By / Scenic Spots Family Compilation and Report
Taiwan is home to many historical sites and Japanese-style architecture left over from the Japanese colonial period. The only remaining Japanese senior police officer's dormitory in New Taipei City—located in Tamsui—is now officially open to the public for free.
The only remaining Japanese senior police officer's dormitory in Tamsui, New Taipei City, is open to the public for free. (Photo / Tamsui Historic Sites Museum, the same below)
The Tamsui Japanese Police Officer’s Dormitory was built in the early Japanese colonial period and originally served as the residence of the Tamsui District Office Police Division Chief. After World War II, it was taken over by the Nationalist government and continued to be used by the then Taipei County Police Bureau as the residence of the Tamsui Police Sub-bureau Chief. A total of 12 division chiefs and 5 sub-bureau chiefs lived here, giving it significant historical value.
As a historic building that has stood for many years, it bears deep marks of time and architectural wisdom.
On December 28, 1996, the Tamsui Japanese Police Officer’s Dormitory was officially designated as a New Taipei City historic building, and restoration work began. It is the only senior police officer’s dormitory in the city.
The doors and windows feature a distinctive Japanese style.
Notable features of the Tamsui Japanese Police Officer’s Dormitory include the swallowtail-shaped clerestory windows, which not only guide rainwater flow but also uniquely combine Western-style top-and-bottom hung windows. The engawa (veranda), typically used for relaxation and scenic viewing, is larger than usual—it was built to provide more space for the wife of the Tamsui Sub-bureau Chief during the Nationalist period to practice dancing, adding a romantic touch to its history.
There is also a dedicated air-raid shelter built into the hillside behind the dormitory.
Additionally, the air-raid shelter located behind the dormitory and built into the hillside was specially reinforced with concrete, reflecting the importance of the police officer’s status at the time. These are three must-see features for visitors. The Tamsui Japanese Police Officer’s Dormitory is located at No. 5, Lane 12, Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, and is currently open to the public for free, making it another new attraction in Tamsui.
【Info】
Tamsui Japanese Police Officer’s Dormitory
Address: No. 5, Lane 12, Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City
Opening Hours: 9:30–17:00 Monday to Friday, extended to 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays