Is this really a station? The appeal of Hitachi Station, a recommended tourist spot

B! LINE

Why not visit Hitachi Station to see the spectacular view? Hitachi Station is a popular spot for enjoying the spectacular view among the stations you use to board the Shinkansen and other trains. The view, which makes you feel as if you are floating on the sea, has been featured on social media, and it has become a spot visited by tourists not only from within Japan but also from overseas. Hitachi Station also has popular cafes and souvenir shops, so stopping by between sightseeing will be a great way to refresh yourself. Here is some information about Hitachi Station.

This clean station has won numerous awards!

The sea stretches out outside the glass-walled station building, so you can see the horizon as you walk along the free passage. The blue sea and blue sky are so close that it's a breathtaking view. The design of Hitachi Station was overseen by architect Kazuyo Sejima, who is originally from Hitachi City.

・A memorable design
・A design that evokes a sense of home
・A design that everyone will love
・A design that is easy for everyone to use

Hitachi Station was built with these goals in mind, and it has a history of winning many awards to date. Here are some of them.

・October 2011: Selected by the Governor in the Ibaraki Design Selection 2011
・November 2012: Good Design Award 2012
・June 2013: Urban Landscape Grand Prize "Urban Space Category" Excellence Award
・November 2013: 28th Urban Planning Association Chairman's Award
・October 2014: 12th Brunel Award Station Building Category Excellence Award

No other station building has received so many awards, and the station itself is a popular tourist spot, with many tourists visiting every day.

There is a popular cafe where you can enjoy a spectacular view

The observation event hall inside the station building is not the only place where you can enjoy the spectacular view. Hitachi Station, the most beautiful train station in the world, also has a glass-walled cafe.

The name of the cafe is SEA BiRDS CAFE. The interior of the cafe, which offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, is very attractive, with antique chairs and cutely designed furniture.

During lunch time from 11:30 to 14:30, you can enjoy taco rice, salad lunch, loco moco, curry lunch, and other dishes at reasonable prices. At dinner time, in addition to single dishes that go well with alcohol, pasta, gapao rice, and yakiniku rice are also available.

Sweets are also popular and can be enjoyed by both children and adults. This cafe is also recommended for surprise parties and anniversaries.

The sunrise seen from the station is breathtakingly beautiful

The blue ocean is beautiful during the day, but in the early morning, you can see a different view. The orange sunrise reflects off the ocean, sparkling and shining, and many people are entranced by the contrast with the color of the sky. The romantic atmosphere makes it perfect for couples. Every year on New Year's Day only, the SEA BiRDS CAFE inside the station is open before sunrise, so if you want to take your time watching the first sunrise of the year, be sure to stop by.

Recommended souvenirs at "Plat Hitachi"

If you want to buy souvenirs from Hitachi City, we recommend the Hitachi Station Information Exchange Plaza "Plat Hitachi." It provides information on facilities and tourist spots in Hitachi City and the surrounding area, as well as directions to the facilities, and also provides information on accommodation and restaurants. It is the perfect place to choose souvenirs, as it sells Hitachi City's specialty sweets, seafood, and alcohol. Let us introduce some recommended souvenirs.

■ Omika Manju

Unpeido Honten's Omika Manju is made with a soft dough and wrapped around a sweet, refined bean paste made from red beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido. It is made without any preservatives, so it is safe for children to eat.

■ Waratsu and Natto

If you're looking for natto, a specialty of Ibaraki Prefecture, we recommend Mito Tengu Natto's Waratsu Natto. The tiny grains of natto packed inside the straw are characterized by their rich aroma and flavor.

Things to do near Hitachi Station

■ Hitachi Kamine Park

It is a tourist spot consisting of a zoo, an amusement park, a pool, etc. The zoo exhibits various animals such as elephants, tigers, lions, and kangaroos. The amusement park has a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round, making it a spot that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from small children to adults.

■ Hitachi Civic Center Science Museum

A facility where you can learn about science in a fun way. Science shows with scientific experiments are held every day, and many children become interested in science as a result of the shows. There is also a planetarium, which is recommended for dates.

Hitachi Station is 90 minutes from Tokyo Station

If you take the Joban Line Super Hitachi Express from Tokyo, you will arrive at Hitachi Station in about 90 minutes. The station faces the Pacific Ocean and is characterized by its unique shape. It is an open station unlike any other, so be sure to stop by if you are visiting Ibaraki Prefecture.