Location & Access
Tetaru Station is nestled in the town of Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. This charming location is particularly notable for its proximity to Matsushima Bay, a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty and part of the Prefectural Natural Park Matsushima. The station itself is built on a cape that once jutted into the Tetaru-ura inlet, a part of Matsushima Bay, offering a unique historical connection to the area's geography.
Railway Lines
The station is operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and serves the Senseki Line. It is an unstaffed station, featuring one side platform and a single track. Tetaru Station is situated 27.3 km from Aoba-dōri, with Takagimachi as the preceding station towards Aoba-dōri and Rikuzen-Tomiyama as the following station towards Ishinomaki.
Station History
Tetaru Station first opened its doors on April 10, 1928, as a station of the Miyagi Electric Railway. The railway line between Tetaru and Takagimachi was originally constructed to cross the Tetaru-ura inlet. In 1944, the station was nationalized and became part of the Senseki Line. A significant transformation occurred between 1956 and 1968, when land reclamation projects began around the station, converting the surrounding Tetaru-ura inlet into agricultural land. This project, which included the construction of a tide embankment (now Tetaru Park), dramatically changed the landscape from a sea-surrounded station to one encircled by rice paddies. The station underwent rebuilding in 2015.
Travel Tips
While Tetaru Station itself is unstaffed, its historical context and proximity to Matsushima Bay make it an interesting point of interest for those exploring the Matsushima area. Visitors can appreciate the dramatic landscape changes over time, from a coastal station to one surrounded by reclaimed land. It serves as a quiet gateway to the broader natural beauty and cultural significance of Matsushima, one of Japan's most celebrated scenic spots.
