Taipei(Songshan)

Taiwan's Value-Added Tax (VAT) is 5%. There is a VAT refund system where VAT may be refunded to travellers with foreign nationality who have purchased goods worth at least NT$2,000 at an authorized store, e.g., department store, in one day. It applies to taxable goods used in daily life that can be carried out of the country and does not apply to food products or products used while staying in Taiwan. You can apply for a refund at E-VAT Kiosks or tax-refund counters at airport/port terminals. You need your passport to apply. A service fee of 20% is deducted from the amount of refund calculated. Generally, if the purchase amount is NT$48,000 or less, a "small-amount tax refund" applies and you can get a tax refund on the same day at the service counter in the store where you purchased the goods.

Tipping is not customary in Taiwan. However, you can give a reasonable tip if you receive considerable assistance. Such tips should start at 100 yuan.
Note that tipping is not required at upscale restaurants and luxury hotels as a roughly 10 to 15% service charge is added to your bill.

Mostly the solar calendar (Gregorian calendar) is used, but the lunar calendar (old calendar, Chinese calendar) is also used. Note that the dates of holidays based on the lunar calendar change every year. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, Friday becomes a substitute holiday, and when a holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday becomes a substitute holiday.

Similar to Japan, businesses are generally closed two days a week. Shops and restaurants stay open relatively late, but note that bank hours are shorter.

Mon. to Fri. 9:00 to 15:30
Closed Sat., Sun., and holidays

Generally around 11:00 to 21:30

Generally around 11:00 to 21:00. Even stores that are always open may take holidays on the Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-autumn Festival.

Most are open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

Tobacco is prohibited for those under 20 and alcohol for those under 18.

Violations of etiquette (e.g. smoking, drinking, or eating) inside the MRT and buses and in stations are fined more heavily than in Japan. Violators are fined between 1500 and 7500 yuan.

It is good manners to stand on the right side on escalators and leave the left side open for people who are in hurry.

Customers are charged a fee (about 1 to 2 yuan) for shopping bags at convenience stores and grocery stores. It is best to bring a reusable shopping bag.

International driver’s licenses cannot be used in Taiwan. You can drive in Taiwan if you are carrying your Japanese driver’s license, a Chinese translation created by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, and your passport.

Same as Japan, all passengers must wear a seatbelt.

In addition to the Gregorian calendar, Taiwan also uses its own unique calendar called the Minguo calendar. The year 2024 AD is the year 113 on the Minguo calendar.

Smoking is prohibited by law in all public places including hotels and violators are fined 2,000 to 10,000 yuan. You can smoke at designated smoking areas. Also, e-cigarettes (heat-not-burn tobacco products) are prohibited to bring in.