The site was formerly known as the 'Beimen Forestry Bureau Club' and housed employees of the Taiwan Forestry Bureau.
The structures were built using Hinoki cypress wood, which is highly valued for its fragrance and resistance to moisture.
The park is officially designated as a Historical Site by the Chiayi City Government.
Some of the buildings served as the primary locations for the film 'Kano', which depicts the history of a local high school baseball team.
Hinoki Village is a preserved complex of 28 Japanese-style wooden dormitories originally constructed between 1914 and 1943 for Alishan Forest Railway staff. It represents the largest cluster of Japanese-style wooden buildings in Taiwan, restored to retain their historical architectural integrity. The site functions as a cultural park showcasing local crafts, traditional tea ceremonies, and regional food products. Visitors can walk through the interconnected pathways that highlight the transition between the colonial forestry era and modern tourism. The buildings utilize cypress timber, which is characteristic of the wood harvested from the nearby Alishan mountains during the Japanese occupation. The village serves as an outdoor museum dedicated to the history of Taiwan's timber industry and forestry management.
The central lawn area framed by the rows of matching Japanese-style wooden dormitories.
Visit the individual shops inside the dormitories to find high-quality local artisanal wood products.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the grounds feature historical paved paths and uneven wooden door thresholds.
Check the schedule of rotating exhibitions in the central gallery buildings before your visit.
Avoid rushing through the village; many of the smaller, tucked-away shops contain local cultural artifacts that are easily missed.
Respect the interior displays in buildings acting as museums; remove footwear if requested by signs at specific entrances.
