Nostalgic Tainan. A Leisurely Stroll Through Time

Tainan is a city that has preserved its Japanese colonial-era architecture and culture in great completeness. Having endured fifty years of splendor, these buildings not only bear witness to history but have also been enriched over generations through the accumulated experiences of everyday life, adding depth to these invaluable cultural legacies. After undergoing multiple changes in political power, shifts in time and space, as well as renovations and preservation efforts, these old structures have been reimagined with new appearances. Travelers can explore these tangible spaces of memory to understand the evolution of the city’s architectural styles and the cultural vitality infused within them.

The newly launched “Faces of Japanese-Style Old Houses” themed leaflet is illustrated by freelance illustrator Wanying Hsu (徐菀莹). In 2014, Wanying founded ILLUK, an illustration experiment studio, where she created a variety of Western-style artworks and sticker illustrations that bring boundless imagination and charm to everyday life. This time, she continues with her distinctive style to interpret nostalgic Japanese colonial architecture, guiding people on a leisurely journey through Tainan’s old “Japanese” times—reading the humanistic histories behind each building and admiring the unique coexistence of Eastern and Western architectural styles in the old city.

The illustrator’s hand-drawn map leaflet “Faces of Japanese-Style Old Houses” is now available for free at various tourist service centers across Tainan City, or at the Yonghua and Minzhi Municipal Joint Service Centers. Quantities are limited. It can also be downloaded from the “Tainan Tourism Network” (http://www.twtainan.net/).