A retro haven: Tainan’s must-visit nostalgic barbershop
Last updated 2026-09-27 — Besides visiting historic buildings, sampling local snacks, and exploring ancient sites in Tainan, a trip to a traditional barbershop can also offer a taste of old-world charm. Unlike regular family-run hair salons, a traditional barbershop is a place where gentlemen can get well-groomed...
By MOOK Travel Editorial Team
Besides visiting historic buildings, sampling local snacks, and exploring ancient sites in Tainan, a trip to a traditional barbershop can also offer a taste of old-world charm. Unlike regular family-run hair salons, a traditional barbershop is a place where gentlemen can get well-groomed. With the changing tides of time, these classic barbershops have gradually faded away, but Tainan still hides many nostalgic barbershops that treat every guest with professional grooming skills and innovative services.
Besides visiting historic buildings, sampling local snacks, and exploring ancient sites in Tainan, a trip to a traditional barbershop can also offer a taste of old-world charm. Unlike regular family-run hair salons, a traditional barbershop is a place where gentlemen can get well-groomed. With the changing tides of time, these classic barbershops have gradually faded away, but Tainan still hides many nostalgic barbershops that treat every guest with professional grooming skills and innovative services.
Donglai Barber Shop, with a history of 30 years. (Photo provided by Rhoda)
Located about a five-minute walk from Tainan Railway Station, “Donglai Barber Shop” features a retro signboard, a row of old-fashioned barber chairs, and the barbers’ neat white uniforms, transporting you back to Taiwan’s nostalgic golden era.
The retro-colored signboard. (Photo provided by Rhoda)
Back in the 1950s and 60s, fathers and gentlemen were accustomed to visiting traditional barbershops to enjoy a full-service grooming experience. From shoe shining, serving tea and hot towels, ear cleaning, nail trimming, haircutting, shaving, to having someone put on their shoes—a complete set of grooming services—paired with a master’s experienced full-body meridian massage, this was the height of stylish gentlemanly fashion in early Taiwan.
A row of classic barber chairs. (Photo provided by Rhoda)
In addition, “Huagu Barbershop,” located in Anping, is a traditional yet understatedly luxurious large-scale barbershop. Today, it has incorporated creative touches from the second generation, breaking away from conventional barbershop services. Beyond its private massage rooms, it now also offers an overnight stay service, allowing travelers to experience the old-school gentlemanly feel of “sleeping in a barber chair.”
Huagu Barbershop is the only remaining large-scale barbershop in Tainan City. (Photo provided by Ado)
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