Miyahara Taichung: Ice Cream, Cookies, Milk Tea and Instagram-worthy Interiors

Miyahara 宮原眼科 was once an ophthalmology clinic back in the day, but it is a popular tourist attraction today. Located in the Central District of Taichung, Taiwan, Miyahara is a restaurant and a retail store that sells chocolate, cookies, and traditional Taiwanese pastries, including pineapple cake and sun cakes. And not to mention, the Miyahara ice cream parlour is the best in city!

So if you are visiting Taichung and want to see one of the best attractions in the city, then you must visit Miyahara Taichung. Bring a camera to take snapshots of the beautiful Harry Potter-esque interiors, and an appetite for the most delicious ice cream you can’t find anywhere else!

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Before you visit Miyahara Taichung

Before you go to Miyahara, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan. I included a lot of information, including getting a Taiwan tourist SIM card, transportation around the country and more.

And check out more tips on my solo travel guide to Taichung and learn about other attractions in Taichung.

Here are a few additional tips for visiting Miyahara in Taichung:

• Go early and avoid the long queue for buying Miyahara ice cream. Many visitors go to the store throughout the day to buy the take-away frozen treat.
• If you want to sit down and enjoy ice cream, go to Fourth Credit Union, which is also part of Miyahara but they have sit down area for food. Walk 3 minutes north on Zhongshan Rd.
• If you want to buy big quantities of souvenirs, Miyahara can ship everything to you.

How to get to Miyahara in Taichung Taiwan

Miyahara is housed inside the old ophthalmology clinic located at east corner of Zhongshan Road and Luchuan E St in the Central District of Taichung.

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA)

If you are taking the TRA train, go to Taichung Station, and walk in northwest direction and walk up Zhongshan Road for 2 minutes. When you reach Luchuan E St, the entrance to Miyahara is on the right.

Taichung City Bus

Taichung City Buses run along Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard.

Take one of the many buses (7, 8, 12, 15, 33, 35, 37, 41, 82, 100, 101, 105, 107, 108, 131, 132, 158, 200, 328, 500 525, 700, 901) to the Taichung Station (bus stop) or First Square bus stop on Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard. It costs NT$15 with EasyCard or iPass or NT$20 cash.

Address: No. 20, Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung City | Hours: 10am-9pm

What is Miyahara in Taichung

Taichung city core was planned in the early 1900s where the Japanese government used Kyoto as a template for planning. Hence, the city core earned its name as “Little Kyoto.”

Miyahara Takekuma, a Japanese ophthalmologist, founded the Miyahara eye hospital. The space included various businesses, including the thriving ophthalmology clinic in the center of the city.

However, the original building suffered severe damages from natural causes, including the earthquake in 1999 and a devastating typhoon in 2008.

Dawn Cake, a company that makes Taiwan’s most famous pastry, pineapple cakes, purchased the building and hired a specialized team to restore the old structure.

Today, Miyahara is a conserved building and it sells Taiwanese sweet treats including ice cream and a restaurant serving traditional Taiwanese food.

What to See at Miyahara

Beautiful Harry Potter-esque interiors

Many visitors go to Miyahara to see the beautiful Harry Potter-like interior. The high ceiling, checkered marble floor and the delicate woodwork in the cabinetry, staircase, and railings. It reminds me of the Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal, which is precisely inspired by the staircases at Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies.

You can see many of the existing interior features and materials used in the old eye clinic. The elmwood from the old building was reused to construct the book display towers, some of the cubbies and many railings.

What to Buy at Miyahara

1. Pineapple Cake, Sun Cake, Cookies, Chocolate, Pastries and Tea

Miyahara is the best place in Taichung to get all your food souvenirs. The ground floor is the retail floor, where all kinds of goodies are displayed. From chocolate, cookies, and to the most traditional Taiwanese pastries, pineapple cake and sun cake.

Each item is packaged with retro nostalgic packaging. They make excellent souvenirs to bring home. And if you buy a lot, Miyahara can ship them to you.

What to Eat at Miyahara

1. Restaurant – Moon Pavilion

Miyahara has a restaurant called Moon Pavilion, which is located on the second floor. The restaurant is furnished with retro furniture and finishings and serves Taiwanese food.

Visitors were able to walk up to the top floor before and see more of the interiors, but Miyahara restricted access to the upper floor to patrons of the restaurants only. So if you really want to see the inside, you’ll have to eat there.

2. Hot, Iced and Bubble Tea

Tea is very common in Taiwan and you can find different types of tea at Miyahara.

And just outside of the retail store, there is a counter where you can buy hot tea, iced tea and even bubble tea. They use their own selection of tea leaves and every cup is brewed individually.

I ordered bubble tea a few times and each time I tried a different flavour. It is more expensive than other bubble tea stores around the city but the tea flavour is really good.

3. Miyahara Ice Cream

ICE-CREAM!!! I scream you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Yes, I had to use all caps because that’s how good the ice cream is!

Miyahara ice cream parlour is on the outside of the main store. You won’t miss it because there is always a queue where many people wait to buy their signature ice cream. Even early in the morning!

Miyahara Ice Cream Menu and Prices

Miyahara has 66 ice cream flavours and many of them are so unique that you cannot find anywhere else. Some of the best Miyahara ice cream flavours include tea-infused flavour and a wide array of chocolate and fruit flavours. They also have their own special flavours and add-ons if you want to add more toppings.

I tried several flavours, including Assam black tea with rosemary and lavender, honey cheese, rose white wine with cheese, and many more. Yes, I went to Miyahara several times. Ha!

While you are in the queue, the staff at Miyahara will hand you the menu (pictured below). And the staff will take your order so you can hand over the paper to the cashier and pay right away.

Here’s how much ice cream cost at Miyahara:

• Single scoop + free topping is NT$100
• Double scoop + two toppings is NT$180
• Triple scoop + three toppings is NT$225
• *topping is a choice between pineapple cake, cheesecake and other sweets
• *waffle cone is extra NT$20
• *sundae is extra NT$80

Eat-in at Fourth Credit Union

Most visitors buy the frozen treat at the ice cream parlour just outside of Miyahara retail store.

But I didn’t know until my last trip that you can actually enjoy ice cream and other desserts at Fourth Credit Union, which is also owned by Miyahara. It is a sit-down restaurant that also serves Miyahara ice cream. They also serve savoury food, other desserts, tea and coffee.

Walk 3 minutes north on Zhongshan Rd and Fourth Credit Union is on the right.

What are you going to buy and eat at Miyahara?

Miyahara is one of the best places to visit in Taichung where you can take photos and enjoy yummy treats. I keep going back to try different flavours of ice cream. Even though it is quite pricey, I think it is worth it!

I hope you will enjoy your experience at Miyahara too. Let me know in the comments what you are looking forward to see at Miyahara or which ice cream flavour you like the most (I can also use the recommendation for my next trip).

Ready to plan your trip to Taichung? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best Taichung accommodations on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance, collect it upon arrival, and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination. Or find out how and where to get a SIM Card in Taiwan.
* Join tours: check Klook or Get Your Guide for the best tours in Taichung.

Thank you for reading my Miyahara guide

I have many posts on Taiwan, and you might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:

Introduction to Taiwan

• Things to know before visiting Taiwan 
• How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
• How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan 
• 22 must-eat food in Taiwan 
• Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food

Central Taiwan posts

• Best things to do alone in Taichung 
• Taichung 1-day itinerary
• Where to stay in Taichung for solo travellers 
• Taichung Second Market
• Top 5 Taichung Night Markets
• Norden Ruder Hostel: best minimalist hostel in Taichung
• Zhongshe Flower Market near Taichung
• Carton King Creativity Park: 1-day itinerary 
• How to spend 1 day at Gaomei Wetlands
• Xinshe Sea of Flowers near Taichung: 1-day itinerary 
• Xinshe Castle near Taichung
• What to do in Sun Moon Lake: 2-day itinerary 
• Things to do in Changhua in One Day

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!