Japan Autumn Nov 2017 一人で日本の旅 - Hitachi JR Station 日立駅

Award winning. When I arrived at Hitachi JR Station, I was surprised by the modern appearance and novel outlook of the train station! The train station was designed by Kazuyo Sejima, a Japanese architect from Ibaraki Prefecture, and has become a pride of Hitachi city. In fact, the train station has won the Good Design Awards in 2012 and the prestigious Brunel Award (under the category of Station Building) in 2014. Clean modernist elements were incorporated into its design and intelligent usage of huge glass panels transformed the train station into a viewing gallery of Pacific Ocean. Seamless connection between the train station to the seaside and city was also made possible by a spacious and transparent walkway.

Trivia. For most of us, the first thing that comes to our mind naturally when "Hitachi" is mentioned is household appliances. In fact, the headquarters of this renowned household brand was actually first established in Hitachi city and was shifted to Tokyo in 1918. Hitachi still owns offices and manufacturing plants here, and you will be able to spot them around the train station.

Limited express trains serving Hitachi Station include:
(1) Ltd Express Tokiwa ときわ
(2) Ltd Express Hitachi ひたち
Both commute along Joban line (常磐線), which connects Tokyo to Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture. From Hitachi Station,
- train commutes southwards to Mito, Tsuchiura, Toride, Ushiku and Tokyo.
- train commutes northwards to Takahagi, and eventually to Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture.

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What's nearby?

(1) Tourist Information Center, located near Chuo Guchi (Central Exit).

(2) Bus Terminal, located just in front of Chuo Guchi (Central Exit). The main bus operator in Hitachi city is Hitachi Dentetsu Kotsu 日立電鉄交通, and attractions such as Kamine Park and Nikko Mining Museum can be assessed via bus. Unfortunately, my stay in Hitachi city was a short one ( just to stay for the night at Unoshima Villa) and I did not get to visit any places of interest here.

Hitachi Dentetsu Kotsu website: http://www.hitachi-dentetsu.co.jp/
Bus routes from Hitachi JR Station (in Japanese): http://www.hitachi-dentetsu.co.jp/bus/bus_map_2017.pdf

(3) Sea view! Exit the train station from the Kaigan Guchi (Seaside Exit) to enjoy the comfortable sea breeze and a view of Hitachi Bypass 日立バイパス, the road bridge running alongside Pacific Ocean. This is one spot not to be missed after arriving at the train station!

(4) Hitachi Civic Center 日立シビックセンター, 3 minutes walk from Chuo Guchi (Central Exit).
http://www.civic.jp/center/