Few small railway stations are as famous as Kofuku Station. Although trains stopped running here decades ago, “Happiness Station” has become one of Tokachi’s most beloved spots — a place where visitors come to wish for good fortune and love.
What Is Kofuku Station?
Kofuku Station (Kofuku Eki) is a former station on the old Hiroo Line, which closed in 1987. It sits in the Kofuku district of Obihiro, and the name “Kofuku” means “happiness.” Today the site is preserved as a tourist attraction and is free to visit.
The “Happiness Ticket” Boom
In the 1970s the station shot to nationwide fame. A ticket traveling from the nearby Aikoku (“Land of Love”) Station to Kofuku (“Happiness”) Station — literally “from love to happiness” — captured the public’s imagination, and people across Japan bought the tickets as good-luck charms. Replica “happiness tickets” are still sold as souvenirs today.
What You’ll See
The wooden station building is famously covered, inside and out, with thousands of pink notes and tickets left by visitors wishing for happiness. Two preserved railcars sit by the old platform, and there is a “happiness bell” to ring. It is an especially popular spot for couples, who come to make a wish together.
Getting There
Kofuku Station is in the countryside south of central Obihiro. Public transport is limited, so the easiest way to visit is by car, often combined with a stop at the nearby former Aikoku Station. Allow time to wander, take photos, and add your own wish to the walls.