Kaohsiung’s oldest wooden railway station reopens, reviving Japanese-era charm of a century ago

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department compiled and reported

The “Sankakucho Station,” known as the predecessor of Kaohsiung Station, has a history of 100 years and is the only remaining oldest Japanese-style wooden railway station in Kaohsiung City. Recently, in conjunction with the Kaohsiung Railway Underground Project, the newly built Sankakucho Station has been re-planned as an underground two-level side-platform simple station. The entrance and exit designs feature Japanese-style wooden structures, reviving the nostalgic style of the old station.

The “Sankakucho Station” was once an old station long forgotten by the public. It not only witnessed nearly a century of Kaohsiung’s railway development but also served as an important symbol of the growth of the Sankakucho community, bearing witness to the city’s prosperity. With the redevelopment of the “Sankakucho Station” under the Kaohsiung Railway Underground Project, its former glory is revived, making it the only train station in Kaohsiung City with a cypress wood structure. It is expected to attract more visitors to the Sanchungchung Street area, revitalizing the prosperity reminiscent of “Beitunhua in the north, Sanchungchung Street in the south.”

The completed Sankakucho Station echoes the heritage of the old Sankakucho Station, showcasing a nostalgic style with a low, open design and a simple presence hidden among greenery, embodying the concept of “historical memory.” Currently, the station structure is nearly complete and will open alongside the completion of the Kaohsiung Railway Underground Project in August 2018.