Category: Japan

The Kansai region of Japan includes Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and other areas. It’s not only a top choice for Taiwanese traveling to Japan independently, but it’s also very suitable for first-timers planning a self-guided tour of Japan.

Osaka is close to Kansai Airport, and it takes as little as half an hour to reach the city center from the airport. Due to its central location in Kansai, it’s convenient to visit nearby Kobe, and even areas like Kurashiki can be reached directly by Shinkansen.

In recent years, Hida Takayama has emerged as a popular travel destination in Japan. Located in Gifu Prefecture, Takayama serves as a crucial transit hub in the Hokuriku region. Its proximity to Shirakawa-go and the enchanting winter snow scenery make it a must-visit spot for tourists exploring Hokuriku.

When visiting Tokyo, if you want to pay homage to Mount Fuji up close, you must arrange a trip to Lake Kawaguchi! Refer to this article, Philos will provide you with itinerary suggestions for planning a free trip to Lake Kawaguchi, as well as how to get to Lake Kawaguchi from downtown Tokyo, and how to use Lake Kawaguchi package tickets.

Japan, only a 2-4 hour flight away from Taiwan, has always been the top choice for Taiwanese travelers due to its geographical proximity and convenient transportation. Before the pandemic, more than 4 million people visited Japan each year, demonstrating the Taiwanese people’s love for traveling to Japan.

How to Plan Your First Self-Guided Trip to Japan – Tips for Beginners: 3 Things Not to Do and 9 Steps to Follow

Attention, Studio Ghibli fans! The Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is truly a dream come true. Since its grand opening on November 1, 2022, the theme park has gradually unveiled areas including “Hill of Youth”, “Ghibli Warehouse”, “Dondoko Forest”, and “Mononoke Village”. The much-anticipated “Witch Valley” also officially opened on March 16. Each area is filled with tributes and recreations of classic scenes from Studio Ghibli animations.

Fukuoka transportation, aside from the Shinkansen, is primarily served by four railway companies, namely: JR West, JR Kyushu, Nishi-Nippon Railroad (commonly known as Nishitetsu), and Fukuoka City Subway. Among these, Nishitetsu and JR (West and Kyushu) mainly handle the transit within the city and its suburbs. However, JR centers around Hakata Station, while Nishitetsu centers around Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station. Fukuoka City Subway is mainly responsible for the transportation within Fukuoka city area only. The connection to Fukuoka Airport is provided by the Fukuoka City Subway.

Since this is my second visit to Miyajima, my excitement naturally decreased a bit. However, each visit offers a different kind of scenery, so it’s always worth coming back for another look.

Due to my previous experience of taking the Songda Ferry, this time I decided to take the ferry opposite to JR.

Nara is one of the famous tourist spots in Kansai, Japan, and is often included in the itinerary of many people planning a free trip to Osaka or a tour of Kyoto. Nara is one of Japan’s well-known ancient capitals, like Kyoto, it has many temples and historical monuments, such as the World Heritage Site Todaiji Temple, or Kofukuji Temple in Nara city; or Kasugataisha Shrine, the oldest shrine in Nara… etc.

Japan has an extensive public transportation system, but the country is vast.
Many remote tourist spots are not accessible by public transport, requiring expensive taxis or private hires, or you can rent a car and drive yourself.
Fortunately, Japan’s driving environment is very friendly to beginners, so even those who have never experienced right-hand driving can quickly get the hang of it.
This Japan Car Rental Guide is for those who have never rented or driven a car in Japan.
I will cover preparations before heading to Japan, introduce suitable car rental websites, explain Japan’s car rental system and insurance, and finally share my car rental experience.
Lastly, I will share my years of car rental experience and driving tips in Japan, hoping everyone has a safe and smooth trip.