Japan Sets World Record with First-Ever 3D-Printed Railway Station Built in Just 6 Hours

Japan: In a remarkable feat of modern engineering and technology, Japan has unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed railway station, constructed in just six hours. When the last train departed at night, the old structure still stood. But by the time the first train arrived the next morning, a brand-new station had taken its place — a transformation that stunned the local residents of Erita, a rural area in southern Osaka.

The newly built station resembles a garden pavilion, blending innovation with aesthetics. The structure was assembled overnight using 3D-printed mortar molds that were transported to the site by truck and put together with the help of cranes. The swift assembly created a new benchmark in construction speed and innovation.

According to The Independent, the 2.6-meter-high station spans an area of 100 square feet and is built with reinforced concrete. The white-toned structure is decorated with motifs of mandarins and scabbardfish — both symbolic of the Erita region, known for its scenic mountains and as a local fishing port.

This groundbreaking project was a collaboration between West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and Japanese housing company Serendix. The station consists of four reinforced parts including roof and walls, offering earthquake-resistant durability similar to modern homes. Though the core structure has been completed, equipment such as ticket machines and card readers are yet to be installed. The station is expected to be fully operational by July.

The current wooden station, which has been in use for over 75 years, will be entirely removed once internal installations are finished.

The components for the 3D-printed station were manufactured in a Kumamoto Prefecture factory, where it took seven days to print and reinforce the segments with concrete. These parts were then transported over 800 kilometers to Erita and installed in just six hours — a process that would typically take around two months using traditional construction methods.

Hundreds of locals gathered to witness the unusual overnight transformation, marking a historical moment in infrastructure development.