Kishida Gofuku Shop

A high-end gofuku or kimono shop established by Kishida Taichiro (岸田多一郎) and other members of his family in the early 1910s, possibly in 1913. It was located in what was then known as Gijūchō (義重町), a trendy shopping area nicknamed the Ginza of Keelung. Originally the building had an elevated gable with the katakana for ki (キ) prominently displayed, but this was later torn down. An extension to the building on the left became Kishida Teahouse (岸田喫茶部). In the post-war era the original owners were expelled to Japan and the Taiwanese chef opened Little Shanghai Restaurant (小上海酒家) on the second floor, and perhaps also the Kishida Western Restaurant (岸田西餐廳) in the former teahouse. It became a popular destination for wealthy mining tycoons in those days. By 1963 the restaurant went out of business and the building was sold. Nowadays it has been neatly restored and still operates as a series of shops.