The building served as a secret meeting place for Japanese military officers during World War II.
After 1945, the property was used as a dormitory for government employees and later as a studio for filming Taiwanese historical dramas.
The roof features original black-glazed ceramic tiles, rare for buildings of its era in Taipei.
The museum interior retains original shoji screens and tokonoma alcoves.
It is designated as a historic site by the Taipei City Government due to its significance as a representative Japanese hot spring inn.
Beitou Museum is housed in the former Kase Ryokan, a high-end hot spring hotel built in 1921 during the Japanese colonial period. The structure serves as a prime example of Shoin-zukuri architectural style, characterized by its wooden construction and traditional Japanese aesthetic. The facility functions as a museum dedicated to preserving Taiwanese indigenous culture, folk arts, and the history of the Beitou hot spring area. Visitors can explore permanent exhibitions showcasing indigenous wood carvings, textiles, and historical documents related to the region's development. The museum also maintains a preserved tatami-matted space that hosts tea ceremonies and cultural workshops. Dining services are available on-site, offering kaiseki-style cuisine that complements the historical setting. The museum complex includes meticulously maintained Japanese-style gardens and reflection ponds.
The view from the outdoor garden terrace looking back at the wooden structure's facade.
Make a dining reservation well in advance as the on-site restaurant has limited seating.
Bring a pair of clean socks to wear inside the building, as the museum requires visitors to remove their shoes.
Check the official website for rotating special exhibitions before your visit.
Do not wear outdoor footwear inside the historical building. Avoid arriving without a prior dining reservation if you plan to eat.
Closed on Mondays.
Visitors must remove footwear upon entry; indoor slippers or socks are required. Photography is prohibited inside certain exhibition halls.
