Picture this a bustling railway station. It’s Sambommatsu Station in Higashikagawa Kagawa Prefecture. Not Fukuoka. This isn’t the Sambommatsu you were expecting.
This unassuming station holds a fascinating history. Opened on April 15 1928 it served as an intermediate stop. The Kotoku Line was extended eastwards to Hiketa from Sanuki-Tsuda. Japanese Government Railways operated it. Later it became Japanese National Railways JNR. Privatization on April 1 1987 transferred control to JR Shikoku.
Sambommatsu Station isn’t just a transit point. It’s a vital connection. The JR Shikoku Kotoku Line serves it. It sits 37.6 kilometers from Takamatsu. Local services run through it. So does the Uzushio limited express. This connects Okayama Takamatsu and Tokushima.
The station’s layout is quite unique. It features a side platform and an island platform. Three tracks are served. A station building houses a waiting room. A JR ticket window is there too with a Midori no Madoguchi facility. Access to the island platform uses a footbridge. A siding runs beyond track 3. Parking and a large bike shed are available. Imagine travelers using those sheds in years past.
The area surrounding Sambommatsu Station has its own charm. Higashikagawa City Hall Ouchi Office is nearby. So is Higashikagawa Municipal Okawa Junior High School. Kagawa Prefectural Sanbonmatsu High School is also close by. Picture students rushing to catch their trains. Think of generations passing through this very spot.
Sambommatsu Station a humble station with a rich story. It’s more than just a place to catch a train. It’s a window into Japan’s railway history and the life of a small community. Remember this quiet corner when you travel through this part of Kagawa. It’s a hidden gem worth remembering.