Yoshioka-Kaitei Station

Yoshioka-Kaitei Station 吉岡海底駅
Yoshioka-Kaitei Station platform, June 2005
Location	Fukushima, Matsumae, Hokkaido Japan
Operated by	JR Hokkaido
Line(s)	Kaikyo Line
History
Opened	1988
Closed	2014

Yoshioka-Kaitei Station (吉岡海底駅, Yoshioka-Kaitei-eki^?) was a railway station on the Kaikyo Line in Fukushima, Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). The station was underground and was located within the Seikan Tunnel under the Tsugaru Strait linking the main Japanese island of Honshu with the northern island of Hokkaido. The station was located 149.5 metres (490 ft) below sea level, making it the deepest underground station in the world.

One of two stations located within the Seikan Tunnel, along with Tappi-Kaitei Station, it served as an emergency escape point and this role has not changed after the closure as a passenger station. By segmenting the undersea tunnel, in the event of fire or other disaster the stations provide safety equivalent to that of a much shorter tunnel. The effectiveness of the escape shafts located at the emergency stations is enhanced by exhaust fans that suck up smoke, television cameras to route passengers to safety, thermal (infrared) fire alarm systems and water spray nozzles.

Previously the station contained a museum detailing the history and function of the tunnel, and could be visited on special sightseeing tours. However, while Tappi-Kaitei remained as a museum till 2013, Yoshioka-Kaitei was closed to regular services on March 17, 2006 to make way for Hokkaido Shinkansen preparations.

A special 781 series Doraemon-themed train then started running on July 15, 2006 to the station, which staged a "Nobita's room" (のび太の部屋, Nobita no heya^?) exhibition. This service continued until August 27, 2006, when the station has shut down and used as storage space for Hokkaido Shinkansen building materials.