Location & Access
Iwamizawa Station, identified by station code A13, is situated in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, Japan. Operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), it functions as a significant transportation hub for the surrounding area. The station is staffed and boasts 1 side platform and 2 island platforms, accommodating 5 tracks.
Beyond its railway connections, Iwamizawa Station is a central point for local and regional bus services. An adjacent bus terminal consolidates bus routes from various surrounding municipalities, underscoring its role as a vital transport interchange.
Railway Lines
Iwamizawa Station is a crucial junction where the Muroran Main Line terminates, connecting with the Hakodate Main Line. Historically, it was also a hub for the Horonai Line and the Manji Line (from Shibun Station on the Muroran Main Line), both of which are now defunct. The station is located 326.9 km from Hakodate along the Hakodate Main Line.
Station History
Opened on August 15, 1884, Iwamizawa Station is one of the oldest railway stations in Hokkaido, originating as part of the Horonai Railway. It developed as a key extension point towards Sunagawa and Muroran. During Japan's post-war economic boom, it housed the Iwamizawa marshalling yard, the largest north of Tokyo, to support increased freight transport. The current (fourth generation) station building, completed in 2009, is notable for winning the Good Design Award Grand Prize, having been selected through a nationwide design competition. Since 2013, guided tours of this unique station building have occasionally been held, a rarity outside major metropolitan areas in Hokkaido.