"Welcome to the Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" Taiwan-Japan exhibition process records

Text / 楊雅筑
Dictation/平松佑介
Picture provided/ 平松佑介
Photography/剣持悠大、樹音

"I really want to go to Japan!" During the pandemic, this has been a common lament of many Taiwanese people. However, this does not only apply to the Taiwanese; our Japanese friends are also eager to visit Taiwan. Due to this, the KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS of the Koyoji Temple, held a Taiwan-Japan exhibition called "Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" to explore and create new possibilities for cultural exchange between Taiwan and Japan during the epidemic. Moreover, regardless of how rampant the epidemic is, the residents of Taiwan and Japan cannot stop their determination to conduct cross-border cultural exchanges through bathhouses.

Interestingly, Yusuke Hiramatsu, a third-generation manager of KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS, has never been to Taiwan before. His impressions of Taipei are the Taipei 101 skyscraper, pearl milk tea - which he doesn't know if it's a dessert or drink - and stinky tofu, whose name alone makes people cringe. When he received the proposal, Yusuke Hiramatsu knew that Beitou was famous for its hot springs. "Taiwanese people also like to take a bath in hot spring?!" His tone was full of surprise.

In September 2021, KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS in Koyoji Temple started the "Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" Taiwan-Japan exhibition, to allow more Japanese friends unfamiliar with Taiwan to get to know Beitou through public bathhouses!(Picture provided：平松佑介、Photography：剣持悠大、樹音)

There are bathhouses in Beitou too! New discoveries in Taiwan from Taiwan-Japan Exhibition

Although initially surprised by the existence of "public bathing culture in Taiwan", looking back on the history of Taiwan and Japan, the Japanese loved bathing in hot springs. This was introduced in Taiwan during the Japanese Governing Period and eventually became a part of Taiwan's daily life - not all that strange. More than a hundred years later, the bathing culture in Taiwan and Japan is somewhat different. However, in Beitou - which was flourishing due to hot springs in the Japanese Governing Period - many old bathhouses in the area still adhere to the Japanese hot spring culture. For example, through the wood color, bathing pool designs, and even the recommended post-bathing rest time – all part of an irreplaceable experience.

For the Japanese to see and experience this, the photography exhibition "Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" is undoubtedly an important part of the Taiwan-Japan Exhibition. Hundreds of photographic works are hung in the bathing pool and shoe cabinet of KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS; and instant mobile art museum. It presents an honest record of "Beitou’s Good (Bath)" from the lens of Taiwan photographic artist Hong-Jing Zheng.

Looking at the pictures of people smiling beside the bathhouse, Yusuke Hiramatsu smiled and said, "The goal of public baths is the same everywhere. With public baths, bathhouses, public bathhouses - whatever you call them, allowing people to relax and enjoy the baths is the most important task - the only task!"

 

Through lectures, fairs, and performances in "Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!", let Japanese friends experience Taiwan outside the night market, mango ice and Taipei 101.(Picture provided：平松佑介、Photography：剣持悠大、樹音)

From Chinese herb baths to pineapple baths, experience the taste of Taiwan baths through your body!

In addition to the "Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" photo exhibition, another highlight of the Taiwan-Japan exhibition is the public baths with a Taiwanese flavor! In fact, KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS is famous for its diverse baths. The Taiwanese contestant in the "Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" is currently the Chinese herb and pineapple bath. This started from popular images of Taiwan among most Japanese. Additionally,these hot spring pools not only allows Japanese friends to experience the fun of Taiwan baths, but also allows them to really experience a foreign culture. While KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS is happy to develop new baths, the Chinese herb and pineapple baths left a deep impression on Yusuke Hiramatsu; after all, Japan does not grow pineapples and was it not for this transnational cooperation, many people would not even know what pineapple tastes like!

"Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!"uses the classic Japanese impressions of Taiwan, "pineapple" and "Hanfang", and uses "baths" to lead everyone to experience more Taiwanese culture.(Picture provided：平松佑介、Photography：剣持悠大、樹音)

It’s not just about the night markets and mango ice! Make friends with baths to experience Taiwan

It is worth mentioning that the Taiwan-Japan exhibition includes a special project entitled "Definitive one-day Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS" in addition to the photography exhibition and the bath experience. Except for selling Taiwanese groceries and magazines, there is also a common Taiwanese street Facelab experience that literally moves Taiwan to Tokyo. Therefore, not only Yusuke Heimatsu, but many Japanese who come to visit the exhibition are also surprised that Taiwan too has a public bathing culture. Many also can't wait to have the Taiwan Beitou bath experience and visit the land of Taiwan to feel the differences from Japan.

Hiramatsu, who has never visited Taiwan and once considered it an almost imperceptible dot on the map, can now construct a vague picture of Taiwan and Beitou in his mind. "What's more, I have friends in Taiwan!" This cooperation has strengthened the relationship between Taiwan and Japan, and the idea of "going to Taiwan after the epidemic is over" has also quietly germinated in his mind.

In addition to feeling the Taiwan cells in his body ready to move, Yusuke Hiramatsu also hopes that after the epidemic subsides, Taiwanese tourists may also come to Japan to experience the unique culture of public baths there. Compared with crowds of Taiwan's youth bathing in the hot springs, the Japanese public baths are a solitary pleasure that wash away the wind and frost of life; bath time is an exclusive and quiet experience. Yusuke Hiramatsu sincerely looks forward to Taiwanese also visiting Japan in the near future to experience Japanese public baths, just as the Japanese visitors have enjoyed Beitou at the KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS.

"Welcome to Beitou of Taiwan in KOSUGI HOT SPRINGS!" in addition to selling Taiwanese groceries and magazines, it also provides a picture-like painting experience that is common on the streets of Taiwan, as well as fun desktop shrimp fishing games.(Picture provided：平松佑介、Photography：剣持悠大、樹音)