Japan vs. Taiwan: Which One Should You Visit?

Japan and Taiwan are two mountainous countries, brimming with culture, incredible food, and friendly faces. After visiting both countries, I felt a strong desire to return and explore more! Interestingly enough – Taiwan was under control of Japan until 1945! And while there is Japanese influence present in Taiwan, the country has it’s own personality. While they’re close in distance, Japan and Taiwan offer very different experiences for travelers. Here’s how they stacked up for me—from street scenes to hot springs and everything in between.

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✨ Cleanliness & First Impressions

Japan is pristine. The streets are spotless despite the surprising lack of public trash cans. We did see some trash in Tokyo – but considering the millions of residents and tourists, the amount is quite surprising! Locals are expected to take trash home and sort through it there. Our accommodations had separate bins for recycling bottles and trash. Public bathrooms are immaculate, often equipped with high-tech bidets and heated seats. Even the subways feel cleaner than most hotel lobbies. In contrast, Taiwan is a little more lived-in. It’s not dirty, but you’ll notice more street clutter and trash—especially near bustling night markets. While it’s hard to find public trash bins in Japan, they are more plentiful in Taiwan.

🚗 Traffic, Driving, & Getting Around

Driving in Japan is calm and orderly. We didn’t see any scooters which led to (mostly) quieter streets. In the city, you will find some large trucks playing music for advertisements. We rented a car in Japan and it was a learning experience! In Japan they drive on the left side of the car and road. My biggest takeaway was that there are no middle turn lanes . When turning right, I always had to yield to oncoming traffic. Taiwan, on the other hand, is energetic and a bit chaotic—especially in cities where scooters rule the roads and traffic patterns can feel overwhelming. We didn’t get the chance to drive in Taiwan, but they drive on the right side of the car and road- which might feel more familiar if you’re coming from the West.

Public transportation in both countries is fantastic: fast, affordable, and clean. Japan has multiple rail options that may make it confusing. For example, there are “express” trains (particularly from airports) that you need to pay extra for. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to pay on board when the conductor asks for your ticket. Taiwan primarily uses the MRT line, which is easy to navigate. We used GoogleMaps when it came to route finding and had minimal issues. Many of the subway stations in Japan had multitudes of stores and food options. You may find similar experiences in Taiwan but not notably at the same level.

🧳 Tourist Infrastructure & Accessibility

Japan is well-equipped for tourism. It felt easier to communicate in Japan than in Taiwan. Personnel (police, clerks, conductors) generally had ready-to-go, translation-friendly apps that make getting around a breeze. There’s also a general sense that visitors are expected and well taken care of. Taiwan is warm and welcoming too, but it leans more DIY—less polished, more adventurous. You’ll need to rely on Google Translate a bit more often.

Certain areas (stores, restaurants, streets) in Japan ask visitors to refrain from filming and photographing. I’d imagine this is due to issues with tourists in the past. Japan was crowded with tourists from all over the world and at times – it was overwhelming. I also noted plenty of couples and families fighting over photos and videos they were taking. While in Taiwan, I noted less languages being spoken and it seemed there were primarily Asian tourists. While there are touristy areas in Taiwan, they were generally less crowded. Overall, it seemed less infringed with people taking selfies in the same location for 15 minutes too.

One thing to note: taxis in Japan are notoriously expensive, while Taiwan is a bit more budget-friendly across the board.

🫖 Culture & Vibes

Japan deeply values politeness, structure, and hierarchy. There’s a refined sense of social etiquette that shapes everyday interactions—bowing, quiet subway rides, and customer service that feels ceremonial. It’s considered rude to eat while walking and to speak on public transportation (subways and elevators). Given it’s popularity and battle with “over tourism” in some areas – I applaud Japan for maintaining its distinct culture. Taiwan is more laid-back and informal. People are friendly, warm, and the social dynamic is much more relaxed. You’ll also see plenty of people eating and walking – especially in the night markets!

You’ll feel this contrast everywhere—from how people queue up to how meals are served.

🍱 Food Culture

This one’s a tie—both countries are a food lover’s dream, just in different ways.

In Japan, breakfast is usually eaten at home. Finding morning meals out can be a challenge, but in some areas (Tokyo) it may be easier. Our best breakfast was at at 24 hour ramen shop in Ueno! Convenience stores and vending machines are an art form here, offering everything from the famed egg sando, to full bento boxes and hot drinks. My favorite vending machine was the canned whipped cream in Tokyo! The coffee at 711 was surprisingly good too!

Check out this delicious food tour we went on in Osaka ⬇️

In Taiwan, by contrast, breakfast is plentiful! My favorites are Dan Bing (egg crepe) and the Xian Doujiang (salty soy milk soup). It’s easy to find mom and pop shops serving a variety of items like egg crepes and dumplings. Night markets are a cornerstone of Taiwanese life, offering a dizzying variety of cheap, delicious street food.

🍵 Tea, Snacks & Sweets

Given my preference to green tea, Japan wins on tea—hands down. Whether you’re sipping a matcha latte or traditional sencha, the depth and quality are unbeatable. My new favorite is Hojicha – a roasted tea. Several areas in Taiwan also grows tea. Taiwan boasts a diversity of green, white, black and oolong teas – with oolong being dominant. When visiting tea houses in Taiwan, their menus were expansive and their business was dedicated solely to tea. In Japan, it felt tea was more immersed into the culture.

You’ll find a huge emphasis on giftable sweets and boxed treats in both Japan and Taiwan. In Japan, I found these especially in subway stations and airports. While in Japan, don’t miss out on trying anything with Hokkaido cream! Cremia, is a popular ice cream spot dedicated to serving ice cream made with Hokkaido cream and they are plentiful! Taiwan has also emphasis’ sugary snacks and boxed sweets with their pineapple cakes being a popular standout. You can also find Cremia in Taiwan!

While I don’t think Starbucks wins in terms of tea or snack quality – I find it fun to stop by in new countries. Both Taiwan and Japan have exclusive mugs and cups too! So if you’re a Starbucks fan- check them out. You’ll also find different snacks and drinks than are in the United States. I personally thought Taiwan had more variety of drinks and mugs, but this might be due to first impressions (I visited Taiwan before Japan!) Bonus: if you go near Christmas, they sell Christmas/winter themed items that are unavailable in the states!

💦 Extra Details

Hot Springs:
- Japan has a strong onsen (hot spring and bathing) culture. they typically require you to be nude and don’t welcome tattoos. Many hotels offer public and private onsens.
- Taiwan also has hot springs but they are not as prevalent.
Weather:
- Taiwan’s climate is more tropical, with warmer temps year-round.
- Japan is a four season destination!
Costs: Japan is generally more expensive, especially for taxis and lodging.

Final Thoughts

Japan is structured, serene, and filled with quiet beauty. Taiwan is vibrant, a little chaotic, and endlessly fun. Both are unforgettable in their own way. If you’re planning a trip and can’t decide between the two – I encourage you to visit both! I know I can’t wait to return to them!

Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring the world through hiking, food, culture, and the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.