Sriracha Railway Station: The origin of "Japan Town" in Sriracha

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck ### 🚉 **Review of Sriracha Railway Station: The starting point to "Japan Town" of Sriracha** Sriracha Railway Station is not just an ordinary rest stop, but a "gateway to Japan in miniature" in Chonburi Province, which clearly reflects Japanese culture through its design, service, and surrounding context. #### **1. General characteristics and atmosphere** - **Classical architecture**: The station maintains the original structure of a Thai-Japanese mix, highlighted by the station name sign **Japanese with Thai** (found only here and in some areas in Sukhumvit) - **Quietness**: Most passengers are Japanese people working in industrial estates or tourists. Make it not as crowded as big stations - **Important connection point**: After getting off the train, you can take a tuk-tuk or motorcycle to other destinations, such as **Koh Loi** (way to Koh Sichang) or **Japan Town** in the city. #### **2. Train route to Sriracha** - **Special express train 997**: - **Route**: Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) → Sriracha Junction - **Travel time**: 2 hours 10 minutes (departs at 6.45 am and arrives at 8.55 am on Saturdays and Sundays) - **Fare**: 170 baht/trip (air-conditioned bus) - **Point of interest**: This is a popular train for Japanese tourists to travel to Koh Sichang or Pattaya. - **Ordinary bus**: For those who want to travel on weekdays, there are local buses running every day. The fare is cheaper, but it takes longer. *Summary of main train routes:* | **Train** | **Service days** | **Travel time** | **Main destinations** | |-----------|------------------|------------------|------------------| | Special Express 997 | Sat-Sun | 2 hrs 10 mins | Ko Sichang/Pattaya | | Regular train | Everyday | ~3 hrs | Industrial estate/Japan area | #### **3. Connection to "Japan Town"** - **Large Japanese community**: Sriracha has **>8,000 Japanese people** (2nd largest in the country) due to the expansion of the industrial estate and the relocation of production bases after the 2011 floods - **Japanese-style facilities** around the station: - **HarmoniQ Residence**: A village exclusively for Japanese people with onsen, sports field and shuttle service - **Thai-Japanese School**: Teaching Japanese curriculum specifically for Japanese children - **J-Park**: A shopping mall "Japanese Village" >80% of shops are Japanese brands - **Hospital**: There is a special service zone for Japanese people only #### **4. Japanese style restaurants and cafes near the station** - **Oden Kungchan**: A night oden shop like a yatai stall (Fukuoka) with authentic Japanese soup - **The Baristro at Sriracha**: A minimalist Japanese-themed cafe, an excellent fresh cafe - **Balcony Seaside**: Accommodation with private onsen Full Japanese breakfast - **Picnic Time**: A super chill cafe by the train tracks, just 200 meters from the station #### **5. How to get from the station** | **Destination** | **Vehicle** | **Time/Expense** | |-------------|---------------|---------------------| | **Koh Loi** (pier to Koh Sichang) | Tricycle/motorcycle | 10-15 minutes / 30-80 baht | | **Japan Town** (J-Park, HarmoniQ) | Grab/private car | 15 minutes | | **Robinson Sriracha** | Songthaew | 20 baht | ### 🎯 **Summary** Sriracha Railway Station is the starting point of the journey where "Japanese culture" is conveyed through every detail, from bilingual station signs, special weekend train routes, to communities and services around the station that cater specifically to the Japanese. If you want to experience Japan without having to fly far, taking the train to "Sriracha" is the answer!