Taiwan's enduring fascination with Japanese architecture

Colonial era buildings seen as part of a new identity of pluralism

The former residence of General Sun Li-Jen was built by Japanese architect Moriyama Matsunosuke in 1905. The building is now leased out by Taiwan's Ministry of Defence and houses a privately run restaurant. (Photo courtesy of ArtGo Design Creative)

ERIN HALE, Contributing writer

October 31, 2021 08:00 JST

TAIPEI -- Fenced in by corrugated metal and chainlink fences, the rows of low-rise buildings don't look like much. Many of the wooden structures have almost entirely collapsed inwards, while trees and vines snake out through windows and gaps in what were once tiled roofs.