Hinoki Village
檜意森活村
A group of Japanese-style cypress staff dormitories in downtown Chiayi City, restored as a creative arts park and the urban starting point of Alishan's forestry history.
Hinoki Village is located in East District, Chiayi City, near Beimen Station. Built around 1914, it was originally the staff dormitory area of the Alishan branch office of the Forestry Bureau during the Japanese occupation period. It includes about 28 hinoki (Taiwan cypress) buildings and is one of the largest and best-preserved Japanese-style timber dormitory complexes still standing in Taiwan. The site opened as a park in 2013 after restoration. The old buildings now house a forestry exhibition hall, creative shops, cafés, and restaurants. The KANO Story Hall commemorates the Kanō Agricultural Academy baseball team, which reached the runner-up spot at the 1931 summer Koshien tournament in Japan (the story behind the film *KANO*). Admission to the park is free, though some exhibition halls charge a fee. Nearby places within walking distance include Beimen Station (the historic hinoki station and one of the starting points of the Alishan Forest Railway), the Alishan Forestry Village and Garage Park (where steam locomotives and old train cars are displayed), the Forestry Club, and the Chiayi City Historical Archives. Together they make a 2- to 3-hour “forestry culture walk.” Getting there: about a 10-minute taxi ride from Chiayi Station, or a 25-minute walk.
Opening hours
Grounds approx. 10:00–18:00; shop hours vary
Nearby sights
- Beimen Station
- Chiayi Old Prison
- Song of Forest
- Chiayi Central Fountain
- Chiayi East Market
- Chiayi City God Temple
- Wenhua Road Night Market
- Chiayi Park & Sun Shooting Tower