Yasuyuki KAWANISHI + ICHIBANSEN / nextstations
​川西 康之 + 株式会社イチバンセン 一級建築士事務所 / ネクストステーションズ

The Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line, which directly connects central Kobe to the historic Arima Onsen hot spring resort across Mount Rokko, first opened in the early Showa period.
During Japan’s postwar period of rapid economic growth, large-scale housing complexes were developed one after another along this mountainous line to address housing shortages, supporting a growing commuter population traveling to the Hanshin industrial area.

However, these once-new residential towns have aged into “old towns,” facing challenges such as population decline, aging demographics, and the hollowing out of local shopping streets as suburban commercial facilities along bypass roads flourished. The spread of car-based lifestyles has also led to a steady decline in ridership on the Arima Line.

In response, we collaborated closely with Kobe Electric Railway to conduct fieldwork and hold discussions on the future of the line.
As a result, we initiated the reconstruction of Hanayama Station on its existing site, guided by three key design concepts:

A station where seeing someone off and welcoming them becomes a pleasant experience.

A station where people can safely and comfortably meet their loved ones.

A station worth visiting even without taking the train.

Although modest in scale, the new station aims to go beyond being merely a transit point—adding new value to the area and contributing to making Kobe’s Kita Ward a place people aspire to live.

The design proposes a cluster-type layout topped with a large, open roof that offers clear views and natural ventilation—creating a new local landmark.
This grand roof harmonizes with the foothill landscape of the Rokko–Maya mountain range, while the interior space allows users to feel the natural light and breeze, providing a gentle, welcoming environment.
On the site of the former station building, a small plaza has been created, furnished with benches for those greeting arrivals and designed to accommodate food trucks and local gatherings.

The new Hanayama Station marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in the daily life of the community—fostering new relationships among residents, railway operators, and the station itself.

 

Hanayama Station, Kobe City
our client: Kobe Electric Railway Co.,Ltd. 

our team: Yasuyuki KAWANISHI, Yuri SASAI (ARAI), Minami OKITSU / ICHIBANSEN/nextstations
Yuki YOKOHAYA, Chika SAIKI, Hiroko MITOMA / ALL NIPPON ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS Co.,Ltd.
Kosaku ANDO, Kei FUJITA / ANDO Imagineering Group Co.,Ltd.
constructers: Takeshi KODAI, Yusuke KAWAGUCHI / Nishimatsu Construction Co.,Ltd.

Nariya KATABIRA, Masaaki KANDA / Fukae Co.,Ltd.
 

Area 1,421.04 m2
Building area 118.95 m2

Flor area 40.71 m2