Yoichi Hatta was instrumental in designing the Wusantou Dam, which was the largest reservoir in Asia at the time of its completion in 1930.
The statue was created by sculptor Masakiyo Miyamoto in 1931 and was originally installed to oversee the construction site.
During World War II, the statue was hidden by local irrigation association staff to protect it from being melted down for scrap metal.
Every year on May 8, the anniversary of Hatta's death, a memorial ceremony is held at the statue site by government officials and descendants.
The statue remains a site of pilgrimage for many Japanese tourists, particularly those from Hatta's hometown of Kanazawa.
The Yoichi Hatta Statue honors the Japanese engineer who designed and oversaw the construction of the Wusantou Dam in Taiwan. It is located within the Wusantou Reservoir Scenic Area, a critical piece of early 20th-century irrigation infrastructure. The bronze statue features Hatta in a meditative seated position, looking toward the reservoir he helped create. Unlike most Japanese colonial-era statues in Taiwan which were removed after World War II, this statue was preserved due to the local community's appreciation for Hatta's agricultural contributions. The site serves as a symbol of historical bilateral relations between Taiwan and Japan. Visitors can explore the surrounding park which also features the Yoichi Hatta Memorial Residence.
From the front-left angle of the statue, allowing the reservoir landscape to serve as a backdrop.
Combine your visit to the statue with a tour of the nearby Yoichi Hatta Memorial Residence to understand his daily life in Taiwan.
Bring sun protection and hydration, as the park area surrounding the reservoir is largely open and exposed to heat.
Explore the walking trails near the reservoir dam structure to get a sense of the scale of Hatta's irrigation project.
Do not mistake the statue site for the larger recreational water park facilities located on the periphery of the reservoir.
Maintain a respectful and quiet demeanor, as this is a memorial site frequently visited for commemorative ceremonies.
