Wakayama Prefecture, Japan | Image credit: Tom Vining/Unsplash
Marking a milestone development in railway infrastructure, Japan is all set to inaugurate the world’s first-ever 3D-printed train station. The upcoming station in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture will be assembled overnight — in just six hours — after the last train runs on March 25, 2025.
Also, explore our guide to forest bathing in Japan amidst bamboo groves and enchanting woods.
Spotlighting the world’s first 3D-printed railway station
JR West is constructing the world’s first 3D-printed railway station at Hatsushima Station (Wakayama).
The station building will use 3D-printed reinforced concrete parts, reducing on-site work and construction time. This method improves durability, allows for flexible designs,… pic.twitter.com/4QC9iB633D
— Japan Station (@JPNStation) March 17, 2025
The new 3D-printed railway station, roughly 108 sq ft in dimensions, will replace the wooden structure at Hatsushima Station, located in the Wakayama Prefecture, just 96.5 km from Osaka.
The station site serves as an entryway to Jinoshima, an uninhabited island famous for weekend camping trips, swimming, and paddleboarding.
In terms of design, the 3D-printed station will feature a minimalist aesthetic with a curved roof and mandarin orange motifs — a resounding nod to the region’s popular citrus groves.
Unlike traditional train stations, which take months or even years to become functional, Japan’s upcoming station will take only about six hours. To carry out this ambitious task, West Japan Railway (JR West) has joined hands with Serendix, a company specialising in commissioning 3D-printed homes. The railway station’s structure will be 3D-printed beforehand, transported on-site, and assembled overnight.
Also read | Commute Like A Local — A Tourist’s Guide To Japan’s Mazy Transportation System
Given Japan’s ageing population (over 40 percent of its citizens will be over 65 by 2070) and the subsequent labour shortage, this unique technology will make the country’s infrastructural development faster and more cost-effective with minimal human labour involved.
(Feature image credit: Tom Vining/Unsplash)
Related | Navigating Japan’s Shinkansen Network: Your Ultimate Bullet Train Guide
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Senior Digital Writer – Growth, Travel
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has ..Read Morepreviously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends. Read Less
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