Sip coffee in a Japanese-style townhouse – so cozy you won’t want to leave, even late at night

Text and photos byUncle Coffee

Before the Snowy Mountain Tunnel was opened, travel between Taipei and Yilan relied solely on the winding and twisting Northern Yilan Highway. The long period of slow development actually helped preserve many old buildings in Yilan, as well as traditional snacks with strong local character. Over the past six or seven years since the tunnel opened, the number of visitors to Jiaoxi, Yilan, and Luodong has surged dramatically, giving rise to numerous popular eateries that often draw long lines, such as Yishunxuan, Linchang Meatball Soup, Beimen Mung Bean Dessert, and Zhengchang Fresh Pork Xiaolongbao.


Maybasi started operating about two years ago. The site was originally the “Yilan Tobacco and Liquor Sales Office” during the Japanese colonial period. “Sales office” (卖捌所, maesabaisho) is the Japanese term for “wholesale distributor.” In 1937, it was run by Mr. Shigezaburo Kojima, who was the tobacco sales officer for the Yilan region.

After World War II, it was repurposed as the residence of the supervisor of the Taiwan Provincial Water Conservancy Bureau’s Engineering Office. After renovation, the “The Wall Maybasi” on Kangle Road now serves as a space offering coffee, light meals, and live performances, and has become one of Yilan City’s new popular spots over the past two years.

To match the building’s atmosphere, the food and drinks offered at Yilan Maybasi also have a distinct Japanese style, such as soba pancake and bonito-flavored chazuke, all prepared with great care. In the nostalgic space, sitting on a comfy old sofa, you could easily end up chatting with friends deep into the night and forget to head home.

▲ Maybasi, a Japanese-style townhouse tucked away in the alleys of downtown Yilan.


▲ The tall coconut tree in the backyard has witnessed the rise and fall of the old house.


▲ Old sofas were brought in — this used to be the living room when it was a supervisor’s residence for the water conservancy bureau.


▲ Soba pancake set meal.




▲ Maybasi offers coffee, light meals, drinks, and alcohol, and is open until 2 a.m. on holidays and weekends.


▲ The comfy and laid-back space makes you want to stay deep into the night.


▲ The soba pancake, with a very Japanese flavor, pairs perfectly with Japanese matcha.



▲ Bonito chazuke served with miso soup — a full-on Japanese experience.





【Yilan Maybasi】

Address:No. 38, Kangle Road, Yilan City
Phone:(03) 9352493
Business hours:12:00–24:00
12:00–02:00 (Fridays and Saturdays)
Closed:Closed every Tuesday

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