City-designated historic site "Kishu-an" restored to become Taipei’s first literary arts exhibition venue

▲ Taipei’s “Kishu-an Literary Forest,” which combines both a historic site and a literary-themed arts venue, officially opens to the public today. (Photo / Screenshot fromKishu-an Literary Forest official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive report

“Winding streets, meandering rivers, and the fate-twisted old house.” These 15 short words encapsulate the tumultuous history of Taipei’s city-designated historic site “Kishu-an.” This nearly century-old Japanese-style building, after a 10-year restoration costing NT$16.5 million, finally transformed into the “Kishu-an Literary Forest” on the 25th, reopening to the public for free and becoming Taipei’s first literary-themed arts and cultural space.

Built in 1917, “Kishu-an” originally consisted of a three-story “main building,” a “guest annex” for hosting VIPs, and a long, large banquet hall called the “separate house.” During the Japanese colonial period, it was operated by the Hiramatsu family as a renowned high-end Japanese restaurant, but it ceased operations after the outbreak of the Pacific War and was repurposed as staff dormitories for the Taiwan Provincial Government.

Unfortunately, two fires in the 1990s completely destroyed the main building and guest annex, leaving only the “separate house” intact. It was designated as a city-designated historic site in 2004, after which the Taipei City Bureau of Cultural Affairs began its restoration. Ten years later, this rare and exquisitely preserved Japanese wooden architectural space in Taiwan has finally regained its former glory.

% In the midst of urban renewal, it is one of the few remaining traditional Japanese buildings in Taipei. (Photo / Taken fromKishu-an Literary Forest fan page)

Meanwhile, a “new building” has also been constructed next to the “separate house,” providing various arts and cultural performance spaces along with a literary teahouse, allowing visitors to enjoy tea in a richly artistic atmosphere. Hiramatsu Kiichiro, the third-generation descendant of the Hiramatsu family and now 80 years old, expressed gratitude to the Taipei City Bureau of Cultural Affairs for the perfect preservation and restoration, and looks forward to the rebuilt “Kishu-an” contributing to the development of Taipei and Taiwanese literature.

To celebrate the opening, visitors to Kishu-an before the end of May can receive a complimentary opening gift if they are among the first 20 each day. The historic “separate house” of Kishu-an is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, closed on Mondays; the “new building” is open Sunday to Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday to 9 PM, also closed on Mondays. More details about exhibitions and events can be found on theKishu-an Literary Forest official website.

Kishu-an Literary Forest

Address: No. 107, Tong’an Street, Taipei City

Phone: (02)2368-7577

Transportation: About a 10-minute walk from Exit 2 of Guting MRT Station