Japan Assembles World’s First 3D-Printed Train Station in Six Hours

The new Hatsushima Station, built using prefabricated 3D-printed components, marks a milestone in cost-effective and rapid infrastructure solutions for rural areas.

The 3D-printed Hatsushima Station, located in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, replaces a 75-year-old wooden structure and is the first of its kind globally.
Prefabricated components were printed in Kumamoto, transported 500 miles, and assembled on-site in under six hours, drastically reducing traditional construction timelines.
The station’s design incorporates local cultural elements, including reliefs of mandarin oranges and beltfish, specialties of the region.
Although the structure is complete, interior finishing and the installation of ticket machines are required before its planned operational debut in July 2025.
This project, led by JR West and Serendix, addresses challenges like declining rural populations and workforce shortages, offering a scalable model for similar infrastructure needs.