In a quiet corner of Wakayama Prefecture, a revolution in infrastructure quietly took place. Japan has completed what is being called the world’s first 3D-printed railway station building, assembled in just six hours. The new structure at Hatsushima Station is part of an initiative by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) to explore faster and more efficient construction methods.
The station building was created using a 3D-printing system developed by Serendix, a Japanese construction technology company. The components were printed off-site over the course of a week and then transported to the location, where they were put together overnight.
Measuring approximately 10 square meters in area and 2.6 meters in height, the structure is made from reinforced concrete. Though simple in form, the building features reliefs depicting local symbols such as mandarin oranges and beltfish, a nod to the region’s agriculture and fishing industries.
There are currently no benches inside the shelter, but JR West plans to install a ticket machine ahead of its official opening in July 2025. The new facility will eventually replace the existing wooden station building that has served the area for decades.
By merging 3D printing with transportation infrastructure, Japan is testing how advanced technology can meet the practical demands of everyday life. This may be a step toward a future where public spaces are built in hours, not months.
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