The late Lin Heng-tao, an expert on local history and customs, wrote that during the Japanese occupation the Octagon Market was Taiwan's most fashionable shopping area. Popular merchandise included milk candy, red bean sweet bread, Tong Luo barbeque, sushi, and other Japanese foods. There were also handguns, telescopes, Japanese Warrior brand art supplies, toys, sake, beer, and soft drinks.
已故的前台灣省文獻會主委林衡道曾為文指出，日據時代的八角樓，是獨步全台的時髦商城，最大眾化的貨品包括森永牛奶糖、豆沙甜麵包、銅鑼燒、壽司等日本食物，還有手槍、望遠鏡、繪有日本武士的紙牌、玩具、日本清酒、啤酒、汽水，樣樣齊全。