🚗 10 Things That Shocked Me as a Japanese Driver (Kaohsiung & Chiayi Road Trip)

Taiwan is one of the best countries for a road trip.

Beautiful coastlines, mountains, temples, hidden cafés, and night markets become much easier to explore with a car.

But as someone who had only ever driven in Japan, driving in Taiwan was a whole new experience.

Some things were easier than expected.

Others completely surprised me.

If you’re planning to rent a car in Taiwan, especially as a Japanese traveler, this guide may save you stress 👇

📌 Table of Contents

1. 🇹🇼 Taiwan Used to Drive on the Left

2. 🚘 Left-Hand Drive Is Easier Than You Think

3. 🅿️ Parallel Parking Is Essential

4. 🛵 Scooters Aren’t the Scariest Part

5. 🚦 Flashing Signals Are Common

6. 🚌 “太客車” Confused Me

7. 🛣️ No Toll Gates on Highways

8. ⛽ Gas Stations Are Different Too

9. 📄 License Rules for Japanese Drivers

10. ❤️ Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

1️⃣ 🇹🇼 Taiwan Used to Drive on the Left

During the Japanese era, Taiwan used left-side traffic, just like Japan.

After WWII, it changed to right-side traffic under the new government.

So in a way…

Driving in Taiwan feels like seeing an alternate version of history.

2️⃣ 🚘 Left-Hand Drive Is Easier Than You Think

I thought this would be the hardest part.

Sitting on the left side of the car…

Driving on the right side of the road…

Sounds stressful, right?

Honestly?

👉 After around 30 minutes, I got used to it.

Your brain adjusts faster than expected.

The real challenge was something else…

3️⃣ 🅿️ Parallel Parking Is Essential

This surprised me the most.

In Japan, many people rarely parallel park.

But in Taiwan?

👉 It’s everywhere.

Especially in:

• Tourist areas

• Local restaurants

• Popular streets

• Smaller towns

If you’re not confident with parallel parking, practice first 😅

Important curb colors:

🔴 Red = No parking

🟡 Yellow = Temporary stop only

Ignore these… and your rental car may disappear.

4️⃣ 🛵 Scooters Aren’t the Scariest Part

Before visiting Taiwan, I thought scooters would be the biggest danger.

And yes… there are many scooters.

But for me, the hardest part was:

🚨 Narrow roads

🚨 Parked cars on both sides

🚨 Oncoming traffic

🚨 Scooters passing through gaps

That combination requires full concentration.

5️⃣ 🚦 Flashing Signals Are Much More Common

In Japan, flashing traffic lights often feel like countryside intersections.

In Taiwan, I noticed them much more often.

At first I thought:

“Is the signal broken?”

Nope 😂

Totally normal.

6️⃣ 🚌 I Saw “太客車” and Got Confused

I saw this sign:

太客車

As a Japanese person, I thought:

💰 “Big-spending customer parking?”

Actually…

It means large passenger vehicle / tourist bus.

Classic overseas kanji misunderstanding.

7️⃣ 🛣️ Highways Have No Toll Gates

This impressed me a lot.

In Taiwan, many highways don’t have physical toll booths.

Instead:

✅ Sensors scan the car

✅ Payment is automatic

✅ No stopping needed

Most rental cars already have eTag installed.

Honestly, it feels futuristic.

8️⃣ ⛽ Gas Stations Are Different Too

Fueling up had its own surprises.

Sometimes you need to release the fuel lid first.

Also fuel types are often numbers:

• 92

• 95

• 98

Instead of:

• Regular

• Premium

So check with your rental company first.

9️⃣ 📄 Japanese Drivers Need More Than Just a License

Important reminder:

Japanese tourists often need:

✅ Japanese driver’s license

✅ Official Chinese translation

✅ Passport

Always check the latest rules before travel.

🔟 ❤️ Final Thoughts: Is Driving in Taiwan Worth It?

Absolutely.

Yes, it’s different from Japan.

Yes, it can feel stressful at first.

But with a car, you unlock:

🌊 Coastal roads

⛰️ Mountain views

🍜 Hidden local food spots

🏯 Temples

☕ Secret cafés

Places public transport may never take you.

Driving in Taiwan turned my trip into a real adventure.

✨ My Honest Advice

If you’re nervous:

👉 Start in Kaohsiung or Chiayi outside rush hour

👉 Use Google Maps

👉 Stay calm

👉 Drive defensively

After one day, you’ll feel much more confident.

📌 Would You Drive in Taiwan?

Would you try it?

Or would you rather use trains and taxis?

Let me know 👇