Yoichi Hatta’s design of the Wusanto Reservoir involved an innovative core-wall rock-fill dam technique, the first of its kind in Asia at the time.
The wooden structures in the park utilize authentic Japanese joinery methods, avoiding the use of modern nails.
The residence features a 'tatami' mat layout, which remains preserved to reflect the lifestyle of Japanese engineers during the 1920s.
The park serves as a symbol of historical cooperation between Taiwan and Japan in agricultural development.
The site includes a bronze statue of Yoichi Hatta, which remains a focal point for annual memorial services held by Japanese and Taiwanese officials.
Construction materials were sourced to match the original 1920s-era timber specifications as closely as possible during the restoration.
The Wusanto Reservoir area, adjacent to the park, was the largest of its kind in the world upon its completion in 1930.
Hatta Yoichi Memorial Park preserves the restored residence of the Japanese hydraulic engineer Yoichi Hatta, who designed the Wusanto Reservoir. The site features multiple Japanese-style wooden houses, including the primary Hatta Residence and other historic dormitory structures. These buildings were meticulously reconstructed using original construction techniques and traditional Japanese architectural styles. The park serves as a historical tribute to the irrigation projects that transformed the Chianan Plain into a productive agricultural region. Visitors can explore the interior of the main residence and examine personal artifacts belonging to the Hatta family. The surrounding landscape is maintained in a Japanese aesthetic, incorporating stone lanterns and gravel paths. It functions as an open-air museum detailing the colonial-era civil engineering history of Tainan.
The veranda (engawa) of the main Hatta Residence overlooking the traditional Japanese garden.
Wear slip-on shoes for easy removal, as you must take off your footwear before entering the historic wooden houses.
Bring a parasol or hat, as much of the park is exposed to direct sunlight with limited shade outside the houses.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Wusanto Reservoir dam wall for a complete historical overview.
Do not attempt to walk on the manicured moss or garden borders; stay strictly on the designated gravel paths.
Closed on Mondays.
You must remove your shoes before entering any of the historic wooden houses; refrain from touching the artifacts or wooden displays.
