The defining feature of Shinkansen Nagasaki Station is its grand roof, a continuous canopy unifying the Shinkansen and local rail lines. By adopting a two-column system instead of the conventional four-column structure, the design creates a spacious, open environment with fewer columns.
The roof takes on a dynamic three-dimensional form facing the sea, with varying steel geometries throughout the members. Using BIM and parametric design, this complex shape was realized with straight members and only two types of curved members, improving construction efficiency.
Notably, the station is the first in Japan to adopt a membrane roof for a Shinkansen platform canopy among the stations built according to the development plan finalized in 1973. Natural light creates a bright and open atmosphere during the day, allowing visitors to feel Nagasaki’s light and breeze the moment they arrive. At night, the illuminated roof contributes to Nagasaki’s beautiful nightscape, which is celebrated among both the World’s New Three Most Spectacular Night Views and Japan’s New Three Most Spectacular Night Views.