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.

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.

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.

The Shikoku Rail Pass is a transportation ticket jointly issued by JR Shikoku and various private railways in the Shikoku region. It can be used to travel around the prefectures of Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi. If you are unable to drive, the Shikoku Rail Pass is a good choice for exploring the cities and towns of Shikoku.

However, the convenient HARUKA One-Way Ticket – Discount Ticket is still available.
Why call it a “discount ticket”? Because it’s a special ticket available only to foreigners!
Typically, the fare from Kansai Airport to Kyoto is ¥3640, but foreign tourists can purchase the discount ticket for just ¥2200, about 60% of the regular price, making it a very cost-effective option!
Thus, the HARUKA train remains one of the best transportation options to Kyoto.