By Eryk Michael Smith/ KHT Staff. Images via KH City Govt.
KAOHSIUNG — The north and south sections of Kaohsiung Station Ichibangai (高雄駅一番街) officially opened Saturday, creating what the city says is Taiwan’s largest anime-themed underground shopping area.
The 2,300-ping complex was developed by Kaohsiung Metro Corp. and Mofan Co. (墨凡公司). It includes more than 50 brands offering anime merchandise, food and drinks, toys, collector displays, and consignment-style retail spaces.
Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) attended the opening ceremony and said the expanded mall has become a destination for anime fans in southern Taiwan.
Chen said the newly opened north section will include flexible exhibition space for collectors, creators, and anime communities to hold shows and events.
Kaohsiung Station is a major transport hub linking underground rail services with the MRT. Chen said passenger numbers have continued to rise in recent years, giving the station’s retail spaces more potential as both a shopping area and tourist stop.
He said the project had faced doubts when its first section opened more than two years ago, but has since grown into a recognizable ACG culture cluster with more than 50 brands.
Kaohsiung Metro Corp. said average daily ridership at R11 Kaohsiung Station rose by 1,075 passengers in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, the largest increase among Red and Orange Line stations.
The station has surpassed Kaohsiung Arena Station in daily passenger volume and now ranks second across the MRT network, the company said.
The company said the mall’s mix of anime culture, dining, and entertainment is aimed at younger visitors while giving tourists another stop in central Kaohsiung.
