This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• At the time of writing, U.S. citizens must have a passport that is in good condition and at minimum is valid at the time of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S. We suggest at least 3 months validity beyond end of tour to allow for unexpected delays in return travel. Please check that expiration date! You should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. No Visas are required for U.S. citizens for stays of this tour's duration in Taiwan (or for Japan, for participants in the extension). If you are from another country, please contact Taiwan’s embassy website for guidelines.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Tawian (and Japan for post-tour extension). Consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Plan your international flight reservations to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Send a copy of your itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office please.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Arrival into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

When you arrive at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), look for or call your hotel for the shuttle. We have your arrival time and will reconfirm with your guide. If you know you will be delayed and can email, text, or phone your guide or local operator, they would appreciate it. Both numbers can be found in your contact list.

When you arrive in Taiwan you will first pass through immigration. No meats can be brought into Taiwan. Look for the shuttle or call the hotel once you exit to the main terminal area.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Departures from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

Your departing airport is at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)*. Look for flights after 11 pm or the next morning. Do remember you have to be at the airport two-to-three hours ahead of your scheduled flight.

*If you plan on taking the extension, please plan departures from the Amami Airport (ASJ) on April 27 in the afternoon. Please note, it may make the most sense to book your international flight home from this extension via Tokyo.

Please check the Travel Details section of this tour for additional information and updates.

Passports, Visas & Documents

You must have a passport that is in good condition and at minimum is valid at the time of entry through your scheduled return to the U.S. We suggest at least 3 months validity beyond end of tour to allow for unexpected delays in return travel. You should have at least one blank page per entry stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted.

At the time of writing, neither Taiwan nor Japan requires a visa for travelers with a U.S. or Canadian passport for stays of this tour's duration.

It is recommended to check 60-90 days before your tour departs for any changes in the documentation requirements stated above.  Information for U.S. citizens can be found at https://travel.state.gov webpage for Taiwan and https://travel.state.gov webpage for Japan. If you are from another country, please check the government websites for Taiwan or Japan for guidelines.

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency. 

Anti-malarial drugs are not required for any area that you visit. There are occasional reports of Dengue Fever in lower elevation areas, for which there is no vaccine. Dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika, and other diseases are contacted by mosquito bites so be sure to use mosquito repellant containing DEET or Picaridin. Travelers can reduce their risk of disease by protecting themselves from mosquito bites in lower elevation areas by using protective clothing.

Vaccinations: Bring a copy of your up-to-date vaccination records with you. At the time of writing there were no required vaccinations to enter Taiwan or Japan. The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid) before traveling to any destination. Please consult with your doctor for recommendations at least 4-6 weeks before departing on your trip. A helpful website for planning is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Japan and Tawian or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636. Another source of information is MD Travel Health for Japan and  MD Travel Health for Taiwan.

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude sickness: This may occur in travelers during a couple of high-altitude days. The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. These symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water and taking aspirin. If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications that may be right for you.

Weather & Climate

In general, weather where we travel in Taiwan is quite variable. We start in Taipei at sea level. At sea level, daytime high temperatures for April can reach 80°F, with early morning temperatures in the mountains as low as 50°F. Rain is likely, so do have good rain gear; shoes with good tread and support are essential. We recommend dressing in layers, with a good wind-breaking layer that can do double duty as raingear. Our weather will be determined by altitude, so dressing in layers works perfectly for these conditions. Please bring warm enough clothing for the morning and evening temperatures at the higher altitudes.

For the extension, Okinawa and Amami have a temperate maritime climate with temperatures usually between 66 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can occur; therefore, a supply of insect repellent containing DEET is essential. At grassland or farm locations you may encounter chiggers. If so, spray your shoes with repellent and tuck your pants into your socks; this helps a lot. When back, be sure to shower and air out your clothing. Chiggers are a part of lowland and mid-elevation habitats in Taiwan and Okinawa. Your guide should have a good read on if it has been wet enough that they are active. There can also be poisonous snakes, Chinese bird spiders (tarantulas), red-legged centipedes, and street dogs in Taiwan, though encountering any of them is rare. Do listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide. And remember the sun is strong and be prepared with proper protection.

On Okinawa, the only dangerous land animals seem to be the Habu snake and hairy caterpillars.

Food & Drinks

Menus at lodges and restaurants are varied, sustainably based on the wonderful local ingredients available, and delightfully prepared in a sanitary environment. As with any case when traveling we urge you to consider what your body is used to before you eat something. Trust your common sense when consuming food and beverages. This is the best way to avoid any unwanted problems. Ask for recommendations from your hotel or refer to a guidebook such as Frommers. Meals reflect the contributions of American, European, Chinese, and local cuisines, and of course Japanese in Okinawa and Amami.

Bottled water will be available for field trips and drinking water is provided for you to refill a bottle. One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by trying to reduce our consumption of plastics; if convenient we appreciate if you can bring reusable water bottles. Your guide will let you know when bottled water is preferable.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Dress is very informal. While some people will change for dinner, it is usually just to a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day. Again, the climate is variable, so you will need both lightweight and warm clothing.

Please, pack light! We are serious about this – we move around a lot and you just do not need much to cope with life in the field. Please do not bring anything more than you must! Lay out your hopeful things to take and then do a serious paring down.

Laundry services are available for a fee at our lodges.

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please do not pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Spending Money

The official currency in Taiwan is Taiwan New Dollar (TWD). In, Okinawa and Amami, it is the Japanese yen. We advise that you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card, and a credit card.

When using the ATM to withdrawal cash, keep in mind it might only accept cards from local banks or not allow cash advances on credit cards. Many U.S. banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.

We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express is less common). You can use credit cards at lodges to pay your bar and gift tabs. Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants, or taxis require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you use them.

Gratuities

Tipping is optional and completely at your discretion. If you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, lodge and hotel staff or anyone associated with this tour, it is entirely appropriate. Know that they appreciate anything you care to give, and of course you can do more if you wish! Lodges may have a box for tips that the staff share, and at hotels you can just tip the maids as you do at home. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services.

Here is a standard suggestion for tipping on birding trips:

• Birding tour guide: US $10 - $15 per day per guest
  Note: If there is more than one guide, this can be split among them, so that is a total, per person, per day
• Tour driver if different from guide: US $5 - $7 per person/day
• Lodge staff: US $6 - $10 per day per guest
• Transfer (airport shuttle) driver: US $2 - $3 per person
• Hotel & international airport bellmen: US $1 per suitcase

 Cell Phones & Internet Service

If you plan on using your cell phone on this trip, please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Ask for “international roaming” to be turned on your phone. Or you can buy a local SIM card at the airport and insert this in your mobile phone (just make certain your phone can accept one). Renting an international phone may also be an option.

If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi, is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free. If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well.

Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests; plan on cell phone calls on your own time.

Electricity

The standard in Taiwan is the same as in the United States: 110-120 volts AC (60 cycles). Plugs are set up in the same style. However, three-pronged outlets can be scarce, so it's helpful to bring along an adapter for a two-prong outlet. If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter. You may want a voltage converter in Okinawa and Amami More information can be found at www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

Taiwan observes China Standard Time (CST) which is used all year and is always 8 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). And there is no Daylight-saving time clock change. Taiwan is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Savings Time and 15 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

Okinawa and Amami are one hour later: 13 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Savings Time and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

A good reference website is www.timeanddate.com.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone us toll free at (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please pack light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

In general, the weather during your stay will range considerably with your location but expect conditions in the mountains to cool and cloudy with lows around 50’s°F. Sea-level temperatures can range up to 80°F. Rain is likely, so do have good rain gear.  

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy to launder. Our weather will be determined by altitude, so dressing in layers works perfectly for these conditions. A good wind-breaking layer can do double duty as raingear. Please bring warm enough clothing for the morning and evening temperatures at the higher altitudes. Shoes with good tread and support are essential.

Clothing & Gear

• Long pants, 2-3 pair, at least one warm pair for the mountains
• Long sleeve shirts, 2-3
• Comfortable, casual clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes)
• Personal underclothing and pajamas
• Socks, various weights for different conditions
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes, consider if these will work in wet conditions
• Sturdy and waterproof hiking boots with good tread
• High quality outerwear that can double as wind and rain protection, best is coat and pants
• Vest, windproof is great
• Warm jacket that can layer with others above
• Hat with broad brim for sun, and warm cap for evenings in the mountains
• Comfortable clothes for evening (a cleaner version of your field clothes or a skirt, etc.)
• Bathing suit (optional, but you might really enjoy the hot springs!)

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• Airline tickets or e-ticket verification
• Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance info, money & credit cards
• Heath insurance and vaccination records
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack or fanny pack for carrying your field gear
• Umbrella – compact and not brightly colored
• Walking stick – we find that many travelers appreciate a walking stick on trails, sporting goods stores carry collapsible models that pack easily in your suitcase (optional)
• Small flashlight with fresh batteries
• Alarm clock
• Sunscreen/Chapstick or equivalent
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Toiletry articles
• Binoculars
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional)
• Camera and extra batteries, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional)
• Water bottle (or plan to refill one bought on location)
• Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Laundry soap if you plan to do hand washing (TIP: laundry “sheets” work perfectly!)
• Earplugs – in urban and even rural areas barking dogs and traffic noise can be annoying
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing - your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

• Personal medications, copy of vital prescriptions and medical alerts
• Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van drives, etc.
• Personal first aid kit and medications for common ailments
• Copy of eyeglass prescription
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Band-aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Antibacterial soap in small container for quick handwashing

There are many titles of interest for Taiwan; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

A Field Guide to the Birds of Taiwan

Birds of East Asia: China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Russia

Birds of East Asia Helm Field Guide

Photographic Guide to the Birds of Japan and North-East Asia

State of Taiwan’s Birds 2020 Checklist

Merlin App – Taiwan Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for Taiwan.

Butterfly Fauna of Taiwan

General Reading

Lonely Planet Taiwan

Lonely Planet Japan

History and Culture

A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present

A Concise History of Japan

Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan

Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook

Phrasebook: Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook & Dictionary

Culture Shock! Taiwan: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette 

Marine Geology and Geotechnology of the South China Sea and Strait of Taiwan

Japan: The Natural History of an Asian Archipelago

Taiwan (Cultures of the World Series)

The Rough Guide to Taiwan

The Food of Taiwan

Memoir/Non-Fiction

Two Trees Make a Forest: In Search of My Family's Past Among Taiwan's Mountains and Coasts 

Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan

History of Taiwan: A Captivating Guide to Taiwanese History and the Relationship with the People’s Republic of China

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

Taiwan – Encyclopedic Overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan

Taipei

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei

Dayuling

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayuling

Cingjing (Qingjing) Farm

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingjing_Farm

Hengchun

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hengchun

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Taiwan Sightings & Checklist

• https://ebird.org/region/TW?yr=all

Endemics of Taiwan

• https://lntreasures.com/taiwanb.html

Birding Taiwan – Fatbirder

• https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/asia/republic-of-china/

Taiwan Bird Guide

• https://taiwanbirdguide.com/bird/

Wildlife in Taiwan

• https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/asia/taiwan/

“Not All Taiwanese Dragonflies Grow Up In Water: Study” – Taipei Times Article

• https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/07/25/2003761431

Taiwan Checklists – iGoTerra

• https://igoterra.com/country/details/43/Taiwan

Reptiles and Amphibians of Taiwan (herpatlas.org)

• https://tw.herpatlas.org/

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency

• https://conservation.forest.gov.tw/EN

Article “The Challenge of Preserving Biodiversity in Taiwan”

• https://international.thenewslens.com/article/44149

Amami-Oshima, Okinawa - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1574/

Environmental issues facing Taiwan - Brookings

• https://www.brookings.edu/articles/environmental-issues-facing-taiwan/

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology OIST Article - “Okinawa’s Natural Environment Is Under Threat, How Can Scientists Help?”

• https://www.oist.jp/news-center/news/2021/12/3/okinawas-natural-environment-under-threat-how-can-scientists-help

Dasyueshan Forest Recreation Area

• https://www.forest.gov.tw/EN/0000185

Yushan National Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yushan_National_Park

Alishan Forest Recreation Area

• https://recreation.forest.gov.tw/EN/Forest/RA?typ_id=0500001

Geology & Geography

Geography of Taiwan

• https://www.countryreports.org/country/Taiwan/geography.htm

Geology of Taiwan

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Taiwan

Abstract of the Geologic Development of the Ryukyu Islands Arc (with link to full journal .pdf)

• https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jscejam/70/2/70_I_3/_article/-char/en

Taiwan Maps & Facts - World Atlas

• https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/taiwan

History & Culture

History of Taiwan

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Taiwan – Encyclopedic Overview
• https://www.thoughtco.com/brief-history-of-taiwan-688021

The Culture and Traditions of Taiwan – World Atlas

• https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-culture-and-traditions-of-taiwan.html

Taiwan's 40 best foods and drinks - CNN Travel Article

• https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/40-taiwan-food/index.html

Taiwanese Cuisine – Encyclopedic Overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwanese_cuisine

Helpful Travel Websites

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

• https://www.taoyuan-airport.com/?lang=en

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information - Taiwan

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Taiwan.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Taiwan

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/taiwan?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories - Taiwan

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/taiwan

Travel Health Pro (UK) - Taiwan

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/218/taiwan

Electricity and Plugs - Taiwan

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/taiwan/

Date, Time, and Holidays - Taiwan

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/taiwan
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/taiwan/

Okinawa & Amami - Post Tour Extension

Encyclopedic Overviews:

Ryukyu Islands – Encyclopedic Overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyu_Islands

Okinawa Island – Encyclopedic Overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_Island

Amami ?shima – Encyclopedic Overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amami_%C5%8Cshima

Wildlife & Nature:

Birding Checklist Okinawa – eBird

• https://ebird.org/region/TW?yr=all

Amami Checklist – eBird

• https://ebird.org/region/JP-46-16?yr=all

“Why Okinawa is a Birdwatching Paradise” – Article in Visit Okinawa Japan

• https://visitokinawajapan.com/travel-inspiration/okinawa-birdwatching-paradise/

Endemics of Japan

• https://lntreasures.com/japanb.html

Yambaru (Forested northern end of the Island of Okinawa)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yambaru

Reptiles and Amphibians of Okinawa (herpatlas.org)

• https://okinawa-jp.herpatlas.org/

The Wildlife of Okinawa

• https://top.his-usa.com/destination-japan/okinawa/the_wildlife_of_okinawa.html

Conservation:

Yambaru Wildlife Conservation Center – Ufugi Nature Museum

• https://www.ufugi-yambaru.com/english/

Amami-Oshima World Heritage Conservation Center

• https://amami-whcc.jp/en/

Geology & Geography:

Geology of Ryukyu Arc

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyu_Arc

Geography of Ryukyu Islands

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyu_Islands#Geography

History & Culture:

An Overview of Okinawa’s History | VISIT OKINAWA JAPAN | Official Okinawa Travel Guide

• https://visitokinawajapan.com/discover/overview-okinawa-history/

Okinawa: The Unique Culture of the Ry?ky? Islands - Nippon.com

• https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00949/

Overview of History in the Amami Archipelago

• https://amami-horizon.com/en/culture/history/amami-modern

Travel:

End of tour extension - depart from Amami Airport

• https://amami-airport.co.jp/en/top

If Booking International flight home from Tokyo Haneda International Airport

• https://tokyo-haneda.com/