JR Hitachi Station

Special Exhibition | August 4, 2026

JR Hitachi Station is a bridge-type station building with an unobstructed glass facade. You can see the horizon in a straight line, giving you a feeling of being one with the sky and sea. It is often called one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. © Hitachi City
An observation event hall offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. It features "Flower Chairs" designed by SANAA, the architectural unit comprised of Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. © Hitachi City
This is a spectacular spot where you can witness a beautiful sunrise as the sun rises above the horizon, painting the surrounding area in orange hues. The attached cafe opens at 7:00 AM. © Hitachi City

A one-of-a-kind ocean view from the glass station building.

Located along the Pacific coast in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a glass-walled train station. The beautiful, transparent architecture, which gives the impression of floating above the sea and sky, was designed under the supervision of Kazuyo Sejima, an architect from Hitachi City. The new station offers views of the sea that were not possible with the old station, and connects the east and west sections of the station with a free passageway. The glass curtain wall, approximately 5 meters high and 139 meters long, lightly connects the east and west sides of the city. The "Observation Event Hall" at the eastern end of this passageway offers a panoramic ocean view of the Pacific Ocean, and many people visit the station specifically to see it. Furthermore, the café adjacent to the hall is positioned parallel to the horizon, allowing visitors to enjoy the ever-changing sky and sea from sunrise to sunset.

JR Hitachi Station
・Architect : East Japan Railway Company, Mito Office, JR East Design Corporation
・Design Supervisor : Kazuyo Sejima & Associates
・Location: 1-1-1 Saiwaicho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture
・Use : Train station
・Completed : 2011

Text: Yoshinao Yamada