Is Visiting Taiwan better or Japan better?

Question

I love both countries but I don't want to spend too much... Tell me which to choose. I am planning to go next year maybe around May so which country should I go and for how many days. How much should I save in order to go to either one of these countries.

Answer 1

Taiwan and Japan are both nice countries.



Japan is very nice, tokyo is more urban and has a lot of interesting and cool architecture, while kyoto is more for relaxing, seafood and spa activities. But budgetwise you should probably bring extra with you. for a week you will probably need around 2000$-3000$ and that's for the basics, and an okay hotel. If you plan on going around more often instead of just walking, you will need at least 5000$ hehe.



Taiwan is also nice but it has less variety than Japan. The taiwan night markets are really nice and the things there are quite cheap, for example at t-shirt will cost around 13$ and a bucket of kfc chicken(6 pcs) only 6.5$. The cost of living is much more cheaper than Japan. a week will cost you around 2000-3000$ on basics and around 4000$ for extra. Try out the mountains spa's in taiwan or the Yang ming san(mt. jade) which snows in winter. Taiwan is a smaller version of Japan, there are also japanese cherry blossoms in springtime, and everything japanese is sold in Taiwan. Just to give you a guide everyyear around 1.3 million japanese go to taiwan and 1.4 million taiwanese go to Japan. Hope this helps in your decision making, have a safe trip!!

Answer 2

It really depends on what you are looking for, since Taiwan and Japan are very different. I am half Japanese, but was raised in Taiwan, so I have been in both places often. Japan is more fast paced and crowded and there is always something to do no matter what time it is. Japan also has some rather amazing technology and a very unique culture that is fun to experience. On the down side, if you do not speak Japanese, the language barrier might be quite difficult. Most Japanese can understand English if you write it down for them, but they might have a hard time communicating orally (or so I have heard from European friends who do not speak Japanese). It is also much more expensive to buy things in Japan, but as in all countries, you can find bargains if you search hard enough. Taiwan, on the other hand, is still fast paced and crowded, but much less so than Japan. A majority of the citizens (especially those 35 and under) can speak English to some degree and they are usually very willing to help foreigners. You won't get the very crazy and fun cultural sights as you will in Japan (such as the ornately dressed people in Harajuku), but the people in Taiwan are very friendly, the food is excellent (the dim sum and hot pot in Taipei is to die for), and it is relatively cheap. I would say, if this is your first time visiting Asia, start off with Taiwan. I think it would be less of a culture shock and a very good starting point for further Asian travel. But I hope you have fun wherever you pick. Japan and Taiwan are two of my favorite countries, and I am positive that you can find great things in both of them. Happy traveling!

Answer 3

I have been to both countries on business and vacation, and hands down Japan has more variety, history and outdoor scenery. I would go for at least 2 weeks as a balance between cost and the time and effort to get there.



Taipei has an unbelievable national museum (the artifacts removed from mainland China when Mao and the communist party took over), some gardens and temples of interest, and GREAT food. However, outside of Taipei there is natural sub-tropical beauty but not much history or variety compared to Japan. Is there a reason you would choose Taiwan over mainland China where you can see the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, the Song Dynasty gardens of Hangchou, bustling Shanghai and the Xian Warriers to name a few?



Japan not only has spectacular natural beauty, but also a 2,000 year old history, 800-year old gardens and amazing temples. Tokyo is the only truly high-tech megopolis in the world. And Japan is CLEAN and absolutely zero crime, so you can stay in a less-expensive hotel and not worry. I use www.TripAdvisor.com to check on ratings and prices of hotels.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g298564-Kyoto_Kyoto_Prefecture_Kinki-Hotels.html



Currently, you will need to spend about $125/night for 2-star, $150/night in Tokyo or Kyoto (with tax) for 3-star lodging. If you want 4-star digs plan on $250-$300/night, and 5-star up to $700 (Four Seasons, Ritz). Check Japan Travel Bureau USA (the equiv of American Express Travel in Japan) for rates as well, as they pre-negotiate blocks of rooms at a discounted price in each city. Food is where the expense is as practically everything is imported. However, you can eat at McDonald's or a noodle shop if you have to, but even this will still put you back $10-$15/person. Also, go to the basement floors of the department stores (Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Matsuya, etc.) for buying prepared (and cheap) food. You can check Japan Travel Bureau USA web site which they FINALLY updated, will give you a lot of prices, including the price of 1/2 day and full day tours in each city:

http://www.jtbusa.com/en/default.asp



You can buy (must be bought before you leave) a 7 or 14-day Japan Rail Pass which will allow you free bullet train (shinkansen) travel on the Hikari and Kodama lines, getting you to most cities you will want to visit, and not stress out about travel costs.



Stay in a hotel near ANY main metro station in central Tokyo, and it is a snap to use the metro to get anywhere else in Tokyo (all color-coded with english signs). You can buy a day-pass for the metro.



You will be in Kyoto in Spring at cherry-blossom time, so make sure not to miss the geisha dance ceremony called the "Miyako Odori". If you go in April you will see the Gion geisha (the best), and in May the Pontocho Geisha (not as good). Make sure to buy tickets in advance, there will be none if you try to buy them the day of the performance. You should also apply in advance to visit the private Imperial gardens around Kyoto for the Japanese Emperor, Katsura Villa for instance (no charge for visits).



Bring good, comfortable walking shoes! Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I third Japan. Realize these two countries and peoples are as different as night and day...

Save as much as you can.

Answer 5

Japan. Personally, I think one week is enough. The flight, hotel and personnal expensives should cost around 2000$.

Answer 6

japan is better even the budget hotel there is damm clean....maybe should stay there for 1 or 2 week...but try to go to different city in japan...budget 2k to 5k ...





ps: i love the spa and people there ...try not to spend to much on cloth and taxi...

Answer 7

I second Japan. Much cleaner.

Answer 8

japan

Answer 9

japan