In a pioneering move, West Japan Railway Company has introduced a 3D-printed train station in Arida city, reportedly the first of its kind in the world. The new Hatsushima station was assembled in less than six hours using prefabricated components manufactured off-site and transported over 800 kilometres to the location.

The new facility replaces an ageing wooden structure dating back to 1948. Since 2018, Hatsushima has functioned as an unmanned station, a common model for smaller stations across Japan. It serves approximately 530 passengers daily on a single-line route with limited train frequency.

The construction was executed by Serendix, a firm specialising in 3D-printed structures. The station’s components were produced at a facility in Kumamoto over seven days using a special mortar reinforced with concrete. Once transported, the modular parts were assembled overnight using a crane, with completion timed before the first train’s arrival at 5:45 am.

While final installations such as ticketing systems and card readers are still underway, the station is scheduled to open for public use in July. The new method significantly reduced both construction time and cost compared to traditional building techniques.

The initiative also addresses broader infrastructure challenges in Japan, where an ageing population and a shrinking workforce have increased the need for cost-effective, low-labour solutions, especially in rural areas.

[Source: The New York Times]