Kaohsiung is becoming increasingly popular in Taiwan. Learn about the current state of Kaohsiung, a creative city.

However, in recent years, Kaohsiung has been undergoing a major transformation. First, the government and creators joined forces to begin an initiative to promote design and art. In response, local young people have stepped up to make their town more interesting. While retaining the open and cheerful atmosphere of a port town that it has had up until now, Kaohsiung is revitalizing itself with art and culture at its core. In this article, I, a resident of Taiwan, will introduce four spots where you can experience "Kaohsiung's rebirth."

Text and photos: Yoko Toyoko Editing: Satomi Hara, Kohei Sasaki (CINRA)

Looking for souvenirs? A popular spot that collects clothes and miscellaneous goods made by Taiwanese creators.

Warehouse KW2 (Ark)

Kaohsiung Port is a 5-minute walk from the Pier 2 Penglai MRT Station. This is the port with the largest cargo handling volume in Taiwan, and large ships are constantly passing by on the blue sea.

Adjacent to Kaohsiung Port is KW2, a renovated warehouse complex. Just opened in March 2018, it is a complex packed with Taiwanese culture.

These warehouses were originally built about 100 years ago and were used to store goods unloaded at Kaohsiung Port. After that, they were abandoned for a long time, but they were boldly renovated while still retaining their original appearance, and have now been reborn as one of Kaohsiung's most bustling spots.

Warehouse KW2 has a floor area of approximately 1,700 tsubo (5,000 m2) and is a spacious, open space with high ceilings. Inside, you can enjoy coffee shops, drink stands, restaurants and other delicious food, as well as shopping for Taiwanese goods, stationery, clothing and more.

In fact, until now, the products sold in Taiwan's department stores and shopping malls were almost always made overseas. However, I would often find the words "Made in JAPAN" on the tag of a product I liked.

However, many of the items sold at KW2 are by Taiwanese creators or brands originating in Taiwan. There are many unique local items and traditional crafts that can only be found here. Please take your time to explore each store.

Once you're done shopping, we recommend buying some Taiwanese snacks and taking a break in an open space while looking out at the sea. Watching the large ships gliding slowly across the water will help you breathe deeply and relax your shoulders.

Kaohsiung's seaside is a great way to slow down the fast pace of life. You can spend a whole day exploring not only KW2 but also the nearby Pier-2 Art Center, a multi-purpose art space.

A must-see for animal lovers: A unique museum in Kaohsiung that you can enjoy with your pet

Huei Huei Ji Di Mei Shu Guan Museum of Art

Located in a quiet residential area a 10-minute walk from Central Park Station, the Huei Huei Ji Di Mei Shu Guan Art Museum is the owner of the famous stationery store Ben East Warehouse Store in Yancheng District, and is a well-known picture book author in Taiwan, Li Jin Lun. Works by picture book authors and illustrators are on display here.

The owner, Mr. Li, and all the museum staff are huge animal lovers, and many of the illustrations and picture books on display have animal motifs.

Another unique thing about this museum is that you can bring your pets with you! When you think of a museum, you tend to imagine a tense atmosphere where you quietly face the exhibits, but at the Ash Ash Base Museum, you can see staff members' pets walking around and visitors' pets frolicking, creating a refreshing atmosphere for those of us who are used to quiet museums.

On weekends, you can see Kaohsiung's animal lovers stopping by while out for a walk with their pets. Compared to Japan, more people in Taiwan keep pets indoors, and there are many stores where you can bring your pets into the store.

The animals seem to have become accustomed to this environment, and even in the museum they wait quietly until their owners have finished looking at the exhibits. This is also a great place for those who want to take their time appreciating the exhibits in a tranquil setting.

There is also a shop inside the museum, where you can purchase artworks and goods by Taiwanese artists, including those from Kaohsiung, so if you are a fan of animal-related goods, this is a must-visit place.

I bought some masking tape with cat illustrations here. You can get animal goods by Taiwanese artists, which are different from Japanese illustrators.

The only one of its kind in Taiwan. A completely dark bookstore where you can experience reading outside of stereotypes

Wuguan Books

Located in the Yancheng District, a downtown area of Kaohsiung, a 10-minute walk from Yanchengpu Station, Wuguan Books is the only unique bookstore in Taiwan that does not allow people under the age of 18 to enter (as of November 2018).

We'll explain why it looks so suspicious later, but the first thing that surprises you when you enter the entrance is the all-white space where art works are displayed. If you're visiting for the first time, you might panic and wonder if you've come to the wrong gallery.

As we went further into the store, it was pitch black! Countless books, illuminated by lights, stood out in the darkness.

When we asked the store manager, Su Yushan, why the store is pitch black, she explained, "We want customers to enjoy discovering books while freeing themselves from the common sense and stereotypes we normally hold."

Indeed, in a store where it is pitch black and there is little information from the eye, you have to walk up to a book lit by a light and pick it up to know what kind of book it is. In such a situation, as you read carefully, savoring the words, you feel like you are getting more and more immersed in the world of the book.

And why are people under 18 not allowed to enter? Apparently, this is because there are many books dealing with LGBT and sexuality issues on display, and related events are often held there.

Although they only carry books in Chinese, they also have many books with beautiful bindings, such as art and photography books, that are a joy to look at. In addition to books, handmade items by Taiwanese artists are also sold in the dark. Please feel free to touch and pick up these items to get a feel for Taiwan.

Relax and rejuvenate your body and mind at this hostel in the heart of Kaohsiung

Tsurumiyagu ho̍k house (Hagonyu)

The last spot I would like to recommend is the hostel I always stay at when I travel to Kaohsiung, "Hok Gong Yu." It is located in the center of Kaohsiung, right next to Formosa Boulevard Station.

Meili Station was ranked second in the "World's Most Beautiful Subway Stations" ranking, and many tourists visit the station every day to see the stained glass art "Dome of Light" inside. If you walk for about two minutes from Exit 2 of Meili Station, you will see a three-story building with gently curved sides.

The building has a somewhat retro look, and that's because it was used as a hotel called Tsurumiya Taisha from 1965 to 2008.

The current owner came across this building, which had been vacant for 10 years, and completely renovated the interior before opening it in 2017.

The charm of "Ho̍k House" can be summed up in one word: "coziness." In Taiwan, stylish and sophisticated "Instagrammable" lodgings are springing up one after another, but there may not be many lodgings where you can relax and unwind.

Everything you need is provided, including a fluffy bed, a work table, hangers, storage space, etc. The room interior is decorated in white and beige, which contrasts with the cheerful and bustling cityscape of Kaohsiung.

In addition, every room has a large window, so the sunlight is very good. There are small flowers arranged by the window, and there are maps of the area around the hotel and books introducing Kaohsiung.

Once you leave the room, you'll find shared spaces such as a kitchen and library. The owner, who loves retro styles, has collected everyday items from all over the country and placed them there, which guests are free to touch and use.

Wherever you look, you can feel the owner's passion for travel and his dedication to creating a comfortable atmosphere. If you want to make your time at the hostel an irreplaceable part of your trip, then this is the hostel for you.

The charm of Kaohsiung is that old traditions and customs are mixed with the new concepts of today's young people like marble. Even though the buildings and concepts are cool and stylish, the people there are the cheerful and bright Kaohsiung people of the past. Being able to enjoy such a contrast may be the unique charm of Kaohsiung. Take your time to explore "Kaohsiung, which is being reborn" while feeling the bright sunshine and sea breeze.

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