Ji’an Tobacco Market

This utilitarian structure was the first tobacco market established in Taiwan. It dates back to 1918, although the current structure was certainly rebuilt at some point late in the colonial era or perhaps not long after the war. Tobacco farmers would transport cured leaves to this market and sell them to the government monopoly bureau at fixed prices based on grading, a system that continued into the post-war era. An interesting architectural feature is the columns resembling cigarettes holding up an awning over a former loading dock. Nowadays it seems to have been repurposed as a Hakka cultural center. It was also formerly known as Fuxing Village Tobacco Market (福興村買菸廠).