My next big project will be documenting my trip to Hida Takayama—the real-life location of the village from “Your Name”. Here is a series of photos I took as tribute to the movie:
I will be writing about my wonderful experience here in the next coming week. There is much more on the way, so please enjoy!
Yesterday I talked about visiting Legoland Japan and Nagashima Spa Land in Part 1, so today I’d like to talk about my expedition to the Ninja Village of Iga. Though the historic practice of Ninjutsu is now considered a dead art, this village houses a large museum showcasing its origin. There are also ninja shows performed by professional actors, shops and shrines, and a large castle you can enter. Since this village is very remote, the number of tourists is usually lower than other attractions in Kansai. Iga is located in Mie Prefecture but the whole city can be seen during a day trip from Nagoya or Osaka.
Riding the train from Iga-Kambe Station to Iga-Ueno Station is a one-of-a-kind experience because the train artwork was done by Reiji Matsumoto, most famous for Galaxy Express 999. There are also ninjas poised to attack inside the train car, so you are best off practicing your defense techniques beforehand (jokes aside, the short ride through the mountainous terrain in this two-car train is incredible).
When you get off at Iga Ueno Station, you have the option to rent bikes or walk. You can see the major points of attraction within 3 – 4 hours on foot, so I would just recommend walking. You can pick up a map at the tourism center next to the station so navigating the city is self-explanatory. I started my trip by eating some some ninja udon at a noodle place called Kyuan (I greatly appreciated the shape of the toppings) then headed to Iga Ueno Castle so I could get a nice view of the entire village:
After doing some photography, I made my way to the gates of the ninja museum. There are ninja shows almost every hour that you can see for 400 yen. Unfortunately they are not allowed to be recorded, but they are worth seeing if you come all the way out here. I enjoyed seeing the cute tiger mascot of Iga and some of the weapons that ninjas used in ancient times. There is some English guidance so you can read about the history of the city at your leisure. The village museum is designed for all ages and there are some really interesting artifacts there. There are also handmade ninja charms you can buy.
Iga is roughly 2.5 hours from Nagoya and is quite a long day compared to the other attractions I mentioned in the first part of my article. The city itself is quite small and can be seen within 4 hours. Some of the attractions seem a bit gimmicky, but like most rural places I’ve visited I still enjoyed my time here. As someone who lives in one of the busiest cities in the world, I have great appreciation for places like this. Much of the now-abandoned ninja culture has been preserved here, so this is a rare chance to see it if you are interested in the history of Japan. Not to mention Iga is a peaceful place with friendly people so your time will be valued here.
If you are interested in reading about the history of the Iga Ninja online before you go, please check the Koka Ninja House website.
117 Uenomarunouchi, Iga, Mie 518-0873
From Kintetsu Nagoya Station, take the Kintetsu Limited Express to Nabari Station, then transfer to the same express going to Iga-Kambe Station. From there you can ride the special ninja train to Iga Ueno Station and get off to reach the ninja village. This costs 4210 yen one way and takes 2.5 hours, but was overall worth it in my opinion.
Admission Fee: 500 yen
Throughout my travels in Asia, I’ve managed to stumble upon some pretty awe-inspiring museums. I enjoy traditional art as well as hands-on modern exhibits found in galleries around the world today. My favorite museums are those that combine innovative technology with art and science—shattering perceived ideas and adding a whole other dimension to the viewer’s experience.
I’ve compiled a list of my top 3 favorites museums in Asia that are phenomenal examples of how innovative technology can be used to break the borders of art as we know it (starting from the top):
Mana Pool. What you see here might just be my favorite exhibition in the world. This image looks like some kind of mirage or frozen frame from a vaporwave music video, but there are actually living, breathing people going about their daily routines under the waters of this pool. You can even “dive in” and join them—but you can’t jump or use the ladder. Instead you must reach the underwater zone from another entrance (which can easily be found by following the signs).
This pool was constructed with a limestone deck at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan (shortened to Kanazawa 21). A thin layer of water is contained in transparent glass giving it the look of a real swimming pool. However, underneath the glass is an underground room that is completely empty. From the point of view of those who stand at the surface, you can create the illusion that you are walking underwater by taking a staircase beside the pool. It truly is a vaporwave dream that has been realized by the power of aesthetics and science.
In addition to the pool, there are various rooms with simulations you can enter. My personal favorite was “The Killing Machine”. Photography was not allowed in some areas, so I will leave the contents up to your imagination. I found some neat aviation and space exhibits when I first visited. Some exhibits rotate, so please check the Exhibition page for the most recent ones.
This museum is an important part of Kanazawa’s culture because it draws a large number of people to the city. Its design is very modern but somehow fits in the center of Kanazawa’s historic streets because it has a beautiful outdoor park and is near the Kenrokuen Gardens. The outside of the museum has free exhibits you can see as well.
Here is my pool-walking video that I took in 2017. The Swimming Pool is a permanent exhibit that can be seen year round so I hope to return and take better quality videos in the future.
1 Chome-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-8509
Entrance Fee: 360 yen for temporary exhibitions (some exhibits are free)
Over Golden Week I traveled to the island of Jeju in Korea, but instead of the beaches (which are by far the best in Korea) I was most drawn to the iconic Nexon Computer Museum. Nexon is the company responsible for creating Maple Story and the longest running commercial graphic MMO in the world: Baram, also known as Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds. I was really surprised to see that a modest company in Korea had this award; which makes me think that Nexon is seriously underrated so naturally I wanted to learn more.
When I entered the museum, a wall full of lockers shaped like keys greeted me. Instantly I was impressed with the on-point aesthetics here. The cafe also had keyboard-shaped waffles, or what you’d call “sticky keys” which was another reason I had to travel all the way out here.
The museum is split into 4 floors; starting with the history of computing, then videogames and educational programs, and finally arcades in the basement! I felt a strange sense of nostalgia but also was fascinated with some of the original things that Nexon had worked on. From fantasy MMORPGs to EA Sports, there was quite a repertoire of games you could play here. They also had collections of old Apple computers and the infamous Nintendo Power Glove on display here.
Here is the Guinness World Record for The Kingdom of the Winds on display which was originally launched in 1996:
3198-8 1100(Cheonbaek)-ro, Nohyeong-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Entrance Fee: ￦8,000
While day tripping to Hakone from Tokyo, I discovered the loveliest museum with a stained glass cathedral, Persona-esque sculptures, and even a foot bath outside of the cafe! The Hakone Open Air Museum is almost entirely outdoors and is close to Mt. Fuji so you have the perfect mountain backdrop for your viewing experience. Right as I entered I was greeted by a marble head floating in an empty pool that gave me massive リサフランク420 vibes. There is an indoor Picasso Exhibition Hall as well, but the main draw is the abstract sculptures and mysterious moats on the outskirts:
These sculptures are said to symbolize the balance of harmony and art, but some of them are warped beyond belief and seem to represent a feeling of discord or solitude. I personally thought they looked a lot like shadows from the Persona series; especially the ones wearing masks. However you interpret it, you’ll definitely have a good time here. Especially if you bring some good music.
Here is one of the best shots I captured by climbing up the cathedral with my old camera:
1121 Ninotaira, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa 250-0407
Entrance Fee: 1600 yen
Honorable Mentions:
*I will be expanding upon these honorable mentions in future articles. My travel plans have been slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic so I am currently digging through my archive to create more content.
Last month I wrote about my aesthetic adventures to the Capybara Zoo and Planet Cafe, but here are some other noteworthy spots in Hamamatsu that are worth checking out. If you go to Shizuoka Prefecture, you should definitely try the eel here because it’s some of the best in Japan. In addition to that, there is also a tiny fantasy-themed village you can explore. I’ve only been to Hamamatsu twice for music events, but I ended up stumbling into a lot of cool things on my journey.
As soon as I arrived at Hamamatsu Station, I immediately decided to go to an eel restaurant so I could finally try this city’s prized food. I chose a small shop called 八百徳 that was about a 3 min walk from the station because they had a set meal for a nice value. Cooked eel has a nice texture and is rich in protein so it’s a fit choice for an adventurer. I ordered the main unagi set served with rice, a side of vegetables, and miso soup which was delicious. You can eat eel all over Japan, but you can tell by the exquisite taste that they are farmed to perfection here. Most eel sets will cost 1500 ~ 2700 yen here but is worth it in my opinion.
For those that are up for fishing, there is a lake in Kosai City where you can catch them yourself! I have not been to this place, but it is somewhere I will consider traveling to in the future if I come back here again.
This fairy-like village nestled in a forest was designed by famous architect Shigeyoshi Sasaki and feels like something straight out of a Miyazaki movie! Originally Nukumori Village was a furniture workshop, but due to its beautiful European architecture it has attracted a lot of people and expanded. You can find small boutiques, restaurants, museums, and other aesthetic designs here. I enjoyed walking through the miniature houses with stained-glass windows and taking photos of them. There is an owl cafe called “Warmth of Owl“ here as well (I didn’t go but found it interesting). Despite it being a tourist destination, I arrived around 2pm and found that it was serene and quiet. It felt like less of a tourist trap and more of a relaxing day trip from the city to me.
Admission Fee: 400 yen
Please see Hamamatsu’s Tourism Website for a complete guide.
From the crafty eel-shaped banisters to the one-of-a-kind unagi pie ice cream dessert served at the cafe here, this eel pie factory is truly a gem. Here you can learn all about the process of eel pie baking and buy some fancy souvenirs for your friends (I handed out several to my friends at the club). What exactly makes up an eel pie, you ask?
According Hamamatsu’s Tourism Website:
“Eel extract, garlic and other such flavorings are blended together with carefully-selected fresh butter to make the confection.”
The description sounds a bit fishy, but I can confirm that all of the samples I tried tasted like salted butter cookies. In other words: Eel Pie is absolutely delicious (especially with ice cream)! You can buy eel pie at various souvenir shops in Shizuoka, but coming to the factory is the best experience because you can order it fresh at the cafe. As someone who loves weird food, I simply could not pass this opportunity up.
Please note that the factory is a bit far from the main city, but you can take a taxi or walk 18 mins here from Okubo Bus Stop via city bus.
My friend and I were looking for a place to pregame before an event at Planet Cafe and stumbled upon a place called Chillwood Bar not far from the station. Not only is this bar cozy with a wide range of cocktails and bottles of wine, but the owner looks and acts just like Sojiro from Persona 5. We had some real-life anime going on here. I ordered a sakura fizz cocktail and my friend and I split a bottle of wine. Everyone was very friendly and asked me various questions about my life and travels in Japan. I was more than happy to share my experiences with them since the alcohol was flowing. I am glad to have made this website [Resurface to Reality] so I archive these memories and continue to create more.
Immortal Heartー I’ve been to Kyoto many times in many different seasons, but this month was the first time I’ve ever been to the remotely located heart-shaped temple called Shojuin in Ujitawara. Amidst the fear of the corona virus, I was worried this temple may be closed like many other facilities in Japan, but I was fortunate to travel during a time when it was still open. Located in a rural area accessible by bus from Uji Station, you will find that the view through the window is well worth the trip. Even though I visited during the winter, I managed to take a lot of quality photos and learn about its history with only a few other Japanese tourists around me.
I arrived to the temple around 2pm when I predicted there would be optimal sunlight. The weather was raining on and off but due to the way Shojuin is constructed, the light always falls through the heart-shaped window. The temple consists of a few small building complexes but everything can easily be seen within 40 minutes. Tea and a light snack are provided with the entrance fee as well as an explanation of the history as the inome window. The word “inome” refers to a heart shape motif commonly found in Japanese temples and Buddhism. The definition literally means “eye of the wild boar” in Japanese (which is said to be heart-shaped so it makes sense in theory). It could also refer to the lime trees with heart-shaped leaves that are closely associated with Buddhism. I have uploaded the English explanation I was given for reference if anyone wishes to investigate it further.
The inome window is also nicknamed the “Window of Happiness” making it the ideal place to pray for peace and love. Though I do not consider myself a religious person, coming to this temple was a truly bright experience to me. In addition to the window, there are also over 160 art tiles on the ceiling painted in brilliant colors. While I was taking pictures, it started snowing for a brief period through the window. This was my first time all year seeing snow in Japan, so it is a special moment I’ll never forget:
Though I was only here for around an hour and a half, I feel like I had the chance to witness this temple during all four seasons. During my time here it rained, snowed, turned overcast, then sunlight came out right before it closed. It was amazing! The people around me couldn’t believe it either. Just like my Quest to the Tower of the Sun, this also felt like an experience pulled straight from a video game. I highly recommend this temple to everyone visiting Kyoto, because it’s not nearly as touristy or crowded as the Golden Pavilion or Kiyomizu-dera.
During the summer there is a wind chime festival here as well. Please check the official Kyoto Tourism website for more information.
294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862
Entrance Fee: 400 yen (includes tea and sweets)
Directions: From Kyoto Station, ride the Nara Line to Obaku Station, then ride the Uji Line to Uji Station. From Uji Station, take the Keihan Bus to Ichumae Bus Stop. Please note that Google Maps will suggest you to take a taxi to Shojuin Temple from this point, which I did on the way there for 2000 yen, but there is a “community bus” (which actually a small white van) that I missed which is free. On the way back, I walked with some friendly Japanese girls from Hyogo to the free bus stop. The bus stop looks like a shack that belongs to someone’s backyard because Uji is very rural, but we managed to find it with teamwork. Keep your eyes out for the iconic heart-shaped bus stop that leads you to the magical heart-shaped temple (this is the best travel advice I’ve given anyone):
Over the weekend while attending a unique club-turned-campsite event at Club Daphnia, I decided to stop by the Tower of the Sun (太陽の塔) because it’s one of the few attractions in Osaka that I haven’t been to yet. The Tower of Sun is located in Osaka’s Expo ’70 Commemorative Park among flower gardens, museums, and other recreational facilities. There’s even a “Dream Pond” with pedal boats (much like Tokyo’s Ueno Park) and a foot bath you can use. This area is truly a unique place and feels like it’s part of an RPG map with the Tower as a dungeon surrounded by fields of flowers. It’s also far away enough from the city that you can leisurely relax here, but you can easily access it by riding the Osaka Monorail.
The tower itself is 70m tall and was designed by the artist Taro Okamoto for the 1970 Japan World Exposition. The design was a hit success and attracted millions of visitors so it still stands in the exact same place today. According to the Official ’70 Expo Website, the three faces of the tower each represent a different phase of life:
The “Golden Mask” located at its top, which shines and suggests the future, the “Face of the Sun” on its front, which represents the present, and the “Black Sun” on its back, which symbolizes the past.
From the front it looks like it only has two faces, but if you walk around to the rear of the tower you can see the black face of the past and enter the museum. Unfortunately due to the effect of the corona virus, the museum was temporarily closed. However, the gift shops and cafes were still open and there was a lot of sightseeing for me to do in the park. There is a 4th face within the tower as well as intricate sculptures demonstrating the evolution of life (from the dinosaur age until the present) so I hope to come back to see it in the future when it’s open.
This tower has become somewhat of a meme in Japanese society due to its unique design. I’ve seen a number of people cosplay it on Halloween and apparently it has somewhat of a cult-like following. Some Japanese people around me were describing it as “scary-looking” but it just looks like something out of a NieR game to me. I honestly think what it symbolizes is truly wondrous and I’m happy that they kept it as the mascot of the Expo park. The souvenirs they sold at the gift shop were hilarious too! You could buy anything from $100 action figures and plush dolls to $5 dollar keychains. I liked the design of the T-shirt too. I bought a keychain because I thought it was very cute.
On my way back I saw a takoyaki store that had Tower of the Sun action figures next to it. As I was taking a picture, the man gave me a thumbs up sign. I really love Osaka and am excited to write all about my adventures here! Despite the fear of the virus, life in Osaka seems to be carrying on as normal which is relieving.
1-1 Senribanpakukoen, Suita, Osaka 565-0826
Entrance Fee: 250 yen (the cheapest I have paid to enter a tourist attraction in a while)
On my way back to Atami after meeting the friendly capybara at Izu Shaboten Zoo, I couldn’t help but notice an advertisement on the train with a picture of illuminated capybara in a garden full of LED lights (much like the photo I took above). I was completely captivated by the image. What was this magical place with LSD visuals and sparkling wonder doing in rural Japan? Being the spontaneous adventurer that I am, I had to investigate!
With a quick Google search, I discovered that it was Izu Granbel Park, located adjacent to the capybara zoo I went to earlier that day. Fortunately the park was open until 9:30pm, so it made the perfect after party location for my trip. I immediately got off at the closest station and rode the Ito train line to Futo Station. On the way I bought a mini bottle of wine from the nearby Family Mart and walked 20 minutes to the park (because illuminations are way more fun to watch with alcohol).
What’s hilarious is that Google Maps directs you to the back entrance of the park (which was closed when I reached it) so I had to jump a small fence to get inside. However, my efforts of navigating a dark and solemn back road to reach my destination would be rewarded with a brilliant lightshow over a global atmosphere of twinkling bulbs:
I had definitely fell down the capybara hole and landed in some strange wonderland. When I walked through the back entrance, I was greeted by giant neon candies and an endless field of glowing flowers as far as the eye could see. Upon descending a hill in that area, a sea of radiant fish and a luminous backdrop of Mt. Fuji greeted me (only in Japan). When I turned to walk up towards the front entrance, I stumbled upon a garden of lollipops with capybara and red pandas frolicking in them. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a photo opportunity here with literally every step. This felt like something that I had made up in a dream because it was so bright and beautiful!
This was the best illumination I had ever seen in Japan. Previously I had visited Aichi’s Floral Oasis, but this park’s lightshows were much more elaborate. In addition to the global atmosphere of lights, they also had a mini zoo with gerbils and other small animals. In the summer there is a waterpark and various rides open too. Besides the LED (LSD?) capybaras, my favorite attractions were the Tunnel of Dreams and the unexpected dinosaur exhibit. There’s also a glowing pirate ship and pirates restaurant that is dog-friendly. If I had a dog, I would definitely bring them here!
This park really expanded my mind and put me in a good mood, so I would recommend it to everyone that visits Shizuoka! You’ll find that the illuminations outside of the city are much more fun to see, plus this is probably the only place in the world where you can see real capybaras bathe at hotsprings during the day and illuminated ones at night. A real fantasy come alive.
Address: 1090 Futo, Itō, Shizuoka 413-0231
Entrance to the park is only 1300 yen (much cheaper than what I’ve paid to enter other illuminated parks).
If you are interested in reading more about capybara bathing in hotsprings, please see my Izu Shaboten Zoo article.
A few weeks after returning to Japan from my aesthetic adventures in Taiwan, I decided to go to Nagoya City and attend an event called Touch & Go that some of my favorite artists were playing at. Before getting boozed up and meeting friends, I wanted to explore somewhere that I had never been to before within the area. Since most of Nagoya’s major attractions can been seen in 2-3 days and I had already seen them all, I decided to go somewhere on the outskirts of Aichi prefecture that was still on the way there from Tokyo. My research led me to an amusement park named Laguna Ten Bosch (also called Lagunasia). Not wanting to miss out on yet another aesthetic adventure, I decided to arrive around 5pm so I could catch the winter light shows and practice night photography with my GoPro. I was not disappointed by the beautiful floral displays and flashing neon lights:
Lagunasia is a amusement park/waterpark/spa that is geared towards younger ages but has attractions that everyone can enjoy. What caught my attention specifically is its brilliant winter illuminations. Since I have lived in Japan for over 4 years now, I have already seen a large variety of what this country has to offer, but I had never seen illuminations in Nagoya before. During the winter season, the outdoor waterpark is transformed into a brilliant display of Christmas decorations and lights that produce a mirror-like effect when they flicker at night:
I was amazed to see the different flowers that were in bloom during this time of year (which was January)! While walking to the garden area shown in the video above, I walked on a transparent bridge where I could see flowers planted below my feet. It truly was a unique experience. I saw a cosplayer doing a photoshoot here, so I knew I had come at the right time! Most of the light shows start around 6pm and last until the park’s closure at 9pm. You can see detailed information regarding the light shows on their official website.
Compared to other amusement parks in Japan, entrance to Lagunasia is actually quite affordable. Admission only is around $20 USD, and $40 if you want unlimited rides. Because I have been to so many amusement parks already, I opted to pay the cheapest option for entrance only. There are a number of roller coasters, bumper cars, and water rides that looked fun, but in the winter I think it’s best to go the cheapest route since not all attractions are open. I was able to get a discounted nightpass as well (I believe the price changes with the season because it is not listed on their website, but I am unsure).
To get here from Tokyo takes approximately 2 hours and 25 mins. I rode the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Toyohashi Station. Then I took a local train to Mikawa-Otsuka Station. The ride was very easy compared to other trips that I have done, and getting to where I needed to be in Nagoya only took an hour and a half on local trains.
See the Access page of the Laguna Ten Bosch website for more information.
I thought it was funny that random cutouts of Boku no Hero Academia were placed around the park. It must have been part of a collaboration, but it was very subtle.
I give this amusement park an overall positive review because a lot of effort was put into the 3D mapping and light shows here. However, unless you really love amusement parks or have extra time to kill in Nagoya, I would first recommend checking out Universal Studios in Osaka or Lego Land (also near Nagoya). I will review these in separate posts when I have time. These places both have more attractions and are easier to access than Lagunasia, so they are better to see first in my opinion.
If you have been living in Japan for a while like me and are looking for something new to see, or are close to the Nagoya area, then this is it! This is the perfect day trip or getaway from Nagoya City. The lines are minimal here–you can easily ride all the rides you want within a few minutes. The illuminations are great for practicing photography and I had a lot of fun experiencing them. You may find yourself getting bored if you come too early, so I would recommend coming here in the afternoon so you can catch the light shows (the winter seems the most elaborate, but they change year-round).
I would come here again with a friend if the opportunity presented itself~
After exploring Taichung for two days and having a lovely day out on Sun Moon Lake, I decided to ride the MRT south and explore Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan. This city is famous for its art murals, the Tiger Dragon Pagoda, and its ferry terminal that leads to the popular destination Cijin Island. Historically Kaohsiung was used as a port town during the Qing Dynasty, and much of its culture has been preserved because you can still ride boats and find night markets here. However, artists have transformed Pier 2 into a gathering spot with murals, pop-up stores, galleries, and cafes. I rented a bike from my hostel at Legend Hotel Pier 2 for 100 TWD and biked 10 minutes to explore the area. Pier 2 stretches for about a mile and has an abundance of things to see!
I enjoyed seeing all of the painted dragon murals that reflect the symbol of the town’s prized pagoda, and even the electrical boxes had faces on them! They had some kind of dinosaur exhibit aimed at children going on as well (this place was very family-friendly). I laughed at the name of the “CHIN CHIN perfume” place (Google the Japanese meaning of “chin chin” but don’t look at the images). I truly had a fun time here. I also loved that there was a park where you could rent kites and roam around. This place had a more relaxed and open feel than Taipei and was the perfect getaway from the city:
After roaming around here for a while, I decided to buy a ferry ticket to Cijin Island at the ferry terminal. Cijin Island is only 5 minutes away so it’s a very hassle-free trip and only costs 25 TWD. What’s also cool is you can bring your bike on-board for free because the boat is huge (you also have the option of bike rental at Cijin). Cijin is a long rectangular strip, so you can bike the entire island within an hour and 30 minutes. The main sightseeing spots are the Rainbow Church and the Windmill Park by the beach. There are also temples and and street food galore so you will never go hungry no matter how far you bike.
Though I had a fun time here, I will issue a word of warning: When I set my purse down to take pictures of the Rainbow Church (which is a series of rainbow pillars actually used in wedding photography), someone opened my wallet and stole all of my cash. I won’t say how much I lost, but it was a considerable amount. I reported it to the police station on Cijin Island and they checked the security cameras, but unfortunately they were unable to find the thief. I acknowledge that this was fully my fault, but at the same time I am sad that this happened. Previously I had gone swimming and left my personal belongings on the beach in other countries without any occurrences of theft, but now I know I should be a lot more careful. Fortunately the thief did not steal my credit cards, or else I would be in real trouble. However, I do not want this incident to reflect badly on Cijin Island or Taiwan. Taiwan is still what I would consider to be a very safe country, and I hope my articles inspire people to visit it!
Look forward to Part 2 of my Kaohsiung journey where I visit the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and more of the city!
Wanting experience life outside of Taipei, I researched other cities in Taiwan that would fit my adventurous spirit. Taichung, Taiwan’s 2nd most populous city, caught my interest right away because of its Rainbow Village and picturesque Sun and Moon Lake which are both accessible by bus from the central station.
The bright and beautiful colors of this village immediately caught my eye–plus I was curious to know the origin of how it became so psychedelic–so I wanted this place to be my first destination in Taichung. I took the MRT from Taipei to reach Taichung Station within 2 hours, then I took a local bus to reach Rainbow Village within 15 minutes. I was greeted by these crazy-colored murals painted on a neighborhood of cozy houses. The village was a bit smaller than what I had expected, but there were literally so many things to see here!
This village was designated as a home for refugees that fled to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War, but was sadly planned to be demolished after the war ended. Not wanting to see his home destroyed, Huang Yong-Fu (who was drafted for the war but still resided in the village), started painting the entire village in rainbow colors in hopes that it would be preserved. Though not many other refugees were living there at the time, his artwork was noticed by nearby university students and they formed a petition to keep the 11 houses intact. Fortunately it was successful, and the village has become a popular tourist attraction for everyone to enjoy and learn about the history of the war. Yong-Fu is nicknamed the “Rainbow Grandpa” of the village, and his murals will always be an important part of Taichung’s history.
This village is literally a photographer’s paradise! I was really happy to capture a lot of quality footage on my GoPro even though there were a lot of people around. The murals seem to have cultural influences from all around the world. There are a number of animals and humans depicted in them with interesting symbols so your interpretation of them completely depends on you.
After spending a good hour here, I decided to take a taxi back to Loosha Hotel where I was staying for the night (I chose it because it was cheap and centrally located). Taichung can be done as a day trip, but I would recommend staying here 2-3 days if you can see everything. I will be covering the famous Sun and Moon Lake in my next article this week! Thank you for reading.
