Taiwan Food Atlas

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

A Japanese-era brick industrial complex from 1937 repurposed as a creative arts base
📍 Taipei · Songshan District🎨 Cultural venue🔖 Japanese brick building complex · Design Museum

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a former tobacco factory complex first built in 1937 as the Taiwan Governor-General's Monopoly Bureau Songshan Tobacco Factory, designed by architect Umezawa Shajiro and officially reopened as a creative park in November 2011. The complex retains a complete ensemble of Japanese red-brick buildings, arcaded corridors, and courtyard landscaping, and houses the Taiwan Design Museum and multi-purpose exhibition spaces; it is adjacent to Taipei Arena and within walking distance of an MRT station.

Songshan Tobacco Factory was built starting in 1937 and designed by architect Umezawa Shajiro; it was designated Taipei's 99th municipal historic monument in 2001 and officially reopened as Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in November 2011.

Highlights of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

The Songshan Tobacco Factory was designed by Japanese architect Umezawa Shajirou in a modernist industrial plant layout, with red brick walls, sawtooth rooflines, and large skylights as its main architectural features. At its completion the factory was the largest tobacco production facility in Taiwan. The compound included manufacturing halls, a boiler room, a nursery, and staff dormitories — a complete set of ancillary facilities reflecting the systematic planning of industrial production environments during the Japanese colonial period.

Today the park focuses on design exhibitions and brand events. The Taiwan Design Museum's permanent exhibition covers the history of Taiwan's industrial design and brand development. The central courtyard has a lawn and pond, a rare outdoor leisure space in the city. Markets, design weeks, and creative brand pop-up events are held periodically, making it an important gathering point for Taipei's design industry and a frequently used location for film and advertising shoots.

How to make the most of your visit

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Notice the architectural detailsThe red brick walls, sawtooth factory rooflines, and arcaded corridors are defining features of the industrial architecture. Walking slowly along the corridors and observing the industrial aesthetic is worthwhile.
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Check the current Taiwan Design Museum exhibitionsThe Design Museum mounts both permanent and special exhibitions on different themes. Check the official website before visiting to confirm the current exhibition content and plan your focus.
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Afternoon rest in the courtyardThe courtyard has a lawn and water feature that is well suited for sitting with a drink or snack in the afternoon; the atmosphere is quieter than the surrounding commercial areas.
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Watch for market and special event periodsDuring Taiwan Design Week, the Maker Fair, and other events, activity levels in the park rise noticeably. Check the events calendar in advance to time your visit accordingly.

Practical information

Getting there and time needed

  • Take the MRT Bannan Line to City Hall Station and walk about 10 minutes to the park entrance; alternatively, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station is also within walking distance.
  • The outdoor areas of the park are open daily. The Design Museum exhibitions have their own ticketing and opening hours — check the official website for details.
  • The park is adjacent to Taipei Arena; parking and crowd conditions around concert dates should be factored in when planning your visit.

Nearby connections

  • The Xinyi Special District shopping area is within walking distance and can be combined with Taipei 101 and surrounding department stores for a half-day or full-day itinerary.
  • Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Park is also within walking distance, providing an outdoor rest space that can serve as a connecting point before or after your visit.

Source: Songshan Cultural and Creative Park official information and public architectural records. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Songshan Cultural and Creative Park originally?

It was originally the Songshan Tobacco Factory, first built in 1937.

Who designed the building?

Japanese architect Umezawa Shajiro.

When did it open to the public as a creative park?

It was designated a municipal historic monument in 2001 and officially reopened as a creative park in November 2011.

Sources

🗺️ View on the map ← All Taipei attractions