New station “Kadode” opened, and Goka Station changes its name to “Gokaku” on Oigawa Railway Oigawa Line

Oigawa Railway (大井川鐵道) opened “Kadode Station” (門出, Shizuoka) on Thursday, November 12, 2020, which has been established between Goka Station (五和) and Kamio Station (神尾) on the Oigawa Line (大井川本線).

The local train of the Oigawa Railway Oigawa Line
The local train of the Oigawa Railway Oigawa Line

At the new station adjacent to the experience-based food park “KADODE OOIGAWA” that opened on the same day, a tourist information center and SL Square are set up, and it is expected to play a role as an exchange base for Shimada City. A black “SL soft cream” with a steam locomotive motif is also on sale and is likely to become a hot topic. The new station is also a short distance from the Shimada-Kanaya Interchange on the Shin-Meishin Expressway.

New station "Kadode" opened, and Goka Station changes its name to "Gokaku" on Oigawa Railway Oigawa Line
New station “Kadode” opened, and Goka Station changes its name to “Gokaku” on Oigawa Railway Oigawa Line

On the same day, the station name of Goka Station (Shizuoka) was changed to “Gokaku Station” (合格). In recent years, the station has been promoted as a “Gokaku Station” (meaning passing exams) by playing with the station name that have similar sounds, saying that passing is approaching when the examinees visit. By changing the station name with the opening of Kadode station, the section is lined with auspicious station names meaning “pass the exam” and “start of life”.

In addition, the “Gokaku Kigan Open Ticket” (500 yen for adults / 250 yen for children), which allows unlimited rides between Kanaya Station and Kadode Station on the Oigawa Line, is on sale from Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Kanaya and Kadode Stations.