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Iwakuraji Temple

4.1
·72 reviews·Tateyama, Japan

Step back in time at Iwakuraji Station, a perfectly preserved mid-Showa era gem with a dignified building and unique charm.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime trains

Enjoy scenic views

CrowdMedium
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門構えが見事

Iwakuraji Temple

Best Time

Daytime trains

Enjoy scenic views

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step back in time at Iwakuraji Station, a perfectly preserved mid-Showa era gem with a dignified building and unique charm.

4.1
(72 reviews)

"This station is overflowing with retro charm, a dignified building with a unique atmosphere."

Vertical photo
TIP

Cash for Tickets

Bring cash! ICOCA/Suica not accepted. Buy tickets at the station. :moneybag:

Photo Opportunities Galore

Perfect for photographers! Capture the retro charm and unique architecture. :camerawithflash:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.1 · 72 reviews

Type

Train Station

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stately Station Building

Stately Station Building

Main Station Building

A dignified, retro building reminiscent of 1950s government offices. A must-see for its unique atmosphere.

Unique Platform Layout

Unique Platform Layout

Station Platforms

Experience a distinctive platform arrangement that adds to the station's nostalgic charm and visual appeal.

Movie Set Ambiance

Movie Set Ambiance

Station Interior & Exterior

Feel like you're on a movie set with photos of actors and a palpable sense of history.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Retro Charm

Iwakuraji Station is a time capsule, exuding a mid-Showa era atmosphere. Expect a unique, nostalgic experience with a stately station building and a distinctive platform layout. It's a photographer's dream, but note that traditional IC cards like Suica/ICOCA aren't accepted; cash is king for tickets. Reddit

Strategic Train Transfers

For a quicker journey to Dentetsu Toyama, opt for the Fujikoshi-Kamitaki Line via Minami-Toyama. Daytime schedules often favor this route for an earlier arrival. If heading to Tateyama, transferring from the Tateyama Line to the Fujikoshi-Kamitaki Line can also be advantageous. Reddit

Best Times

When
Daytime trains
Why
Enjoy scenic views
Crowd
Medium
When
During events
Why
Experience lively atmosphere
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

これが日本のスイス!!🇨🇭日本が世界に誇る絶景(個人的)!! This is Mt.Tateyama🇯🇵 📍室堂/富山県 📍Murodo/Toyama, Japan #室堂 #富山 #絶景 #富山旅行 #自然 #Japan #Toyama #nature
@ine_dayou
517K likes • 8.6M views

Cash for Tickets

Bring cash! ICOCA/Suica not accepted. Buy tickets at the station. :moneybag:

Photo Opportunities Galore

Perfect for photographers! Capture the retro charm and unique architecture. :camerawithflash:

A hidden gem in Japan you must see with your own eyes <3! Mt Tateyama is in Toyama prefecture and is said to be the Switzerland of Japan! It’s so beautiful and if you love hiking it’s a must visit for sure!! The whole Tateyama Alpine Route requires you to take 6 different transportations throughout the journey (I believe it’s also possible to hike instead of taking some of the transportations) but...
@mariseki
111.4K likes • 480.7K views
ใครมาเที่ยวญี่ปุ่น แล้วไม่รู้จะไปไหน แนะนำที่นี่มาก เริ่ดๆ สวยตะโกน ตะลึง เดินทางไม่ลำบาก (ขนาดนั้น...ขนาดไหน) #ญี่ปุ่น #tateyamakurobe #toyama #เดินป่าญี่ปุ่น #trekking
@arattattatt
47.9K likes • 388.8K views

Scenic Train Rides

Enjoy slow-paced train journeys with beautiful scenery. Great for relaxation. :train2:

Retro Waiting Room

Warm up by the stove in the waiting room for an authentic experience. 🔥

พิกัดลับมั้ยไม่รู้ แต่หาทางไปยากมาก💀 #fyp #fypage #trinkets #เที่ยวญี่ปุ่น #รับหิ้วญี่ปุ่น #ของเล่นญี่ปุ่น #พิกัด #สตูดิโอจิบลิ
@poko.cuties
31.6K likes • 172.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Cash for Tickets

Bring cash! ICOCA/Suica not accepted. Buy tickets at the station. :moneybag:

Photo Opportunities Galore

Perfect for photographers! Capture the retro charm and unique architecture. :camerawithflash:

Scenic Train Rides

Enjoy slow-paced train journeys with beautiful scenery. Great for relaxation. :train2:

Retro Waiting Room

Warm up by the stove in the waiting room for an authentic experience. 🔥

What Travellers Say

4.1
(72 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Iwakuraji Station's exceptional retro charm and dignified architecture, often comparing it to stepping back in time. The unique atmosphere and historical preservation are major highlights. However, the lack of modern amenities like IC card acceptance and the limited time trains may stop can be minor inconveniences for some.

"Transfer station for the Tateyama Line and the Fujikoshi/Kamitaki Line of Toyama Regional Railway
The entire station, from the station building to the platforms and information boards, is retro in its entirety, giving the station an atmosphere that feels as if time has stopped in the mid-Showa era.

To reach Dentetsu Toyama, the Fujikoshi-Kamitaki Line (via Minami-Toyama) route is shorter than the Tateyama Line route via Terada, so the time required is shorter.
According to the daytime train schedule, it is better to transfer from the train from Tateyama to the Fujikoshi/Kamitaki Line train to arrive at Dentetsu Toyama Station earlier.

Even though Toyama Chitetsu as a whole still retains some of the atmosphere of the past, Iwakuraji is a station that has a particularly nice atmosphere."

Taichi Kimura

"It's a really nice station building. It seems like a movie was shot there, and there were lots of photos of Teruyuki Kagawa and Toru Nakamura. I wanted to ride the train, so I got on from this station to Tateyama Station. The speed was slow, so I could enjoy the scenery. It was a park-ride system, so parking was free. There was a station attendant. I couldn't use ICOCA or Suica, so I bought a ticket with cash."

光憲

"This is an interesting station with a stately station building and a unique platform layout.

There's a stove burning in the waiting room, station staff on hand, and you can also feel the bustle at the photo exhibitions and other events.

This station is located halfway between Toyama and Tateyama. Most passengers who board from here onwards will continue on to Tateyama, so it would be nice if the train could stop for a little longer to use the toilet or buy drinks. This would also increase the railway's revenue."

にしだたてき

What People Like

Authentic retro atmosphere
Dignified station building
Unique platform layout

What People Dislike

No IC card acceptance
Short train stops

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Iwakuraji Station is a key transfer point on the Toyama Chitetsu network. It serves both the Tateyama Line and the Fujikoshi/Kamitaki Line. For a faster route to Dentetsu Toyama, consider transferring to the Fujikoshi-Kamitaki Line via Minami-Toyama. Reddit Many travelers use it as a starting or ending point for journeys along the Tateyama Alpine Route. TikTok

Yes, Iwakuraji Station is directly accessible via the Toyama Chitetsu railway lines. It's a convenient stop for exploring the region and connecting to other destinations like Tateyama. Reddit

From Toyama Station, you can take the Toyama Chitetsu Line. To reach Iwakuraji, you might need to transfer at Terada Station if you're on the Tateyama Line, or take the Fujikoshi-Kamitaki Line directly depending on your starting point and desired destination. Reddit

Yes, you can travel from Tateyama Station to Iwakuraji Station via the Toyama Chitetsu Tateyama Line. The journey offers scenic views and allows you to experience the retro charm of the railway. Reddit

While the focus is on the station's charm, some reviews mention a park-and-ride system with free parking, suggesting it might be available for those using the trains. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Iwakuraji Temple is primarily a train station with historical significance. There is no admission fee to enter the station building or its platforms. You only need to purchase a train ticket for your journey. Reddit

No, traditional IC cards like Suica or ICOCA are not accepted at Iwakuraji Station. You will need to purchase your train tickets using cash. Reddit

As a train station, Iwakuraji operates according to the railway's schedule. Daytime trains are recommended for enjoying the scenery. Specific operating hours for ticket sales would align with the first and last train times. Reddit

Reviews mention that the station can be lively during photo exhibitions and other events, suggesting periodic activities that enhance the visitor experience. Reddit

Train tickets can be purchased at the station counter. Remember to have cash on hand as electronic payment methods are not supported. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The entire station is a photographer's delight! Focus on the stately station building, the unique platform layout, and the retro interior details. The former Seibu Red Arrow express train, when present, is a particularly photogenic subject. Reddit

Absolutely! Iwakuraji Station is renowned for its authentic mid-Showa era atmosphere, making it perfect for capturing vintage Japan vibes. The architecture and preserved elements transport you back in time. Reddit

Yes, you can take photos inside the station building. The interior is spacious and showcases its past prosperity, with interesting wiring structures that appeal to enthusiasts. Reddit

No specific restrictions are mentioned, but it's always good practice to be mindful of other passengers and avoid intrusive photography, especially if filming for commercial purposes. Reddit

A versatile lens that can capture both wide architectural shots and detailed interior elements would be ideal. A camera with good low-light performance can also be beneficial for capturing the ambiance. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Nature & Scenery

While Iwakuraji Station itself is a historical site, it's a gateway to the Tateyama Alpine Route, which offers stunning natural landscapes, often compared to Switzerland. TikTok+1 The train journeys from here also provide scenic views. TikTok

The train rides from Iwakuraji, especially towards Tateyama, offer picturesque views of the Japanese countryside. The slower pace allows you to soak in the natural beauty. TikTok

Iwakuraji Station is part of the transport network for the Tateyama Alpine Route, which is popular for hiking. While the station itself isn't a hiking spot, it's a convenient access point to areas where you can hike. TikTok

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