The Japanese Train Station Built Around A Tree
Japan is well known for its innovative ideas, while preserving its authenticity. Kayashima Station, in Osaca is no exception. The local engineers found an ingenious way of protecting nature. At the Kayashima Station, a giant tree cuts right through the middle of the station and out through its roof. The protected camphor tree is over 700 years old.
The Kayashima Station has been functioning since 1910, when it was built right next to the tree. Later, in 1972, when the city population considerably increased, officials decided to extend the station and to cut down the tree.
Because, the tree has been standing there for a long time, it was considered as a divine symbol and it was associated with a local shrine. Locals protested against the government’s intention. People were convinced, that cutting the tree down was a bad omen, and anyone, who tried to harm it, would be cursed.
Sounds like a local superstition, but apparently, it was a good enough argument to convince the officials. Therefore, the new station, which was completed in 1980, had an open roof and enough space for the tree to keep growing. Furthermore, now there is a small shrine right next to it, where people can come and show their respect towards the oldest tree in the area.
Photos by Kosaku Mimura/Nikkei, Studio Ohana, via spoon-tamago.com
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Kayashima Station and Kayashima Shrine, Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan
- Coordinates
- 34.74735, 135.61083
- Access
- Kayashima Shrine is beside/under the elevated Kayashima Station; Osaka’s official visitor listing says it is about a one-minute walk from the station, and the camphor tree is visible from the platform. The shrine grounds are the free visit; entering the railway platform requires a valid train fare or platform ticket. Stay out of restricted railway areas.
- Admission
- The shrine is free to visit. A train fare or Keihan platform ticket is needed to enter the station’s paid platform area for a platform view; that is railway access, not an attraction admission fee.
- Time needed
- No official visit duration is published. Allow about 10–20 minutes as a short-stop estimate to see the shrine and tree; allow extra time if taking a train or buying a platform ticket.
- Best season
- No preferred season is published. The shrine is described as open for worship; check local shrine arrangements and Keihan service schedules for your date.
- Opening hours
- Osaka’s official visitor listing says the shrine is open for worship and gives no fixed visitor hours. Keihan train service follows its timetable; confirm the current schedule rather than treating station ticket-machine hours as shrine hours.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-25
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-19
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