Ube-Shinkawa Station is a passenger railway station located in Ube city, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in western Japan. Originally opened on January 9, 1914 with the opening of the Ube Railway, the station has served as an important transportation hub for over a century. The railway line was nationalized in 1943, at which time the station was briefly renamed Ube Station, before reverting to its original name on September 15, 1964. Following the privatization of Japan National Railway in 1987, the station came under the management of West Japan Railway Company (JR West).
The station gained contemporary cultural significance when it was depicted in the 2021 anime film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, directed by Ube native Hideaki Anno. This connection has made it a point of interest for fans of the globally popular anime franchise. The station serves a modest commuter base, with approximately 601 passengers using the station daily as of fiscal 2020.
Visitors to Ube-Shinkawa Station will find a functional railway facility with one side platform and one island platform connected to the station building by a footbridge. The station is staffed and provides access to nearby attractions including the Watanabe Memorial Hall, a historic building located approximately 200 meters from the station. The station area also offers convenient access to Ube city center and local cultural facilities.
Ube-Shinkawa Station is served by the JR West Ube Line, located 27.1 kilometers from the terminus at Shin-Yamaguchi. Most trains from the Onoda Line continue past their nominal terminus to stop at this station. Direct trains run hourly to Shin-Yamaguchi, with the journey taking approximately 51 minutes and costing between $3-$5. The station provides connections to Yamaguchi Ube Airport via bus services, making it accessible for both domestic travelers and those arriving by air. There is no admission fee to enter the station platforms, though train tickets must be purchased for travel.
