Higashi-Niigata Station

Higashi-Niigata Station is served by the Hakushin Line, and lies 22.3 km from the starting point of the line at Shibata and 5.0 kilometers from Niigata Station.^[1]

The station consists of two ground-level opposed side platforms serving two tracks, connected by a footbridge, with the station building located on the south side. The station is located next to Niigata Freight Terminal.^[1]

• 
  The ticket barriers leading to the platforms in June 2017
• 
  The platforms in June 2017, looking west (toward Niigata)
• 
  The footbridge and passenger lifts in June 2017

The station opened on 2 October 1978.^[2] Prior to this, a single 100 m long temporary platform was provided on what is now the up line from 1 February 1958 to serve the adjoining marshalling yard which opened on 1 October 1957.^[1] In September 1978, the line was double-tracked, and a new platform and station building was constructed on the down line a distance of 200 m to the north of the up line platform, earning the station the nickname "the most inconvenient station in Japan".^[1] The station was subsequently remodelled, with the down platform and station building moved to the present-day location on the south side of the freight yard.^[1]

With the privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR) on 1 April 1987, the station came under the control of JR East.^[2] Elevators from the platform level to the overpass were installed on February 18, 2017.^[3]

• 
  Higashi-Niigata Station entrance in August 2004
• 
  The platforms and footbridge in 2008 before the addition of passenger lifts

In fiscal year 2018, the station was used by an average of 1769 passengers daily (boarding passengers only).^[4] This was a 1.67% reduction compared to the levels during fiscal year 2017 of 1799 passengers daily.^[5]

The station is located in a semi-rural residential area. JR Freight's Niigata Freight Terminal is located next to the station. JR East's Niigata Shinkansen Depot lies on the north side of the freight terminal.