The Kobe Tourism Bureau and Taoyuan City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau are jointly launching the Kobe × Taoyuan Cultural Exchange Campaign, running from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
During this one-year campaign, residents of each city can enter designated cultural facilities in the other city completely free of charge — simply by showing their local ID.
Participating Facilities & How to Enter
For Kobe Residents → Free Entry to 2 Taoyuan Facilities
| Facility | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Taoyuan Children’s Art Museum | Taiwan’s first children’s art museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto |
| Yokoyama Calligraphy Art Museum | Taiwan’s first public calligraphy museum; winner of the 2022 Taiwan Architecture Award and Japan Good Design Award |
Present a Japanese ID confirming Kobe residency (driver’s license or My Number card) at the facility reception. One representative’s ID covers the entire group.
Both facilities are about 15–20 minutes from Taoyuan International Airport by car or Taoyuan MRT.
For Taoyuan Residents → Free Entry to 2 Kitano Ijinkan Buildings
| Facility | Overview |
|---|---|
| Kazamidori-no-Yakata (Weathercock House) | A nationally designated Important Cultural Property built by a German merchant, with a red brick exterior and iconic weathercock spire |
| Moegi-no-Yakata | Built in 1903 as the American Consul General’s residence; a nationally designated Important Cultural Property known for its sage green exterior |
Show the Taoyuan Citizen Card app at the reception desk of Moegi-no-Yakata to receive a combined ticket for both buildings. Note: Tickets cannot be issued at Kazamidori-no-Yakata — please visit Moegi-no-Yakata first.
Moegi-no-Yakata reception issues the combined ticket for both buildings. Show the Taoyuan Citizen Card app screen to receive it free of charge.
Closer Than Ever: Kobe Airport Goes International
The Kobe Tourism Bureau and Taoyuan City Government signed a tourism exchange MOU in 2023, collaborating at events including the Kobe Marathon, Kobe Luminarie, the Shimen Reservoir Half Marathon, and the Taoyuan Lantern Festival.
In April 2025, Kobe Airport opened to international flights, with charter services launching between Kobe and Taoyuan International Airport — bringing the two cities closer than ever before.
This campaign invites citizens to experience each other’s cultural heritage firsthand, deepening mutual understanding between Kobe’s historic Western-style residences in Kitano and Taoyuan’s award-winning contemporary art spaces.
Source: Kobe Tourism Bureau press release (March 24, 2026)
