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What Is the Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel?
The Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, is a snow shed created from the former mining railway line, offering a fantastical view that resembles the corridor of an ancient temple.
It was originally built in 1922 as part of the mining railway “Nittetsu Mining Akadani Mine Line,” which transported iron ore and other minerals excavated from the Akadani Mine. This industrial heritage site, which operated from the Taishō era through the wartime and postwar periods, is now used as a roadway while remaining a tourist spot that combines unique beauty with a sense of historical romance.
The continuous row of concrete pillars creates a mysterious and strikingly beautiful scene, making it a photogenic location that has gained increasing attention in recent years.
Highlights of the Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel
The greatest appeal of the Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel is its scenery that looks “just like the corridor of an ancient temple.” Concrete pillars stand evenly spaced, and the light streaming through the arched ceiling changes in appearance depending on the time of day and season. In spring when the fresh greens emerge, or in autumn when the leaves turn vibrant colors, green and golden light filters into the tunnel, allowing visitors to capture magical, atmospheric photos.
Inside the tunnel, the quiet and cool air makes it feel completely isolated from the outside world, giving you an extraordinary sensation as if you have wandered into another realm. The pitch-black soot remaining on the ceiling is evidence that steam locomotives once passed through here, offering a tangible sense of the region’s industrial history.
After being laid in the Taishō era, this dedicated railway line experienced closures due to economic downturns—earning the nickname “Akarabi Line”—before being extended to Higashi-Akadani and reopened during World War II to meet rising military demand. Beyond the end of the tunnel lies the abandoned, rust-colored truss bridge “Iide River Bridge,” once an important structure of the mining railway. Set against the deep green valley, it creates a striking and somewhat melancholic yet beautiful contrast.
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The sight of light streaming through the gaps between the pillars is magical.
How to Enjoy Your Time at the Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel
Popular among young travelers as an “Instagram-worthy spot,” the Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel allows you to take photos that look like scenes from a movie, depending on your framing and the way the light falls. Especially popular are shots taken with the valley in the background through the pillars, or capturing the exact moment when sunlight streams into the tunnel. If you look down through the gaps between the pillars, you can overlook the vivid blue-green and emerald waters of the Kajigawa (Iide River) flowing through the valley.
Today, the continuous tunnel is used as part of Niigata Prefectural Route 335, and you can actually drive through it. Among the four tunnels, the longer sections have narrow lanes, so one-way alternating traffic is controlled by traffic signals at several points. This makes the drive surprisingly thrilling, giving you a feeling almost like being the operator of a train.
Beyond the tunnel, remnants such as the Iide River Bridge—an old truss railway bridge—and former station sites of the old Akadani Line are scattered throughout the area. It is also possible to enjoy cycling or hiking along these routes as a “pathway for exploring history.” For those interested in railway heritage or industrial history, this is a truly irresistible place to visit.
Basic Information
Spot Name：Higashi-Akadani Continuous Tunnel (Niigata Prefectural Route 335 Takiya–Kami-Akadani Line)
Open hours/Closed days ：Closed during winter (December–April) due to road restrictions
Fees：Free (open for passage)
Access
Adress：Takiya, Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Access：About 40 minutes by car from the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway “Seiro-Shibata IC”
Parking：None
*Roadside parking is possible, but please be careful not to obstruct traffic.
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