Highlights of the Grand Opening of TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Taichung City Hall Branch, the Most Beautiful Bookstore

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Taichung City Hall Branch officially opened on April 26. In addition to the attendance of high-level executives from both Taiwan and Japan, Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung also personally attended the opening press conference to celebrate.

Covering an area of over 300 ping, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Taichung City Hall Branch is much more spacious than Taipei’s Xinyi Branch which has just over 100 ping. Located in Taichung’s 7th Redevelopment Zone, it brings a new lifestyle as well as spaces for reading, dining, and experiences to the nearby commercial area, residential neighborhoods, and even all of Greater Taichung.

Mayor Lin Chia-lung specially took time out to congratulate the store on its opening. Eclat Media Group Chairman Yung Ming-yen also expressed his hope that through TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE, not only would the culture of reading be promoted, but he also believed that Taichung’s pleasant weather makes the relaxed atmosphere of the outdoor dining area a highlight of the City Hall Branch. Chairman Yung also gave Mayor Lin a tour of the bookstore during the opening.

The bookstore section will exclusively introduce limited-edition items from the recently opened Fukuoka Rokkomatsu Tsutaya Bookstore in Japan: including handmade goods from Okayama-based Japanese brand DECHO/NAPRON, vintage industrial design brand CANDY DESIGN WORKS, and popular Japanese outdoor gear brand ALLSTIME… among others. Additionally, there are about 20,000 imported stationery and sundries, around 20,000 Chinese books and magazines, approximately 20,000 Japanese and English original books, as well as Japanese children's picture books. A parenting area has been set up for the first time, allowing parents and children to enjoy quality reading and playtime together. For gamers, a VR pop-up experience zone in collaboration with Sony PS4 will also be available.

As for the limited-edition meals introduced by Wired Tokyo, they include “Doug's Burger” from Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, famous for its wagyu burgers. The burgers use wagyu beef produced on Tarama Island, Okinawa, made into patties and served in buns baked with natural yeast. They are also served with specially made hand-cut onion rings and other side dishes.