While exploring Central Jakarta, I stumbled upon something I never expected to find, Indonesia's very first escalator.
Located inside the iconic Sarinah Department Store, this vintage escalator was installed back in 1966 and built by Japanese manufacturer Hitachi. Nowadays, escalators can be found almost everywhere, from shopping malls to train stations, but back in the 1960s, this was a marvel piece of technology that surely will amazed visitors.
What makes this escalator even more special is that it is still exists and standing at it glorious place. Although it no longer operates, it stands proudly between two modern and working escalators inside the renovated Sarinah building. With its narrow structure, vintage design, and colourful side panels, it feels like stepping into a time machine that takes you back to Jakarta's golden era of modernisation.
Sarinah itself holds an important place in Indonesian history. It was the country's first modern department store and was built as a symbol of progress and development. During the 1960s, features such as air conditioning, modern cash registers, and escalators were considered luxury innovations that many Indonesians had never experienced before. For decades, the original Hitachi escalator carried thousands of shoppers between floors and became one of the most recognisable features of the building. When Sarinah underwent a major renovation between 2020 and 2022, most of the old escalators were replaced with newer models. However, one of the original 1966 escalators was carefully preserved as a historical landmark.
Today, visitors can still see this remarkable piece of engineering while exploring Sarinah. It has become a popular photo spot and a reminder of Indonesia's journey toward modernisation. Standing beside it, it's easy to imagine the excitement of Jakarta residents seeing an escalator for the very first time. Although newer and faster escalators are now found throughout the country, the historic escalator at Sarinah continues to tell the story of a changing Indonesia.
The next time you find yourself exploring Jakarta, maybe take a moment to visit Sarinah Department Store. Hidden among the modern shops is a piece of history that many visitors walk past without noticing the Indonesia's first escalator. Although the escalator is no longer operates, the vintage escalator continues to capture the imagination of those who discover it. It's a small but meaningful reminder of Jakarta's transformation through the decades and a symbol of Indonesia's embrace of innovation and progress.
