Streets of Ximending

Ximending AKA the “Harajuku” of Taipei. Most of the stores there sell japanese merchandises making it a heaven for the "Harizu", or Japanese culture adorers.

Like most of the shopping areas around Taipei, most shops don't open until 11 30. However, a huge crowd of students will start to form around 9 plus especially during this summer break. Oh ya, they are having a nationwide dance competition and you can see lots of different group supporters gathering at the exit way of MRT station holding posters and shouting cheers for their group(Practicing at underground walkway all over the city).

Ximending is full of life with many activities around the streets and you could see police "chasing" illegal food vendors, eccentric people doing various stuns like the guy in red up there, scammers getting students to buy products, girls dressing up like jap, and various road busking.

Due to the density of young people, Ximending is comparable to Shilin Market and the Eastern District to be areas with the highest crime rates. In the short stay of 7 days, i have witnessed how young students were being scammed(Though i did nothing as i did not want to create commotion).

According to WIkipedia, Ximending is also well-known for Enjo kosai (Japanese for student prostitution) though i have not encounter one. But few of the students dress like japanese wannabees though.