Travel
Dare to take the challenge? Japan’s vertical “Rocky Heaven Road” leads to a heavenly cliffside spot with endless blue seas
To enjoy hidden scenic wonders, sometimes you have to trek through mountains and rivers to reap the rewards of your hard work. In Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, there is a Kumano Shrine built into a mountainside. Visitors must climb up the nearly vertical “Rocky Heaven Road” using both hands and feet to reach the shrine, and from this vantage point, they can admire the stunning blue coastline of the Pacific Ocean and a panoramic view of Shingu City.
Popular AV actress Yua Mikami performs in Taiwan – The entire team stays at CHECK inn by HOTEL COZZY
The four popular AV idols from the Muscat Grape group — Yua Mikami, Iori Kogawa, Shiori Namisaki, and Riku Minato — wrapped up their three-day consecutive performances in Taiwan last week. During this period, the entire Japanese team stayed at CHECK inn by HOTEL COZZY. Their agency chose the hotel because it allows floor booking to ensure safe access, and its industrial-style design is unique, with comfortable rooms.
Umbrellas of Love: The “Kalishan Tree” in Changhua, a Symbol of Everlasting Happiness
When it comes to tourist attractions in Changhua, one can’t miss the recently popular “painted” spots such as Zhongquan Painted Community and Tianwei Painted Village, which are well-known far and wide. Now, a new check-in spot has emerged in Hemei, Changhua — the “Kalishan Tree,” featuring beautiful painted walls and adorned with colorful umbrellas.
Catch the tail end of the flower season! This homestay in Ruili boasts a dreamy wall of wisteria flowers.
The wisteria flower season in Ruili, Chiayi, is coming to an end. If you want to admire the sea of wisteria blooms, you’ll need to catch the final days of the season! The “Ruili Teapot Homestay” has created a stunning purple flower wall using wisteria, allowing vast purple blooms to climb up the pergola and form a beautiful wisteria corridor.
Interpreting historical memory through contemporary aesthetics: Grandma’s House – Women’s Rights Museum on Dihua Street
On Taipei’s Dihua Street stands a century-old Western-style building. The bold Chinese characters for “Grandma,” calligraphed by artist Dong Yangzhi, and reeds illuminated by light that appear to sway in the breeze form the most eye-catching signboard in the area. This is the “Grandma’s House – Peace and Women’s Rights Museum,” which officially opened in full on March 8. Since its opening last year, the museum has remained free of charge, relying on voluntary donations from visitors to support its operating expenses.
Slip into a cheongsam and experience the timeless charm of an ancient capital—cheongsam afternoon tea party in Tainan!
Tainan, with its rich retro charm, attracts a large number of domestic and international travelers every year. Boasting a wealth of culture and the arts, this historic city offers visitors a deep dive into its profound historical atmosphere. To embrace a unique sense of nostalgia, why not don a classic cheongsam and capture beautiful moments amidst old houses and alleyways? Tainan Ching Ying Hotel has partnered with a specialized cheongsam experience shop to launch the “Ching Tian – Let’s Cheongsam Run” accommodation package, allowing guests to dress in vintage attire and revel in retro vibes.
Taichung’s wicked late-night snack scene: enjoy sake chicken and milk pot even on your own
Hot pot has always been a favorite among Taiwanese, whether in winter or summer—it remains the top choice for gatherings. This time, we’re introducing a great late-night hot pot option: “Shang Shang Fang Hot Pot Cuisine,” located on Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Central District, Taichung City—right inside Zhonghua Night Market. Not only is the dining environment cozy, but there’s also a wide variety of hot pot options, and you can enjoy delicious choices like premium seafood pot, milk cheese pot, and sake chicken pot all on your own, leaving you feeling fully satisfied and full.
Higher accommodation budget for Osaka trips！ A "stay tax" to be levied on all global travelers starting July
To enhance various tourism development initiatives, Osaka has been collecting an accommodation tax from hotels and inns within the city since January 2017. The tax is divided into three tiers ranging from 100 yen to 300 yen, depending on the accommodation cost, and is collected by lodging operators before being remitted to the government. Now, the Osaka municipal government has further announced that starting this July, homestay operators will also be required to pay the tax, meaning that accommodation costs for future trips to Osaka will increase as well！
26 greenhouses and 2-story-tall cacti！Hsinchu’s massive succulent wonderland
Welcome to the kingdom of cacti！Boasting the widest variety of cactus species in Taiwan, Fuxiang Cactus Garden is home to tens of thousands of cacti and succulents in all shapes and sizes—some towering, some bizarrely shaped—that are sure to amaze. This botanical garden, located in Beiping Village, Xinpian Township, features 26 greenhouses spanning over 5 hectares, along with a variety of flowers and plants to fuel your imagination about the world of succulents.
Edible coffee cups available nationwide—limited to 1,000 units, only with pizza orders
There are actually edible coffee cups now. Pizza restaurant "Tino Italian Pizza" is launching a promotion from now until the end of April: “Buy a Queen Margherita Pizza, get a limited-edition espresso handmade biscuit cup.” The “espresso handmade biscuit cup” in this campaign is made by pouring hot Italian espresso into a handmade biscuit cup, allowing customers to enjoy their coffee and then eat the cup afterward.
Secret cherry blossom spots in Japan！Every room in this hotel offers a view of sakura
The cherry blossom season in Japan has begun. Aside from Fukuoka, the blossoms in the Tokyo area have been slow to bloom due to days of rainy, cold weather—the buds are staying put on the branches, not yet bursting into full bloom. But the anticipation remains high. Perhaps the long-awaited “sakura moment” will arrive soon. One place you can keep your hopes up is the prestigious...
Racing to capture the frozen food market, The Ambassador Hotel also launches frozen beef noodles
Following in the footsteps of Regent Taipei, The Ambassador Hotel has also introduced frozen beef noodles — “Five-Star Sichuan Beef Noodles.” Although they are frozen, the hotel remains highly attentive to quality. Just for the recipe, Chef Hsu Feng-chin from The Ambassador’s Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant modified it many times to ensure the best texture and flavor after thawing. The broth and sauce packets combine over 40 different recipes and take more than 10 hours to simmer.
Matcha cheesecake congee bowl & gas station matcha at Taichung’s “KaJiMi” – beyond imagination
Challenging stereotypes and innovating has always been a winning formula in the food scene. This popular brunch spot in Taichung uses creativity to combine traditional rice congee bowls with unique ingredients, delivering surprisingly delicious flavors. Another standout is their Thai milk tea styled like a miniature gas station — its ultra-quirky appearance is guaranteed to catch your eye.
Only 10 days left！A hidden night cherry blossom spot in Yilan—"Luozhuang Cherry Blossom Path" is illuminated.
Yilan now has a free night cherry blossom attraction too！The "Luozhuang Cherry Blossom Path" is a secret cherry blossom viewing spot in Luodong. This one-kilometer-long cherry blossom path features thousands of cherry trees lining both sides of the waterfront. This year, to diversify the cherry blossom experience, the Luodong Township Office has set up dazzling lights along the waterfront while the dark ink-pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The lights were turned on starting the 11th, creating a new free night cherry blossom destination in the area.
Zip line across the glistening waters of Waiheke Island – Breathtaking New Zealand coastline & pristine jungle adventures
If you love nature and sun-kissed beaches, New Zealand’s rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes will not disappoint. Auckland, located on the North Island, is New Zealand’s largest port city – a stylish harbor metropolis infused with a strong urban industrial vibe. When visiting Auckland, you mustn’t miss the nearby Waiheke Island. Many artists and painters have fallen in love with its natural scenery and chosen to settle here. Travelers can take a ferry from the downtown terminal to explore this pristine island.
An 18-and-over Night of Tipsy Charm: A Curated Selection of “4 Unique Bars Across Taiwan”
On a breezy spring evening after work, it’s the perfect time to unwind with a few friends over drinks at a bar, leaving all worries behind. Unique bars are constantly emerging—with themes ranging from space to diamond rings, and even one wild spot where you can go boating outdoors. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has carefully selected 4 distinctive bars across Taiwan. Come and spend an adult-worthy evening after work.
Exclusive discount for Kaohsiung residents only: Free entry to “Taiwan’s West Lake” with proof of ID – valid until 2019
Kaohsiung residents are in luck. The Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau has announced that from now until September 2019, residents can enter the Chengcing Lake Waterworks Sightseeing Area for free by presenting their ID card.
Dai’an No. 9 Set Meal Free second person with 2-person reservation from April 13–19
The upscale hot pot restaurant “Dai’an No. 9” in Taipei’s East District still offers set meals, and from April 13 to 19, those who make a reservation and order either the Seafood Box Sushi or the Premium Steak Set (priced at NT$890) can enjoy a free second person. This promotion does not apply to same-day reservations—you must book in advance to take advantage of it.
Hipster-style street-side food stall in Kaohsiung – A blooming beauty of dumplings made by women!
If we’re living in an era where “camera eats first,” I think many of us, just like us, love to explore these small shops that are super photogenic. These little spots aren’t too pricey, and the closer they are to everyday life, the more appealing they become. Take, for example, “Women’s Dumplings” near Pier-2 Art Center in Kaohsiung—it’s located on the second-floor walkway above the market. Size-wise, it’s one of the smallest along the entire row!
Are you an annoying passenger? 6 things you shouldn’t do on a plane
Are you an annoying passenger? Although some improper behaviors are not explicitly prohibited, there are still unspoken rules on airplanes. If you don’t want to get dirty looks from others, check out Megan Elliott’s list of “6 things you shouldn’t do on a plane.” Even those who consider themselves polite should avoid these mistakes.