Ashinomaki-Onsen Station Explained

Ashinomaki-Onsen Station
Native Name:芦ノ牧温泉駅
Native Name Lang:ja
Address:Oto-cho, Kamimiyori otsu 249, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima-ken 969-5123
Country:Japan
Map Type:Japan Fukushima Prefecture#Japan
Coordinates:37.3956°N 139.9322°W
Distance:10.5 km from
Operator: Aizu Railway
Line:Aizu Line
Platforms:2 side platforms
Tracks:2
Status:Staffed
Opened:November 1, 1927
Former:Kami-Miyori (until 1987)

is a railway station on the Aizu Railway Aizu Line in the city of Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, operated by the Aizu Railway.

Lines

Ashinomaki-Onsen Station is served by the Aizu Line, and is located 10.5 rail kilometers from the official starting point of the line at .

Station layout

Ashinomaki-Onsen Station has two opposed unnumbered side platforms connected by a level crossing. The station is staffed.

Platforms

Bus, Love and Peach, the station master cats

The station is home to, a long-haired cat who acts as the station master in a manner similar to Tama of Kishi Station. Bus was named after the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro.[1] Bus had been a resident of the station since June, 2000. She was appointed as the honorary stationmaster in April 2008. She had worked with a human station master and retired in December 2015. succeeded the honorary stationmaster.[2] He started working with them from July, 2014. Bus stayed in the station also after retirement with the title of honorary stationmaster of admirable longevity. She died on April 22, 2016.[3] On October 14, 2017,, who is Love's younger brother, was appointed as the rail manager (Head of facilities management). He retired in March 2020., who is a younger sister of Love and Peach, began to work as an apprentice station staff in the spring 2020. She was appointed as an attendant on April 17, 2021. On October 5, 2022, Love died at the age of eight. On November 5, 2023, Sakura was appointed as the honorary stationmaster.

History

Ashinomaki-Onsen Station opened on November 1, 1927, as . The station was transferred to the ownership of the Aizu Railway on 16 July 1987.[4]

Surrounding area

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: http://www.aizutetsudo.jp/info/?p=3. ja:沿線のイベントや注目情報を、名誉駅長「ばす」がお知らせします. ja. Honorary station manager "BASS" will inform you of event and attention information along the line. Aizu Railway Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412100004/http://www.aizutetsudo.jp/info/?p=3. April 12, 2016.
  2. News: Stationmaster cat 'Bus' retires, new feline appointed. December 25, 2015. Mainichi Daily News.
  3. Web site: http://www.aizutetsudo.jp/info/?p=1565. ja:車窓から四季思い出会津線. ja. From the train window Four seasons memories Aizu line. aizutetsudo.jp.
  4. Web site: 企業情報 . Company Information . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119081713/http://aizutetsudo.jp/company/company-profile/ . 19 January 2024 . 18 February 2024 . aizutetsudo.jp . ja.