This week as temperatures dip to -11°C in northern Japan, one high school student can rest assured that she’ll be warm on her way to school.
Every morning at 7:16am Kana Harada boards a train (Japanese) at Kyu-Shirataki Station. It takes her to Engaru, where she attends high school. It’s the only train that makes the trip each day, and she’s the only regular customer at the station.
This year, Hokkaido Railway Company is closing several of its stations. When Kana graduates this year, her station too will close. A representative writes in an email to Quartz:
“As [the student] is going to graduate from the high school this March, there will be no regular customer to use the Kyu-Shirataki Station, and we have decided to include this station in the closing list.”
The changes will go into effect March 26, 2016.