Cypress Forest Living Village Introduction
The starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway is Beimen Station in Chiayi City, which serves as the gateway to Alishan. In the early days, the forest railway transported timber down to Chiayi City, leading to a flourishing business for lumberyards and sawmills around Beimen Station, creating a bustling scene at that time and promoting commercial development in the vicinity. The surrounding Japanese-style houses built during that period used cypress wood as their primary material, a distinctive feature of Japanese architecture, and a testament to the history of Alishan's forestry development. The Hinoki Village operates mainly within the area along both sides of Linse East Road, covering an area of 3.4 hectares. To the north lies the area where the "Yishin Er Ye Pavilion" is currently located, which was originally a dormitory for lower-ranking Japanese employees, while to the south were residences for higher-ranking officials. After more than sixty years, Hinoki Village has undergone restoration using traditional Japanese construction methods and as many original materials as possible, preserving 29 historical wooden structures. After four years of reconstruction, the former glory of Hinoki Village has been revitalized. This site is not only the earliest forestry village in Taiwan but also the most well-preserved and extensive group of Japanese official residences. The Lin Forestry Club, a designated historic site, was constructed around 1914 and served as a recreational facility for the Forestry Bureau of the Taiwan Governor-General at that time. The architectural style imitates the Tudor-style buildings of 17th century England, with an indoor area of about 75 ping. In 1946, it was used as a hall for the Forestry Bureau and, in 1948, was converted into a kindergarten. It was borrowed by the Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice in Chiayi County from 1984 until its return in 1987 and later became a dormitory for single staff of the Forestry Bureau. It is now a designated historic site in Chiayi City, bearing memories of forestry history. The "Sen Market," transformed from the Yishin Er Ye Pavilion, collaborates with over 100 brands and agricultural cooperatives throughout Taiwan to offer quality products directly sourced from producers. Additionally, it partners with "Country Lane," a magazine with over 40 years of agricultural lifestyle content, to share inspiring stories from farmers and curate high-quality agricultural products that resonate with consumers, using exhibition methods that bring the magazine's content to life. Upon entering the Yishin Er Ye Pavilion, consumers will first encounter the three-dimensional exhibition content derived from the magazine, allowing for a deeper connection with agricultural products and creating a memorable experience inspired by the land!
