The stairway to "Heaven's Station" is a hell of a climb

suzugamine_mama

Nicknamed "Heaven's Station," Uzui Station's platform is a 30 meter climb up 10 flights of stairs, making it the tallest in Japan. Located in Ōnan, Shimane Prefecture, the second least populated prefecture in the country, Uzui Station currently gets less than one passenger a day on average, down from its peak of 4 in 2003. The rural station has no lifts or escalators and no vending machines to replenish your fluids after your agonising ascent. There is, however, a single bench upon which to rest as you wait... and wait... and wait... for one of the four daily services to pick you up.

 The covered stairwell in the middle of the platform.
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 View along the isolated platform into the mountains.
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Though its status as a railway station is questionable, since 2010 Uzui Station has featured as a striking LED illuminated backdrop to and viewing platform for festivities in the INAKA ILUMI countryside illumination festival.

View from platform during the day.
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 View from platform during INAKA ILUMI
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 Food stalls framed by the illuminated platform during INAKA ILUMI
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Those of you who have found the hike up Mt. Fuji a piece of cake might want to put Heaven's Station next on your list of summits to conquer.


Sources:
READYFOR?
ゆっくりと のんびり by suzugamine_mama
Wikipedia (Japanese)