The current building located on Zhongzheng Road in the West Central District of Tainan City, now housing the Second Division of the Tainan City Fire Department and the Women’s Police Division, was formerly the Tainan Joint Government Office Building during the Japanese colonial period. The term "joint" (合同) refers to the combination or merging of different entities, while "government office building" (廳舍) refers to administrative or public office buildings. Therefore, a joint government office building denotes a shared workplace for multiple departments. The original Tainan Joint Government Office Building was constructed in two distinct phases. In 1930 (Showa 5), the Tainan Imperial Ceremony Memorial Tower was built, serving as a six-story tower for the city’s fire brigade, originally named the Fire Observation Tower (火見樓) and later renamed Watchtower (望火樓); in 1938 (Showa 13), the joint office building was completed, incorporating the existing watchtower and expanding it laterally, raising the overall height to a three-story structure. The building is primarily brick-constructed. Its design features a modern aesthetic achieved through contrasts—broad wooden windows and the external watchtower walls juxtapose simplicity and complexity. On the prominent corner of the building stands an art deco-style column pier, with elaborately carved trim that deviates slightly from traditional classical column forms. The original Tainan Joint Government Office Building serves as a testament to the firefighting history of Tainan Prefecture during the Japanese rule and holds significant historical value; at the time, as Japan prepared for the Pacific War, Taiwan was anticipated to become a key target area in the event of conflict. To strengthen defensive capabilities and better manage emergencies, the firefighting system was expanded, and many personnel were recruited. After World War II, the building continued to serve as an important hub for firefighting command. Today, it houses the Zhongzheng Division of the Tainan City Fire Bureau, the Minsheng Police Station of the Second Police Precinct, the Juvenile Police Division, and the Women’s Police Division, all sharing the premises as a joint office space.

Attraction Information:

Address: No. 2-1, Zhongzheng Road, West Central District, Tainan City

Transportation Information:

[Public Transportation]

Bus: From Tainan Railway Station → Take Tainan City Bus No. 7 → Get off at Zhongzheng Road Stop → Walk toward Zhongyi Road for about 5 minutes to reach the destination.

[Driving]

Exit National Freeway No. 1 at Tainan Interchange → Zhongshan Road → Section 3, Dongmen Road → Section 2, Dongmen Road → Section 1, Dongmen Road → Dongmen Bridge → Follow the roundabout to Section 1, Fuqian Road → Turn right onto Nanmen Road → Turn left onto Zhongzheng Road → Destination will be on your route.