Unmanned Station Becomes a "Station of Happiness." ~From Station Concert to Station Wedding~

Unmanned Station Becomes a "Station of Happiness." ~From Station Concert to Station Wedding~

At JR Shikabe Station (an unmanned station) in Shikabe Town, Hokkaido, the first "15:31 Wedding (Ekikon)" will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

This project is a new community-integrated wedding style born from the "15:31 Concert (Ekikon)" that has been continuously held at Shikabe Station.

We are currently recruiting one couple from across Japan to participate.

JR Shikabe Station will be the stage for the first "15:31 Wedding (Ekikon)" at Shikabe Station.

From "Ekikon" to "Ekikon". Shikabe Station becomes a "station that celebrates life's milestones"

Since July 2024, Shikabe Station has hosted the "15:31 Concert (Ekikon)" 22 times, the "15:31 One-Day Station Master" 8 times, and the "Shikabe Station 80th Anniversary Concert" on June 1, 2025, revitalizing the unmanned station as a "place where people gather."

The "15:31 Concert (Ekikon)" has been ongoing since 2024. The "Ekikon" was born from this culture.

On July 6, 2025, during a One-Day Station Master event, a woman planning to register her marriage on the following day's Tanabata (Star Festival) served as station master, visiting with her fiancé. The performers (Shikabe townspeople) gave a surprise performance, and the man was moved, filling the entire venue with a celebratory atmosphere.

This event was featured in Hokkaido's comprehensive information magazine "Monthly Quality" as "From Ekikon to Ekikon," drawing attention to Shikabe Station as a "station that creates happiness."

Shikabe Station also hosts the "15:31 One-Day Station Master" event. The station is being revitalized as a "place that celebrates life's milestones."

Event Outline

● Name 15:31 Wedding (Ekikon)

● Date and Time Saturday, October 3, 2026, 15:31 - 16:39

● Venue JR Shikabe Station (Waiting room, in front of the station building, in front of the station name board)

● Content One couple recruited from across Japan will serve as "One-Day Station Master," and will be celebrated by Ekikon performers, townspeople, and visitors in a "community-integrated wedding."

Event Flow (Excerpt)

Celebrating the One-Day Station Master and fiancé registering their marriage on Tanabata with a surprise performance

● 15:26 Bride and groom arrive at Shikabe Station at 15:26 on the 15:17 train from Oshima-Numajiri Station. Townspeople and guests welcome them.

● 15:31 Live performance of entrance music Public wedding ceremony (JR Shikabe Station waiting room) Vows Ring exchange Awarding of the original Shikabe Station "Railway Wedding Certificate"

● 16:00 Celebratory concert by "Ekikon" (special edition)

● 16:20 Vows for "heading to the next station of life" in front of the station name board

● 16:39 "Departure" ceremony Groom: Station master's hat, Bride: One-Day Station Master sash

Application Requirements (Nationwide Recruitment)

● Target Applicants One couple from across Japan (age and residence not specified)

● Application Period Friday, May 1, 2026 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026

● Application Method Apply via the Shikabe Station official HP https://shikabe.official.ec

● Selection Method Document review

● Result Announcement Mid-July 2026, notification via email to successful applicants

● Cost The cost of the wedding ceremony (public ceremony) is free. * We will introduce places that can arrange attire, hair and makeup, dressing, photography, and hotel waiting rooms.

6-year-old railway enthusiast from Sapporo 4-year-old railway enthusiast from Saitama requested the song "♪Children of the World" and everyone sang along! (4th 15:31 One-Day Station Master, August 17, 2025)

▼Watch the video here. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNeLWVYTK45/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Features of this project

● A rare "station wedding" in Japan utilizing an unmanned station A unique wedding ceremony set at a station, a "symbol of departure."

● Local residents naturally participate in the celebration The warmth unique to Shikabe, with townspeople welcoming and performing celebratory music.

● Attractive production for railway fans Train arrival, awarding of a railway wedding certificate, vows at the station name board, departure ceremony, etc.

● Storytelling born from "Ekikon" Natural development as an extension of cultural activities.

Inquiries Shikabe Onsen Tourism Association Shikabe Station Contact: Hashii MAIL: [email protected]