Taipei｜From a Century-Old Sake Brewery to an Arts and Culture Hub: The Enchanting Light and Shadows of Huashan 1914

I love wandering around Huashan when I have free time, especially when the sunlight casts beautiful shadows on the century-old buildings. It makes me wonder what Huashan looked like a hundred years ago. During the Japanese colonial period, this area was originally a camphor factory and sake brewery. In 1914, Japanese entrepreneurs Abe Sanman and Fujimoto Tetsuji established the "Fang Brewing Company" here, producing Butterfly Orchid Japanese sake. With soaring sales, the brewery reached its peak, employing over 400 workers and becoming the largest sake brewery in Taiwan. Later, due to changes in town names and the monopoly on alcohol, the site became the "Governor-General's Monopoly Bureau" in Kawayama Town. After World War II, it transformed into the First Winery of the Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau. However, as urban development progressed, pollution issues from brewing in the bustling city remained unresolved. Eventually, the brewery relocated to Linkou, leaving the grand factory abandoned. It wasn't until 1999 that the site officially transformed into the Huashan Arts and Culture District. Over four to five years, thousands of cultural events turned Huashan into Taipei's most artistic hub. After privatization, it further blossomed into a center of cultural and commercial vitality. Preserving old trees and coexisting with the architecture, Huashan spans over 70,000 square meters, featuring spaces like the red-brick courtyard and Art Street. It has become a venue for art markets, street performances, and gatherings of creative goods. You can watch a movie at Spot Huashan Cinema, enjoy a cup of coffee at the factory, and stroll around the red-brick buildings to spend a fulfilling day. 📍Address: No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100 🚗 MRT: A 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Shandao Temple Station