Hsinchu

It was as comfortable as Japan's Shinkansen bullet train. I was glad I could use it at half price for a one-way trip. Booking was also smooth.

The contact information provided the day before was clear, the driver was friendly, and after picking up the luggage, I contacted him by phone. He quickly arrived at the designated pick-up/drop-off point and even helped put the luggage in the trunk. He navigated the route using Google Maps, was a good driver, and the car was comfortable and clean. He was also willing to let me know if I had any special needs. Overall, it was great value for money and highly recommended! 👍🏻

It was a rare long weekend with great weather, so I took the kids, who had just finished their exams, to see the animals and the fun Snoopy and Gui Gui. It was a lot of fun!

Getting the KKday travel pass is easy, but the process of specifying dates and seats on the High Speed ​​Rail website afterwards is a pain! First of all, even though there's a Japanese language option, it doesn't work, and there are a lot of question marks when watching YouTube videos. When I tried to book on my PC while switching between YouTube and the High Speed ​​Rail website, my reservation disappeared 😱. After overcoming all that, I finally got the pass and exchanged it for a ticket at the local counter! Once I cleared the seat selection, it was really comfortable with unlimited rides! I wish the KKday website would add a much more detailed explanation of how to do this on the High Speed ​​Rail next time.

I booked the Xinyi branch, but the map on my KKDay email showing the order/voucher showed the address of the Xinsheng branch. When I arrived at the Xinsheng branch, I realized I had gone to the wrong place. The staff there were very kind and called the Xinyi branch to let them know we were in the wrong place, extended our appointment, and even arranged for a car to take us to the Xinyi branch. The service was excellent. At the Xinyi branch, the staff were also very professional. The technician skillfully loosened the lumps in my muscles. Although the process was sore, it was necessary for recovery. After the massage, my whole body felt very relaxed, and I was very satisfied with their service.

Both the sweet and savory meals were delicious, and the train stopped twice to explore, listen to historical stories, and take photos of Turtle Island. The interior of the train was upscale and comfortable, and the service staff were very friendly.

Food and atmosphere is exactly as expected and similar to DTF in the states. The wait time is really long, but I heard of the “hack” to buy your set via KKDay and it worked!! The trick is to NOT pull a number. Instead, walk up to the hostess with your QR code, they’ll scan your code and get you in within 15/20 minutes. You can also add additional food via a separate check (your set is prepaid via KKDay). Good Luck 👍👍