The building was constructed as part of a series of martial arts halls built throughout Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era for police training.
The structure utilizes traditional Japanese timber framing techniques, specifically the 'irimoya' (hip-and-gable) roof style.
Post-1945, the site was repurposed as a residence for high-ranking police officials before being abandoned for several years.
It was designated as a historical building by the Taoyuan County government in 2004, prior to its full restoration.
The interior contains a 'tokonoma' (alcove) feature, which is a rare survival in buildings repurposed during the post-colonial period.
The site is part of a larger 'Ecomuseum' concept, where the entire Daxi district serves as the venue rather than a single museum building.
Bushido Hall, originally known as the Daxi Police Substation and later the Daxi Martial Arts Hall, is a Japanese-era structure located within the Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum complex. Completed in 1935, the building served as a training center for police officers to practice kendo and judo. The structure features distinct Japanese architectural elements, including a traditional hip-and-gable roof and a raised floor construction. Following a period of neglect after the Japanese occupation, the building underwent extensive restoration to serve as an exhibition space. It is a key node in the larger Ecomuseum network, which seeks to preserve and showcase the historic wooden architecture and traditional woodworking culture of Daxi. The interior exhibition focuses on the history of the Daxi Police during the Japanese colonial period and the evolution of the site's function. Visitors can observe the preserved wooden floor joists and original construction materials throughout the hall. It is situated on a hillside overlooking the Daxi Old Street area.
The front facade from the courtyard, capturing the symmetry of the Japanese-era wooden exterior.
Combine this visit with a walk through the neighboring Daxi Old Street for a full historical perspective.
Check the official Ecomuseum website before visiting to see if specific temporary exhibitions are scheduled inside the hall.
Take time to examine the exterior foundation, which highlights the transition from stone-based supports to wooden framework.
Do not attempt to walk on roped-off sections of the historical flooring to prevent structural damage.
Closed on Mondays.
Remove shoes before entering the wooden floored exhibition areas.
