Tainan

I didn't need to exchange my ticket at Chiayi Train Station. I could board simply by showing the voucher I had received to the driver and having it scanned. I wasted time searching for the ticket exchange location. Be careful, because if you don't line up at the bus stop early, you'll lose your seat and have to stand for three hours. You can also enter the mountain gate by showing the voucher and having it scanned. I was able to board the bus the same way on the return trip.

A 3-day unlimited ride pass for just under 10,000 yen per person is a great deal. This time, we only used it for two days across three sections: Taipei to Taichung, Taichung to Tainan, and Tainan to Taipei, but even that was cheaper than the regular price. It would be even more economical if you rode it extensively for three days. What's more, the purchase method is simple: you buy it online and receive a voucher. This time, after arriving at Taipei Station from Taoyuan Airport via the MRT, we went straight to the high-speed rail counter, received our 3-day pass from the voucher, and booked our tickets to Taichung Station for the next morning. After sightseeing in Taichung the next day, we purchased tickets to Tainan at Taichung Station, and upon arrival at Tainan Station, booked our tickets to Taipei Station for the following day, successfully completing our entire trip as planned. This 3-day pass requires face-to-face interaction at a counter rather than using vending machines or automatic ticket gates, so we were able to manage with broken English and written Chinese characters, which was reassuring. We had to show our passports (one per person) at each step of the process, but it was reassuring to know that we could purchase our tickets without any problems.

I used it for both the outbound and return journeys, and exchanging the ticket at the counter was incredibly easy. I was surprised to find that both trains were completely full. Advance reservations are definitely necessary, and the discounts are fantastic.

This pass is very convenient. This time, I went to Kaohsiung and chose the 2-day unlimited ride pass for the Kaohsiung MRT and trams, along with a sightseeing bus plan to Sun Moon Lake. The bullet train was quite crowded, and my husband and I couldn't reserve seats next to each other, but we were able to change it at the ticket counter on the day of travel. Even with reserved seats, you can change the time anytime if you choose unreserved seats. However, it's very crowded, so reserved seats are difficult to get. Be careful, as you must reserve the bus to Sun Moon Lake by 12:00 PM every day; you cannot reserve it on the day of travel. I didn't have a suitable time either, but as long as I had the QR code, I could board any bus. This time, I thought I could make reservations using only the KKday app, but it turned out I also had to install the Taiwan Pass app and make bullet train reservations on the High-Speed ​​Rail website, which was a bit of a hassle, but once you do it, you get used to it, and it's a great pass, so I would like to use it again.

The car was very clean, and the driver was nice and punctual! Plus, it was very cheap. Highly recommend it…

The arrangements were very thoughtful; the driver and tour leader were both very professional. The room at the Sakurayama Hotel was simple but fully equipped. The weather on the mountain changes quickly, so I recommend bringing warm clothing. We experienced watching the sunrise, stargazing, and absorbing phytoncides in the park. Luckily, it didn't rain until we left. I used the two-day, one-night holiday to fully recharge and get back to work! 🤣

This was my first time in Alishan, and thanks to our driver, Guo En, who was a great guide, I had a wonderful and efficient experience. He took lots of photos for us, and I highly recommend this tour! Initially, I thought I could do a day trip from Fenqihu to Alishan Forest Recreation Area using a bus ticket, but I gave up on that idea because it was difficult to get there by bus via Fenqihu, and instead used this day trip tour. It turned out to be the perfect choice! However, be sure to read the final confirmation email the day before! The meeting time was 20 minutes earlier than initially announced. Also, while the KKday wrapping is on the roadside of the vehicle, it's not visible from the passenger side and is difficult to spot. It would be good if the "KKday" sign were displayed in a more visible location. The tour consisted of three Japanese people: the two of us and one solo traveler, departing from Chiayi Station. The solo traveler communicated with the driver in English, and the driver also used translation apps and LINE to provide information about meeting places and recommendations. I used the restroom twice on the way there and 2-3 times at Alishan. Bringing toilet paper is recommended. You need to purchase an admission ticket with a shuttle bus ticket via your smartphone before arriving at the entrance gate. Lunch boxes cost around 200 yuan. To return to the parking lot, you need to purchase a shuttle bus ticket for 70 yuan on-site. Souvenirs can be purchased around Fenqihu, Shouzhen Temple, and Alishan Station. At Fenqihu, we were given samples of puffed rice snacks and donuts. The temperature inside Alishan National Forest Recreation Area was 19 degrees Celsius. I put on a jacket thinking it might be cold, but I was walking so much that I was only slightly sweaty. There was plenty of shade, and the downhill route wasn't tiring. The driver guided us through places we might have skipped on our own, which was really great.

The breakfast was plentiful, but being located in Tainan, it's easy to miss out on other options if you eat at a hotel. However, for convenience and good food, a hotel is a good choice. The spa was excellent and very comfortable. The room's soundproofing was poor, and the amenities were rather basic: 3-in-1 coffee, no conditioner, and a very bare countertop… but it was still fine for sleeping.