Tatami Room at the Beitou Hot Spring Musuem 北投溫泉博物館
Much of Beitou’s fame has understandably come from its hot springs. In fact, Beitou’s very existence can be attributed directly to the hot springs. Back during the Japanese occupation, Beitou was developed as a hot spring resort complete with unsavory hotels and eventually prostitution. This is all in the past now as Beitou is now a very pleasant place to visit. To remember its past, there is a Beitou Hot Spring Musuem to remind people how it was back then. The museum was a former bathouse which doesn’t look Chinese or Japanese, you could argue it looks more European.
Japanese Musical Instruments at the Beitou Hot Spring Musuem 北投溫泉博物館
The museum has a very Japanese feel to it. There is a shoe drop here for people to leave their shows and use slippers. One of the main features of the museum is a large hall which I can only associate with Japanese culture. The hall has a tatami flooring which is basically straw. The result is a cool floor where you can lie down or do whatever. Already I can imagine how a gang leader would have a meeting with his minions here in this room. Since this used to be a bathhouse, that scenario probably isn’t that far from the truth. One thing to note is that even the slippers that were loaned out to me at the entrance must be removed when stepping on a tatami mat.
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