2Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 62 • Oct 2013

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New Trends in Station Design

1 Shibuya Station (Tokyu, Tokyo Metro and JR East) Shibuya Station in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, is an important transport hub, with 8* railway lines

operated by four companies, as well as a bus network serving nearby districts.

For Shibuya Station and adjacent areas, projects like the one to create a joint through line

for Tokyo Metro’s Fukutoshin and Tokyu’s Toyoko lines have been a great opportunity for station

renovation on a grand scale and city redevelopment integrated with the terminus. In other words,

this redesign is making a massive impact on city planning.

*: Counting JR East as two lines

Tokyo Metro’s Fukutoshin Line and Tokyu’s Toyoko Line at Shibuya Station opened on 14 June 2008 (the Toyoko Line entered service on 16 March 2013). Architect Tadao Ando’s oval atrium rises three storeys, creating a sense of space. (Tokyu Corporation)

City-Integrated Stations (1)This section gives examples of key rail termini in major cities developed to integrate stations with

cities and nearby business facilities, becoming city landmarks in their own right.

This photostory introduces recent redevelopment projects integrating large stations into Japanese cities as well as the architecture of innovative stations making the most of local features. It focuses mainly on winners of the annual ‘Association of Railway Architect Prizes’ (ARA prizes).

3 Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 62 • Oct 2013

Photostory

The space above the station and the surrounding sites will see a new town take shape centred around a 46-floor skyscraper. (JR East)

Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line

Dogenzaka

Shibuya Mark CityKeio Inokashira Line

Metropolitan Expressway Route 3 Shibuya Line

Route 246 (Tamagawa-dori)

JR Yamanote Line and Saikyo Line

To Ebisu

Tokyu Toyoko LineM

eiji-dori

Roppongi-dori

Route 246 (Aoyam

a-dori)

Tokyo Metro Ginza LineTokyo Metro Hanzomon Line

Shibuya Hikarie

Miyamasuzaka

Toky

o M

etro

Fuku

tosh

in L

ine

To Shinjuku

Jingu

-dor

i

Hachiko Square

Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line

Dogenzaka

Shibuya Mark CityKeio Inokashira Line

Metropolitan Expressway Route 3 Shibuya Line

Route 246 (Tamagawa-dori)

JR Yamanote Line and Saikyo Line

To Ebisu

Tokyu Toyoko LineM

eiji-dori

Roppongi-dori

Route 246 (Aoyam

a-dori)

Tokyo Metro Ginza LineTokyo Metro Hanzomon Line

Shibuya Hikarie

Miyamasuzaka

Toky

o M

etro

Fuku

tosh

in L

ine

To Shinjuku

Jingu

-dor

i

Planning Area

Building sites

Approach to Shibuya Hikarie from Tokyo Metro’s Fukutoshin and Tokyu’s Toyoko lines at Shibuya Station. Shibuya Hikarie (opened 16 April 2012) is a 34-floor building belonging to Tokyu Corporation with offices, multi-purpose hall, theatre and shops. Basement level 3 (B3) provides direct access to the station. (Tokyu Corporation)

Exterior view of Shibuya Hikarie Shibuya Station and its surroundings are undergoing development that integrates the city and station through massive station renovation involving Tokyu, JR East and Tokyo Metro. The urban planning was approved on 17 June 2013. (Tokyu Corporation)

A multi-level pedestrian network linked to the station will be established by extending the free passages feeding the east–west station front plaza. (JR East)

This district is being redeveloped. The above-ground Tokyu Toyoko Line station site (south area) is no longer needed because through services to and from Tokyo Metro have moved underground, freeing up the site for other use. (JR East)

4Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 62 • Oct 2013

Continued on page 69

New Trends in Station Design

Station southern facade opens onto city (JR Hokkaido)

Stations with Special Design Features (1)This section introduces some station buildings incorporating

innovative designs making the most of local features.

3 Asahikawa Station (JR Hokkaido)Asahikawa Station in Hokkaido is

elevated in conjunction with the

surrounding development. The new

station building designed by Hiroshi

Naito opened on 23 November 2011.

The station’s use of red bricks and old rails in the exterior tells the story of a ‘railway town’. The bricks carry the names of donors supporting the station construction. (JR Hokkaido)

The station’s glass exterior gives panoramic views across the adjacent river. (JR Hokkaido)

Stairs to the platforms are clad in local Hokkaido timber, producing a warm friendly design. (JR Hokkaido)

The design elicits trees holding up the giant platform roof. (JR Hokkaido)

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2 Iwamizawa Station (JR Hokkaido)The new Iwamizawa Station building design

(architect Hiroshi Nishimura) was chosen by open

competition. The station in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido,

incorporates a city-run cultural exchange centre. It

won the 2011 award in the rail station category of

the Brunel Awards.

69 Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 62 • Oct 2013

Photostory

New Trends in Station Design

The building and free passage embrace the image of a ‘glass box floating above a hill overlooking the sea’. (JR East)

Stations with Special Design Features (2)

5 Sawara Station (JR East)The new station building opened on 19 February 2011

(with some services in operation while completion was due

in March) at Sawara Station in Katori, Chiba Prefecture,

typifies the traditional regional architecture of Sawara and

is also home to the Tourism Information Centre.

6 Ryuo Station (JR East)The new elevated Ryuo Station building

and free passage by architect Tadao Ando

opened on 24 March 2008 in Kai, Yamanashi

Prefecture. The cutting-edge design integrates

a new plaza in front of the station, creating the

image of quartz crystals.

The station concourse and free passage offer splendid Pacific Ocean vistas. (JR East)

The station building features traditional Japanese architecture, such as a large tiled roof. (JR East)

Aerial view of Ryuo Station. The roofs of the station building, free passage and station-front plaza are combined in an integrated design. (Kai City)

4 Hitachi Station (JR East)Architect Kazuyo Sejima’s new design for Hitachi

Station in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, incorporated

a free passage when it opened on 7 April 2011.

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70Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 62 • Oct 2013

The station buildings to the north and south have been integrated by a striking massive sloping arc roof, creating a symbolic station space. (JR West)

New Trends in Station Design

Overview of so-called ‘Osaka Station City’ from south. The station building in the foreground was extended to increase department store space. (JR West)

City-Integrated Stations (2)

A new free passage links the north and south buildings of the elevated station. (JR West)

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7 Osaka Station (JR West) Osaka Station in the heart of Umeda, the biggest

business and trading area in northern Osaka, is a

strategic location for transport within the city and

to elsewhere. As well as home to JR West, Osaka

Station also serves the Hanshin and Hankyu

railways, catering to local travel.

JR West redeveloped the station extensively,

using the site of an old freight station to the north

to extend and build new facilities at the north and

south ends before the new ‘Osaka Station City’

opened on 4 May 2011.

71 Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 62 • Oct 2013

Photostory

8 Hakata Station (JR Kyushu)Hakata Station in the Hakata district of Fukuoka is

the largest rail terminus on Kyushu, playing a dual

role by handling transport within the Fukuoka area

and to intercity destinations.

In line with the full Kyushu Shinkansen opening,

JR West set about making comprehensive

improvements to Hakata Station, which was opened

as JR Hakata City on 3 March 2011. It boasts

multiple facilities, such as business offices, bars,

restaurants, and culture spots.

The station building has been expanded dramatically using space above and below the lines. The exterior provides Kyushu with a perfect new landmark. (JR Kyushu)

Tile art at new ticket gate on third floor (JR Kyushu)

Restaurants on ninth floor (JR Kyushu) JR Kyushu Hall on ninth floor (JR Kyushu)

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