Beitou Museum is a former Japanese-era hot spring hotel on Youya Road in Taipei’s Beitou District. Its timber rooms, tatami floors and stone garden give you a close look at the architecture behind Beitou’s history as a hot spring resort. Inside, exhibits trace the building’s past and the development of the area, with a tiled bathing pool and an interactive game among the displays. You can also stop at the café for tea or reserve a meal at the museum restaurant; lunch includes museum admission.
From hotel to museum
The building opened in 1921 as the Kazann Inn, a high-class hot spring hotel in Beitou. It later passed through different names, owners and uses, including a period as a dormitory for the Japanese military and kamikaze pilots. The historic property was restored and reopened as a museum.
It was designated a municipal heritage site in 1998. The two-storey timber structure preserves the Japanese-style architecture of its hotel era, while its rooms now hold cultural artifacts and exhibitions.
Rooms, garden and exhibits
The displays cover the building’s history and Beitou’s development as a hot spring destination. One room contains a tiled bathing pool, a reminder of the property’s earlier role as a bathhouse. A projected-screen game adds an interactive element to the visit.
Tatami floors and a small stone garden give the interior a quieter, domestic feel. Flower arrangements appear in the rooms, and the museum also hosts cultural performances and exhibitions. Check with the museum about current programs before planning around a specific event.
Tea and a meal at the museum
A café serves tea inside the building, making it easy to pause between rooms. The restaurant gives you the option to combine lunch with a museum visit. A meal plan includes admission, and reservations are recommended. Vegetarian meals have been accommodated, though arranging one in advance is the safer plan.
Preguntas frecuentes
How long does a visit to Beitou Museum take?
You can see the museum in under an hour, though a meal or time at the café will extend the stop.
Does lunch at Beitou Museum include admission?
Yes. The meal plan includes museum admission, and advance reservations are recommended.
What can you see inside Beitou Museum?
Exhibits cover the building and Beitou’s hot spring history. There is also a tiled bathing pool, tatami rooms, a stone garden and an interactive projected-screen game.
Is the walk to Beitou Museum uphill?
Yes. The approach is uphill, so allow for a more strenuous walk than a flat route.
