Taitung's Chishang "Takehiro Hasegawa Boulevard" Goes Viral; Tourists Flock to Recreate Photos

▲ “Takehiro Hasegawa Boulevard” showcases the beauty of Taitung’s Chishang. (Photo / Screenshot from YouTube)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The mature Takehiro Hasegawa starred in an EVA Air commercial, which caused a sensation upon its release. In one 15-second scene, he rides a bicycle through Paradise Road in Chishang Township, Taitung, with blue skies, white clouds, and lush green fields—so captivating that many tourists flocked to see the scenic beauty. The “Paradise Road” was even renamed “Takehiro Hasegawa Boulevard,” and the tree under which he sits and drinks tea in the ad has also become a popular photo spot for visitors imitating the scene.

Chishang Township in Taitung County boasts vast expanses of lush green rice paddies, with beautiful scenery that can be discovered even along rural paths. This Paradise Road, which became famous thanks to Takehiro Hasegawa, was also once the filming location for a Brewed Coffee commercial, so part of the road is also known as “Brewed Boulevard.”

Takehiro Hasegawa shot the EVA Air commercial on Paradise Road and even personally recorded voice-overs in three languages—Chinese, Japanese, and English. Within just three days of release, the video garnered 550,000 views online. The brand also invested heavily in a month-long TV wall advertisement in New York's Times Square, displaying the ad 144 times per day to showcase both Takehiro Hasegawa and the beautiful scenery of Taitung to the world.

Locals believe that Takehiro Hasegawa is simply too handsome and charismatic, and fans have indirectly made Paradise Road more popular. They are also very proud of Taitung’s endlessly beautiful landscapes. The tree where the actor sits drinking tea in the ad is also a frequently asked-about attraction. This celebrity tree is located at the end of Paradise Road. While the tree in the commercial differs slightly from the real one, you can find the spot by looking for a rock under the tree. There, you can enjoy the rural scenery just like Takehiro Hasegawa—relaxing and sipping tea in the shade.

% The scenic spot has quickly become a top choice for travelers in the Hong Kong market. (Photo / Screenshot from YouTube)

% Located at the intersection leading to the scenic area. (#Google Maps) 

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