Travel
Layovers are also covered: Qatar Airways launches first-in-industry app-based baggage tracking service
Losing your luggage is truly a miserable experience. When you arrive at the airport only to find your bags aren’t on the carousel, you end up spending the next few hours making phone calls and dealing with service desks. This frustrating situation is now being actively addressed by an airline. As reported by the well-known travel website Condé Nast, Qatar Airways has announced that it will track the status of every single piece of passengers’ luggage.
A trendy little brunch spot in Taichung that’s super Insta-worthy, featuring a photogenic pair of angel wings
This “Food Lab” is probably the closest brunch place to my home. But since they don’t take phone reservations and parking nearby is a nightmare, I’ve tried coming here several times but never managed to get a meal. That morning, I had a cold and needed to see a doctor. To avoid wasting time looking for parking, I hopped on Kevin’s scooter. Truth be told, it had been over three years since I last rode one—I was a bit rusty myself, but the pedestrians should’ve been more worried... XD
Japanese craze hits Taiwan: This shop ranks in top 10 pilgrimage list before even opening
In recent years, many renowned international restaurants and cuisines have been introduced to the Taiwanese market. Dishes that once required a flight to enjoy can now be savored locally, making them popular pilgrimage spots for foodies. According to DailyView’s “Top 100 Reputation” list, which ranks the most talked-about eateries over the past six months based on online buzz, the rankings fluctuate over time. Recently, an unusual standout is Ippudo Ramen—though it hasn’t even opened yet, it has already secured the 8th spot in the top 10.
Famous for its flaky egg tarts, Hong Kong’s Honolulu Coffee Shop is set to launch in Taiwan this May.
Following Caffe Florian, the renowned Hong Kong “Honolulu Coffee Shop” will also open at A11, New York New York Mall in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, allowing visitors to enjoy cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café) delights without leaving the country. The restaurant is being introduced by Dacheng Group’s F&B service division and is expected to open in May.
Top Cherry Blossom Spots in Northeast Japan: A Romantic Journey Through Nine Blossoming Paradises
Known historically as Mutsu, Japan’s Tohoku region boasts many natural wonders. Following the cherry blossom front northward, late April to early May is when the blossoms come alive here. Hirosaki Park in Aomori, Kakunodate in Akita, and Jōhō Park in Kitakami are not only featured on the list of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots, but also honored as the Three Great Cherry Blossom Sites of Mutsu. The Miharu Takizakura, located in Fukushima Prefecture, has been selected as one of Japan’s Three Great Cherry Trees. The vast scale of these cherry groves makes you feel as though you've stepped into a dreamland, and with luck, you might even capture the romantic sight of blossoms amid falling snow.
Tokyo’s most elegant “Snoopy Café” – Book a month in advance if you want to eat here
Asia’s only “Snoopy Museum” opened in Roppongi in 2016, combining a themed restaurant, exhibition, and merchandise, quickly becoming a popular destination for fans. But actually, there’s more than just this distinctive Snoopy café. Located in Nakameguro, Tokyo, “PEANUTS Cafe” adds a touch of adult sophistication and elegance, along with a fully reservation-only policy, allowing fans to spend an afternoon with Snoopy in a very artsy way.
Art Meets Cuisine: Taipei's "TAIPEIING" Continues Its Ceramic Art Exhibition at Yucun Japanese Restaurant
The conceptually curated restaurant "TAIPEIING TAIPEIING," which blends art with dining, had to temporarily close its Neihu branch in January 2017 due to lease expiration. Although an ideal new location has yet to be found, the brand remains committed to delivering a refined lifestyle to everyone. Two months later, TAIPEIING partnered with Nangang’s Yucun Japanese Restaurant to transform the original Japanese eatery into an open cultural and artistic space — where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine while appreciating art.
100 grams is priced at 70,000 yen！The “top-grade tea Gyokuro” offers a richly fragrant and mellow sip with every taste.
There are countless types of Japanese tea, but when it comes to the representative of premium green tea, “Gyokuro” is absolutely the one！Don’t underestimate its price—just 100 grams can cost between 50,000 and 70,000 yen. Japanese tea consultant Ho Ying-wen says that since Gyokuro is made only from the first hand-picked tender buds, every sip delivers a fresh, mellow flavor without bitterness, and it could rightly be called the highest grade of Japanese tea！
Pingtung County's First Pet Park Opens on the 29th – Wavy Boardwalk Trains Pets' Stamina
Pingtung County's first pet park is finally set to open. To provide pet owners and their furry companions with a dedicated space of their own, the Pingtung County Government has established a pet park under the Gaoping Bridge on the left bank of the Gaoping River. The park features a variety of facilities for pets to enjoy, aiming to create a truly pet-friendly city and offer a safe playground for animals.
Now is the best time to head up the mountain—the wisteria flowers at Fushoushan Farm hang like purple waterfalls!
Located in Taichung, Fushoushan Farm is not only a popular spot for people to chase red maple leaves in autumn and admire cherry blossoms in spring, but also boasts stunning wisteria blooms every April and May. As we step into late April, it officially marks the peak blooming period of the wisteria at Fushoushan Farm. The wisteria cascading abundantly from trellises resembles vibrant purple waterfalls, exuding a delicate floral fragrance that adds even more charm to the farm. Farm officials say the wisteria flowers will remain in bloom for another one to two weeks, so visitors should seize the opportunity to come up the mountain and enjoy the view.
Ruins vibe, polar ice caves — Discover 5 uniquely atmospheric "themed stays" across Taiwan
No need to fly abroad frequently — Taiwan is home to many distinctive homestays worth staying in. Business owners have brought surreal scenes to real life one by one. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially curated 5 unique homestays across Taiwan. Whether you love getting close to forests, embracing the ocean, or even immersing yourself in polar landscapes or ruins, it’s as if every guest has the superpower to travel through time and space.
Top Ten Famous Dishes Across the Taiwan Strait: Tea-Scented Tender Chicken — The Perfect Fusion of Bitter Tea Aroma and Ginger Essence
Slice young ginger thinly and deep-fry the slices in bitter tea oil over medium heat until the moisture evaporates, allowing the flavors of the thin ginger and bitter tea oil to meld. Bone the chicken thighs, dice them, marinate slightly, then fry. In a separate hot pan, quickly toss the fried chicken with the ginger slices infused with bitter tea using the residual heat in the pan. The profound blend of bitter tea and ginger aromas enhances the tender, rich texture of the chicken — this is the signature dish of Yiya Ju Restaurant.
Skip the bars, dive into the ball pit — Heineken Legend Star Bar transforms into an adult playground
Tired after a long day of work or school? Unwind at Heineken Legend Star Bar, a bar crafted for grown-ups that feels more like an amusement park than a pub. With high-speed slides, therapeutic ball pits, and super Insta-worthy mirrored dynamic walls, a night of fun with friends can easily stretch into the wee hours.
Seafood lovers, take note！ Live crabs and fresh seafood are the stars—Xinzhu’s omakase Japanese restaurant
Remember when we previously introduced a live crab Japanese restaurant in Zhubei? Located at the intersection of Wenxin Road and Wenlu Street in Zhubei City, “Crab Joy Japanese Cuisine” is exactly that—a Japanese restaurant that highlights live crabs and fresh seafood. In addition to offering omakase courses priced at NT$1,000, NT$1,500, and NT$2,000, there are also lunch specials and set meals to choose from, making it suitable for both small and large groups.
Photographer-recommended hidden gem in Kansai: an "emerald green cave" in the valley where you can see through to the riverbed
Wakayama boasts a diverse range of natural hidden spots, among which the Kozagawa River in the south has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Hidden Places, 100 Best Famous Waters, and 100 Best Geological Sites. Extending from a tributary of the Kozagawa River lies a waterfall called "n葜?荨" (Note: likely a placeholder name) with a height difference of about 8 meters. The clear waters of the waterfall have eroded the rock to form a stunningly transparent pool, which Japanese photographers highly praise as the "hidden treasure of the south."
Pink Japanese cherry blossoms paired with red and yellow maples? The "Lala Mountain Camping Area" offers a breathtaking picturesque view.
Unlike common cherry blossom varieties, the Lala Mountain "Jabez Camping Area" grows Japanese-style Pink Moon Cherry Blossoms (松月樱), which don’t bloom until mid-April. Their pink, ball-like flowers are now nearly in full bloom and are expected to last until the end of April, to be followed by peach blossoms in May. Interestingly, due to climate irregularities, red and golden maples can also be seen now. The Pink Moon Cherry Blossoms combined with vast swaths of reddish-brown maple leaves, set against a backdrop of layered mountain ranges, create a real-life scene resembling a landscape painting.
Want to be among the first to try Michelin one-star ramen? Here's what you need to know about the queuing rules – get your queue ticket first.
Tokyo ramen shop "Tsuta," which has earned Michelin one-star status for two consecutive years, is finally opening its first branch in Taiwan on April 27. The shop will serve its signature soy sauce ramen and salt ramen. However, Tsuta’s queuing rules are a bit different from those of typical restaurants. Daily at 10:00 AM, time-slot queue tickets for the day will be handed out, with a limit of one per person per visit. After obtaining your time-slot ticket, you’ll need to line up during your designated time slot.
Infused with the aroma of truffles – Michelin-rated ramen “Tsuta” makes its Taiwan debut with a daily limit of 400 bowls
Tokyo’s ramen shop “Tsuta,” which has earned one Michelin star for two consecutive years, is finally opening its first branch in Taiwan on April 27. The shop will serve its signature soy sauce ramen and salt ramen. The broth is made by simmering clams, seafood, and whole chicken separately for hours each day, then adding a secret soy sauce and sea salt. Due to limited broth production, only 400 bowls will be available daily at launch, priced from NT$295 per bowl.
8.5m “Forest Myth”! A huge floor-to-ceiling window frames the breathtaking seasonal scenery of the Oirase Gorge
The charm extends both outside and in — the hotel’s interior is equally stunning. In the center of the lobby stands the massive fireplace “Forest Myth,” an 8.5-meter-tall bronze sculpture depicting humans dancing with forest sprites. As majestic as it is, the backdrop of the full-floor windows reflects the panoramic view of the stream and jungle, like a living painting, offering a truly feast for the eyes.
EVA Air to suspend Guam flights from June 10 and Surabaya flights from September 1
EVA Air announced today (25) that, based on overall market demand and fleet scheduling considerations, operations on the Guam and Surabaya routes will be suspended. The airline will halt its twice-weekly Guam route starting June 10, as well as its twice-weekly Indonesia Surabaya route starting September 1. Some travel industry insiders noted that Guam's tourism performance in recent years has been mediocre, and due to the red-eye flight schedule and less favorable timing, travelers often opt for alternative flights.