Discovering Dihua Street: A Lesson from My Japanese Friend

I once asked my Japanese friend about their favorite place in Taipei, and Dihua Street won by a landslide. They often go there to buy preserved fruits, Chinese herbs, and red dates, and sometimes to eat sashimi at Mianyanzi or Yongle Market. But why do they love it so much? It turns out I was exploring it the wrong way. You need to look up while walking through Dihua Street. I took a stroll there one weekend afternoon and finally understood the charm they see. The old buildings are adorned with intricate decorations, each with its own unique touch. Ginseng shops have ginseng carvings, while others boast luxurious Baroque-style facades. The story dates back to the 1900s during the Japanese colonial period. Public buildings in Japanese style began to be constructed near Bo'ai Road, and this trend spread to the economically prosperous Dihua Street, where businesses competed to showcase their grandeur. Whether it's Baroque-style or a blend of classical and modern, these buildings now exude a retro-modern vibe reminiscent of the Taisho era. Another interesting observation is the popularity of woven bags and chazhi bags among tourists, perhaps similar to how Taiwanese people buy elephant-patterned bags in Thailand. Exploring Dihua Street from a different perspective, I felt like I was walking through the Taisho Romantic Dream Street in Kawagoe, Japan, and I finally understood why my Japanese friends love it so much. 📍Address: Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City, 103 🚗 MRT Daqiaotou Station Exit 1A, a ten-minute walk.