Qixing Dried Bonito Museum

Qixing Dried Bonito Museum

According to historical records from Hualien, bonito was a major local seafood catch, with over 10,000 kilograms often landed in a single haul during midsummer. Although Qixingtan lacks natural harbors, the warm Kuroshio Current of the Pacific Ocean flows through the area, fostering a thriving fishing industry and making it a hub for dried bonito processing plants. The Qixing Dried Bonito Museum is situated next to Qixingtan and was established after the renovation of an old, now-defunct dried bonito factory. It is Taiwan’s first local museum themed around the dried bonito production industry.

Established in the summer of 2003, the Qixing Dried Bonito Museum aims to preserve and promote this traditional craftsmanship through exhibitions, live demonstrations of the drying process, and tastings of its sweet flavor. As you step inside the well-preserved space with its old-world charm, you are greeted by wafts of smoke, the aroma of smoked fish, and the charred, smoky baking rooms—all of which evoke memories of the past. The museum features areas such as the fish head processing zone, a dried bonito history exhibition area, and a DIY experience zone, showcasing the original factory setup, the marine ecosystem of Qixingtan, and the detailed process of dried bonito production. In addition, the museum offers a variety of local specialties and snacks, making it the perfect place to get up close and personal with dried bonito.

Chixing Dried Bonito Museum

Must-visit reason: Taiwan’s first museum dedicated to dried bonito