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🚇 Taipei Transit — Two Home Bases
Week 1 (Aug 29–Sep 6) · from Grand Hyatt — R Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station
Taipei 101 Mall / Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
Walk — hotel sits between them
~4 min
Din Tai Fung / Yongkang (Dongmen)
R Red Line direct to Dongmen
~15 min
Taipei Main Station
R Red Line direct
~18 min
Nangang (2nd hotel / TRA / HSR)
R to Zhongxiao Fuxing → BL Blue to Nangang
~25 min
Tonghua / Linjiang Night Mkt
R Red Line direct to Xinyi Anhe
~8 min
Taoyuan Airport (TPE)
R to Taipei Main → Airport MRT
~55 min
Week 2 (Sep 6–12) · from Courtyard Nangang — BL Nangang Station
Raohe Night Market
TRA 1 stop to Songshan · or Blue→Green transfer
~12 min
Taipei 101 / Xinyi (1st hotel)
BL to Taipei City Hall + 8 min walk
~20 min
Din Tai Fung / Yongkang (Dongmen)
BL to Zhongxiao Xinsheng → O Orange to Dongmen
~30 min
Taipei Main Station
BL direct, ~13 stops
~28 min
Keelung (day trip 🦀)
TRA direct from Nangang, ~NT$41, every ~30 min
~40 min
Taoyuan Airport (TPE)
HSR Nangang → Taoyuan + Airport MRT · or Airport MRT from Taipei Main
~50 min
⏱ "Est. next" is modeled from published Blue Line frequencies (~4 min peak / ~6–8 min off-peak, service ~06:00–24:00) and your live Taipei clock — not a live track feed. For exact real-time arrivals use the Metro Taipei page or Google Maps above. Routes above are grouped by which hotel is "home" that week — Sep 6 is the transfer day.
🚇 Taipei MRT Quick Guide
5 Lines · 131 Stations · ~06:00–24:00 · EasyCard recommended
BL Blue Line — Bannan Line
Week 2 hotel: Nangang → Kunyang → Taipei City Hall → Zhongxiao Xinsheng → Zhongxiao Fuxing → Zhongxiao Dunhua → … → Taipei Main → … → Xinpu
Key stops: Nangang (Wk2 hotel, HSR, TRA) · Taipei City Hall (8 min walk to Wk1 hotel/101/Xinyi) · Taipei Main Station · Ximen (shopping/nightlife)
Key stops: Nangang (Wk2 hotel, HSR, TRA) · Taipei City Hall (8 min walk to Wk1 hotel/101/Xinyi) · Taipei Main Station · Ximen (shopping/nightlife)
R Red Line — Danshui-Xinyi Line
Week 1 hotel: Xiangshan ↔ Taipei 101/World Trade Center ↔ Xinyi Anhe ↔ Daan ↔ Zhongxiao Xinsheng ↔ CKS Memorial Hall ↔ Dongmen ↔ Gongguan ↔ Xinbeitou ↔ Danshui
Key: Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Wk1 hotel, 4 min walk, Exit 5) · Dongmen (Din Tai Fung, Yongkang St) · Xinyi Anhe (Tonghua Night Market)
Key: Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Wk1 hotel, 4 min walk, Exit 5) · Dongmen (Din Tai Fung, Yongkang St) · Xinyi Anhe (Tonghua Night Market)
G Green Line — Songshan-Xindian Line
Songshan ↔ Nanjing Fuxing ↔ Zhongxiao Xinsheng ↔ Da'an ↔ Gongguan ↔ Xindian
Key: Songshan (Raohe Night Market, 1 TRA stop from Nangang) · Shuanglian (Ningxia Night Market)
Key: Songshan (Raohe Night Market, 1 TRA stop from Nangang) · Shuanglian (Ningxia Night Market)
O Orange Line — Zhonghe-Xinlu Line
Neihu / Xinzhuang / Nanshi ↔ Songjiang Nanjing ↔ Zhongshan ↔ Shuanglian ↔ Zhonghe area
Key: Songjiang Nanjing (re-chao seafood) · Xingtian Temple (Addiction Aquatic Market)
Key: Songjiang Nanjing (re-chao seafood) · Xingtian Temple (Addiction Aquatic Market)
BR Brown Line — Wenhu Line (elevated/automated)
Taipei City Hall ↔ Nanjing Fuxing ↔ Zhongshan Jr. High ↔ Muzha · Also Neihu Tech Park corridor
Key: Nanjing Fuxing transfer hub · Runs elevated — great city views
Key: Nanjing Fuxing transfer hub · Runs elevated — great city views
A Airport MRT — Taoyuan to Taipei Main
Express (purple, no stops): Taoyuan Airport T1/T2 → Taipei Main Station ~35 min, NT$160 · Commuter (blue dots): stops including A3 Xinzhuang · Runs ~06:00–23:00 every 15–30 min
From Nangang: BL to Taipei Main → Airport MRT, total ~50 min to TPE
From Nangang: BL to Taipei Main → Airport MRT, total ~50 min to TPE
Key Tips
EasyCard (悠遊卡)
20% discount on MRT fares. Also works on TRA trains, buses, YouBike, convenience stores. Load at any station or 7-Eleven. NT$100 deposit + load value.
Fares
NT$20–65 per trip by distance. Taipei 101 → Taipei Main ~NT$25; Nangang → Taipei Main ~NT$45. Single-journey tokens from machines (coins + bills accepted). Children under 115cm free.
Hours & Frequency
First train ~06:00, last train ~24:00 (00:30 on some lines on Fri/Sat). Peak headway 3–5 min · Off-peak 6–8 min. Nangang is almost the end of Blue Line so early trains fill up city-bound.
Transfers
Free within 1 hour of tapping in (EasyCard). Key transfer stations: Zhongxiao Xinsheng (BL↔G), Nanjing Fuxing (G↔BR), Taipei Main (BL, R, A, TRA). Tap in once per trip.
YouBike 2.0
Docked bike share at nearly every MRT station. Link EasyCard or scan QR. NT$10/30 min first 30 min with card. Great for last-mile to night markets.
Two-Hotel Tip
Wk1 (Grand Hyatt): near Taipei 101/World Trade Center (R, Exit 5, 4 min). Wk2 (Courtyard): near Nangang Station (BL) & Nangang Exhibition Center (BL, one stop east) — also TRA/HSR for Keelung/Songshan. Check signs at Nangang — two exits, complex is large.
Rules & Etiquette
🚫 No eating/drinking
🚫 No gum
🚫 No durian
🚫 Smoking anywhere in stations
✅ Luggage in designated areas
✅ Priority seats — give up if needed
✅ Strollers — use lifts, fold on escalators
✅ Phone calls — allowed but keep quiet
Fines: NT$1,500–7,500 for eating or drinking on board — enforced. Water bottles OK sealed. Violation stickers exist — TRTC takes this seriously.
✈️ Outbound — Friday, Aug 28, 2026
✈️ →
UA 1593
United Airlines | 6hr 3min
Terminal C
✓ BOOKED
2 hr 7 min layover in San Francisco
🇹🇼 Taipei — Aug 29 to Sep 12, 2026 (14 nights, 2 hotels)
Aug 29 – Sep 6 · Week 1
8 nights · Conf: TBD
Sep 6 – Sep 12 · Week 2
6 nights · Company-covered
📦 Changeover day Sun Sep 6: check out of the Grand Hyatt, check into the Courtyard Nangang. Plan a light day — see transit routes between the two hotels above.
📅 Sat Sep 5 — Yingge + Daxi Day Trip → Dinner with local friends
(You're still at the Grand Hyatt this day — one night before the Nangang changeover.)
Morning: R Taipei 101/World Trade Center → Taipei Main (~18 min) → transfer TRA → get off early at Yingge (~20–27 min more, one stop before Taoyuan, no transfer)
→ Browse Yingge ceramics 10:00–10:45am, shops open ~10am — Eilong Pottery Boutique, Shu Family Studio (est. 1926)
→ New for 2026: the 2026 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale is running at Yingge Ceramics Museum (Jul 31 – Dec 27) right as you're there, and the brand-new New Taipei City Art Museum (opened Apr 2025, contemporary art, built on the Sanying reclaimed land) is a short walk from the ceramics street — worth 20–30 min if the morning's moving fast
→ MRT alternative: the Sanying Line opened Jun 30, 2026 and now runs Tucheng↔Yingge↔Sanxia — fully underground, weatherproof option if Sat morning is wet, and it also opens up Sanxia Old Street on the same loop if you ever want to swap Daxi for it
→ Uber/Bolt direct Yingge → Daxi (~15 min, ~NT$350–500) — skips the Taoyuan transfer. Fallback: TRA Yingge→Taoyuan (8 min) + Bus 5096 (~60 min, NT$40) if no driver nearby
→ Daxi Old Street crafts & shops (Baroque facades, woodwork, dried tofu)
→ Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum (free — 11 colonial buildings, living woodcraft museum)
→Cihu (慈湖) CKS mausoleum + statue field — cut to make the earlier 5:30pm dinner
Afternoon: Leave Daxi by ~3:30pm — Bus 5098 Daxi → Zhongli (~60 min, NT$37) → explore SE Asian market district for ~1 hr before dinner
🍽 17:30 Dinner: Thai Town Cuisine, 4/F Metro Walk — No. 509, Sec. 2, Zhongyuan Rd., Zhongli · w/ local friends
Return: TRA Zhongli → Taipei Main (~50 min) → R Red Line → Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Grand Hyatt) — back ~1 hr earlier, around 8:15–8:30pm
(You're still at the Grand Hyatt this day — one night before the Nangang changeover.)
Morning: R Taipei 101/World Trade Center → Taipei Main (~18 min) → transfer TRA → get off early at Yingge (~20–27 min more, one stop before Taoyuan, no transfer)
→ Browse Yingge ceramics 10:00–10:45am, shops open ~10am — Eilong Pottery Boutique, Shu Family Studio (est. 1926)
→ New for 2026: the 2026 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale is running at Yingge Ceramics Museum (Jul 31 – Dec 27) right as you're there, and the brand-new New Taipei City Art Museum (opened Apr 2025, contemporary art, built on the Sanying reclaimed land) is a short walk from the ceramics street — worth 20–30 min if the morning's moving fast
→ MRT alternative: the Sanying Line opened Jun 30, 2026 and now runs Tucheng↔Yingge↔Sanxia — fully underground, weatherproof option if Sat morning is wet, and it also opens up Sanxia Old Street on the same loop if you ever want to swap Daxi for it
→ Uber/Bolt direct Yingge → Daxi (~15 min, ~NT$350–500) — skips the Taoyuan transfer. Fallback: TRA Yingge→Taoyuan (8 min) + Bus 5096 (~60 min, NT$40) if no driver nearby
→ Daxi Old Street crafts & shops (Baroque facades, woodwork, dried tofu)
→ Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum (free — 11 colonial buildings, living woodcraft museum)
→
Afternoon: Leave Daxi by ~3:30pm — Bus 5098 Daxi → Zhongli (~60 min, NT$37) → explore SE Asian market district for ~1 hr before dinner
🍽 17:30 Dinner: Thai Town Cuisine, 4/F Metro Walk — No. 509, Sec. 2, Zhongyuan Rd., Zhongli · w/ local friends
Return: TRA Zhongli → Taipei Main (~50 min) → R Red Line → Taipei 101/World Trade Center (Grand Hyatt) — back ~1 hr earlier, around 8:15–8:30pm
🦀 Keelung Day Trip — Suggested Sun Aug 30 (alt: Sun Sep 6)
Doing this on Aug 30 (you're at the Grand Hyatt): ride the Red Line to Taipei Main, then transfer to TRA. Doing it on the alt date Sep 6 (changeover day, you're now at Nangang): Nangang TRA is in the same complex — direct, no transfer. Do harbor sights in the afternoon, then the legendary Miaokou Night Market for dinner. Note: Keelung is Taiwan's rainiest city — pack an umbrella.
Out (alt Sep 6, from Courtyard Nangang): Nangang → Keelung · TRA direct, ~40 min, ~NT$41, every ~30 min · tap EasyCard, Keelung is the end of the line (can't miss it)
In town: Station → Zhengbin colorful houses & Heping Island Geopark via bus #101 (~15–20 min) or taxi (~NT$150) · Miaokou is a 10-min walk from the station, beside Dianji Temple
Back: TRA Keelung → Taipei Main (last trains ~23:30) → Red Line to Taipei 101 (Aug 30) or Blue Line to Nangang (Sep 6) — no need to rush dinner
#16 王記天婦羅 Wangji Tempura — Taiwanese tianbula fishcake, crisp outside/fluffy inside, sweet-chili dip
#5–8 吳記螃蟹羹 Crab Thick Soup — Keelung's signature thickened swimmer-crab soup
#27/#41 鼎邊趖 Ding Bian Cuo — rice-batter scrolls in a seafood-pork broth, a Keelung original
#37 泡泡冰 Pao Pao Bing — hand-whipped airy shaved ice (peanut & taro are classic)
#43-2 / #45 一口吃香腸 One-bite garlic sausage — tiny grilled sausages with raw garlic, ~NT$8 each
Also: 蚵仔煎 oyster omelet · 泡泡冰 · 三明治 · fried 丁香魚 anchovies · grilled squid. Go hungry, bring cash, peak 19:00–22:00.
🚆 Transportation Plan
Out (Aug 30, from Grand Hyatt): R Taipei 101/World Trade Center → Taipei Main (~18 min) → transfer TRA → Keelung (~40 min, ~NT$41)Out (alt Sep 6, from Courtyard Nangang): Nangang → Keelung · TRA direct, ~40 min, ~NT$41, every ~30 min · tap EasyCard, Keelung is the end of the line (can't miss it)
In town: Station → Zhengbin colorful houses & Heping Island Geopark via bus #101 (~15–20 min) or taxi (~NT$150) · Miaokou is a 10-min walk from the station, beside Dianji Temple
Back: TRA Keelung → Taipei Main (last trains ~23:30) → Red Line to Taipei 101 (Aug 30) or Blue Line to Nangang (Sep 6) — no need to rush dinner
🕑 Suggested timing
~13:00 depart hotel → Keelung · 14:00 Zhengbin rainbow harbor (photos) · 15:00 Heping Island Geopark (sea-eroded rock platforms, Keelung Islet views; closes ~18:00) · 17:30 back to Dianji Temple · 18:00 Miaokou dinner crawl · ~21:00 train home
🍢 Miaokou stalls to hit (stalls are numbered)
#58 營養三明治 Nutritious Sandwich (Tianshengpu) — the Keelung icon: fried bun, ham, egg, cucumber, tomato, sweet mayo#16 王記天婦羅 Wangji Tempura — Taiwanese tianbula fishcake, crisp outside/fluffy inside, sweet-chili dip
#5–8 吳記螃蟹羹 Crab Thick Soup — Keelung's signature thickened swimmer-crab soup
#27/#41 鼎邊趖 Ding Bian Cuo — rice-batter scrolls in a seafood-pork broth, a Keelung original
#37 泡泡冰 Pao Pao Bing — hand-whipped airy shaved ice (peanut & taro are classic)
#43-2 / #45 一口吃香腸 One-bite garlic sausage — tiny grilled sausages with raw garlic, ~NT$8 each
Also: 蚵仔煎 oyster omelet · 泡泡冰 · 三明治 · fried 丁香魚 anchovies · grilled squid. Go hungry, bring cash, peak 19:00–22:00.
Other Weekend Trips — To Be Planned
Options: Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, Tainan, Alishan, Yilan, Kenting... see Weekend Guide tab in Excel tracker
🍜 Full Taipei Food & Drink Guide below ↓
90+ picks organized by distance from each hotel & MRT access — Xinyi/Grand Hyatt walk-ups (Wk1), Nangang walk-ups (Wk2), a deep office-lunch list near Jingmao 2nd Rd built for 2 full work weeks, Raohe night market, iconic eats, fish & sushi, mala/spicy, and adventurous bites.
🍜 Taipei Food & Drink Guide — by Distance & MRT
Xiao Long Bao
Ramen
Bubble Tea
Night Markets
Beef Noodle Soup
Fresh Sushi
① Xinyi — Walk or 1 Stop from Grand Hyatt (Week 1, Aug 29–Sep 6)
Dept-store dining tower · 10+ restaurant floors, every cuisine
~5 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
The Xinyi flagship of the Mitsukoshi chain — your easy default. Multiple upper floors are wall-to-wall restaurants (Japanese, Taiwanese, Western, café), plus a basement food hall. Open late, air-conditioned, card-friendly.
World-famous xiao long bao · NT$300–700/pp
~7 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
Same legendary XLB as the Yongkang flagship, but a straight walk from the Grand Hyatt instead of a 25–30 min MRT ride. Take a number, it moves quickly.
Nightlife/dining tower · rooftop bars, izakayas, Southeast Asian & Western
~8 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
Xinyi's nightlife tower right by Taipei 101 — several floors of bars, clubs, and casual restaurants. Good after-dinner option since you're already in the neighborhood.
Converted 1940s military village · cafés & craft shops
~10 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
A pocket of old Taiwan literally in Taipei 101's shadow — low brick houses turned into cafés and indie shops. Good slow-morning coffee stop or break from mall food.
Local night market · far fewer tourists than Raohe/Shilin/Ningxia
~15–20 min walk
R Xinyi Anhe (1 stop)
R Xinyi Anhe (1 stop)
Straight shot down Xinyi Rd, or one MRT stop to Xinyi Anhe (Exit 4). The closest night market to Taipei 101 and the one with the most local, least tourist-heavy feel — dense stalls between Keelung and Anhe Rd.
Food-court hidden gem · shrimp-broth rice, NT$268 set
~7 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
Same food court as Din Tai Fung inside the Taipei 101 mall — easy to miss, worth seeking out. Signature Supreme Shrimp Rice (shrimp-broth rice, onsen egg) with fish ball soup + fried tofu, ~NT$268 (~$9). Good backup on a DTF queue night.
Café · bagels, craft beer, AC
short walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
Inside Xinyi Assembly Hall — cozy, well-known for freshly baked bagels (blueberry is the one to get). Good AC escape + slow breakfast before a work day or excursion.
Café · cinnamon rolls, coffee — locally hyped
short walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
One of the most talked-about cafés in the Taipei 101 area — fast service, good coffee, worth the walk for the cinnamon rolls alone.
Western brunch · pancakes, omelettes, burgers
off station
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
Taipei's original big brunch spot, accessible right off Taipei 101 MRT. Good option when you want a break from Taiwanese/Japanese food.
Traditional Taiwanese breakfast · budget
local pick
Xinyi area
Xinyi area
Where locals actually get breakfast: warm salty soy milk, shaobing, fantuan, youtiao, baozi. The authentic counterpart to the café options above.
Italian vegetarian · Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A11
~5 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
New 2026 find inside A11 (same building as the Mitsukoshi food floors). Well-known Italian veg-forward spot — the signature truffle wild-mushroom soufflé omelet is the dish to order. Good option for a lighter dinner after a heavy XLB week.
American-Italian · Taipei 101 Mall, 4F
~7 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
New 2026 opening in the Taipei 101 mall — pastas, pizzas, and starters in a clean, comfortable room. High value-for-money by mall standards; an easy fallback if the DTF line is too long.
Casual Western set meals · World Trade Center Hall 1, 2F
~5 min walk
R Taipei 101
R Taipei 101
New 2025/2026 opening right by the Taipei 101/World Trade Center MRT exit — high value-for-money hand-fermented-dough pizza and passionfruit squid-and-shrimp sets, each with salad + soup + a drink included. Bright, high-ceilinged room with outlets — good weekday lunch.
Splurge options — not walkable, worth the trip
Michelin — book well ahead
Tairroir (3 Michelin stars) — Zhongshan District, ~3+ miles from Taipei 101, needs a taxi/MRT, not a walk. Mume (1 star) — Da'an, ~10 min walk from Xinyi Anhe or Da'an MRT, roughly 20–25 min total from the Grand Hyatt. Note: RAW, the other big Xinyi Michelin name, permanently closed Dec 2024 — drop it from any older list.
② Nangang — Walk or 1 Stop from Hotel (Week 2, Sep 6–12)
Mall dining · Ramen · Yakiniku · Hotpot · Food court 8–9F
~6 min walk
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
Built right on top of Nangang Station — your easy default for weeknight dinners. Inside: Ippudo Ramen, Gyu-Kaku yakiniku, Mo-Mo-Paradise shabu-shabu, plus a big food court (floors 8–9) and bakeries/cafés at ground level. Open late, air-conditioned, card-friendly.
Jiangzhe cuisine · Soup dumplings · NT$400–900/pp
~8 min
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
Refined Jiangsu-Zhejiang restaurant famed for xiao long bao (try the luffa & the original) and Hangzhou-style dishes. A sit-down alternative to Din Tai Fung without leaving Nangang. Near CITYLINK / Global Mall.
永和豆漿大王 · Yonghe Soy Milk King
Taiwanese breakfast · Soy milk · Youtiao · ~NT$60–120
walk
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
Classic 24-hr Taiwanese breakfast chain near the station — warm/cold soy milk (豆漿), youtiao fried dough, dan bing egg crepes, turnip cake, fan tuan rice rolls. Cheap, fast, and the right way to start a workday.
Bogart's Smokehouse 📍 / Neverland Noodle Bar
American BBQ · craft beer · noodle bar — Western comfort options
~10 min
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
When you want a break from Chinese food: Texas-style smoked brisket & ribs at Bogart's, or a casual craft-noodle/beer spot at Neverland. Both highly rated in the Nangang cluster.
The Lounge — JC CAT Afternoon Tea 📍
In-hotel afternoon tea · seasonal themed sets
in the hotel
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
Don't even need to leave the building — the Courtyard's 7F lounge bar runs a well-reviewed rotating themed afternoon tea (an "Atlantis" ocean-themed set was current as of 2026: seafood-forward savories + sea-creature-shaped desserts, ocean-blue soda, latte art). A relaxed way to close a work day without going anywhere.
Grilled eel rice specialist · LaLaport Nangang, 6F
~15 min walk
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
New 2026 Taichung import inside LaLaport — premium Taiwan-export-grade eel, charcoal-grilled, served four ways (unagi don variations). Wednesdays run a half-price special on the whole-eel set — worth timing a visit around. A step up from a normal weeknight dinner.
老張燒餅店 Lao Zhang Sesame Flatbread 📍
Breakfast · pepper buns & sweet/savory sesame flatbread
same street
BL Nangang
BL Nangang
No. 602, Sec. 7, Zhongxiao E Rd — the same street as the Courtyard (No. 359), a walk or a short cab down the road. Long-running local favorite; the charcoal-baked pepper bun (胡椒餅) is the one to get, sweet versions also good. Easy grab-and-go before an early work day.
③ Office Lunches — Nangang Software Park / Jingmao 2nd Rd
📍 Anchored on 20F, No. 121, Jingmao 2nd Rd — one MRT stop (Brown Line, Nangang Software Park) from the Nangang hotel, a couple doors from LaLaport, ~10 min from the CTBC Financial Park cluster, ~15 min from the Nangang Rd Sec 1 / Exhibition Hall cluster. Built out deep since you're anchored here both full work weeks (Sept 7–18) — enough distinct picks below to run 10 weekday lunches without repeating.
👉 Suggested 10-day rotation (no repeats)
Wk1 Mon LaLaport B1 food court (丸龜製麵 udon or 添好運 dim sum) · Tue the Diner (American brunch) · Wed 大江戶町鰻屋 — half-price whole-eel day · Thu 陶膳日本料理 (bento/teishoku) · Fri 咔家韓式料理 (kimchi jjigae)
Wk2 Mon LaLaport 6F 饗麻饗辣 (personal mala hotpot) · Tue 三川田輕麻辣風麵食館 (hidden spicy wontons) · Wed 石研室石頭火鍋, CTBC (team hot pot) · Thu CoppiiLumii café (light lunch, laptop time) · Fri 聚豐德燒臘 (Cantonese roast-meat send-off)
Wk2 Mon LaLaport 6F 饗麻饗辣 (personal mala hotpot) · Tue 三川田輕麻辣風麵食館 (hidden spicy wontons) · Wed 石研室石頭火鍋, CTBC (team hot pot) · Thu CoppiiLumii café (light lunch, laptop time) · Fri 聚豐德燒臘 (Cantonese roast-meat send-off)
Quick-service · noodles, dumplings, dim sum, braised/lu wei
~3 min walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
No. 131 Jingmao 2nd Rd, B1 — a couple doors down. Standouts: 丸龜製麵 (hand-pulled udon + fried tempura, pick your own), 金子半之助 (loaded tempura don), 大阪王將 (pan-fried gyoza + fried rice), 添好運 (Michelin-listed dim sum — char siu bao, shrimp dumplings), 太陽番茄麵 (tomato-broth ramen, lighter option), 林聰明砂鍋魚頭 (Chiayi casserole fish head), 福喜滿 (braised pork knuckle rice/bento), 順成暖滷鋪 (pick-your-own lu wei), 熊厚呷 (Taiwanese fried snacks). AC, card-friendly, always fast.
LaLaport Nangang — 5F Japanese Sets 📍
Teishoku, curry, beef bowls, okonomiyaki
~3 min walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
One floor up: 彌生軒 (classic teishoku — main + soup + pickles), 京都勝牛 (fried beef cutlet sets), 肉的長谷川 (grilled-beef donburi), POPO CURRY / 茶嶋咖哩 (Japanese curry, several heat levels), 虎記餃子 (pan-fried dumplings), 鶴橋風月 (Osaka-style okonomiyaki), 黑毛屋 (wagyu hot pot — splurge option for a celebration lunch), 咖樂迪咖啡農場 (coffee + Japanese grocery snacks if you just want a light bite).
LaLaport Nangang — 6F Korean & Spicy 📍
Korean sets, mala hot pot, Thai, Hakka
~3 min walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
韓美膳 (quick Korean — stone-pot bibimbap, cold noodles), 韓定食專賣店 (full Korean set with banchan), 韓國一隻雞 (whole-chicken ginseng stew, good for a shared lunch), 豆腐里 (Korean soft-tofu stew), 饗麻饗辣 (personal mala hot pot, buffet-style toppings — good Monday reset), 享THAI (pad kra pao, mango salad), 柚子花花 (creative Hakka). Same floor as the eel restaurant below.
Grilled eel rice · LaLaport Nangang, 6F
~3 min walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
Premium charcoal-grilled eel, four ways. Wednesday half-price whole-eel special — good excuse for a nicer mid-week lunch, twice over a 2-week stay.
American brunch · pancakes, burgers, Hawaiian specials
~4 min walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
No. 166 Jingmao 2nd Rd, Bldg A, 2F — practically next door. Full American brunch menu all day; reliable break from Taiwanese/Japanese lunch sets.
陶膳日本料理 📍
Japanese teishoku & bento · high value, card-friendly
short walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
A genuine Software Park lunch institution — à la carte, teishoku, and a "1+1" combo (pick two mains, comes with sides). Weekday-only business bento window ~11:40am–12:30pm sells out fast; can pre-order. Good consistent fallback for the full 2 weeks.
咔家韓式料理 📍
Korean · kimchi jjigae, small & popular
short walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
Tiny (~18 seats), packed at lunch. Kimchi jjigae (~NT$160) comes with rice + banchan, mild-to-medium spice, clean broth. Go slightly before or after the noon rush.
聚豐德燒臘專賣店 📍
Cantonese roast-meat bento · office-crowd favorite
short walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
Regular lunchtime line of Software Park workers getting takeout boxes. 六寶飯 (six-roast-meat combo rice) is the crowd-pleaser; a limited nightly batch of roast duck leg (6 only) if you're there into the evening.
CoppiiLumii 冉冉生活 (經貿店) 📍
Café · no time limit, outlets/USB at every seat
~5 min walk
BR Software Park
BR Software Park
Bright, spacious, semi-self-service café right by the station. Genuinely good for parking a laptop over a light lunch or coffee break — outlets and USB ports at every table, no time limit.
Hidden/local lunch spots (worth the extra few minutes)
三川田輕麻辣風麵食館 — unmarked, tucked in an alley near the station; cult favorite for spicy red-oil wontons and dry-tossed noodles. 大河屋燒肉丼串燒 — big donburi bowls, seafood and meat, right at the station. 南港傳統大腸圈 — old-school sticky-rice-sausage stall behind the Nangang District Office, busy with office lunches. 天菊仙草豆花 — handmade tofu pudding & shaved ice, good afternoon cooldown.
CTBC Financial Park cluster (~10 min walk, Nos. 168–188)
A second dining cluster a bit further down Jingmao 2nd Rd, open 11:00–21:30: 麻布茶房 (Taiwanese-Japanese fusion, C棟 1F) · 石研室石頭火鍋 (personal hot pot, C棟 3F — good for a team lunch) · 涮乃葉 Shabu-Yo (shabu-shabu, No. 188-1 2F) · 好吃的飯捲鋪 (Korean-run gimbap, tteokbokki, fish-cake soup — quick and cheap) · PappaRich 金爸爸 (Malaysian — Hainan chicken rice, laksa, kaya toast; takeout combos run periodic discounts).
Worth a slightly longer walk (~15 min, Nangang Rd Sec 1 / Exhibition Hall)
Issac EATLIAN CUISINE — Mediterranean/Italian slow food, good for a client lunch. 武侍酒日式居酒屋 — opposite the Exhibition Hall, cheap skewers from NT$50, open for lunch too, pet-friendly. Bogart's Smokehouse — Texas brisket/ribs, expect a line at peak times. Neverland Bakery Cafe / Noodle Bar — house-made pasta/bread or beef noodle soup (4 broths, 4 noodle cuts). PAUSE Coffee Roaster (No. 73) — sit-down café good for a working lunch, pizza + dessert worth the trip. Jim's Pizza — 22-inch pies cut into 8 giant slices, one slice is a meal. 邱家大腸麵線 (No. 606, same street as the Courtyard) — intestine noodle soup + crispy stinky tofu. 南港無招牌麵店 (unmarked, Nangang Rd Sec 1, Lane 165) — dinner only, opens 4:30pm, arrive early or it sells out. 台北漢來 島語自助餐廳 — hotel buffet, standout gelato bar.
④ Raohe Night Market — Closest Big Market (Week 2)
🏮 Raohe Street Night Market · G Songshan Exit 5 · ~12 min from hotel
600 m of stalls by Ciyou Temple. From Nangang: TRA one stop to Songshan (fastest) or Blue→Green via transfer. Go ~5:30–6:30 pm or after 10 pm to dodge crowds. Bring cash. 6 Michelin-listed stalls here.
福州世祖胡椒餅 · Fuzhou Black Pepper Buns
Tandoor-baked pork-and-pepper bun · ~NT$60 · entrance stall
🔥 Signature
First stall at the Ciyou Temple entrance — crispy sesame crust, juicy peppery pork, baked tandoor-style. The single most famous bite at Raohe; expect a queue that moves fast.
Herbal rib soup & braised snacks (lu wei) · Michelin street-food listed
🎖 Michelin
Two Raohe institutions: medicinal rib soup (藥燉排骨) — pork ribs in a warming herbal broth — and A-Kuo's lu wei, Michelin-listed braised cold cuts you point-and-pick. Pure Taipei night-market comfort.
東發號 Dong Fa Hao · + oyster vermicelli & stinky tofu
80-yr vermicelli/meat soup · oyster mee sua · 蚵仔煎 oyster omelet
⭐ Classic
Century-old Dong Fa Hao does just three things (vermicelli, meat soup, sticky rice). Elsewhere in the lane: oyster vermicelli (蚵仔麵線), oyster omelet (蚵仔煎), and fermented stinky tofu (臭豆腐) for the adventurous.
⑤ Iconic Taipei — Worth the MRT Ride
World-famous xiao long bao · NT$300–700/pp · many branches
~25–30 min
R Dongmen
R Dongmen
The benchmark for soup dumplings. Flagship at Yongkang St (Dongmen, Red Line); also Taipei 101 and Nanjing branches. 18-fold XLB, truffle XLB, drunken chicken, sticky rice shumai. Take a number, it moves quickly.
Beef noodle soup · NT$200–300 · open late
~22 min
BL Zhongxiao Fuxing
BL Zhongxiao Fuxing
Taipei's signature dish done right — tendon-rich beef noodle soup (牛肉麵) with a clean peppery broth and famous chili-butter. Straight shot on the Blue Line from Nangang. For an upscale version, Yongkang Beef Noodle near Dongmen.
Soup dumplings · Bib Gourmand · NT$200–400 · near CKS Memorial
🎖 Bib Gourmand
Local favorite many Taipei residents rate above Din Tai Fung for value — thin-skinned XLB from fresh pork hind-leg, plus excellent luffa & shrimp dumplings. R CKS Memorial Hall. Expect a line.
Gua Bao · Bubble Tea · the classics
刈包 pork-belly bun · 珍珠奶茶 boba · 滷肉飯 braised pork rice
everywhere
Don't overthink these — gua bao (steamed bun, braised pork belly, pickled greens, peanut powder, cilantro), lu rou fan braised pork over rice, and original bubble tea are on nearly every block. Chains like Chen San Ding (boba) and any busy lu rou fan counter deliver.
⑥ Fish, Seafood & Sushi
Fish market + standing sushi/oyster bar · cash only · NT$500–1,500
~30 min
R Xingtian Temple
R Xingtian Temple
A gourmet fish market with a buzzing standing sushi bar, oyster bar, and seafood grill. Live king crab, uni, sashimi, geoduck — buy and have it prepped, or stand and eat omakase-style. Cash only. Go on a weekday/off-peak. Open late.
Re-chao seafood (live tanks) · point-and-pick · NT$600–1,200/pp
~28 min
O Songjiang Nanjing
O Songjiang Nanjing
Boisterous re-chao (热炒) live-seafood hall — pick from tanks, order beer by the case, get clams in basil, salt-and-pepper shrimp, stir-fried greens. The quintessential rowdy Taipei seafood dinner. Liaoning Street area has several.
Omakase row — Tomigusuku / Sushi Yoshi / Mille
Edomae omakase · NT$2,000–6,000+/pp · reserve ahead
🍣 Higher-end
Taipei has a deep omakase scene (much Japanese-trained talent). If you want a proper sushi night, book a counter in Zhongshan / Da'an a week+ ahead via inline or the shop's LINE. Good value vs Tokyo for the quality.
⑦ Mala & Spicy — Numbing Heat (麻辣)
Sichuan mala hotpot · duck-blood & tofu in the broth · NT$800–1,200/pp
🌶🌶🌶
Benchmark mala hotpot — peppercorn-and-chili broth with 40+ spices, bottomless duck blood & tofu. Get the half-and-half (鴛鴦) pot so you can pace the numbing heat. Reserve; popular branches near Zhongshan/Songjiang.
青花驕 Qinghua Jiao · / 老老 Lao Lao
Chongqing "nine-leaf" peppercorn broth · upscale mala · NT$900–1,500/pp
BR/O Nanjing Fuxing
For a fresher, more aromatic numbing: Qinghua Jiao uses cold-chain fresh Sichuan peppercorns; Lao Lao is the polished, premium-ingredient option near Nanjing Fuxing. Both lean serious-spice — say your tolerance level.
開飯川食堂 KaiFan Sichuan
À-la-carte Sichuan (not hotpot) · mapo tofu, kung pao, dan dan · NT$400–700/pp
BL near Nangang
If you want mala flavor without committing to a full hotpot: plated Sichuan — mapo tofu, mouthwatering chicken (口水雞), dan dan noodles, dry-fried green beans. A branch sits in the Nangang cluster, easy from the hotel.
⑧ More Night Markets & Adventurous Bites
🏮 Night markets ranked by access from Nangang
Raohe G Songshan ~12 min — closest & best all-rounder (see ④ above)Tonghua / Linjiang R Xinyi Anhe ~30 min — upscale Da'an, purest "local" feel, blowtorched beef, pan-fried buns
Ningxia G/O Shuanglian ~35 min — old-school classics: oyster omelet, taro balls, Liu Yu Zi egg yolk taro
Shilin R Jiantan ~45 min — biggest & most touristy: giant fried chicken, oyster omelet, games
😋 Adventurous / uniquely Taiwan
Stinky tofu (臭豆腐) — fermented, deep-fried, served with pickled cabbage & chili · Pig blood cake (豬血糕) on a stick, peanut + cilantro · Oyster omelet (蚵仔煎) · Peanut + cilantro ice-cream roll (花生捲冰淇淋) — shaved peanut brittle, cilantro, ice cream in a thin wrap · Coffin bread (棺材板) · Century egg with tofu. Most are at Raohe or any market — point, pay cash, dive in.
📋 Taiwan Quick Guides
💳 EasyCard & Paying for Things
▼
Get it: Any MRT station fare machine (NT$100 deposit + load amount). Also sold at convenience stores.
Works on: MRT (20% discount), TRA trains (local fares), city buses, YouBike 2.0, FamilyMart / 7-Eleven / OK Mart checkout, some taxis, some restaurants.
Top up: At any MRT machine (accepts NT$100/500/1000 notes), 7-Eleven, FamilyMart. Auto-reload option available via phone app.
Refund: Return at any MRT station — get deposit + remaining balance minus NT$20 fee. Or just keep it for next trip.
Tip: Keep ≥ NT$200 on card at all times. Turnstile beeps if you tap out with insufficient balance — can still exit but you'll be blocked re-entry until topped up.
Works on: MRT (20% discount), TRA trains (local fares), city buses, YouBike 2.0, FamilyMart / 7-Eleven / OK Mart checkout, some taxis, some restaurants.
Top up: At any MRT machine (accepts NT$100/500/1000 notes), 7-Eleven, FamilyMart. Auto-reload option available via phone app.
Refund: Return at any MRT station — get deposit + remaining balance minus NT$20 fee. Or just keep it for next trip.
Tip: Keep ≥ NT$200 on card at all times. Turnstile beeps if you tap out with insufficient balance — can still exit but you'll be blocked re-entry until topped up.
🚕 Taxis & Rideshare
▼
Flag fare: NT$85 for first 1.25 km, then NT$5 per 250m (daytime). Night surcharge 11pm–6am (+NT$20 flag). Luggage: free.
Typical fares from Nangang: Taipei Main Station ~NT$200 · Raohe Night Market ~NT$130 · Taipei 101 ~NT$250 · Airport not recommended (use MRT/HSR).
Payment: Most accept EasyCard. Some accept credit card. Cash safest.
Apps: LINE Taxi (most common in Taiwan) · Uber works in Taipei · 55688 (call-in service, English okay for hotels).
Tips: Have destination in Chinese or show the address on your phone. Most drivers are honest — metered is standard. Yellow cabs are regulated. Hotel can call for you anytime.
Typical fares from Nangang: Taipei Main Station ~NT$200 · Raohe Night Market ~NT$130 · Taipei 101 ~NT$250 · Airport not recommended (use MRT/HSR).
Payment: Most accept EasyCard. Some accept credit card. Cash safest.
Apps: LINE Taxi (most common in Taiwan) · Uber works in Taipei · 55688 (call-in service, English okay for hotels).
Tips: Have destination in Chinese or show the address on your phone. Most drivers are honest — metered is standard. Yellow cabs are regulated. Hotel can call for you anytime.
🚲 YouBike 2.0 — Bike Share
▼
Cost: NT$10/30 min (first 30 min free with registered EasyCard). After 1 hr: NT$20/30 min. Dockless return to any station.
How to rent: Link EasyCard via YouBike app or tap EasyCard at any dock kiosk. Or scan QR on bike with app. Bikes are 3-speed, well-maintained.
Stations near hotel: Nangang MRT exits, CITYLINK mall area, Nangang Software Park.
Best use: Last-mile from MRT to night market, riverside cycling paths (Dajia Riverside Park is beautiful), Raohe-area exploration. Not ideal for hills or rain.
App: YouBike微笑單車 (iOS/Android). Register with phone number + credit card + EasyCard ID.
How to rent: Link EasyCard via YouBike app or tap EasyCard at any dock kiosk. Or scan QR on bike with app. Bikes are 3-speed, well-maintained.
Stations near hotel: Nangang MRT exits, CITYLINK mall area, Nangang Software Park.
Best use: Last-mile from MRT to night market, riverside cycling paths (Dajia Riverside Park is beautiful), Raohe-area exploration. Not ideal for hills or rain.
App: YouBike微笑單車 (iOS/Android). Register with phone number + credit card + EasyCard ID.
📱 SIM Cards & Internet
▼
Best option: Buy tourist SIM at TPE airport on arrival (Arrivals level, open 24/7). Chunghwa Telecom or Taiwan Mobile — unlimited data 30-day for ~NT$300–500.
eSIM: If your phone supports it, activate before departure — Airalo, Klook, or direct from Chunghwa. Slightly less hassle than physical SIM.
Free WiFi: iTaiwan (government free wifi, ~4G, available at MRT stations, parks, libraries — register once via SMS). Hotel wifi generally solid.
MRT wifi: Free but intermittent in tunnels. Platforms have good coverage.
Note for Japan: Buy a separate Japan SIM or international plan — Taiwan SIM won't cover Hokkaido.
eSIM: If your phone supports it, activate before departure — Airalo, Klook, or direct from Chunghwa. Slightly less hassle than physical SIM.
Free WiFi: iTaiwan (government free wifi, ~4G, available at MRT stations, parks, libraries — register once via SMS). Hotel wifi generally solid.
MRT wifi: Free but intermittent in tunnels. Platforms have good coverage.
Note for Japan: Buy a separate Japan SIM or international plan — Taiwan SIM won't cover Hokkaido.
💵 Cash & ATMs
▼
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD / NT$). ~31–32 TWD = 1 USD (check live rate in converter above).
ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards (VISA/MC/Amex) 24/7 — most reliable. Citibank, HSBC ATMs also good. Postal ATMs (green) work for most cards. NT$20,000/day limit typical.
How much cash: Night markets are cash-only. Budget NT$500–1,500/person per market visit. Restaurants mid-range are increasingly card-friendly. Taxis prefer cash.
Exchange: Airport rates OK (not great). Taipei Main Station money changers competitive. Banks have good rates but ID required (passport). Avoid hotel exchange.
Cards: Visa/MC widely accepted at hotels, chain restaurants, malls. Amex less so. Smaller shops/markets: cash only.
ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards (VISA/MC/Amex) 24/7 — most reliable. Citibank, HSBC ATMs also good. Postal ATMs (green) work for most cards. NT$20,000/day limit typical.
How much cash: Night markets are cash-only. Budget NT$500–1,500/person per market visit. Restaurants mid-range are increasingly card-friendly. Taxis prefer cash.
Exchange: Airport rates OK (not great). Taipei Main Station money changers competitive. Banks have good rates but ID required (passport). Avoid hotel exchange.
Cards: Visa/MC widely accepted at hotels, chain restaurants, malls. Amex less so. Smaller shops/markets: cash only.
🚄 HSR (High-Speed Rail) Quick Reference
▼
Your station: Nangang is the eastern terminus of HSR — all southbound HSR starts here. Walk from Courtyard (connected complex).
Key routes from Nangang:
→ Taoyuan (Airport): ~20 min · NT$155 · then Airport MRT to TPE T1/T2
→ Taichung: ~45 min · NT$700
→ Tainan: ~1h 40min · NT$1,350
→ Zuoying (Kaohsiung): ~2h · NT$1,630
Book: thsrc.com.tw (EN) · Up to 28 days ahead · Early discount 35% off · No booking fee. EasyCard doesn't work on HSR.
Tip: Window seat right side going south for views. Trains run every 15–30 min peak. Standard class is fine — business class barely different.
Key routes from Nangang:
→ Taoyuan (Airport): ~20 min · NT$155 · then Airport MRT to TPE T1/T2
→ Taichung: ~45 min · NT$700
→ Tainan: ~1h 40min · NT$1,350
→ Zuoying (Kaohsiung): ~2h · NT$1,630
Book: thsrc.com.tw (EN) · Up to 28 days ahead · Early discount 35% off · No booking fee. EasyCard doesn't work on HSR.
Tip: Window seat right side going south for views. Trains run every 15–30 min peak. Standard class is fine — business class barely different.
Next Stop: Hokkaido 🇯🇵
✈️ Taipei → Sapporo — Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
🇯🇵 Sapporo, Hokkaido — Sep 12 to 17, 2026 (5 nights)
Sep 12 (2pm) – Sep 17 (11am)
5 nights · Near Susukino entertainment district
SAT
SEP 12
SEP 12
Arrive Sapporo — Market + Ramen
Arrive CTS 11:55am → JR Airport Express to city (~37 min, ¥1,150) → hotel check-in 2pm
Nijo Market (二条市場) — open from 7am, city center: uni bowl (¥2,000–4,000), ikura-uni donburi, live crab cooked to order — go same day if you land with energy, or next morning
Evening — pick one ramen shop: Sumire (miso, the classic reference), Ramen Noodle Lab Q (shoyu, Hokkaido chicken), or Teshikaga (seafood shoyu, Okhotsk scallops)
Nijo Market (二条市場) — open from 7am, city center: uni bowl (¥2,000–4,000), ikura-uni donburi, live crab cooked to order — go same day if you land with energy, or next morning
Evening — pick one ramen shop: Sumire (miso, the classic reference), Ramen Noodle Lab Q (shoyu, Hokkaido chicken), or Teshikaga (seafood shoyu, Okhotsk scallops)
SUN
SEP 13
SEP 13
Beer + Lamb + Park + Premium Sushi
✅ Himeshara Booked
Sapporo Beer Museum — free entry, paid tasting; try Kaitaku Shi Bier (the original 1877 recipe)
Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) lamb BBQ in the beer garden — lunch
Afternoon: Odori Park, Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade (7-block covered street — good spot to pick up a knife at Miyabun) · Hokkaido University if time
Evening: Himeshara, 7:30 PM, Maruyama — 2★ Michelin omakase, ¥42,500. Arrive by 7:20 PM, business casual, no perfume
Jingisukan (ジンギスカン) lamb BBQ in the beer garden — lunch
Afternoon: Odori Park, Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade (7-block covered street — good spot to pick up a knife at Miyabun) · Hokkaido University if time
Evening: Himeshara, 7:30 PM, Maruyama — 2★ Michelin omakase, ¥42,500. Arrive by 7:20 PM, business casual, no perfume
MON
SEP 14
SEP 14
🚂 Travel to Hakodate ⭐
Mid-morning Hokuto Limited Express → Hakodate (~3h 36min, ¥9,240 each way) — comfortably makes the 3:00pm OMO5 check-in, no need for a pre-dawn departure now that it's an overnight
Motomachi Historic District — Western-style buildings, Old Public Hall, churches
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses — craft shops, souvenirs, bay views
Evening: Mt. Hakodate night view — ropeway up for the city lights (one of Japan's top 3 night views), then shio (salt) ramen for dinner — Hakodate's origin style, lighter and cleaner than Sapporo miso
Overnight at OMO5 Hakodate — see hotel card below
Motomachi Historic District — Western-style buildings, Old Public Hall, churches
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses — craft shops, souvenirs, bay views
Evening: Mt. Hakodate night view — ropeway up for the city lights (one of Japan's top 3 night views), then shio (salt) ramen for dinner — Hakodate's origin style, lighter and cleaner than Sapporo miso
Overnight at OMO5 Hakodate — see hotel card below
TUE
SEP 15
SEP 15
🐟 Hakodate Morning Market → Back to Sapporo
September = peak squid season — the whole point of the overnight is getting the market fresh instead of rushing it on a day trip
Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市) — open 5am–2pm, checkout 11am: Live Dancing Squid Bowl (活イカ踊り丼) ¥2,079, Live Squid Fishing Pond (catch your own, chef preps it sashimi-style), plus uni, ikura, crab
Checkout 11am → Hokuto Limited Express back to Sapporo → re-check into Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino
Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市) — open 5am–2pm, checkout 11am: Live Dancing Squid Bowl (活イカ踊り丼) ¥2,079, Live Squid Fishing Pond (catch your own, chef preps it sashimi-style), plus uni, ikura, crab
Checkout 11am → Hokuto Limited Express back to Sapporo → re-check into Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino
WED
SEP 16
SEP 16
Buffer Day — Tempura Masa + Free Afternoon
✅ Tempura Masa Booked
Breakfast: soup curry (スープカレー) — Suage+ or Garaku, both well-regarded
Lunch: Tempura Masa, 12:00 PM, tempura omakase served by sous chef, ¥17,000, Matsuoka Bldg, Susukino (walkable) — fill out the dietary restrictions form beforehand, business casual, no perfume
Free/flex afternoon — good slot for the Otaru glass day trip (Kitaichi Glass, ~32 min JR rapid train) or a stop at Miyabun knife shop in Tanukikoji, or mop up Nijo Market/Hokkaido University, rest
Lunch: Tempura Masa, 12:00 PM, tempura omakase served by sous chef, ¥17,000, Matsuoka Bldg, Susukino (walkable) — fill out the dietary restrictions form beforehand, business casual, no perfume
Free/flex afternoon — good slot for the Otaru glass day trip (Kitaichi Glass, ~32 min JR rapid train) or a stop at Miyabun knife shop in Tanukikoji, or mop up Nijo Market/Hokkaido University, rest
THU
SEP 17
SEP 17
✈ Fly Home
Checkout Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino, 11:00am
CTS → NRT: ANA NH2154, 1:40pm–3:25pm · 2-hr layover in Tokyo, then NRT → EWR: UA78, 5:25pm–5:05pm EDT
New Chitose has good airport food if there's time before the first flight — Hokkaido milk soft serve, ramen street
CTS → NRT: ANA NH2154, 1:40pm–3:25pm · 2-hr layover in Tokyo, then NRT → EWR: UA78, 5:25pm–5:05pm EDT
New Chitose has good airport food if there's time before the first flight — Hokkaido milk soft serve, ramen street
🍜 Casual Must-Eats Quick Ref
Nijo Market (Sep 12): Uni bowl, ikura-uni donburi, live crab cooked to order — bring cash
Sapporo ramen: Sumire (miso, the classic), Ramen Noodle Lab Q (shoyu), or Teshikaga (seafood shoyu)
Otaru (optional, Wed Sep 16 afternoon): Kitaichi Glass — freshest uni/crab nearby too if you make a lunch of it
Hakodate Morning Market (Sep 15): Donburi Yokocho arcade (~20 restaurants) + Uni Murakami — go before 8am
Sapporo soup curry (Sep 16 breakfast): Suage+ or Garaku, both well-regarded
Hakodate Ramen: Ajisai shio ramen (Bib Gourmand, near Goryokaku) · Ramen Kamomë (seafood miso, 8-seat gem near market)
Sapporo ramen: Sumire (miso, the classic), Ramen Noodle Lab Q (shoyu), or Teshikaga (seafood shoyu)
Otaru (optional, Wed Sep 16 afternoon): Kitaichi Glass — freshest uni/crab nearby too if you make a lunch of it
Hakodate Morning Market (Sep 15): Donburi Yokocho arcade (~20 restaurants) + Uni Murakami — go before 8am
Sapporo soup curry (Sep 16 breakfast): Suage+ or Garaku, both well-regarded
Hakodate Ramen: Ajisai shio ramen (Bib Gourmand, near Goryokaku) · Ramen Kamomë (seafood miso, 8-seat gem near market)
↓ Full Michelin dining guide with booking links — see section below ↓
🏨 Hakodate Hotel — Mon Sep 14 Night · Station / Bay Area
Station area · 24-1 Wakamatsu-cho · 2 min walk to Daimon Yokocho snack bars
✅ Booked
Sep 14 Mon (check-in 3pm) – Sep 15 Tue (checkout 11am)
Room: Superio Twin · 2 min walk to JR Hakodate Station
Nightlife: Daimon Yokocho 2 min walk (30 izakayas & snack bars) · Honcho snack bar district ~12 min tram
Free shuttles: Hourly bus to Hakodate Ropeway & Goryokaku · Direct night-view bus to Mt. Hakodate Observatory · Shuttle to Onuma Park
Activity option: Morning Hakodate JIYUU Market Tour (book via hotel)
Nightlife: Daimon Yokocho 2 min walk (30 izakayas & snack bars) · Honcho snack bar district ~12 min tram
Free shuttles: Hourly bus to Hakodate Ropeway & Goryokaku · Direct night-view bus to Mt. Hakodate Observatory · Shuttle to Onuma Park
Activity option: Morning Hakodate JIYUU Market Tour (book via hotel)
Bay Area Alternative
¥18,000–¥40,000/night (~$125–$275)
🚡 Getting there: Hokuto Limited Express Sapporo→Hakodate (~2h 50min, ~¥8,910, JR pass covered) · Hakodate Station is walking distance to OMO5; free OMO5 shuttle to Bay Area if staying there
🍶 Nightlife Sep 14: Daimon Yokocho (30 tiny bars & izakaya, 2 min from station) → Honcho district (snack bar hopping, hostess bars, karaoke — tram ~12 min to Goryokaku area)
🏯 Sightseeing Sep 14: Motomachi → Kanemori Warehouses → Goryokaku Fort → Mt. Hakodate Ropeway night view (one of Japan's top 3)
🐟 Sep 15 morning: Hakodate Morning Market (opens 5am, peak 6–9am, 5 min walk from OMO5) → checkout → JR Hokuto back toward Sapporo or onward
🍶 Nightlife Sep 14: Daimon Yokocho (30 tiny bars & izakaya, 2 min from station) → Honcho district (snack bar hopping, hostess bars, karaoke — tram ~12 min to Goryokaku area)
🏯 Sightseeing Sep 14: Motomachi → Kanemori Warehouses → Goryokaku Fort → Mt. Hakodate Ropeway night view (one of Japan's top 3)
🐟 Sep 15 morning: Hakodate Morning Market (opens 5am, peak 6–9am, 5 min walk from OMO5) → checkout → JR Hokuto back toward Sapporo or onward
🍽 Michelin Dining Guide — Sapporo & Hakodate
🏙 Sapporo Picks · Sep 12–17
Japanese Cuisine · Maruyama (moved from Susukino) · ¥42,500/pp
⭐⭐ Michelin
✅ Booked — Sun Sep 13, 7:30 PM
2-star Japanese cuisine, now in Maruyama — ~10 min taxi from Vessel Hotel. Seasonal Hokkaido ingredients with refined technique, intimate setting. All guests seated together; arrive by 7:20 PM — more than 10 min late and you're not admitted, more than 30 min is a no-show (100% charge). Dress code: business casual, no perfume. Booking fee ¥8,000/seat non-refundable.
Booked via TABLEALL (info@tableall.com), confirmed 2026-07-23. Sushi Miyakawa (3★) was ruled out — fully booked through end of Sept 2026.
Tempura Lunch Omakase · Susukino, Matsuoka Bldg · ¥17,000/pp
🍤 Chef Masa
✅ Booked — Wed Sep 16, 12:00 PM
Lunch omakase served by the sous chef, English-friendly. Fill out the dietary restrictions form beforehand. Business casual, no perfume, arrive on time.
No phone — questions to info@tableall.com
Booked via TABLEALL, confirmed 2026-07-23.
Crab Specialist · Susukino · Est. 1964 · Courses from ¥8,000
🦀 Michelin Recommended
Optional 3rd splurge if you want one — Sapporo's legendary crab restaurant since 1964. King crab, snow crab, hairy crab — sashimi, tempura, shabu-shabu, grilled, steamed all in one course. Private tatami rooms. English menu. Near Susukino Station. Book 2–3 weeks ahead.
🏯 Hakodate Picks · Sep 14–15
Kaiseki · Houraicho · Est. 1961 · Dinner ¥15,000+/pp · Lunch ¥6,000+/pp
⭐⭐ Michelin
The only 2-star restaurant in Hakodate. 60+ year history. Signature: squid somen, salmon roe rice, seasonal Hakodate seafood in kaiseki style. 1-min walk from Hourai-cho streetcar stop. Lunch 11:45–14:00 / Dinner 17:30–22:00 (last entry 19:30). Sep 14 dinner ideal.
French-Hokkaido Fusion · Kashiwagi-cho · ¥8,000–20,000/pp
⭐ Michelin
Chef trained 7.5 yrs Tokyo + 6 yrs France (Michel Trama, Regis Marcon). Charming detached house. Mon lunch 12:00–15:00; Mon dinner 18:00–22:00 (last entry 19:30). Sep 14 Monday — both lunch and dinner slots available.
Omakase Sushi · Yunokawa · ¥8,000–15,000/pp · Ocean view counter
🎖 Highly Acclaimed
Chef with 40 years experience — consistently called "best sushi ever." Reservation-only. Private room with ocean view. Book as early as possible.
Uni Specialist · Morning Market entrance · ¥2,000–5,000 · Sep 15 early
🎖 Michelin Recognized
Gold standard Hakodate uni. Sources from Rishiri, Rebun, Setana — no alum, pure ocean sweetness. Open from 5am. Go before 8am on Sep 15. Uni bowls ¥2,500–4,500.
Hakodate Salt Ramen · Near Goryokaku Park · ¥1,000–1,500 · Est. 1930s
🎖 Michelin Bib Gourmand
80+ year institution. Hakodate's signature shio ramen — ultra-clear, complex kombu/pork/chicken broth. Visit Sep 14 afternoon near Goryokaku Fort. Expect 20–45 min queue. Worth every minute.
🚂 JR Hokkaido Rail Pass — ✅ Booked ($128.33, 5-day)
Booked via Agoda (provider BeMyGuest) — covers the Sapporo ↔ Hakodate round trip and the optional Otaru day trip if you add it (Wed Sep 16 afternoon). This is a voucher-based booking, not a counter purchase — bring the Agoda voucher to exchange for the physical pass; check the confirmation email for the exact exchange location (likely CTS airport or Sapporo Station JR ticket office).⚠️ Sep 17 CTS Airport Express is NOT covered — buy separately ¥1,150, or airport bus from Susukino (~¥1,100, ~70 min). Consider Yamato Transport luggage forward night before (¥1,500–2,500).
📋 Japan / Hokkaido Quick Guides
🚂 JR Hokkaido Pass — Full Details
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Pass: JR Hokkaido 5-Day Flexible Pass · ✅ Booked, $128.33 via Agoda · Valid 5 non-consecutive days within 10 days of activation.
Redeem: ✅ Already booked — Agoda confirmation (provider BeMyGuest), activity date Sep 12. Bring the voucher + passport to exchange for the physical pass; check the confirmation email for the exact exchange counter location.
Covers: All JR Hokkaido trains — Sapporo↔Hakodate (¥9,240×2), Sapporo↔Otaru (¥750×2, if you do the optional Wed Sep 16 day trip), local Hokkaido trains.
Does NOT cover: Sep 17 Airport Express CTS↔Sapporo (¥1,150, buy separately) · Hakodate City Tram (¥260/ride or ¥600/day pass) · Sapporo Subway.
Strategy: Activate Sep 14 (Hakodate go), Sep 15 (Hakodate return) — that's the core 2 days. Add Sep 16 if doing the Otaru glass day trip. Keep the rest in reserve.
Reserve seats: JR Hokkaido seats (Hokuto Limited Express) are free with pass — reserve at counter to guarantee a seat on busy days.
Redeem: ✅ Already booked — Agoda confirmation (provider BeMyGuest), activity date Sep 12. Bring the voucher + passport to exchange for the physical pass; check the confirmation email for the exact exchange counter location.
Covers: All JR Hokkaido trains — Sapporo↔Hakodate (¥9,240×2), Sapporo↔Otaru (¥750×2, if you do the optional Wed Sep 16 day trip), local Hokkaido trains.
Does NOT cover: Sep 17 Airport Express CTS↔Sapporo (¥1,150, buy separately) · Hakodate City Tram (¥260/ride or ¥600/day pass) · Sapporo Subway.
Strategy: Activate Sep 14 (Hakodate go), Sep 15 (Hakodate return) — that's the core 2 days. Add Sep 16 if doing the Otaru glass day trip. Keep the rest in reserve.
Reserve seats: JR Hokkaido seats (Hokuto Limited Express) are free with pass — reserve at counter to guarantee a seat on busy days.
💳 IC Card / Suica in Hokkaido
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Recommended: Load a Suica (or get Sapporo IC) with ¥5,000–10,000 for local transit, convenience store payments, and vending machines.
Works in Sapporo: Sapporo Municipal Subway (Namboku, Tozai, Toho lines) · Sapporo City Tram · City buses · 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson.
Works in Hakodate: Hakodate City Tram (Yunokawa–Hakodate Dock line) · City buses.
Get it: If you have an iPhone/Apple Watch, add Suica in Wallet app before the trip (no physical card needed). Or buy/load at Sapporo Station. Physical Suica works at any Sapporo station machine.
Fares: Sapporo subway ¥210–380/trip · Hakodate tram ¥260 flat.
Note: JR Hokkaido Pass NOT usable on Sapporo subway — they're separate systems.
Works in Sapporo: Sapporo Municipal Subway (Namboku, Tozai, Toho lines) · Sapporo City Tram · City buses · 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson.
Works in Hakodate: Hakodate City Tram (Yunokawa–Hakodate Dock line) · City buses.
Get it: If you have an iPhone/Apple Watch, add Suica in Wallet app before the trip (no physical card needed). Or buy/load at Sapporo Station. Physical Suica works at any Sapporo station machine.
Fares: Sapporo subway ¥210–380/trip · Hakodate tram ¥260 flat.
Note: JR Hokkaido Pass NOT usable on Sapporo subway — they're separate systems.
🚇 Sapporo Subway — 3 Lines
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Namboku Line (N · Green):麻生 Asabu ↔ 真駒内 Makomanai · Key: Sapporo (main station) · Odori (Autumn Fest, city center) · Susukino (entertainment, hotel area)
Tozai Line (T · Orange): 宮の沢 Miyanosawa ↔ 新さっぽろ Shin-Sapporo · Key: Odori transfer · Maruyama Koen (Zoo, park) · Nishi 28-chome (Sushi Miyakawa)
Toho Line (H · Blue): 栄町 Sakaemachi ↔ 福住 Fukuzumi · Key: Sapporo transfer · Shin-Sapporo
From your hotel (Susukino): 1 stop to Odori (Autumn Fest) on Namboku. 2 stops to Sapporo Station.
Fares: ¥210–350 · Day pass ¥830 (worth it if doing museum + Maruyama) · Runs ~06:00–24:00 every 3–8 min.
Tozai Line (T · Orange): 宮の沢 Miyanosawa ↔ 新さっぽろ Shin-Sapporo · Key: Odori transfer · Maruyama Koen (Zoo, park) · Nishi 28-chome (Sushi Miyakawa)
Toho Line (H · Blue): 栄町 Sakaemachi ↔ 福住 Fukuzumi · Key: Sapporo transfer · Shin-Sapporo
From your hotel (Susukino): 1 stop to Odori (Autumn Fest) on Namboku. 2 stops to Sapporo Station.
Fares: ¥210–350 · Day pass ¥830 (worth it if doing museum + Maruyama) · Runs ~06:00–24:00 every 3–8 min.
🚋 Hakodate City Tram
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System: Two lines (Yunokawa Line + Hakodate Dock Line) sharing downtown tracks. Vintage feel, very reliable.
Flat fare: ¥260/ride (IC card) or ¥260 cash (exact change or IC).
Day pass: ¥600 (unlimited day) — worth it if doing Motomachi + Ropeway + market. Buy from driver.
Key stops: Hakodate-Ekimae (station, near OMO5) · Hourai-cho (Ryotei Fumoto) · Jujigai (Motomachi Historic District) · Yachigashira (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway) · Goryokaku-Koen-Mae (Goryokaku Fort, Ajisai ramen)
From OMO5: 2 min walk to Hakodate-Ekimae stop. Tram every 8–12 min. Last tram ~22:30.
Flat fare: ¥260/ride (IC card) or ¥260 cash (exact change or IC).
Day pass: ¥600 (unlimited day) — worth it if doing Motomachi + Ropeway + market. Buy from driver.
Key stops: Hakodate-Ekimae (station, near OMO5) · Hourai-cho (Ryotei Fumoto) · Jujigai (Motomachi Historic District) · Yachigashira (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway) · Goryokaku-Koen-Mae (Goryokaku Fort, Ajisai ramen)
From OMO5: 2 min walk to Hakodate-Ekimae stop. Tram every 8–12 min. Last tram ~22:30.
💴 Cash & ATMs in Japan
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Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY / ¥). ~155–160 ¥ = 1 USD currently (check converter above).
ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards — open 24/7, English menus, ¥50,000/transaction limit. Post Office ATMs (ゆうちょ) also excellent. Citibank ATMs. Convenience store ATMs > bank ATMs.
Cash is king: Most Michelin restaurants, small ramen shops, morning markets, and izakayas are cash only. Bring ¥10,000–20,000/day for active days.
How much to carry: Himeshara/Tempura Masa = card likely accepted (confirm when booking). Hakodate morning market = cash. Night markets and small counters = cash.
Cards: Visa/MC widely accepted at hotels, department stores, chains. JCB and Amex less reliable outside cities.
ATMs: 7-Eleven ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards — open 24/7, English menus, ¥50,000/transaction limit. Post Office ATMs (ゆうちょ) also excellent. Citibank ATMs. Convenience store ATMs > bank ATMs.
Cash is king: Most Michelin restaurants, small ramen shops, morning markets, and izakayas are cash only. Bring ¥10,000–20,000/day for active days.
How much to carry: Himeshara/Tempura Masa = card likely accepted (confirm when booking). Hakodate morning market = cash. Night markets and small counters = cash.
Cards: Visa/MC widely accepted at hotels, department stores, chains. JCB and Amex less reliable outside cities.
🍽 Hokkaido Food & Dining Tips
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What's actually in season Sep 12–17: Autumn salmon (秋味) and ikura — Sept/Oct roe is the soft, delicate stage, before it gets bigger and richer in Oct/Nov · Sanma (Pacific saury), the defining autumn fish, best simply salt-grilled · New-crop rice · The first cool-season oysters · Ika sōmen (squid noodles) at Hakodate's morning market, tail end of squid season but still on. Jingisukan lamb BBQ and soup curry are year-round Sapporo staples either way. Not peak right now, despite reputation: hairy crab (毛ガニ, peaks Apr–Jul), king/snow crab (peaks Nov–Mar), uni (peaks Jun–Aug) — still good, just not the reason to be here this week.
Autumn Fest (Odori Park, Sep 11–Oct 3): 23 days, 10:00–20:30 (last order 20:00), free entry, spanning 4-chome through 8-chome plus 10- and 11-chome — about 1km of stalls, ~2M visitors over the run. Covers your entire Sapporo stay including arrival night. 2026's 6-chome theme is "さっぽろ FOOD JAM" (Sapporo-city food) rather than a fixed live-music block — chome themes shift year to year, so treat any specific block assignment as a guide, not gospel, and check the signage on arrival. One stop from Susukino on the Namboku Line. Bring ¥10,000+ for a proper night. Bring cash — card rarely accepted at stalls.
Jingisukan: Hokkaido's BBQ — tender lamb grilled on a domed cast-iron pan with bean sprouts, onion, and a sweet-savory dipping sauce. Daruma (だるま) in Susukino is the iconic spot. Casual booking OK via Tabelog or walk-in.
Shime (締め): Post-drinking tradition — end the night with ramen or soft-serve ice cream parfait. Sapporo has 24-hr ramen shops near Susukino for exactly this.
Reservation etiquette: Show up on time (not late). Cancel 24h+ in advance. Phone ahead to confirm same-day. Some restaurants won't seat solo without reservation even if empty.
Autumn Fest (Odori Park, Sep 11–Oct 3): 23 days, 10:00–20:30 (last order 20:00), free entry, spanning 4-chome through 8-chome plus 10- and 11-chome — about 1km of stalls, ~2M visitors over the run. Covers your entire Sapporo stay including arrival night. 2026's 6-chome theme is "さっぽろ FOOD JAM" (Sapporo-city food) rather than a fixed live-music block — chome themes shift year to year, so treat any specific block assignment as a guide, not gospel, and check the signage on arrival. One stop from Susukino on the Namboku Line. Bring ¥10,000+ for a proper night. Bring cash — card rarely accepted at stalls.
Jingisukan: Hokkaido's BBQ — tender lamb grilled on a domed cast-iron pan with bean sprouts, onion, and a sweet-savory dipping sauce. Daruma (だるま) in Susukino is the iconic spot. Casual booking OK via Tabelog or walk-in.
Shime (締め): Post-drinking tradition — end the night with ramen or soft-serve ice cream parfait. Sapporo has 24-hr ramen shops near Susukino for exactly this.
Reservation etiquette: Show up on time (not late). Cancel 24h+ in advance. Phone ahead to confirm same-day. Some restaurants won't seat solo without reservation even if empty.
🏠 Return — Thursday, Sep 17, 2026
✅ Pre-Trip Checklist
✅ All flights, hotels, Himeshara (Sep 13), Tempura Masa (Sep 16) & the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass booked. What's left is documents and the IC card.
🍽 Dinner Plan — Hokkaido
Sat Sep 12 — arrival, pick a ramen shop (Sumire, Ramen Noodle Lab Q, or Teshikaga), casual, no booking
Sun Sep 13 — ✅ HIMESHARA — confirmed 7:30 PM arrive by 7:20, business casual, no perfume
Mon Sep 14 — Ryotei Fumoto, in Hakodate (2★ kaiseki, ~18:00), or casual shio ramen if you'd rather keep it low-key
Tue Sep 15 — back from Hakodate, casual dinner in Susukino (Jingisukan or your pick)
Wed Sep 16 — ✅ TEMPURA MASA — confirmed 12:00 PM lunch free afternoon for Otaru or Miyabun, casual dinner
Thu Sep 17 — depart 1:40 pm
Sun Sep 13 — ✅ HIMESHARA — confirmed 7:30 PM arrive by 7:20, business casual, no perfume
Mon Sep 14 — Ryotei Fumoto, in Hakodate (2★ kaiseki, ~18:00), or casual shio ramen if you'd rather keep it low-key
Tue Sep 15 — back from Hakodate, casual dinner in Susukino (Jingisukan or your pick)
Wed Sep 16 — ✅ TEMPURA MASA — confirmed 12:00 PM lunch free afternoon for Otaru or Miyabun, casual dinner
Thu Sep 17 — depart 1:40 pm
Taiwan Arrival Card (Online Pre-Registration)
Complete at twac.immigration.gov.tw — do this before departure Aug 28. Required for ROC entry.
⚡ Before Aug 28
Book Ryotei Fumoto (Hakodate — Mon Sep 14 dinner)
AutoReserve: autoreserve.com · or Klook · 2★ kaiseki, ~18:00 last entry 19:30
⚡ Book ASAP
✅ JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (5-day) — booked
$128.33 via Agoda · Redeem voucher for physical pass on arrival Sep 12 (CTS or Sapporo Station) · Covers the Hakodate round trip, plus Otaru if you add that day trip
Japan IC Card / Suica for local transit
Load ¥5,000–10,000 · Covers Sapporo subway, Hakodate tram, convenience stores
Optional 3rd splurge — Hyousetsu No Mon (crab)
If you want one more: swap Tue Sep 15 casual dinner for Hyousetsu No Mon crab · 2–3 weeks ahead is usually fine for the crab house
📍 Hotel & Key Locations — Maps
🏨 Grand Hyatt Taipei — Xinyi (Week 1, Aug 29–Sep 6)
🏨 Courtyard by Marriott Taipei — Nangang (Week 2, Sep 6–12)
🏮 Raohe Night Market Area
📍 Sapporo & Hakodate — Maps
🏨 Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino + Odori Park (Autumn Fest)
🗳️ Food Votes — Rate & Submit Places
Vote on the spots you want to hit most — or submit a new place to add to the list. Rankings persist in your browser. All group members can add picks!
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