Qidong Street Japanese Houses, Historical colonial residences in Zhongzheng District, Taiwan
Qidong Street Japanese Houses are nine wooden residences in Taipei displaying traditional architectural elements such as sliding door verandas, tiled roofs, and wooden structural frames. The structures now function as the Taiwan Literature Base, hosting literature exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year.
These residences were built between 1910 and 1945, initially housing Japanese government officials during colonial rule. After World War II, Chinese Nationalist military personnel occupied the structures as quarters.
The buildings display a blend of Japanese design and local Taiwanese materials that reflect the cultural exchange during the colonial period. When you walk through the houses, you notice how Japanese and Taiwanese building styles merged in the wooden structures and roof tiles.
The site is easily accessible by Taipei's MRT public transportation and can be visited during regular opening hours. Visitors should plan time to walk slowly through the buildings and notice the architectural details that reflect different historical periods.
These structures were the first cluster of historic buildings rescued from demolition through amendments to Taiwan's Cultural Heritage Preservation Act in 2016. The legal change created new protections that kept this group of houses from being torn down.
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