[Yilan] Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum | A Rainy Day Indoor Attraction to Learn About Rice Culture

Posted on by phototravel

The Lanyang Plain is a crucial rice-growing region in Taiwan, with rice culture holding significant meaning and value from past to present. Located in Wujie, Yilan, the Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum is an indoor rainy day attraction and tourist factory where visitors can learn about rice culture. It is also one of the filming locations for the TV drama “Gold Leaf.” From rice planting to milling processes, the museum, though not large, offers rich cultural preservation and educational value. Its proximity to Erjie Train Station makes it a convenient and family-friendly destination for a weekend day trip in Yilan.

About Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum

The Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum was originally the granary of the Erjie Farmers’ Association, built in 1928 during the Showa era. The exterior features a Japanese-style pseudo-Western design, with a three-story structure divided into the “Farmers’ Association Office,” “Rice Milling Factory,” and “Granary.” The architectural design of the museum is meticulous, with the granary floor elevated to allow airflow through small exterior wall openings. This design helps ventilate the granary, effectively dissipating heat and preventing moisture.

The Erjie Farmers’ Association Granary was in use from 1928 until 1983, when advancements in agricultural techniques rendered it obsolete. Initially facing demolition, the granary was preserved thanks to local and cultural preservation advocates. It was designated a county-level historic site in 1998 and later restored by the Yilan County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau, eventually opening to the public as the Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum.

How to Get to Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum

The Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum is located in Wujie Township, Yilan, near Erjie Train Station. There is a free parking lot next to the museum, making it very accessible. Simply use Google Maps to navigate to “Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum.”

Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum

Address: No. 171, Sanxing West Road, Wujie Township, Yilan County
Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)
Phone: 03-9600277
Admission: 50 NTD (includes a redeemable drink)

 

Erjie Granary: Rich Rice Culture Themed Exhibits

The main structure of the Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum, the granary itself, retains much of its original appearance. From the rice storage area to the rice milling factory at the back, visitors can see historical traces of the Erjie Barn.

The granary and the rice milling factory at the back of Erjie Barn.

Upon entering the main structure of the Erjie Barn, a red-brick building, the first-floor conveyor passage design allows for indoor air circulation, preventing stuffiness. The original storage silos, now repurposed for various rice culture displays and interactive installations, add to the educational experience.

The storage silos and corridors of Erjie Barn.

The most eye-catching feature on the first floor is the “Rice Character Challenge” exhibit. How many characters can you read?

The granary’s exterior uses numerous gaps to introduce outdoor airflow, maintaining ventilation. I love photographing the granary’s corners on sunny days, where light and shadows add a touch of historical charm.

The granary uses exterior wall gaps to introduce outdoor airflow, maintaining natural ventilation.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor of the granary, you’ll find early agricultural tools on display. Despite the lack of air conditioning, it doesn’t feel particularly stuffy even at noon, thanks to the granary’s architectural design.

The second floor of the Erjie Barn showcases the classic Prince Tower design of the roof, with excellent natural indoor lighting.

The use of outdoor light combined with vintage Japanese-style window designs makes it a hidden gem for Instagram-worthy photos.
The second floor of the granary also features displays of early agricultural tools.

At the back of the granary is a massive rice milling factory, standing three stories high. It was once the largest rice milling facility in Yilan, and it is truly impressive.

The rice milling factory at Erjie Barn.

You can climb to the top level of the rice milling factory at Erjie Barn to fully appreciate the scale of the milling equipment.

Erjie Barn: A Hidden Gem for Train Enthusiasts in Yilan

Since the Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum is near the Erjie Train Station, train enthusiasts and children can enjoy watching trains arriving or speeding past directly from the granary.

Inside the Erjie Barn, there is a specially designed retro Erjie train platform, complete with wooden puppets waiting for the train, adding a whimsical touch.

Next to the Erjie Barn, there is a landscape feature created from a train carriage.

From the Erjie Barn, you can directly photograph trains stopping at Erjie Station.

Overall, the Erjie Rice Barn Culture Museum may not be large, but it is rich in historical significance and offers an in-depth look at the history and evolution of rice culture. It is highly recommended for visitors to Yilan to spend 1-2 hours exploring the Erjie Granary for a unique Yilan day trip experience!

『Original Source：https://www.phototravel.tw/erjie-barn-cultural-pavilion/』

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