Overview
One of two stations located within the Seikan Tunnel, along with Tappi-Kaitei Station, it serves as an emergency escape point. By segmenting the undersea tunnel, in the event of fire or other disaster the stations provide safety equivalent to that of a much shorter tunnel. The effectiveness of the escape shafts located at the emergency stations is enhanced by exhaust fans that suck up smoke, television cameras to route passengers to safety, thermal (infrared) fire alarm systems and water spray nozzles.
Previously the station contained a museum detailing the history and function of the tunnel, and could be visited on special sightseeing tours. However, while Tappi-Kaitei remains as a museum, Yoshioka-Kaitei was closed to regular services on March 17, 2006 to make way for Hokkaido Shinkansen preparations.
A special 781 series Doraemon-themed train was then started running on July 15, 2006 to the station, which staged a "Nobita's room" (のび太の部屋, Nobita no heya?) exhibition. This service continued until August 27, 2006, while the station was shut down and to be used as storage space for Hokkaidō Shinkansen building materials.
Read more about this topic: Yoshioka-Kaitei Station