漫步漫畫博物館 / Strolling Through the Comic Museum

漫畫博物館，是由日據時代的台中演武場所改建而成的，它是當時台中監獄司獄官習武使用的小型武道場，也是台灣少數現存那時期的監獄系統建築之一，距離台中舊城區不遠，我記得我有一次走路過來，大概走了四十幾分鐘，但那時候，這邊還未正式開放，只能悻悻然離去，這次我學聰明了，騎著腳踏車過來，不但省了一大半的時間，也能愜意地欣賞沿途風光，整個園區沒有圍牆，是完全的開放空間，園內不但有好幾棟日式木造建築，還包含著絕美的室外景觀。

園區內目前有15棟日式建築，各自擁有不同且有趣的策展主題，像我之前介紹過的泡漫畫的地方，就是原本台中刑務所的浴場，室內空間有踏込、更衣室、沖洗身體的洗場與水槽，以及浸泡用的浴槽等，並搭配可愛的插畫及模型角色，完美復刻當時的泡澡景象，其中的林森路33號書店應該是最多人拜訪的地方，因為據說這裡收藏了上千本來自台灣、日本的經典漫畫，，以懷舊氛圍重現早年漫畫出租店場景，我稍稍看了一下，真的很多人逗留在這裡拍照及打卡，但是真的看漫畫的人並不多。

其實我對於戶外的鏡湖，覺得最令人驚艷，它是一座清澈的景觀池，水清澈到可以看到湖底的石頭，而隨著角度的不同，可以捕抓各個角度的木造建築物倒影，有種另類的美感，當天，剛好看到有一對新人過來這裡拍婚紗照，我想他們應該也注意到這裡獨樹一格的日式風情吧！據我朋友說，已經有一些中部的 Coser 們，會固定過來這裡拍照，只要天氣好，光線佳的話，這裡拍的效果會比日式場景攝影棚拍出來的效果好上太多了，此外，逛累的話，在園區內還有一家甜品店及拉麵店，讓遊客們可以在休息過後，繼續未完成的探險。

The Comic Museum was converted from a Japanese-era martial arts hall in Taichung, originally part of the Taichung Prison system. It was a small dojo where prison officers practiced martial arts, and it’s one of the few surviving prison-related structures from that period in Taiwan. Located not far from Taichung’s old city area, I remember walking here once, which took me about 40 minutes. At the time, the museum hadn’t officially opened yet, so I had to leave disappointed. This time, I was smarter and rode a bike instead. Not only did it save me more than half the time, but I also got to enjoy the scenery along the way.

The entire site is open without walls, offering a completely free-flowing space. It features several traditional Japanese wooden buildings along with stunning outdoor landscapes. Currently, there are 15 Japanese-style buildings in the park, each with its own unique and interesting exhibition theme. For example, the comic soaking exhibit I mentioned before is located in the former Taichung Prison bathhouse. Inside, the space has been restored to include features like a foyer, dressing room, washing area, water basins, and soaking tubs, all enhanced with adorable illustrations and character models that perfectly recreate the bathing experience from that era.

Among all the spots, the bookstore at No. 33 Linshen Road seems to be the most popular. It’s said to house thousands of classic comics from Taiwan and Japan, recreating the nostalgic atmosphere of early comic rental shops. I took a quick look, and indeed, there were lots of people taking photos and checking in on social media. However, not many were actually sitting down to read.

What impressed me the most was the outdoor Mirror Lake. It’s a crystal-clear pond where you can see the stones at the bottom, and depending on your angle, you can capture reflections of the surrounding wooden buildings, creating a unique aesthetic. On the day I visited, I saw a couple taking wedding photos by the lake. I’m sure they were drawn to the distinct Japanese vibe of the place. According to a friend, some cosplayers from central Taiwan come here regularly for photoshoots. On a clear day with good lighting, the results are said to be far better than those taken in Japanese-themed studios.

For visitors who get tired from exploring, the park also has a dessert shop and a ramen restaurant where you can take a break before continuing your adventure.

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