Japan Vs Taiwan: Which Should You Visit in 2026?

Japan is already well known as one of the world’s top travel destinations, famous for its hospitality, food, and efficient transport. For many people, it’s a dream trip that lives up to expectations. But with so much changing in Asia and new worries about overtourism, is Japan still the obvious first choice? If not, what other places in East Asia should you consider?

Many overlook Taiwan or confuse it with Thailand. But that would be a mistake. Taiwan has serious night markets, a food culture that can hold its own against anywhere in the region, hot springs, mountain tea villages, indigenous culture, and some of the best hikes in Asia. If you're planning a trip to Japan, let's take a look at why you may want to add Taiwan to the itinerary as well.

Tourism Numbers

In 2025, Japan saw about 42.7 million international visitors, setting a new record. Taiwan had around 8.57 million visitors, up 9% from the previous year, but still less than a quarter of Japan’s total. Japan’s numbers show how eager people are to visit, while Taiwan’s suggest a trip that’s lively but not crowded.

More visitors mean more competition for reservations, more crowds at viewpoints, and more queuing. Not that you won’t find long lines at popular places in Taipei. But this is not a criticism of Japan; it's just the reality of how popular it is as a destination.

The Crowds

Photo by Alex Block on Unsplash

The Cost Comparison

Since the yen dropped in value in 2022 and hit 161 yen to the US dollar in 2024, visiting Japan has become much more affordable than before the pandemic.

The Japanese yen stayed weak against major currencies through 2025 and into 2026, around ¥150–155 to the dollar. The New Taiwan Dollar stayed steady at about NT$32 per dollar. This difference has flipped prices in some areas, which might surprise travelers used to old price comparisons.

Taiwan’s biggest price advantage is in local food and public transit. A plate of fried rice at a neighborhood spot costs NT$100. A bento lunch is NT$150. The famous oversized fried chicken cutlet 雞排Jī pái at night markets costs NT$80-110 and is one of the most satisfying snacks in Asia. Local meals for tourists can cost as little as $3–4 USD.

Public transit shows a similar difference. Taipei’s MRT starts at NT$20 ($0.63 USD), while Tokyo’s subway starts at ¥170 ($1.00 USD), almost twice as much. The airport ride highlights this even more: the Taoyuan Airport MRT to central Taipei costs NT$160 ($5.05 USD), but getting from Narita to central Tokyo on the Keisei Skyliner costs ¥2,670 ($16.78 USD). These costs add up, especially for couples or families.

Things get more complicated with chain restaurants and mid-range hotels. Chains like Sukiya and Sushiro, found in both countries, are actually cheaper in Japan right now. Sukiya’s regular beef bowl in Japan dropped to ¥450 in late 2025, while the same in Taipei is NT$114, about ¥565. Sushiro’s basic plate in Taipei is NT$40 ($1.26 USD), compared to ¥120 ($0.75 USD) in Tokyo. So, eating at Japanese chains in Taiwan means paying an import premium without the benefit of Japan’s weak yen.

Accommodation follows a similar trend. A mid-range business hotel in Tokyo, like APA or Toyoko Inn (often with breakfast and a public bath), costs ¥7,000–15,000, or $45–97 USD. A similar 3-star double room in Taipei is NT$2,500–4,000, or $78–125 USD. Tokyo also has more budget options, like capsule hotels from ¥3,000, which you won’t really find in Taipei. For budget stays, both cities are about $40–42 USD per day. But for mid-range hotels, Tokyo is currently the better deal.

When it comes to traveling between cities, Taiwan has the edge. The Taiwan High Speed Rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung covers the island’s west coast in 90 minutes for NT$1,490 (about $47 USD). The similar Shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Osaka costs ¥14,720 (about $95 USD). Taiwan also offers a three-day unlimited HSR pass for NT$2,200, which pays off with just one round trip. In contrast, the JR Pass in Japan now costs ¥50,000 for seven days and takes careful planning to get your money’s worth.

To sum up: if you eat local food in Taiwan (which you should, since it’s a highlight), your food costs can be lower than in Tokyo, although Japan can also be very affordable right now. Transit is also cheaper in Taiwan at every level. But for mid-range hotels, Japan is the better deal right now, and if you like Japanese chain restaurants or fine dining, the weak yen helps your budget there. Neither place is the cheapest in every category; they just have different spending patterns.

Culture

I’ve lived in Taiwan for almost two years now. My time in Japan is comparatively small, over two months across a couple of trips. Before coming to Taiwan, my family and I spent two months in Tokyo and Osaka. So I feel that I have a decent basis to make some comments on this. Although I will say that for many tourists who can only get to Japan for a week or maybe two, it’s sort of a non-issue. But the general culture I find to be a lot more easygoing in Taiwan. There are rules in Taiwan; the MRT is a perfect example of the strictest it can be - no eating, drinking, or talking loudly (although it depends on the time of day). However, that is certainly not everywhere.

Japan is a lot more like that everywhere. In the middle of the day, many neighborhoods, even in central Tokyo, ask for quiet. Kid’s playgrounds ask that you not allow your kids to make too much noise. There is barely any talking that happens on the subways. You are counseled by online resources never to eat or drink while walking. The Nishiki Market in Kyoto famously makes announcements that you shouldn't eat or drink while walking, and the people working at the stands try to enforce it as well. I sort of enjoy it, but at the same time, it feels like there are a lot of rules, both written and unwritten.

Coming to Taiwan after Japan feels like a breath of fresh air. Yes, there are still rules, often more than in North America. There are still quiet areas. But overall, you see people talking and joking more loudly in public places. More restaurants are family-oriented and can get very noisy. You still see people with their headphones in, ignoring everyone, but nobody is as noticeably concerned about someone having an animated talk with their friend, even on public transportation.

This isn’t a knock or issue with either country. It’s just my personal experience that there are fewer rules in Taiwan, and the social pressure to follow many written and unwritten rules can be a bit of a relief if you feel that in Japan.

Safety

Japan is famous for being safe. You can expect the same levels of safety in Taiwan. People leave their backpacks and laptops out at coffee shops to use the bathroom or to save their seats without a second thought. If you forget your wallet somewhere, chances are it will still be there or at the nearest police station, with all your money inside, in both countries.

Food, Which Is Really the Point

Both countries have food cultures that will be the highlight of your trip. They’re different, and comparing them directly misses what makes each special.

Japan's food culture is regional and precise. Ramen in Sapporo differs meaningfully from ramen in Fukuoka. Japanese cuisine rewards return visits and slow travel. It's a country where eating becomes a form of research.

Taiwan’s food scene is dense and accessible to everyone. Night markets like Shilin and Raohe offer dozens of dishes: Taiwanese fried chicken, scallion pancakes, braised pork rice, grilled king oyster mushrooms, and stinky tofu (which tastes better than it smells)—all at prices that let you eat all day without worrying about your budget. Taiwan also has Chinese food traditions and has developed its own styles, such as 牛肉麪Niú ròu miàn, beef noodle soup; 小籠包xiǎo lóng bāo , soup dumplings; and sesame noodles. Here, curiosity is more important than expertise.

If you have dietary restrictions, Taiwan is a little easier to navigate. It has one of Asia’s biggest Buddhist vegetarian traditions, so vegetarian food is widely available and not just an afterthought. Halal options are also growing. In Japan, it can be tough for non-meat-eaters outside the main cities. Gluten-free options are limited in both countries.

Bottom line, food is a big draw for both countries, and you can’t go wrong in either. One thing to note is that while Japan obviously has the best Japanese food, it does not have an abundance of Taiwanese or Chinese food. While in Taiwan, especially in cities like Taipei, you will find just as many Japanese restaurants as Taiwanese ones in some food courts. The amount of Japanese food in Taiwan is extremely high; the people here love Japanese food, and it shows. If you decide to visit Taiwan but still crave Japanese food, you won’t be lacking.

The Food

Photo by Crystal Jo on Unsplash

The Overtourism Question

Japan is dealing with overtourism in ways it didn’t expect. In Kyoto’s Gion district, some streets are now closed to photography. Mount Fuji’s famous viewpoint was fenced off in 2024 after crowd issues. Many popular Tokyo restaurants need reservations weeks in advance. Some cities have added tourist taxes and restrictions. None of this ruins a trip to Japan; the country is big and adaptable, but it does change the experience.

Taiwan hasn’t reached that point. Night markets are busy but easy to walk through. Popular hiking spots like Taroko Gorge are crowded on weekends but quiet during the week. Locals in places like Taichung and Tainan still seem genuinely interested in visitors, not worn out by crowds.

This is really about timing. Taiwan’s tourism infrastructure has grown significantly over the last decade. The island has everything needed to be a top destination, but it doesn’t have the crowds of Japan.

When to Go

The best time to visit Taiwan is from October to early December, when temperatures are in the low to mid-twenties Celsius, humidity is lower, and there’s little rain. Spring (March to May) is also nice, with cherry blossoms in the mountains and towns like Alishan. March and April are not yet ridiculously hot. Summer is hot and humid and can bring typhoons, while winters in the north are mild but often gray and wet.

Japan’s weather is similar, although it gets colder in the winter. Both countries are great if you travel just outside peak season. It’s also worth noting that many suggest visiting Japan and trying out some of the smaller towns or venturing to lesser-known cities like Hokkaido, Fukuoka, and others. It’s understandable that everyone wants to visit Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, but that’s specifically why they are now so busy.

What Should You Do?

For many, visiting Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and it deserves that reputation. But Taiwan is only a two and a half hour flight from Tokyo and offers a lot that complements Japan. If you’re already crossing an ocean to get to this part of the world, consider whether one destination can do everything you're hoping for, or whether two can do it better. Japan for the precision, fine dining, and seasonal beauty. Taiwan for the night markets, hiking, and the sense of a place that hasn’t been overrun by tourism. If you’re able, make this dream vacation a multi-stop trip to fully experience multiple cultures.