Taiwan in Seven Days: Taipei to Kaohsiung
Taiwan is the perfect one-week destination for Japanese travelers. It's close (3-4 hour flight), visa-free, Japan-friendly, and packed with experiences that feel simultaneously familiar and excitingly foreign. The night markets, temple culture, and natural scenery offer depth that surprises first-time visitors.
This itinerary runs north to south, using the High Speed Rail as your spine. You'll cover Taipei, Jiufen, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung — hitting every essential experience without feeling rushed.
Days 1-2: Taipei
Day 1: Arrive and head to Ximending for your first taste of Taipei's street culture. It's Taiwan's Harajuku — colorful, loud, and packed with street food. Evening at Shilin Night Market for stinky tofu, oyster omelettes, and bubble tea from the original source.
Day 2: Taipei 101 observation deck in the morning for city views. Lunch at Din Tai Fung's original Xinyi branch — yes, the queue is worth it. Afternoon at the National Palace Museum (one of the world's great collections of Chinese art). Evening at Raohe Street Night Market — smaller and more atmospheric than Shilin.
Day 3: Jiufen and Northeast Coast
Take a bus from Taipei to Jiufen (1.5 hours). This mountain town inspired the scenery in Spirited Away — Japanese travelers will recognize the red lantern-lined streets immediately. Explore A-Mei Tea House, sample taro balls, and photograph the ocean views from the hillside paths.
Continue to Shifen for sky lantern releases (write a wish and send it flying) and the Shifen Waterfall. Return to Taipei by evening train.
Days 4-5: Taichung and Sun Moon Lake
Take the HSR to Taichung (50 minutes). Check into the city and explore the Rainbow Village — a retired military dependent village transformed into a colorful outdoor art gallery by a single resident. Miyahara, an old eye clinic turned into a stunning ice cream shop, is Taichung's most Instagrammed spot.
Day 5: Day trip to Sun Moon Lake. Taiwan's largest natural lake is surrounded by cycling paths, temples, and hiking trails. Rent a bike and cycle the 30km lakeside path, or take the cable car to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.
Days 6-7: Tainan and Kaohsiung
HSR to Tainan (45 minutes from Taichung). Taiwan's oldest city is the food capital — beef soup, dan zai noodles, and coffin bread are must-tries. Explore the historic temples and the Anping Old Fort, a 17th-century Dutch colonial fortress.
Day 7: Continue to Kaohsiung (30 minutes by HSR). The Pier-2 Art Center and Lotus Pond are morning highlights. Take the MRT to Formosa Boulevard Station — its "Dome of Light" is the world's largest glass artwork. End your trip at Liuhe Night Market before heading to Kaohsiung Airport for your flight home.
Budget Overview
A comfortable week in Taiwan costs 80,000-120,000 yen excluding flights. HSR passes for foreigners offer significant savings — the 5-day flexible pass costs about 12,000 yen and covers unlimited travel. Street food meals average 50-100 TWD (230-460 yen), sit-down restaurants 200-400 TWD (920-1,840 yen).
Q: What's the best season for a Taiwan week trip?
A: October-November and March-April offer the best weather — warm but not hot, minimal rain. Summer (June-August) is hot and humid with occasional typhoons. Winter is mild in the south but rainy in Taipei.
Q: Do I need to speak Mandarin in Taiwan?
A: Basic English works at tourist sites and hotels. Many Taiwanese speak some Japanese, especially older generations. Having a translation app helps at smaller restaurants and rural areas.
Q: Is the Taiwan HSR really like the Shinkansen?
A: It uses the same 700T technology. Japanese travelers will find it immediately familiar — same booking system, same platform etiquette, same punctuality. Seats are slightly wider.
Q: Can I use Suica or Pasmo cards in Taiwan?
A: No, but Taiwan's EasyCard works identically. Buy one at any convenience store or MRT station for 100 TWD (460 yen) and top up as needed.
Q: Should I fly into Taipei and out of Kaohsiung?
A: Ideally yes — it saves you backtracking. Peach, Tigerair, and several carriers fly Kaohsiung to Japanese cities. If not available, the HSR returns you to Taipei in 1.5 hours.
Recommended Taiwan Tours and Experiences
Taiwan is a treasure chest of night markets, mountain trails, hot springs, and cultural gems. From Taipei's modern landmarks to charming old streets, these experiences capture the best of the island.
What things cost in Taiwan
Live HolidaySG prices for the experiences in this guide, so you can sanity-check a budget before you commit.
| Experience | Where | From price |
|---|---|---|
| Chimei Museum | Tainan | From S$9.00 |
| Sun Moon Lake, Qingjing Farm Day Tour [Taichung City Hotel Pic... | Taichung | From S$74.60 |
| 1-Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Farm with Taichung Ci... | Nantou | From S$74.60 |
| Taipei FunPASS Unlimited Pass | Taipei | From S$60.05 |
| Taiwan Museum Railway Department Park | Taipei | From S$5.00 |
| Sun Moon Lake shared transportation one-day tour [Depart from... | Taipei | From S$68.92 |
| Penghu Sailing | Penghu Whale Cave Sailing Half Day Experience... | Taipei | From S$39.69 |
| Essential for Traveling in Taiwan | For non-Taiwanese national... | Taipei | From S$24.00 |