Tsugaike Station

Overview

Tsugaike Station, located in Minakami-machi, Gunma Prefecture, is renowned as Japan's highest-altitude railway station. Situated at an elevation of 653.7 meters, it boasts a unique feature: 462 steps leading down from the station building to the underground platform. Descending to the platform takes you into a tunnel. The long, tunnel-like passage to the underground platform has earned the station the nickname "Mole Station" due to its distinctive atmosphere. Its location and structure make Tsugaike Station a popular spot for railway enthusiasts and tourists alike. When visiting Tsugaike Station, we highly recommend taking the 462 steps down to the underground platform to experience its unique atmosphere within the tunnel. Furthermore, the area surrounding Tsugaike Station offers many natural attractions, including Tanigawa-dake mountain and Mikuni Pass. Tanigawa-dake, one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, is ideal for hiking and mountaineering. Mikuni Pass, situated at an elevation of 1,420 meters, connects Gunma and Niigata prefectures and offers breathtaking views of the mountains and, on clear days, stunning cloud seas. Due to its remote location, accessing Tsugaike Station is best done by car or train. By car, it's approximately a 45-minute drive from Tsukiyo IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway. By train, take the JR Joetsu Line to Tsugaike Station. Allow ample time for your visit.