🗺️ Hitachi Station日立駅

JR East's "Joban Line" Hitachi Station faces the Pacific Ocean and serves as the central station of Hitachi City. The station building, completed in 2011, is stunningly wrapped in transparent glass, leaving visitors in awe. It was designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima, who hails from Hitachi City and is a recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture. This station building won the GOOD DESIGN Award in 2012 and later received an Excellence Award at the international design competition "Brunel Award" related to railways in 2014. From the scenic activity hall located at the eastern end of the corridor, one can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The unobstructed straight horizon stretches endlessly, offering sights of the morning sunrise or the bright blue sea during the day, showcasing different seascapes that change with the time of day. Additionally, the deck area extending outside the corridor features a café that opens at 7 AM and is quite popular. In 2019, a "station piano" was installed, allowing everyone to play freely, immersing travelers in wonderful music.

Completed in 2011, the station building of the JR Joban Line is entirely wrapped in glass, allowing for views of the Pacific Ocean from the "Scenic Activity Hall" or the café. It was designed and constructed by the local architect Kazuyo Sejima. The project won the grand prize at the international competition "Brunel Award" for outstanding railway design.