Taipei's Nishi Honganji, Former Buddhist temple in Wanhua District, Taiwan
The site spreads across several stone terraces with an exposed foundation wall and the reconstructed dark timber bell tower. The remains of the original buildings include columns, staircases, and paved areas surrounded by trimmed lawns and narrow pathways.
The shrine was completed during Japanese colonial rule to serve soldiers and settlers far from their homeland. After the Second World War, Chinese troops used the buildings before a fire destroyed most timber structures, leaving only scattered remains.
The open plaza functions now as a public park where people practice sports, walk their pets, or rest on wooden platforms. The surviving timber structures host events and celebrations as visitors stroll through Japanese gardens and view the bell tower.
The site sits beside major crossroads and can be reached on foot from the railway quarter and temple districts. The grounds remain open all day, though adjoining rooms and the teahouse keep their own opening times.
The former priest's residence now houses a teahouse with original paper sliding doors and low seating on tatami mats. Early in the morning, one can see the stone carp pond near the tower that dates back to the temple period.
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