Solo Trip - Taiwan (July 2023) - Tainan Hayashi Department Store Part 1

Finally, the shop opened! And I stepped into Hayashi Department Store, hoping to be amazed by it. It was an old department store with links to Japan, a heritage store. Perhaps something like Tangs in Singapore? There were only a few floors, but the old building was perhaps the star of the whole place.

The place was very well decorated in classic style. The furniture was classic, with beautiful lighting features every corner that makes it cosy. The floor was solid tiles/marbles, and the whole place just felt very warm and inviting. Lots of natural lights shined in from the big glass windows too. Everything was very spacious and airy. Above was a corner at the root top area just outside the old lift.

The lift itself was an attraction, and many people queued just to ride it to the top. Luckily I was there early. But even if you didn't get a chance to take the lift, you can use the beautiful old concrete stairs that is wide and comfortable to climb to, and then take the lift down. 

Above  is one of the stairs connecting the lower floors. There are actually a few stairs in the buildings, so don't just explore the main stairs! What is interesting it, there is a small door next to the window. I thought that was so cool! I wonder what they are used for. In one of the exhibit photos, it seems that they can use it to transport goods up to the upper level from the outside directly without going though the stores. Interesting. But I'm gonna imagine it's a magical door where imps that work in the store lives, and that they only come out at night to work to keep the store in an orderly manner :P

If you are scared that using the stairs is going to be exhausting, fear not, they have placed nice chairs at almost every corner for you to sit and take a rest. I just love all the furniture in this store, as well as the lamps and even old clocks. Everything here just screams classy.

Above is at the roof top area. There is actually a garden there, and a few shops, so don't just stick to the department store when you visit this place. The treasure is actually at the root top!

There are some art installation here, just outside the gift store.

And there is a postbox for you to post any postcard you bought from the postbox. The gift stores sells souvenirs and memorabilia of the place, as well as of Tainan and Taiwan. So it's very tourist friendly.

You also shouldn't miss the Japanese shrine at the roof. You can't miss it, with it's concrete Torii gate leading you to the shrine. It's a very unique shrine to visit!

Lastly there are two cafe at the root top. One sells soya bean curd, and another selling food and desserts. It may look like just one cafe, but when you stepped in and try to order, they will point you to the correct counter to do so depending on what you want to order. A bit troublesome, but still, it's a beautiful cafe, so don't miss it. Will write more about it in my next post.

Lastly, while exploring around, I also found the toilet and was pretty impressed by it. Above is a peek into the guy's toilet. Even the toilet looks classy! 

As all things asians, we love out cute stuff and Hello Kitty. There's a collaboration of Hello Kitty items with the store that you can buy. It's expensive, as all Hello Kitty stuff. But no harm taking a photo to remember it by, that's free :)

Lastly, a photo of me, inside the iconic lift. I love stuff like this! 1932, me and my favourite shoe was here  💖