Ninao Gelato

From Tainan to Tokyo, His Ice Cream is Asia’s Answer to Häagen-Dazs

Free-spirited, open-minded, effusive and blessed with a human touch—these words come to mind when you talk about Taiwan’s cultural export. The most famous example is Taiwan’s Eslite Bookstore making waves in Nihonbashi in central Tokyo, but smaller Taiwanese affairs are also exploring the Japanese market. Let’s look at how Taiwanese ice cream, design, and even villas converted from old houses are charming the socks off the Japanese. 

Robert Wu’s Last Gamble

Building an Eslite Most Unlike Eslite in Japan

In the past, on the strength of names like Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, and Sogo, Japan has long been the homeland for Taiwan’s retail service industry. And now Eslite - Taiwan’s first locally born and raised retail brand - is making its entry into Japan via the starting point of Japan’s national highway in Tokyo: Nihonbashi. Eslite Spectrum Nihonbashi is the final Eslite outlet personally planned by company founder Robert Wu before his death in 2017. It also happens to be the least typical Eslite store. Can it succeed in the Japanese market, the most competitive in the world?

Opinion

Decoding the Deep-Seated Reasons Behind the Awakening of the Hong Kong People

When we look back on history, we can see the deep-seated reasons that led to the full awakening of the Hong Kong people.

Taiwan Travel Competitiveness Tumbles - A Warning or an Opportunity?

Taiwan’s ranking for tourism competitiveness tumbled in a recent report by the World Economic Forum. Some of that may be due to factors beyond Taiwan’s control, but a fall in tourism revenues despite a rise in visitor numbers has sent a warning that a new vision may be needed.