Changhua historical building Erlin Butokuden restored to create high-quality 'Cultural Living Room'
The restoration of the historic Erlin Butokuden in Changhua is complete. It will now serve as a 'Cultural Living Room' for southern Changhua, managed through a 'public welfare for rent' model.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 17:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 17:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 17:37 (5 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Hsiao Po-Yuan, Changhua, 19th) The historic building Erlin Butokuden was originally a police training facility. Featuring Japanese shrine-style architecture, it stands as a witness to development during the Japanese colonial period. Following the completion of restoration work by the Changhua County Government, it will become a venue for public cultural activities, creating a high-quality "Cultural Living Room" in southern Changhua.
The Changhua County Government held a completion ceremony for the Erlin Butokuden restoration today. Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-Mei attended and stated that the restoration project received a NT$18 million subsidy from the Bureau of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, matched by NT$12 million from the county government, totaling NT$30 million. Construction began in June 2023 and concluded in June 2025. Currently, an exhibition titled "Memories of Erlin in Old Photographs" is on display until May 3rd of this year.
Wang Hui-Mei noted that the Erlin Butokuden was designated as a historical building in 2004. An investigative study was completed in 2009, and the restoration design was finalized in 2016. The county government proposed the restoration plan again in 2022. Despite encountering land disputes and procedural issues, the project was successfully completed thanks to the combined efforts of the central and local governments, as well as the full cooperation of the Erlin Township Office and landowners.
Wang stated that to accelerate local development and resolve long-standing land issues, the county government and township office are actively processing changes to the Erlin urban plan. During the transition period before approval by the National Land Management Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has drafted a short-term activation plan. Operating under a "public welfare in exchange for rent" model, the Changhua County Kendo Committee won the operational rights through an evaluation. They will be responsible for maintaining the Erlin Butokuden, offsetting venue rental fees through public welfare activities.
The County Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that built in 1933, the Erlin Butokuden is one of the few well-preserved Japanese-style martial arts buildings in Taiwan. With its refined shrine-like lines and solemn atmosphere, it was once a sacred ground for judo and kendo training and bears witness to a century of Erlin Township's development. In the future, it will combine with private creativity to build the most elegant "Cultural Living Room" in southern Changhua, ensuring the coexistence of cultural heritage preservation and local prosperity. (Editor: Wu Su-Jou) 1150419
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.
(CNA Reporter Hsiao Po-Yuan, Changhua, 19th) The historic building Erlin Butokuden was originally a police training facility. Featuring Japanese shrine-style architecture, it stands as a witness to development during the Japanese colonial period. Following the completion of restoration work by the Changhua County Government, it will become a venue for public cultural activities, creating a high-quality "Cultural Living Room" in southern Changhua.
The Changhua County Government held a completion ceremony for the Erlin Butokuden restoration today. Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-Mei attended and stated that the restoration project received a NT$18 million subsidy from the Bureau of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, matched by NT$12 million from the county government, totaling NT$30 million. Construction began in June 2023 and concluded in June 2025. Currently, an exhibition titled "Memories of Erlin in Old Photographs" is on display until May 3rd of this year.
Wang Hui-Mei noted that the Erlin Butokuden was designated as a historical building in 2004. An investigative study was completed in 2009, and the restoration design was finalized in 2016. The county government proposed the restoration plan again in 2022. Despite encountering land disputes and procedural issues, the project was successfully completed thanks to the combined efforts of the central and local governments, as well as the full cooperation of the Erlin Township Office and landowners.
Wang stated that to accelerate local development and resolve long-standing land issues, the county government and township office are actively processing changes to the Erlin urban plan. During the transition period before approval by the National Land Management Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has drafted a short-term activation plan. Operating under a "public welfare in exchange for rent" model, the Changhua County Kendo Committee won the operational rights through an evaluation. They will be responsible for maintaining the Erlin Butokuden, offsetting venue rental fees through public welfare activities.
The County Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that built in 1933, the Erlin Butokuden is one of the few well-preserved Japanese-style martial arts buildings in Taiwan. With its refined shrine-like lines and solemn atmosphere, it was once a sacred ground for judo and kendo training and bears witness to a century of Erlin Township's development. In the future, it will combine with private creativity to build the most elegant "Cultural Living Room" in southern Changhua, ensuring the coexistence of cultural heritage preservation and local prosperity. (Editor: Wu Su-Jou) 1150419
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.