JR West announced that the branding of suburban trains in the Chugoku region and the design of the central atrium space in Hiroshima Station’s new station building received the 2026 Good Design Award.
The branding of suburban trains in the Chugoku region was recognized as a project developed collaboratively by employees, designers and local communities as 113 and 115 series trains in the Hiroshima, Okayama and Yamaguchi areas were replaced with 227 series trains. The designs reflect the character of each region: Red Wing in Hiroshima, Urara in Okayama and Kizashi in Yamaguchi. Standardized color schemes balance the distinctiveness of the 3 series with a unified family feel.
The central atrium space in Hiroshima Station’s new station building was developed jointly by JR West, Hiroshima City and Hiroshima Electric Railway. It was recognized for features including a structure allowing trams to enter the station building directly on the second floor and the expansive, open atrium space on that floor. High marks were given to the creation of a space where visitors can experience Hiroshima and to the integrated circulation routes achieved through collaboration among the parties involved.
These initiatives were praised for fostering attachment to and pride in the region through a railway operating across a wide area, developing shared assets through open calls and workshops involving local users, and maintaining brand operations that extend to the employees responsible for train operations.