西門町~
大腳盤將在這裡陸續介紹台灣有趣的景點/美食及文化，歡迎大家來台灣瘋狂玩樂喔！
西門，原名寶成門的台北府城西城門，建於1882年。町，指田界、田間小路、田地。 日據時代，日本人企圖打照類似東京淺草的商業密集區，設立了西門町。然後有了1897年的台 北座、1902年的榮座（現為新萬國商場）及1908年的八角堂（今西門紅樓）。而新世界館（現為誠品116、真善美戲院）旁的街道，稱為「片倉通」，有許多日本料理店在日據時代各擅其場，盛極一時。後來寶成門1905年拆除，田地變成大馬路，西門不見了，町沒有了。 但是，西門町，屹立不搖。在1980年代以前，西門町為代表台北市的娛樂流行聖地，曾幾度式微。2000年捷運板南線通車，中華路林蔭大道闢建，以及西門特色商圈重建，加上過往風華的特殊元素，西門商圈進入另一階段復甦，成為青少年年文化的代表、國際背包客造訪之地。
我說：
試著從西門捷運站走出來，左邊是以前較八角樓的紅樓，右邊是新世界館的誠品116。頂頭上的電視牆變化著奇幻的霓虹，你站在街頭藝人旁，看著如潮水變化莫測的人潮：頭頂藍紅兩色沖天頭的少年三兩成群、打扮日韓美少女風的高中妹妹青春無敵、自詡藝術家的街頭塗鴉年輕人正斜眼看著你。你見怪不怪老僧入定往前走，晃過西門廣場跟萬年大樓的網咖MTV，到阿宗麵線嗑了點心，想著等會要去祖師廟、剝皮寮還是龍山寺光憑文字，很難了解西門町這個地方，就像郎祖筠所說，這裡是：一個充滿多彩霓虹燈、隨時都在改變的黑洞。
那麼，你，怎麼說？
About Taiwan, Taipei,
Ximen~
Ximending (Chinese; 西門町) is a
neighborhood and shopping district in the Wanhua District of Taipei, Taiwan. It
was the first and largest pedestrian zone in Taiwan. Ximending
is the source of Taiwan's fashion, subculture, and Japanese culture. It attracts an average of over 3 million shoppers per month. The zone is also the main LGBT district of
Taiwan, with a host of many clubs and pubs surrounding the area.
This area is in the northeastern part of Wanhua District in Taipei and it is also the most important consumer district
in the Western District of Taipei.
Origin
The name of Ximending was derived from its position outside the west gate of Taipei City. In the beginning during Japanese rule, Ximending was an area of wilderness,
through which there was a road connecting the west gate of Taipei to the town of Bangka. Later, the Japanese decided to follow the example of Asakusa in Tokyo to set
up an entertainment and business area. The earliest entertainment facilities constructed included the Taihokuza in 1897, Eiza (now called New Wanguo Market) in
1902, and the Red House Theater in 1908.
Historic sites
Because of its history, Ximending is home to several historical sites. Built during the Japanese occupation, Ximending Mazu Temple is an important historical temple.
Originally opened as a market, the Red House Theater is another
prominent building from the Japanese era. The namesake West Gate was torn down in 1905. Chunghwa Market used to extend to
this area, but was demolished in 1992.
