The Taiwan cultural relics café "Chiu Hui Wen Kuan," loved by Japanese people too, is reportedly closing

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department compiled and reported

In recent years, the retro and nostalgic trend has surged, as if an alternative Renaissance has swept across Taiwan. Hidden in the alleys of Taipei, there’s a cultural relics café called “Chiu Hui Wen Kuan” that condenses 400 years of Taiwanese cultural history. As soon as you step inside, it feels like stepping through a time tunnel back to the bustling days of Taiwan’s past. Highly praised by Japanese travelers, this long-running museum-café will also close its doors on October 1st, leaving many visitors expressing their regret.

Chiu Hui Wen Kuan not only houses tens of thousands of old photos of Taiwan but also many out-of-print posters from the Japanese colonial period, including those advertising Taiwan’s tea exports, the sugar industry, and beer. Additionally, the collection includes a variety of early paintings, such as portraits of Plains Indigenous women. The shop combines a café, allowing both domestic and international visitors to savor the historical charm of Taiwan at leisure.