History
Niiza Station opened on 1 April 1973 on the JNR Musashino Line, in Nobidome, Niiza, Saitama. It was one of twelve stations across the country where automatic ticket gates were first trialled at opening. The station passed to JR East at privatisation on 1 April 1987, and Suica IC fares became valid on 18 November 2001. Although surrounding land remained largely undeveloped vineyards for nearly thirty years, the south plaza was redeveloped in 2002. Since 11 April 2004 the departure melody has used the Astro Boy theme, marking Niiza City registering Astro Boy as an honorary resident — Tezuka Productions is based locally. The Midori no Madoguchi closed on 31 May 2020.
History summarized from Japanese & English Wikipedia · last reviewed 2026-05-18.
Notes
Niiza's departure melody has used the Astro Boy theme since 11 April 2004, because Tezuka Productions is based in Niiza City and the city registered Astro Boy as an honorary resident with the fictional birthday of 7 April 2003.