Anbo Forest Railway Station (Heritage of Industrial Modernization)
- Modification： 2024/01/10
- Area: harumaki
This forestry railway, dating back to 1992 (Taishō 22), is still in use today. After one year of construction, the 16km railway stretching to Kosugidani Village—with a 2m breadth and an average incline of 4%, crossing 24 bridges and passing through 16 tunnels—was completed. Construction continued year after year, until the railway reached its greatest total length of 26km. For the entire span of its usage, it was the sole connection between Anbo and the mountain villages of Kosugidani and Ishidzuka at the frontier edge of the national forest.
Until its official abandonment in August of 1970 (Shōwa 45), the village of Kosugidani (Small Cedar Village) always utilised the foremost logging technologies in order to fell the choicest of trees. By 1960 (Shōwa 35), the village had a population of 540 people, 150 of those being elementary and junior high school students.
On February 23rd of 2009 (Heisei 21), this railway, which supported the close-to-nature industry and livelihoods of the mountain settlements, was designated by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry as Heritage of Industrial Modernization.
But beware! Entering the premises may pose a safety risk, so please refrain from doing so.
