General's Office (Meilun River Japanese Dormitory) Introduction
At the banks of the Meilun River along Zhongzheng Road in Hualien City, there is an entire area of Japanese-style wooden dormitories, which served as the residences for military officers stationed in Hualien during the Japanese colonial period. The neatly arranged wooden buildings form a complete small residential area. The "General's Residence," located in the central position, was built in 1936 and served as the official residence of Colonel Nakamura, the highest military commander in the Hualien area. Unlike other paired wooden dormitories, the General's Residence features a standalone design with a larger courtyard, and its elevated base indicates a higher military rank compared to the other dormitories. In recent years, under the efforts of the government and local residents, the General's Residence and the surrounding Japanese-style dormitory area have been designated as county historic sites. After renovations, they are open for public visits, with local volunteers providing guided tours to help tourists understand the historical significance of the General's Residence. In addition to its charming architectural appearance, the interior decoration of the General's Residence is also quite exquisite, with tatami rooms and corridors filled with Japanese-style elegance, and even the cypress wood cabinets that were used at the time have been well preserved, emitting a fragrant aroma.
