Hayashi Department Store (林百貨) is Taiwan’s Oldest Department Store. Opened in 1932 during the Japanese colonial period, Hayashi was once the most modern department store in southern Taiwan. At the time, it featured cutting-edge amenities such as an elevator (a rare luxury in the 1930s), a rooftop Shinto shrine, and western-style retail displays.
For decades, it was the pride of Tainan, until it closed after World War II and remained abandoned for years. After extensive restoration, the building reopened in 2014 as a cultural and creative department store, preserving its Art Deco façade and historic interior details.
As daylight faded, Tainan transformed into something softer, warmer, and more atmospheric. Unlike Taipei’s and Kaohsiung's bright neon energy, Tainan’s nightlife felt slower and more nostalgic.
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