Taipei City Launches “TAIPEI corners” in Japan’s Kansai Region: Showcasing Taiwan’s Creative Design at Grand Green Osaka and KIITO Kobe
Guided by the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs and co-organized by the Taipei Cultural and Creative Industry Support Plan and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the “TAIPEI corners” project made its debut in Japan’s Kansai market in the summer of 2025. From July 15, a month-long themed exhibition and sales event titled “A Summer Greeting from Taiwan” was held at two prominent cultural venues—Yurindo Grand Green Osaka (2F) and the Design Creative Center Kobe“KIITO SHOP.” The event highlighted the diversity and charm of Taiwan’s creative design scene, featuring 15 outstanding Taiwanese brands offering lifestyle goods, fragrances, personal care items, stationery, and everyday accessories that embody both creativity and cultural authenticity.
At the opening event, TAIPEI corners hosted an opening press conference, welcoming distinguished guests including Mr. Kentaro Matsunobu, President of Yurindo, Mr. Tuo Liu, Deputy Counselor of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Osaka, Ms. Charlene Chao, Director of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, along with Taiwanese brand founders, Japanese creative entrepreneurs, and members of the media. The event marked a new chapter in Taiwan–Japan creative exchange.
As an important international platform under the Taipei Cultural and Creative Industry Support Plan, TAIPEI corners is dedicated to helping Taiwanese cultural and creative brands expand globally and strengthen international visibility. During the press conference, Director Charlene Chao noted that the initiative has previously held exhibitions and exchange programs in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand, and this year marks its first expansion into Japan’s Kansai region. “By partnering with Yurindo, a century-old bookstore with a deep cultural presence in Osaka, we hope to foster meaningful connections between Taiwan and Japan’s design and cultural industries through product showcases and face-to-face exchange,” she said.
President Kentaro Matsunobu of Yurindo added, “This collaboration represents a cross-border dialogue of culture and emotion. We look forward to visiting Taiwan in the near future to experience firsthand the creative energy that continues to inspire so many.”
The 2025 theme, “A Summer Greeting from Taiwan,” draws inspiration from Japan’s traditional Ochūgen (お中元) custom—a summer gifting practice where people express gratitude and affection through thoughtful presents. Reflecting this spirit, the showcased Taiwanese designs emphasize craftsmanship and emotional connection. From scent and texture to packaging and aesthetic detail, each product reveals the designers’ meticulous approach to daily life and tangible expression of heartfelt creativity, allowing visitors to appreciate both the artistry and the sentiment behind each piece.
In addition to the exhibition, from July 17 to 18, the TAIPEI corners delegation led a team of Taiwanese creative brands to Takarazuka’s Kiyoshikōjin district and KIITO Design Creative Center Kobe for a series of in-person market exchanges and sharing sessions. These activities extended beyond a design showcase—they served as a meaningful platform for cultural dialogue and collaboration.
Through these exhibitions and interactions, TAIPEI corners aims to strengthen the visibility of Taiwanese brands in the Japanese market and expand future cooperation opportunities with local retailers, curatorial organizations, and design institutions. The program invites all design enthusiasts and advocates of Asian creative culture to visit the venues and experience the warmth and ingenuity of Taiwanese creativity firsthand.