Tainan’s “Linde Department Store” to reopen on the 14th; Taiwan’s only cultural and creative department store unveils its new look

▲ The “Linde Department Store” will reopen this Saturday (the 14th). (Photo / Courtesy of Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The “Linde Department Store,” preserved intact since the Japanese colonial period, will reopen on the 14th. On the morning of the 11th, it was unveiled for the first time, along with two old display cabinets that have returned “home,” drawing much attention. The Linde Department Store is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. on the 14th. It will house a total of 18 specialty counters, but due to limitations in building structure and space, crowd control measures will be implemented—no more visitors will be admitted once the number inside exceeds 470.

▲ The Linde Department Store is positioned as Taiwan’s only cultural and creative department store. (Photo / Provided by Tainan City Government)

The Linde Department Store, which led the development of Taiwan’s department store industry, opened in 1932. Its five-story exterior was once the tallest building in Tainan and it housed the city’s first commercial elevator, earning it the nickname “Five-Story Building” among locals. After being renovated in 2010 with an investment of NT$80 million by the Tainan City Government, it was handed over to Gaoming Investment for a 10-year operating lease.

The reopened Linde Department Store will be positioned as Taiwan’s only cultural and creative department store, with each floor from the 1st to the 5th featuring a different theme. The 1st floor is “Tainan’s Living Room,” focusing on souvenirs; the 2nd floor is “Tainan’s Good Design,” showcasing cultural and creative goods; and the 3rd floor is “Tainan’s Fashion,” offering retro-style clothing and refined accessories.

▲ The shrine ruins on the rooftop of Linde Department Store. (Left photo / From Wikipedia). Two old display cabinets also returned “home.” (Right photo / Provided by Tainan City Government)

The 4th floor, “Tainan’s Culture,” allows visitors to enjoy music created by Taiwanese artists and relax in the café while soaking in the historic ambiance. It will also host a special exhibition by Yan Shui-long, known as the father of Taiwanese cultural creativity. The 5th floor, “Tainan’s Delicacies,” will feature the European-style bistro Cocorico, with an outdoor dining area set up on the terrace. The rooftop, “Tainan’s Scenery,” will include a souvenir shop, and the only branch in Taiwan of Kyoto’s “Sankyoen” will open by the end of the month, selling matcha and related products. The site also features the ruins of the Suiko Shrine, where visitors can purchase two types of amulets for good luck.

The Linde Department Store is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. on the 14th. It will house a total of 18 specialty counters, but due to limitations in building structure and space, crowd control measures will be implemented—no more visitors will be admitted once the number inside exceeds 470.

Linde Department Store
Address: No. 63, Section 2, Zhongyi Road, West Central District, Tainan City