Cypress Forest Living Village Introduction
The starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway is Beimen Station in Chiayi City, hence it is referred to as the gateway to Alishan. In the early days, the Alishan Forest Railway transported timber downhill to Chiayi City, which stimulated the thriving business of timber shops and sawmills around Beimen Station, creating a prosperous scene at that time and promoting commercial development in the area. The Japanese-style houses built nearby featured cypress wood as the main construction material, which is a significant characteristic of Japanese architecture and serves as a historical testament to the development of forestry in Alishan. The Hinoki Village operates within the area along both sides of Linseng East Road, covering a total area of 3.4 hectares. To the north lies the current location of the "Yixin Erye Hall," which was originally a dormitory complex for Japanese junior staff, while the southern area consisted of high-ranking official residences. After more than sixty years of transformation, Hinoki Town has been restored using traditional Japanese construction methods and as many original materials as possible, preserving 29 wooden historical buildings. After four years of renovation, the charm of the former Hinoki Village has been revived. This place is not only Taiwan's earliest forestry village but also houses the most well-preserved and extensive group of Japanese official residences. The Forestry Club, designated as a city historical site, was built around 1914 and served as a recreational venue for the Forestry Bureau of the Taiwan Governor-General’s Office. Its architectural style emulates the Tudor-style buildings of 17th century England, with an indoor area of approximately 75 ping. In 1946, it was used as a hall for the Forestry Bureau, and in 1948 it became Zhongxiao Kindergarten. In 1984, it was borrowed for office use by the Chiayi County Investigation Station of the Ministry of Justice until its return in 1987, after which it was converted into a dormitory for single employees of the Forestry Bureau. Today, it is listed as a designated historical site in Chiayi City, carrying the memory of forestry history. "Sen Market," transformed from the Yixin Erye Hall, collaborates with over 100 brands and agricultural cooperatives across Taiwan to provide high-quality products delivered directly from the origin. It has also partnered with a 40-year-old agricultural leisure magazine, “Country Lane,” to find consumer-inspiring agricultural精品 through captivating farmers’ stories. The exhibition utilizes the content of "Country Lane" as material for displays. Upon entering the Yixin Erye Hall, consumers will first encounter a three-dimensional presentation of the magazine's content, creating a deeper resonance between consumers and agricultural products, thus creating an experience that moves them with the land!
