Hiwasa Station

33°43′44″N 134°31′50″E / 33.7289°N 134.5305°E / 33.7289; 134.5305Operated by JR ShikokuLine(s)■ Mugi Line Distance53.3 km from TokushimaPlatforms1 side + 1 island platformsTracks2 + 1 passing loop + 1 sidingConstructionStructure typeAt gradeParkingAvailableAccessibleYes - platforms linked by ramps and level crossingOther informationStatusUnstaffed but some types of tickets sold by a kan'i itaku agent nearbyStation codeM21HistoryOpened14 December 1939 (1939-12-14)PassengersFY2019320

Location
Mugi Station Location within Tokushima Prefecture Show map of Tokushima Prefecture Mugi Station Mugi Station (Japan) Show map of Japan

Hiwasa Station (日和佐駅, Hiwasa-eki) is a passenger railway station located in the town of Minami, Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by JR Shikoku and has the station number "M21".^[1][2]

Hiwasa Station is served by the Mugi Line and is located 53.3 km from the start of the line at Tokushima.^[3] Besides the local trains on the Mugi Line, the Muroto limited express service between Mugi and Tokushima also stops at the station.^[4]

Hiwasa Station consists of a side platform and an island platform serving two tracks. A passing loop runs on the other side of the island platform. In addition, a siding branches off track 1, ending near the station building. The station building is located on the east side of the tracks and houses a waiting room as well as a local tourist information office. The ticket window is unstaffed but some types of tickets are sold by a kan'i itaku agent at a shop for local products/tourist information office located at the Hiwasa Road Station on the west side of the tracks.^[5] Access to the island platform is by means of a level crossing or a metal footbridge. Both also lead to a second station entrance on the west side, within the compound of the Hiwasa Road Station.^[2][6][3]

• 
  The station forecourt on the east side. The station building is just off to the right side of the picture.
• 
  A good birds-eye view of the west side of the station. The low buildings with tiled roofs are part of the Hiwasa Road Station. The metal footbridge gives access to the east side of the station which is partly obscured by the bridge.
• 
  Station ticket gate. To the right is the "Hiwasa Station Tourism Information Centre". This place does not sell tickets.
• 
  Station west entrance with the footbridge and entry to the level crossing. To the right is a shop for local products and also the kan'i itaku agent. The sign with the arrow says "JR tickets on sale (inside shop)".
• 
  The passing loop is not much used and overgrown with weeds. In the distance can be seen the level crossing, with the west entrance to the left, under the footbridge.

«		Service	»
JR Limited Express Services
Yuki		Muroto		Mugi
Mugi Line
Kitagawachi		Local		Yamagawachi

Japanese Government Railways (JGR) opened Hiwasa Station on 14 December 1939 as the terminus of the Mugi Line which had been extended southwards from Awa-Fukui. Hiwasa became a through-station on 1 July 1942 when the line was further extended to Mugi. On 1 April 1987, with the privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR), the successor of JGR, JR Shikoku took over control of the station.^[7][8]

• Hiwasa Road Station - a highway service station located at the west entrance of the railway station. Among its facilities is a centre exhibiting and selling local products which also incorporates a post office and a tourism information centre and which also sells some types of JR rail tickets.^[9][10][11]

In fiscal 2019, the station was used by an average of 320 passengers daily^[12]

• Minami Town Hall
• Yakuo-ji

• List of Railway Stations in Japan