Name: Jūbu Sightseeing Tour
Brand: Taiwan Sightseeing Tours
SKU: shifen
Rating: 4.81 (16 reviews)

Scenes from the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, famous for its lantern releases. Warm, glowing lanterns fill the night sky.

Lantern-releasing experiences are a hit! Jūbu Sightseeing Tour

Colorful Hakka floral-patterned lanterns and illuminations that brighten the streets of Taiwan’s lantern town.

This is a classic sightseeing tour that lets you fully enjoy Shifen, a popular tourist destination in Taiwan. The magical experience of releasing sky lanterns inscribed with your wishes is a popular activity for travelers to Taiwan.

You can also enjoy the retro streetscape stretching along the railroad tracks and sampling local cuisine as you stroll.

With its lush natural scenery and quintessentially Taiwanese atmosphere, it’s a popular spot that’s easy to enjoy, making it ideal for first-time visitors to Taiwan or a girls’ getaway.

This article is for...

◆For those who would like to try launching a lantern
◆For those who want to enjoy the authentic local atmosphere of Taiwan
◆For those who want to visit Instagram-worthy tourist spots
◆For those who want to enjoy street food and Taiwanese cuisine
◆For those looking to enjoy their first trip to Taiwan

Send it into the night sky with your wishes!
The Appeal of Shifen Sightseeing Tours

A magical, breathtaking view of lanterns lighting up the night sky, and
Strolling Through a Town Full of Charm Along a Local Railway Line

Jūbu Lantern

"Shifen" is a hugely popular spot that you absolutely can't miss on a trip to Taiwan.

The local "Pingxi Line" runs right through the center of town, and its unique scenery—with nostalgic shops lining both sides of the tracks—is a major attraction. Here, you can experience"Sky Lantern Release"is a special activity where you write your wishes on a large lantern and release it into the sky.

The sight of countless lanterns slowly floating up into the sky is,Breathtaking beautyThat's it♪

↓Click here for our recommended classic sightseeing tours↓

Shifeng Falls, Shifeng Sky Lantern Release, Jiufen

[Jiufen, Taiwan / Half-Day] A Classic Taiwan Sightseeing Tour Starting in the Afternoon☆ Shifen "Sky Lantern Release" Experience & Shifen Waterfall & Stroll Through Jiufen (With Japanese-Speaking Guide & Taipei Transportation Included) (No. 13)開始時間: 1:00 PM / 2:30 PM所要時間: About 6 hours6,900 yen

Enjoy the Jūbu Sightseeing Tour on 120%!
Two Key Points You Can't Miss

Here are the two must-see highlights to fully enjoy the 120% sightseeing tour!

① The Enchanting Atmosphere of Shifen Old Street
"Sky Lantern Release Experience"

A symbol of Tōbu is the lantern release held on the railroad tracks. People write their wishes—for health, work, romance, and more—on the four sides of the lanterns and send them floating into the sky. The local atmosphere as a train passes by is a unique experience that can only be found in Tōbu.

Details on Shifen Old Street

◆Address: 224 Shifen Old Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
◆Directions: About 1 hour by car from downtown Taipei

↓Click here for our classic tours that include a sky lantern release experience↓

② Stunning, breathtaking views!
A Walk Around "Jūbu Falls"

Jūbu Falls

Shifen Waterfall, often referred to as the “Niagara of Taiwan,” is one of Taiwan’s largest waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery created by the beautiful curtain of water and the lush natural surroundings. It’s a popular spot where you can soak up plenty of negative ions and feel refreshed.

Details on Jūbu Falls

◆Address: 224 Shifen Waterfall, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
◆Directions: About 1 hour by car from downtown Taipei

↓Click here for a highly satisfying tour that also includes a visit to Jūbu Falls↓

No need to worry, even if it's your first time! The "Sufficient Sightseeing Tour" is
Why the “Japanese-Language Guide” Is a Must-Have

Jūbu Sky Lantern Release

Although Shibuya is a very attractive tourist destination, if you go on your own, you might find yourself at a loss when it comes to communicating with locals—whether it’s buying lanterns, choosing colors, writing characters, or asking local staff to take photos for you. That’s why we recommend,Tours with Japanese-speaking guidesIt is.

Not only do you not have to worry about language barriers at all, but the guide will also teach you the tricks of releasing sky lanterns and take photos and videos at the best moments, so you can capture beautiful memories.

Furthermore, since I can rely on them to handle transportation and train schedules,Makes for a smooth experience even during peak hours, allowing you to make the most of your limited timeThat is a major advantage.

Benefits of Tours with Japanese-Speaking Guides

◆With no language barrier, ordering lanterns and taking photos went smoothly
◆ A chance to learn in depth about the history and lantern culture of Shibuya
◆Guides will help you take photos and videos from the best angles
◆Guides you along efficient routes without the hassle of moving around
◆Peace of mind with Japanese-language support in case of any unexpected issues

↓Click here for a stress-free tour with a Japanese-speaking guide in a private charter vehicle↓

[Taiwan / Approx. 5 hours] Private Chartered Car Tour! Evening Stroll in Jiufen & Sky Lantern Release Experience in Shifen (Japanese-speaking guide included, round-trip transportation provided) (No. 2)開始時間: 4:00 p.m. from October through March / 4:45 p.m. from April through September所要時間: About 5 hours27,150 yen

Lantern Release Ceremony, Jiufen; Changing of the Guard at the Martyrs' Shrine; National Palace Museum; Longshan Temple

[Taiwan/1 Day] Private Car Tour: Jiufen Night Views & Shifen Sky Lantern Release & Taipei City Sightseeing Tour☆Longshan Temple + Martyrs' Shrine + National Palace Museum, etc. (Includes Japanese-speaking guide & transportation) (No. 1)開始時間: 1:20 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.所要時間: About 10 hours38,090 yen

About the Jubu Sightseeing Tour
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How long does it take to get from downtown Taipei to Shifen?

The one-way trip from downtown Taipei to Shifen takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car or tour bus.

Traveling on your own by train and bus can sometimes take a long time, but with a tour, transportation is included, so you can simply sit back and arrive comfortably.

Q. What kind of clothes should I wear for sightseeing in Tōfu?

In Tōbu, you’ll be walking along gravel paths beside the railroad tracks and strolling along the Tōbu Waterfall trail, so “comfortable shoes,” such as well-worn sneakers, are a must.

Also, because it’s located in the mountains, the weather tends to change more quickly and it rains more often than in downtown Taipei. It’s a good idea to bring a folding umbrella or a raincoat.

Q. Can children and seniors join the tour?

You are welcome to join us. Lantern releases are a very popular activity that everyone—from young children to seniors—can enjoy together.

However, since there are some stairs and uphill and downhill sections around the Jūbu Waterfall, we recommend either enjoying a leisurely stroll at a comfortable pace or opting for a private tour where you can set your own pace.

Q. What do the colors of the lanterns (sky lanterns) symbolize?

Each lantern color has its own meaning—red symbolizes health and household safety, yellow symbolizes financial luck and prosperity, blue symbolizes career success and advancement, and pink symbolizes romance and marriage—so you can choose one that matches your wishes.

There are also lanterns featuring a combination of four colors, so you can be as ambitious as you like and write down plenty of wishes.

Q. Can I combine this tour with a nighttime stroll through Jiufen?

Yes, many sightseeing tours offer a “Shifen & Jiufen Combo Package.”

Since this package tour allows you to efficiently visit the two most popular attractions in the same area in a single day, it’s especially popular among first-time visitors to Taiwan.

Latest Reviews for the Jubu Sightseeing Tour

User_ydre / 20s Posted on: September 2026

At night, Jiufen is full of picture-perfect spots no matter where you look! The retro streetscape with its red lanterns was so beautiful that I took tons of stylish photos and left feeling completely satisfied. The lantern release in Shifen was also incredibly magical, and it was so much fun to film the lanterns as they soared into the sky! Since we had a private chartered car, I was able to take my time organizing my photos during the drive. If you want to create wonderful memories, I highly recommend this tour!

User_ukxb / 40s Posted on: May 2026

To be honest, at first I wondered if it might be a little pricey, but in the end, I’m so glad I went ahead with it! Our guide, Mr. Li, gave us detailed and entertaining explanations about Taiwan’s history and the various sites, which was a great learning experience for the kids. If we’d gone on our own, I think we would’ve just casually looked around and called it a day—and that alone would’ve been more than enough to satisfy us—but he also recommended lots of great shops, and he even took us to Jiufen, so we were truly, truly, truly satisfied. It happened to be a busy holiday period, but our driver, Mr. Zhang, planned the absolute best route and drove us around, so we were able to tour the best parts of Taiwan in a single day—stress-free and efficiently. Thanks to that, we were able to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the city the next day. Thank you so much!

User_jmqj / 20s Posted on: March 2026

We were able to efficiently visit many tourist attractions that we couldn’t have covered on our own in a single day, and we were very satisfied. Our tour guide, Mr. Wang, spoke Japanese very well; he was friendly and incredibly attentive, and I was really glad we’d chosen him as our guide.

User_rbpe / 50s Posted on: January 2026

This tour allowed us to efficiently visit famous tourist spots in and around Taipei, and everyone was thoroughly satisfied. Since there were only six of us, we had the car all to ourselves and were able to enjoy the tour without worrying about other passengers. For lunch at Din Tai Fung, we had informed KKday in advance that one participant had a food allergy. On the day of the tour, both the guide and the restaurant staff handled the situation perfectly, allowing that person to enjoy their meal without any concerns about their allergy. We were also able to experience the lantern release in Shifen and a stroll through Jiufen under clear skies, creating wonderful memories for everyone. Even after the tour ended at Raohe Street Night Market, our guide kindly took us to a shop where I wanted to buy something, and I’m very grateful for that.

User_mscu / 30s Posted on: October 2025

Despite the heavy rain, you were kind enough to show us around. It was a really enjoyable sightseeing trip. Thank you very much.

User_stdl / 20s Posted on: October 2025

In the morning, they picked us up at our hotel, and we were able to get around to each location very smoothly—it was a truly fulfilling day. In Jiufen, thanks to our guide, Mr. Hayashi, we were able to get into a tea house we had already given up on without having to wait, which made for a wonderful memory. On the way back, they took us to a massage parlor where they spoke Japanese and even arranged a taxi for our return trip. It might have been a bit more expensive than going on our own, but we were completely satisfied because we were able to sightsee safely and stress-free. Thank you very much, Mr. Hayashi and the driver.