Hinoki Village (Cypress Forest Life Village) in Chiayi City is a cluster of restored Japanese-era timber houses that once housed forestry staff working on the Alishan logging operations. Today the 28 former dormitories and their gardens hold shops, cafés and small exhibitions, making it a pleasant, free place to wander next to the Alishan Forest Railway.
Plan your visit to Hinoki Village
- Entry: free
- Outdoors all day; shops about 10:00–18:00
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
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History of Hinoki Village
The houses were built during Japanese rule as dormitories for the Chiayi forestry office, which ran the logging and timber railway from Alishan. Along with the forestry club, a director’s residence and a bathhouse, they formed a small residential quarter beside the railway yards. The restoration project was approved in 2009, work finished in 2013, and the village opened to visitors in early 2014.
Attractions at Hinoki Village
- Japanese-era timber houses: 28 restored dormitories built from Taiwan cypress, with tiled roofs and wooden verandas.
- Former forestry buildings: including the Alishan Forest Club and the director’s residence.
- Shops and cafés: local crafts, Alishan tea, cypress products and snacks inside the old houses.
- Gardens and lanes: quiet paths that are popular for photos.
Things to Do at Hinoki Village
- Stroll the lanes and look inside the restored houses.
- Shop for cypress products and Alishan tea.
- Take photos: afternoon light is best; dressing up in kimono is popular with local visitors.
- Combine with the railway: Beimen Station and the Chiayi railway garage are a few minutes’ walk away.
Hinoki Village – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
Entry is free. The outdoor areas are open all day, while shops and exhibitions generally open from about 10:00 to 18:00; individual shops set their own hours.
Tickets nearby
- Riding up to Alishan? Forest Railway main-line tickets: on Klook
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How Long to Spend at Hinoki Village
Allow 1 to 2 hours, or half a day with North Gate Station and the railway garage nearby.
How to Get There
- On foot: about 20 to 25 minutes from Chiayi railway station, or a few minutes from Beimen Station on the Alishan Forest Railway.
- By taxi: a short ride from anywhere in central Chiayi.
- From Chiayi HSR station: take the shuttle bus or a taxi into the city (about 30 minutes).
Arriving at Taoyuan Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer to your Taipei hotel, then take the high-speed train to Chiayi.
Eateries Nearby Hinoki Village
There are cafés and snack shops inside the village. Central Chiayi is a short walk away, where turkey rice (huoji fan) is the local speciality, and Wenhua Road Night Market is busy in the evenings.
Other Attractions Nearby Hinoki Village
- North Gate Station: the historic cypress station of the Alishan Forest Railway.
- Alishan National Scenic Area: the mountain forests at the top of the line.
- Chiayi railway garage park: old forest locomotives on display nearby.
- Chiayi Old Prison: a Japanese-era prison open for guided visits.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Chiayi: staying near the city centre puts the village and railway within walking distance.
- Get a Taiwan eSIM on Klook before you land (unlimited data, Chunghwa Telecom network).
Hinoki Village is a relaxed, free stop in Chiayi, where restored Japanese-era cypress houses tell the story of the Alishan logging industry.
Visit it with North Gate Station before riding the railway up to Alishan.
