Hotel Vischio Amagasaki: Railway Designer's 'Route Map Art' Adorns Lobby Space

Hotel Vischio Amagasaki (Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, General Manager Etsuko Oya) will renew the decorative panel behind the hotel's check-in counter on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

*The panel beautifully designs the names of four cities connected by railway songs—Kyoto, Osaka, Amagasaki, and Kobe—in a route map style, adorning the front desk and welcoming arriving guests.

■ 'Route Map Art' Expressing Amagasaki's Location and Railway Convenience

The new lobby decorative panel at Hotel Vischio Amagasaki, operated by JR West Japan Hotel Development Co., Ltd., was created by railway designer Masaki Omori. It is designed as 'Route Map Art,' using railway route maps as a motif to express the charm of the region and travel in a route-map-like manner.
Using the characters for 'Kyoto,' 'Osaka,' 'Amagasaki,' and 'Kobe' as materials, it visually conveys Amagasaki's excellent access to Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto by connecting the cities with a single continuous line.

■ Tracing Japanese Railway Culture and the Joy of Travel with 'Tetsudo Shoka'

The lyrics of 'Tetsudo Shoka' (Railway Song), created in the Meiji era and beloved as a symbol of Japanese railway culture, are finely divided and placed within a design that resembles stations. Following the stroke order of kanji, the route map art is composed of a single path that allows viewers to follow the lyrics, enabling them to feel the joy of traveling by train and Japan's unique culture.

Tracing the 'Amagasaki' characters along the route with the Railway Song:

(Original lyrics in Japanese)

(Modern interpretation)

Leaving Osaka, the fields are full of yellow rapeseed flowers, and only the Kanzaki River flows clearly in a pale blue color. Transfer at Kanzaki Station (now Amagasaki Station) and head towards Arima Mountain to enjoy the hot springs. Continue while viewing the famous sake breweries in Ikeda and Itami from the train window.

Note: The modern translation in the text is a reference translation created using AI based on the original text. There may be multiple interpretations.

*By tracing the characters designed like a route map, you can recite the railway song of that region.

■ Conveying the Appeal of Japan and Amagasaki through Colorful Art

The new panel, composed of vibrant colors and kanji designs, aims to create a spatial experience that feels distinctly Japanese for both domestic and international guests. It is expected to make guests who arrive by train and local residents feel the familiarity of a JR West Group hotel, while also providing an opportunity to rediscover the charm of Amagasaki.

Hotel Vischio Amagasaki will continue to provide guests with a comfortable stay and new discoveries as a hotel where they can feel the local area and railway culture.

■ Overview of the Decorative Panel

Installation Location: Hotel Vischio Amagasaki Lobby, back of the front desk

Design: 'Route Map Art' inspired by railway songs and route maps

Main Features: Expresses routes using the characters for 'Kyoto,' 'Osaka,' 'Amagasaki,' and 'Kobe'

- The lyrics of the railway song are finely divided and placed to resemble stations.
- The route map is composed of a single path so that the lyrics can be followed.
- Uses vibrant colors to express Japanese railway culture and the joy of travel.
- Expresses Amagasaki's transportation convenience and excellent access to the Kinki region.

Profile of Masaki Omori

Executive Designer, Printing Division, Kansai Koki Seibi Co., Ltd.

(Former JR West Japan Rolling Stock Design Office Section Manager) Railway Design Engineer

Studied Communication Design at Chiba University's Industrial Design Department.

Joined JR West Japan in 1989 with the desire to realize an easy-to-understand and friendly railway through design.

In addition to designing and styling conventional railway vehicles, he also designs route maps and guidance signs.

■ About Hotel Vischio Amagasaki

*Hotel 1st floor lobby

Offers the convenience of a 1-minute walk from JR Amagasaki Station and a space for relaxation and comfort.

Directly connected to JR Amagasaki Station, approximately 65 minutes by limousine bus from Kansai International Airport, making it an excellent location for business.

Convenient not only for Kobe Sannomiya and Osaka Umeda but also for sightseeing in Takarazuka and Kyoto.

Hotel Vischio Amagasaki Official Website

About the Membership Programs that JR West Japan Hotels Participates In

JR West Japan Hotels participates in two membership programs: 'JR Hotel Members,' which offers discounts on accommodation fees at JR Hotel Group properties nationwide and other benefits at participating hotels and restaurants, and 'WESTER Points,' which allows members to receive various services and benefits at JR West Group railways and shopping venues. Both are free to join with no annual fee, and accumulated points can be used at participating facilities. For more details, please visit the URLs below.

Details on JR Hotel Members

Details on WESTER Points

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