stop here, which is rare nationwide. Because of its retro station building, many tourists visit. Inside, it feels as if time has stopped, with features like an earthen-floor waiting area, long benches, and a pendulum clock—full of nostalgic charm. The station has an official tourism ambassador: ‘Nyantaro,’ a tanuki-faced character who is very popular with visitors. Nyantaro reportedly “commutes” to the station at 10:30 and then spends time freely before going home, so if you want to meet him, aiming for 10:30 is recommended. On weekends and holidays only, a bento called ‘Hyakunen no Tabi Monogatari Kareigawa’ made by ‘Mori no Bento Yamadaya’ in Kirishima City is sold here. Because it is only sold at Kareigawa Station and limited to 100 per day, it is known as a phantom bento. Kareigawa Station is also the gateway station to the Shinkawa Gorge hot spring area. Access: about 10 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport.