Japan's first Shinkansen turns 50 — zero fatal accidents in half a century

The Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, marked its 50th anniversary on the 1st with a commemorative departure ceremony at 6 a.m. at Tokyo Station, attracting numerous railway enthusiasts to witness this historic moment.

Fly to Boracay and become a mermaid！ Boracay also has a branch of the Mermaid School.

Once, after a meeting, I impulsively bought a round-trip ticket to Boracay as I returned to my seat. Since I was traveling alone, there was no need to discuss it with anyone—I just went for it, very carefree. (Spotlight on me, please!) I have absolutely no sense of numbers; I only scored 13 on the math section of my university entrance exam, so naturally, I didn’t compare flight prices or anything. I’m just someone who’s bad at math and also very lazy. Anyway, I saw that during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday period... ...

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It's worth paying the admission fee to enter and see — Saga’s red leaves reflecting off ancient temples are absolutely stunning

When it comes to the best places in Japan to view autumn foliage, Kyoto or the Tohoku region might be the first to come to mind for many. However, Saga in Kyushu also boasts several key spots for leaf-peeping. The Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation recommends three “worth-paying-the-admission” locations for travelers visiting Saga in the fall.

The first in all of Sun Moon Lake — Cloudy Bay obtains “Muslim-Friendly Restaurant” certification

Muslims make up about one-fifth of the global population. To promote tourism among Muslim travelers visiting Taiwan, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications held a “Sun Moon Lake Muslim Certification Training” this year (2014) in July. The first “Muslim-Friendly Restaurant” in Sun Moon Lake has now been established, marking a new milestone in creating a Muslim-friendly travel environment in the area.

The No. 951 express bus will begin service on October 14, making it easier for residents of Xizhi to travel to Bitan for outings.

A new bus route has launched in the Greater Taipei area. The No. 951 express bus, jointly operated by Guide Bus and Zhongxing Bus, is scheduled to officially begin service on October 14. Its main route runs from Xizhi through National Freeway No. 3 to Xindian.

Surge in independent mainland Chinese travelers during Golden Week; total numbers expected to hit a new high

The mainland's Golden Week runs from October 1st to October 7th each year, marking the peak period for both domestic and outbound travel in China. According to immigration statistics, even before Golden Week began, the daily number of independent mainland travelers visiting Taiwan had been gradually increasing—there were over 11,000 on September 30th, and more than 14,000 on October 1st. If this trend continues, it is expected to set a new record for the number of mainland visitors to Taiwan during Golden Week.

Sinful season alert！Sweet and tangy strawberry season — Top 5 early-opening strawberry shaved ice spots across Taiwan

As the weather gradually turns colder and winter officially arrives, the most anticipated strawberry season of the year has quietly kicked off at ice shops around the island. The sweet and sour flavor of strawberries pairs perfectly with creamy condensed milk, sweet chocolate, or even the bittersweet taste of matcha. On a chilly winter day, enjoying them with shaved ice sends shivers down your spine — yet you just can’t stop eating. Can’t wait? ETtoday News Cloud recommends five strawberry shaved ice spots that are opening early this season. Dieting can wait — go snap some photos first!

Hong Kong's "Occupy Central" movement doesn't dampen Taiwanese travel enthusiasm   Hong Kong Tourism Board: Only a few cancellations

As mainland China's Golden Week begins, the Occupy Central situation in Hong Kong continues. Hong Kong, which used to be crowded with mainland tourists in previous years, appears unusually quiet this year. However, the number of Taiwanese tourists has not decreased. The Hong Kong Tourism Board stated that Taiwanese travel agencies have only received sporadic cancellation calls and have not seen any significant impact.

“Japan’s New Tax-Free System” Cheat Sheet: 8 Common Questions Answered

Japan implemented a new tax-free system starting October 1, which includes cosmetics, medicine, food, and other popular purchases among Taiwanese travelers as tax-free items. However, many additional regulations have left visitors confused. In short, it’s just a matter of “the old and new systems running in parallel” and the distinction between “general goods and consumables.” Below is a cheat sheet of frequently asked questions to help you clearly understand the new tax-free system.

Making a move into Tainan’s market – Caesar Group invests hundreds of millions to revamp Shan Fu Rong

Making a move into Tainan’s leisure and resort market, backed by hundreds of millions in investment from a five-star hotel chain, the Tainan Zengwen Shan Fu Rong Resort Hotel is being completely revamped. Starting October 1, it will launch an ultra-luxury renovation project, with renowned domestic and international designers involved in the planning. It is expected to reopen in the second half of next year.

Taipei MRT’s “Songshan Line” to open in November; 15-minute ride from Raohe Night Market to Ximending

Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation announced on the 2nd that the Songshan Line will undergo its initial city government inspection on the 5th, with an expected opening in mid-November. Once officially operational, the trip from Raohe Night Market to Ximen Station will take just 15 minutes, and the number of transfer stations will increase from the original 9 to 12.

Would you dare to eat on an operating table? An art café filled with treasures

This is also a café that HowToTrip has had on its wishlist for a long time. Initially, it was drawn in by its bizarre and eclectic (!?) style, thinking, “One day, I must make a pilgrimage here!” One afternoon, suddenly remembering this bookmarked spot, I rode my bike to Shennong Street. Without looking up its exact address beforehand, its distinctly unique exterior made it very eye-catching on Shennong Street—it didn’t take much effort to find.

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush praised it as "the most delicious French toast I've ever had" — now available in Taiwan too

Once hailed by former U.S. President George H.W. Bush as "the best French toast I’ve ever had in my life!" — you can imagine just how exceptional this toast is. Now, Taiwan can also enjoy President Bush’s favorite French toast, thanks to Japanese Western cuisine chef Yoshiro Yamaguchi, who personally brought over the 50-year-old secret recipe from Tokyo’s Okura Hotel.

International tourist arrivals grew 26% in the first half of the year, ranking first globally; Japan and Mexico follow

More and more international travelers are falling in love with Taiwan. According to a report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taiwan saw a 26.7% increase in international tourist arrivals in the first half of the year (January to June), securing the top spot worldwide. Japan came in second, and Mexico third.

Japanese band visits Taiwan to cheer up post-explosion Kaohsiung in Okinawan

Organized by the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, the 2014 Cijin Black Sand Rock Festival will be held for the first time on October 11 at Cijin Beach. With five main themes — making rock, listening to rock, playing rock, eating rock, and drinking rock — the event aims to showcase the resilient spirit of Kaohsiung people in adversity through the essence of rock music. Among the performers, the Okinawan band Spoon de Chop will present “Chibariyo,” a fusion of Okinawan folk and rock that uses the Okinawan word for “cheer up” to support Kaohsiung.

Kaohsiung Xifeng Street’s 20+ Year-Old Nameless Noodle Stall – Sticking to MSG-Free Good Health

Street food vendors that have been operating on Xifeng Street for so many years generally have a solid following. We’ve visited this entire street dozens of times, and every shop has its own unique charm. The noodle stall we’re introducing this time is located at the intersection of Nenjiang Street and Xifeng Street. Though it’s just a roadside stand, it’s been around for at least twenty years. Based on our two visits, we can tell the stall still enjoys strong popularity.

Japan's Mount Ontake Erupts; Foreign Ministry Issues Warnings for Shirakawa-go and Kurobe Alpine Route

Japan's Mount Ontake in Nagano Prefecture erupted suddenly recently, resulting in a tragic incident that has claimed nearly 50 lives so far. The local government has designated areas such as the village of Tateyama in Nagano Prefecture and the cities of Takayama and Gero in Gifu Prefecture as restricted mountain entry zones. However, since Takayama and Gero Onsen are essential routes to both Kurobe Alpine Route and Shirakawa-go, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges travelers planning to visit these areas in the near future to remain highly vigilant.

Book early for big savings during Chinese New Year: Up to 62% off at Taiyuan Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel in Taichung

As 2017 draws to a close, with the romantic Christmas holiday approaching and the Chinese New Year break just around the corner, Taiyuan Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel in Taichung is offering up to 62% off on accommodations for the Lunar New Year. Early birds can enjoy significant savings while having a great time exploring.

A Sea of Flowers the Size of 8 Football Fields in Taichung—With Flame Mountain as the Backdrop, Every Shot Is Dreamlike

Besides Xinshe Flower Sea, Zhongshe Sightseeing Flower Market in Taichung is also gaining popularity. Especially as winter approaches, colorful blooms flourish en masse, and with Flame Mountain as the backdrop, you can always snap photos that look like they were taken in Europe. Currently, purple salvia, lilies, marigolds, and colorful balsam flowers are blooming one after another. The 6-hectare flower sea has attracted many visitors.