Pingtung

It was pretty quick to book and then redeem on the spot! The shop owner was also very friendly and quick too. The store itself was just a 5-10 minutes walk away from the pier. The electric scooter that I got also seemed pretty well maintained. Having an electric scooter was very convenient going around the entire island. One charge lasts for most of the day, with battery exchanges allowed back at the shop if necessary. The electric scooter went up to about 25-30km/h, which was enough for most of the island. The only issue is that it had a bit of problems with some steeper slopes, which required some pedaling to give it a bit more power, but it wasn't a big problem overall.

The explanations were clear and the assistance provided allowed us to complete our trip smoothly.

The bus ride was very convenient. The aquarium was very empty because it was a weekday. It's an impressive aquarium, but it's difficult to see everything in just a few hours. The bus travels along the coast to the destination, so you can enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. Along the way, the bus makes stops at some great spots, allowing for beachcombing, which the kids absolutely loved! The restaurant where we had lunch after the aquarium was great value and delicious. The seafood, in particular, was superb. This one-day tour, where we enjoyed the great outdoors including the national park, is highly recommended! *Since there were few Japanese people, our Taiwanese guide provided commentary in Chinese, English, and Japanese. His Japanese was a little difficult to understand, which made ordering lunch particularly challenging. He was a good guide, though. That was the only downside, but everything else was perfect!

The rental office is about a 10-minute walk from Luodong Station on the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), or about 3 minutes from the Luodong Bus Terminal. It's located on a main street, so it's easy to find. When you give your name, they'll ask for your passport, Japanese driver's license, and a Chinese translation of your driver's license issued by JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). For gasoline, they give you a card for affiliated gas stations, which you use for cashless payments. Payment is settled upon return. This time, I didn't refuel before returning the car, and paid at the rental office based on the mileage. The car was a LUXGEN U6GT crossover SUV from a Taiwanese manufacturer. It's probably comparable to a Toyota RAV4. Just like when renting in Japan, the first thing to do is check the car. It's a good idea to take pictures of any scratches or dents beforehand. It was easy to drive, the brakes worked well, and my trip to the Taiwan Mountains was very comfortable. They have rental offices all over Taiwan, and it seems you can return the car to a different office. The staff were friendly, and I would like to use their service again next time.