Beitou Folk Arts Museum

Entrance. Ianbu

Beitou District, Taipei’s hot springs have been popular for over 100 years, dating to the Japanese colonial period. In 1921, the Yoshita family opened the Kazan Hotel in Beitou, aimed at an upper-class Japanese clientele, with on-site hot spring pools and fine dining. It was expanded to encompass two floors in 1938 and became the most fashionable hot springs hotel in Beitou.

Though the building is no longer a hotel, since 1987 it has housed the Beitou Folk Arts Museum. The museum boasts a permanent collection of traditional crafts and artwork dating back to the Qing era and frequent temporary exhibits.

The centerpiece, however, is the building itself, which has been kept as true to its Japanese colonial origins as possible. The room layout has remained true to traditional Japanese architecture. The second floor is mostly dedicated to the Grand Room, once a banquet hall, with a stage for Geisha performances.

On the first floor, visitors can admire the pool where guests once soaked in the rejuvenating spring waters. The building wraps around a central courtyard with a minimalist stone garden.

Know Before You Go

Admission is 120 NT, or 50 NT for students and seniors. A discount is offered for groups of 20 or more. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Guided tours are offered on weekends and holidays, as well as free audio guides in English, Mandarin, and Japanese.

Visitors are expected to leave their shoes outside and socks are available at the front desk. The museum also hosts a restaurant, which offers lunch and afternoon tea.