Taiwanese chain Eslite Spectrum has arrived in Japan for the first time. Nihonbashi is once again attracting attention as a place where you can experience the latest in culture from all over the world, past and present.

Nihonbashi is a commercial and cultural center that has developed since the Edo period. Even today, it is an area where you can feel the history and tradition of Japan, with a financial district, long-established department stores, and the flagship stores of many shops lined up.
However, in the recent redevelopment of Nihonbashi, importance has been placed not only on respecting tradition but also on the fusion of old and new lifestyles and the concept of mixing Japanese and Western cultures, and the arrival of Taiwanese chain Eslite Spectrum is a symbolic event in this regard.
Eslite Spectrum is a cultural experience-type store that has gained popularity in Taiwan. Founded as a bookstore, the brand has since grown by fostering a place for reading and cultural exchange. This will be the first time the brand has opened outside of greater China, but Eslite Spectrum's philosophy is to create stores that incorporate the culture and characteristics unique to the country or city in which they are located, and this characteristic is clearly evident in the Nihonbashi store.

COREDO Muromachi Terrace, where Eslite Spectrum has opened, is the sequel to COREDO Muromachi 1, which opened in 2010, and COREDO Muromachi 2, 3, and Tower Dining, which opened in 2014.
In keeping with the Nihonbashi area, where ancient and modern Japanese cultures have fused and evolved, Eslite Spectrum aims to be a place that can foster exchange between Japan and Taiwan, as well as promote Taiwanese culture and books. As the words suggest, the store is lined with books on themes that are closely related to the daily life and lifestyles of Japan, as well as Taiwan. Incidentally, Eslite Spectrum has been selected as "Asia's Best Bookstore" by the Asian edition of TIME magazine, and is well-known for its book selections.
Literature, novels, art, fashion, travel, cooking, photography, business books... A wide selection of high-quality books selected by Eslite Spectrum is lined up.

A fusion of past and present, Japan and Taiwan. Feel the Taiwanese atmosphere while in Nihonbashi.

The impressive book space, which also serves as a corridor, is so large that you'll lose track of time as you walk through it. This space was actually created with the townscape of the Edo period in mind. The interior, mixed with the futuristic architecture of the commercial facility, is a true fusion of the past and the present.

What sets this bookstore apart from the average bookstore stocking new releases is the keyword "Taiwan."
However, these are not academic books such as research papers.
The books stand out because they are about the lifestyles of ordinary people living in Taiwan. They are not difficult books, and all of them have themes that are familiar to our daily lives, so I find myself picking them up.
In fact, in Eslite Spectrum's home country of Taiwan, it is said that people of all ages and genders can be seen sitting and reading, rather than standing, all over the store.
This scene seems to symbolize how spending time in bookstores has become a part of everyday life for people in Taiwan, but what will it be like in Japan?

In keeping with the Japanese national character of respecting manners in public places, there was a "sample reading space" set up between the bookshelves. This way, you can read books not only while standing, but also while sitting on the sofa. It seems properly "Japanized."

Experience the "experience" that comes straight out of a book with all five senses

The interesting thing about Eslite Spectrum is not only the excellent selection of books, but also the "experience" it offers that goes beyond books. Just like the selected books, they also sell miscellaneous goods with a "Japan and Taiwan" theme.
You'll be dazzled by the wide range of items, from traditional Taiwanese goods and writing implements to items that would make great gifts.
The shelves are lined with miscellaneous goods made with a different sensibility than those in Japan, and they make you feel as if you are traveling abroad. You can feel closer to the real thing than just looking at pictures in a book.

There is also a food sales corner called "Eslite Spectrum Market."
If you pique your interest in Taiwanese food in the book section, a little further on you'll find the seasonings and ingredients featured in that book on sale. While just looking at the everyday items and kitchen goods is fun, it seems this place does more than just let you look.
This sales floor also has a kitchen where cooking workshops are held. The fun thing about Eslite Spectrum is that you can not only buy books, but also try out the things that are introduced in the books.

In addition, there are many shop-in-shops on the floor, including popular Taiwanese restaurants and tea stands, allowing you to experience Taiwan while in Nihonbashi. There is also a studio where you can experience glassblowing, which is popular in Taiwan.
If you look around from one end to the other and get a feel for Taiwan, time will fly by.

Well, since you've made the effort to travel to Nihonbashi, why not try not only the latest Eslite Spectrum, but also experience a new experience that is unique to Nihonbashi?
After searching for books at Eslite Spectrum, let's move on to a place where we can take a break. We walked one block to Nihonbashi Dashiba, located inside COREDO Muromachi "1".
It's called "Dashi Bar."

This "dashi" stand is run by the long-established dashi maker "Ninben".
It's like a bar where you can drink the dashi soup stock just like you would coffee or tea.

"Odashi" made by a professional. It's quite novel to drink "Odashi", which is a base for everyday cooking, as a drink.
With the cold season coming up, if you happen to be in Nihonbashi, it might be a great idea to take a break at a place like this, where you can experience the good old days of Japan in a "new style."

Nihonbashi is home to many long-established stores and brands. Many of these long-established stores are challenging themselves with new business models. Like Ninben's Dashi Bar, they are not just old stores, but they respect the old and promote themselves in new ways. You can encounter many stores that continue to take on new challenges.
One fun way to explore Nihonbashi is to take note of the signs casually placed around the town and look for the "founding year" of each business.
Experience the "now" of Taiwan at Eslite Spectrum and the "now" of traditional Japanese culture by walking around the city. Why not rediscover the "daily life and living" that has been handed down through the generations and is evolving by blending newness in Nihonbashi, a town that is once again attracting attention?