{"id":2636,"date":"2026-05-04T01:25:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T16:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/?p=2636"},"modified":"2026-05-04T01:25:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T16:25:14","slug":"%f0%9f%87%b9%f0%9f%87%bc-i-only-drove-in-japan-then-i-tried-driving-in-taiwan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/?p=2636","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfc I Only Drove in Japan\u2026 Then I Tried Driving in Taiwan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude97 10 Things That Shocked Me as a Japanese Driver (Kaohsiung & Chiayi Road Trip)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taiwan is one of the best countries for a road trip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beautiful coastlines, mountains, temples, hidden caf\u00e9s, and night markets become much easier to explore with a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as someone who had only ever driven in Japan<\/strong>, driving in Taiwan was a whole new experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some things were easier than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others completely surprised me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning to rent a car in Taiwan, especially as a Japanese traveler, this guide may save you stress \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccc Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. \ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfc Taiwan Used to Drive on the Left<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \ud83d\ude98 Left-Hand Drive Is Easier Than You Think<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \ud83c\udd7f\ufe0f Parallel Parking Is Essential<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. \ud83d\udef5 Scooters Aren\u2019t the Scariest Part<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. \ud83d\udea6 Flashing Signals Are Common<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. \ud83d\ude8c \u201c\u592a\u5ba2\u8eca\u201d Confused Me<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. \ud83d\udee3\ufe0f No Toll Gates on Highways<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. \u26fd Gas Stations Are Different Too<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. \ud83d\udcc4 License Rules for Japanese Drivers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. \u2764\ufe0f Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1\ufe0f\u20e3 <\/strong>\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfc Taiwan Used to Drive on the Left<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Japanese era, Taiwan used left-side traffic<\/strong>, just like Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After WWII, it changed to right-side traffic<\/strong> under the new government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So in a way\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving in Taiwan feels like seeing an alternate version of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83d\ude98 Left-Hand Drive Is Easier Than You Think<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought this would be the hardest part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sitting on the left side of the car\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving on the right side of the road\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sounds stressful, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 After around 30 minutes, I got used to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your brain adjusts faster than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real challenge was something else\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83c\udd7f\ufe0f Parallel Parking Is Essential<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This surprised me the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Japan, many people rarely parallel park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in Taiwan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 It\u2019s everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Tourist areas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Local restaurants<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Popular streets<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Smaller towns<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not confident with parallel parking, practice first \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important curb colors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd34 Red = No parking<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udfe1 Yellow = Temporary stop only<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignore these\u2026 and your rental car may disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83d\udef5 Scooters Aren\u2019t the Scariest Part<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before visiting Taiwan, I thought scooters would be the biggest danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yes\u2026 there are many scooters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for me, the hardest part was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udea8 Narrow roads<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udea8 Parked cars on both sides<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udea8 Oncoming traffic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udea8 Scooters passing through gaps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That combination requires full concentration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83d\udea6 Flashing Signals Are Much More Common<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Japan, flashing traffic lights often feel like countryside intersections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Taiwan, I noticed them much more often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first I thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs the signal broken?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nope \ud83d\ude02<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Totally normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83d\ude8c I Saw \u201c\u592a\u5ba2\u8eca\u201d and Got Confused<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I saw this sign:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u592a\u5ba2\u8eca<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Japanese person, I thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcb0 \u201cBig-spending customer parking?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actually\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It means large passenger vehicle \/ tourist bus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Classic overseas kanji misunderstanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83d\udee3\ufe0f Highways Have No Toll Gates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This impressed me a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Taiwan, many highways don\u2019t have physical toll booths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Sensors scan the car<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Payment is automatic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 No stopping needed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most rental cars already have eTag<\/strong> installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, it feels futuristic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8\ufe0f\u20e3 \u26fd Gas Stations Are Different Too<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fueling up had its own surprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you need to release the fuel lid first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also fuel types are often numbers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 92<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 95<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 98<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Regular<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Premium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So check with your rental company first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83d\udcc4 Japanese Drivers Need More Than Just a License<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important reminder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese tourists often need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Japanese driver\u2019s license<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Official Chinese translation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Passport<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always check the latest rules before travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd1f \u2764\ufe0f Final Thoughts: Is Driving in Taiwan Worth It?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it\u2019s different from Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it can feel stressful at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with a car, you unlock:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf0a Coastal roads<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26f0\ufe0f Mountain views<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf5c Hidden local food spots<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfef Temples<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2615 Secret caf\u00e9s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Places public transport may never take you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving in Taiwan turned my trip into a real adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2728 My Honest Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re nervous:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Start in Kaohsiung or Chiayi outside rush hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Use Google Maps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Stay calm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Drive defensively<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After one day, you\u2019ll feel much more confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccc Would You Drive in Taiwan?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you try it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or would you rather use trains and taxis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me know \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\ud83d\ude97 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 caf\u00e9s, and night markets become much easier to explore with a car. But as someone who had only ever driven in Japan, driving in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2636"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2637,"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636\/revisions\/2637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wakacin-lifestyle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}