Japanese firms have unveiled what they claim is the world’s first 3D-printed train station—a sleek, white structure with a curved roof built in a matter of days in rural western Japan.
The compact facility, named Hatsushima Station, was constructed in just seven days by Serendix Corporation in collaboration with West Japan Railway Company (JR West).
The rapid build showcases the growing potential of 3D printing in modern infrastructure projects.
According to JR West, the station’s foundations and external shell were produced off-site using 3D printing technology, then reinforced with steel and a concrete cleat before being transported and assembled on location.
“In conventional construction, it would typically take one to two months to build the walls and roof,” said Naohiro Ohashi of JR West. “But we were able to install these parts in about two hours — that’s a significant time-saving.”
The station’s components were put in place overnight after the final train had departed from Arita in Wakayama Prefecture. By the time the first train of the morning arrived at 5 am, the main structure was already standing.
While the outer frame is complete, interior work and the installation of ticket gates remain before the station is ready to open to the public.
Standing at 2.6 metres high and 6.3 metres wide, the station’s design includes a circular motif on the exterior, inspired by the local mikan orange—a regional fruit speciality.
Serendix, known for its innovative use of 3D printing in housing projects, said a specialised mortar was used in the build, delivered through a robotic-arm-equipped industrial printer.
