An exhibition showcasing Taiwan’s railway system, its dining car history and the bento lunchboxes of both Taiwan and Japan started Feb. 22 at the Railway Museum in the Japanese city of Saitama, the Ministry of Culture said.
On the theme of “Wafu Cuisine Meets Taiwanese Flavors: The Dining Culture of Taiwan Railways” and running through June 2, the event is organized by the Taiwan Cultural Center in Tokyo and Taipei City-based Preparatory Office of the National Railway Museum, both supervised by the MOC. It follows the “Stories of Taiwan Railway Bento” exhibition held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan last September in Tokyo.
During the opening ceremony, Chou Shyue-yow, Taiwan’s deputy representative to Japan, said the two countries share common memories and culture, including the unique experiences associated with railways and lunchboxes. It is hoped that the exhibition will bring both sides even closer together, he said, adding that the government is looking forward to expanding Taiwan’s global presence through its unique cultural heritage.
According to the MOC, the event stems from an initiative by Japan’s Railway Museum Director Yoshiyuki Oba following the cooperative pact signed between the preparatory office and the museum in July of 2023.
The ministry said Taiwan’s cuisine is influenced by Japanese culture, with lunchboxes in particular forming part of local people’s way of life. Through research and oral histories, the curation team explored the connections and historical backgrounds of the two countries’ shared culture and the unique characteristics that developed in Taiwan.
The event features audiovisual records of Taiwan’s platform lunchbox vendors, related literature and samples of lunchbox containers throughout the years. There is a dedicated area to inform visitors about the current stage of preparation for Taiwan’s National Railway Museum.
Other items among 188 pieces on display include tableware and receipts from dining cars dating from Japanese colonial rule (1895-1945) and large-scale train models. Participants can also enjoy Taiwan food such as bubble tea and beef noodle soup. (SFC-E)
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