Paper Dome Introduction
The Paper Dome, a modern church supported by 58 paper tubes, features a geometrically pleasing rectangular corridor, with a softly glowing canopy that creates a gentle and sacred atmosphere. This unique Paper Dome, located near the rich natural ecosystem of Taomi Eco-Village, is an excellent spot for summer activities such as lotus viewing, butterfly watching, and frog observation, making it a perfect destination for families seeking an ecological outing. Visitors can also schedule a tour to learn about the story of the Paper Dome. The story of the Paper Dome traces back to the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in Japan, where architect Shigeru Ban constructed a paper-tube church as a temporary place of worship for the collapsed Higo Church. After fulfilling its purpose, this symbol of the rebuilding effort in the wake of the earthquake has traveled across the ocean to the Taomi community, continuing its mission of healing hearts post-disaster. Inside the Paper Dome, visitors can marvel at its beauty, witness the transformation of soft paper into a resilient structure, and feel the heightened vitality of human life that emerges after calamity. Adjacent to the church is the "Learning Center," built of steel that has been bent into various shapes, contrasting the strong Paper Dome built from originally soft and fragile materials. The best time to view the vibrant flora in the area is from May to July, while frog watching at night can be enjoyed from April to September by making reservations for a guided tour. Besides admiring the distinct architecture of the Paper Dome and Learning Center, the park is also home to various butterfly-attracting plants, with butterflies flitting about in every corner; the ecological ponds nearby are abundant in aquatic plants, and the evening chorus of frogs can be heard at night. During summer, this place becomes a popular lotus viewing destination, with large expanses of pink lotus flowers swaying in the breeze, allowing visitors to enjoy a delightful dining experience with beautiful scenery, making for an incredibly pleasant time.
