30th Birthday Holiday - South Korea & Japan

[TrixiBuG]

Hi guys!

Me and the OH are both turning 30 next year and we have decided that we want to go on a really good holiday to celebrate.

We would both like to go to the Far East so I thought it would be good to combine South Korea and Japan into on holiday as we don't know if we will ever be able to afford to go back again in the future

This is the plan for the moment:

• Travel in February or March next year
• 2 weeks (14 nights)
• Fly from Manchester to Seoul
• From there fly to Japan
• Fly back from Japan to Manchester

My original thinking was to go to Tokyo for the Japanese leg of the trip, but we wouldn't mind spending a few days in another city as well or seeing the country side/coast...it would be awesome to go on the bullet train too!

The only thing I know about South Korea is Seoul, so any other ideas of places to go would be great too

Has anyone got any advise or recommendations?

 

[GhostlyPea]

Tokyo is nice but IMO over rated. When I was there I had 5 days total in the capital and really that was 3 days too much. If you're over there, spend the arrival day and departure day (depending on times) in Tokyo - you can see the palace, Akhibara, Harajuku, Ueno park and area around that in 2 days without rushing. Especially up by Asukasa - amazing Onsen up there. Take the time to go to Kyoto and spend a few days there (again 3 + day trip) would be much better.

More info in my blog or just ask

- GP

 

[Tunney]

Have you thought about flying into one Japanese city and out of another? It would save you having to double back on yourself if travelling around.

I lived in South Korea for a short while, in a city called Gumi (not a place that you'd want to visit as a tourist unless you've got a fetish for factories). The main touristy bits are Seoul, the border with North Korea and Busan. Busan is at the opposite end of the country but trains are fast, modern and cheap. When I was there, a return from Seoul to Busan was about £30.

 

[HaZe71]

I also think Tokyo is overated, although I was there for a training course... so I guess not a good representation of a site seeing holiday, but I did get to see some of the sites. Its just not for me i guess.

As for the bullet train, yeah its fast but so basic inside. Mind you that was a good 10 or so years ago since I went, so I guess a lot would have changed since then.

 

[GhostlyPea]

As for the bullet train, yeah its fast but so basic inside. Mind you that was a good 10 or so years ago since I went, so I guess a lot would have changed since then.

They introduced some new ones at the end of 2011, faster and sleeker. Charge less for the old ones and more for new - the Japan Rail Pass covers the old one and may be cheaper for a weeks use (certianly was for me at a month)

- GP

 

[memyselfandi]

I would disagree that Tokyo is overrated. Saying that you can do it in a couple of days is completely incorrect unless you are just going to have a very superficial glance over things and miss seeing a great deal. Personally I've been to Tokyo 3 times before and will be going again this autumn (as well as plenty of other places) and there are still large areas which I haven't seen.

I would agree that spending time in other areas can be good; Kyoto is well worth a visit and it is simple to get to and from there from Tokyo via train.

Given that you are coming in from South Korea it may work out well to fly into Osaka (maybe spend a day or so there), then travel to Kyoto (less than half an hour on the train) and spend some time there (lots to see) before going on to Tokyo.

JR Rail passes are good for train travel in Japan but need to be arranged before you go and then a voucher exchanged for the pass when you get there. minimum duration of a pass is 7 days if I remember correctly.

 

[TrixiBuG]

Have you thought about flying into one Japanese city and out of another? It would save you having to double back on yourself if travelling around.

I was looking in to flying from Seoul to one of the Southern Japanese cities, stopping for a day or 2, then taking the train up to Tokyo - is there anywhere to be recommended?

An old friend said he used to hope over to JP when he was working in KO. I think he said he used to fly to Kyoto. Has anyone been and can recommend?

Edit: Just seen this reply

I would disagree that Tokyo is overrated. Saying that you can do it in a couple of days is completely incorrect unless you are just going to have a very superficial glance over things and miss seeing a great deal. Personally I've been to Tokyo 3 times before and will be going again this autumn (as well as plenty of other places) and there are still large areas which I haven't seen.

I would agree that spending time in other areas can be good; Kyoto is well worth a visit and it is simple to get to and from there from Tokyo via train.

Given that you are coming in from South Korea it may work out well to fly into Osaka (maybe spend a day or so there), then travel to Kyoto (less than half an hour on the train) and spend some time there (lots to see) before going on to Tokyo.

JR Rail passes are good for train travel in Japan but need to be arranged before you go and then a voucher exchanged for the pass when you get there. minimum duration of a pass is 7 days if I remember correctly.

Thanks!

E2: Has anyone got visited KO before? Any other ideas other than Seoul to visit?

 

[GhostlyPea]

I would disagree that Tokyo is overrated. Saying that you can do it in a couple of days is completely incorrect unless you are just going to have a very superficial glance over things and miss seeing a great deal. Personally I've been to Tokyo 3 times before and will be going again this autumn (as well as plenty of other places) and there are still large areas which I haven't seen.

Well I also disagree. Tokyo is a massive City with a lot of heritage. There is a lot to see and do, however when it comes down to it its just that - a big city with shopping. The number of things that are there to do and see, like my list above, is not extensive but a good core. Everything else can be seen in other parts of the country and is usually better by blanket. As the transport is excellent and relatively compact, 2 days is enough time to see a majority of what "needs" to be seen. Spending more time in Tokyo over other cities and towns is a silly move, especially when time is tight

- GP

 

[memyselfandi]

Well I also disagree. Tokyo is a massive City with a lot of heritage. There is a lot to see and do, however when it comes down to it its just that - a big city with shopping. The number of things that are there to do and see, like my list above, is not extensive but a good core. Everything else can be seen in other parts of the country and is usually better by blanket. As the transport is excellent and relatively compact, 2 days is enough time to see a majority of what "needs" to be seen. Spending more time in Tokyo over other cities and towns is a silly move, especially when time is tight

- GP

Your list is not "a good core" though .... it doesn't even touch many, many things that you can see and do. Saying that it's just a big city with shopping is laughable.

OP, if you decide to go up the Sky Tree in Tokyo then I would suggest going first thing in the morning as that minimises the queuing you may well encounter.

Last I was in Kyoto I stayed at the Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hachijoguchi which was about a block south of the main Kyoto station. It was more a business hotel than a tourist one so the rooms were small but it was convenient and relatively cheap at a few minutes walk got you back to the main station from which you could navigate around the city.

 

[exhashdotdot]

I think that was one thing I found jarring about Japan - it was futuristic about 20 years ago and never actually seemed to change.

 

[GhostlyPea]

Your list is not "a good core" though .... it doesn't even touch many, many things that you can see and do. Saying that it's just a big city with shopping is laughable.

Sorry but that's also rubbish - get some perspective. Tokyo is a huge City, short of just rambling off a massive list of places to go... what's the point? Just because there are "things to see and do" doesn't mean that it's the best place to go and do them. London is also "just a big city with lots of shopping". This doesn't mean that there aren't things to see and do that are unique there, of course there are. But on a limited time frame, spending all of it in once City isn't a good idea. Clearly the phrase "just a shopping city" is grossly over generalis,ed but by far its one of the most westernised cities.

My entire point is that yes, you can go to Tokyo and spend 2 weeks there seeing stuff, but is that the best way to spend time? No. You can easily see a majority of the core parts in a couple of days and then go and spend more time seeing other parts of the county with more to offer. OP is looking at going to Japan for a week, 2 days as a total of that is not only a large percentage and allows for a good majority of items to be seen without a rush, but also frees up other places.

- Best temples - not in Tokyo
- Best coastline - not in Tokyo
- Best "old world" culture - not in Tokyo
- Best nightlife - depend what you're after yes Tokyo clearly offers loads but most of that will be very similar in other cities
- Best nature walks, parks and gardens - not even close
- Best museums - no.

- GP

 

[TrixiBuG]

- Best temples

- Best "old world" culture

- Best nature walks, parks and gardens
- Best museums

There is some good info in this thread so far, but can we not let it descend into a disagreement re: Tokyo: Good or Bad holiday location?

So where are the 'Best...' in your opinion GP? I have snipped down your list above...would we be better going to Kyoto for a few days as well as Tokyo?

I am pretty sure we will fly home from Tokyo - unless anyone can advise if there are cheaper flights from anywhere else - so we will probably finish our trip there for 2/3 nights

 

[GhostlyPea]

Indeed. I hate arguing on the Internet, its pointless - memyselfandi, don't want this to descend into an argument. Clearly we have differing opinions here or crossed wires so lets not have bad blood over it.

trixi - It's a very dependent question as there is a lot of personal preference in it. My opinions is that Hakone and Kyoto can provide most of those - 3 days in Kyoto and you can see a lot, maybe a day trip out to Nara for the old capital. Hakone or Takayama is a lovely break away to stay in a ryokan over night, that's an experience but depends on how much travel. Nagoya Yokohama and Osaka... great, wouldn't say worth fitting in to a week trip though. Hiroshima is a good go but a long trip from Tokyo, depends where you can fly out from.

There's loads of places I wanted to add to my trip but finances and holiday aside I couldn't I didn't visit much of the north side of the county which is more the intention next trip

- GP

 

[IC3]

Happy Birthday!
Personally I would love to see cherry blossom blossomed, it happens once a year when the springs comes. I'm going to follow this thread to see what people recommend...

 

[HEADRAT]

If you end up going to Japan make sure you take a trip on a Shinkansen, I flew into Kyoto just so I could take the bullet train upto Tokyo

 

[memyselfandi]

Indeed. I hate arguing on the Internet, its pointless - memyselfandi, don't want this to descend into an argument. Clearly we have differing opinions here or crossed wires so lets not have bad blood over it.

Agreed, best to agree to disagree

trixi - It's a very dependent question as there is a lot of personal preference in it. My opinions is that Hakone and Kyoto can provide most of those - 3 days in Kyoto and you can see a lot, maybe a day trip out to Nara for the old capital. Hakone or Takayama is a lovely break away to stay in a ryokan over night, that's an experience but depends on how much travel. Nagoya Yokohama and Osaka... great, wouldn't say worth fitting in to a week trip though. Hiroshima is a good go but a long trip from Tokyo, depends where you can fly out from.

I would definitely agree to try and spend quite a bit of time in Kyoto ... there is a lot to see there and a trip out to Nara is worth it too (watch out for the deer as they are thieving little *******). Depending on how long you are there going to Hiroshima from Kyoto is quite doable (although a long day ... pick up the shinkansen from Shin-Osaka and be down there in a couple of hours). The peace park and museum there are well worth a visit.

Personally I didn't think much of Hakone but the hotel I was in there was pretty poor which I think coloured my views on there .. a better hotel/ryokan could be well worth it.

Other options travelling out from Tokyo would be Nikko or another one which is quite good is to do Enoshima and Kamakura (you can get a train out from Shinjuku to Fujisawa(? from memory) and then get the little local train down to Enoshima on the coast and stroll across the causeway to the island. Look around that and have lunch then wander back and catch the little train up the coast to Kamakura which you can then look around and then get a train back to Tokyo. Note that Enoshima can get very busy at high season and even the end of March could be a bit early to visit the coast.

OP, if you go to seejapan.co.uk that's the Japanese Tourist Board website in the UK. There's info on there but you can normally contact them via the website and tell them when you want to be there and what you are interested in they will send you a pile of stuff in the post with suggestions of places to go etc. jrpass.com has quite a useful travel tips section on how to use the trains etc. Note that the Hyperdia website is good for working out rail journeys in Japan (remembering to tell it to not show you things which you can't use the rail pass on)

There's loads of places I wanted to add to my trip but finances and holiday aside I couldn't I didn't visit much of the north side of the county which is more the intention next trip
- GP

I'll be visiting Sapporo next time for the first time for a couple of days. North coast wise I've only briefly gone to Kanazawa in the past.

 

[memyselfandi]

Happy Birthday!
Personally I would love to see cherry blossom blossomed, it happens once a year when the springs comes. I'm going to follow this thread to see what people recommend...

It moves up the country in a wave as the weather warms, they even have "weather forecasts" for how far it has come! Shinjuku national gardens were nice as was Ueno park (although the latter was crazy busy with people there to view the blossom when I was last there in the spring). Outside Tokyo some of the best blossom I saw was at the Matsumoto castle park but you tend to be able to see fairly spectacular amounts all over the place.

edit: There's actually quite a good book called Hokkaido Highway Blues about a chap hitch-hiking up Japan following the cherry blossom.

 

[saitrix]

Right well I have been to Tokyo, Seoul and also Jeju Island (in Korea) for holiday. So I will try my best, plus feel free to ask on any specific stuff.

I will start with Korea as there seems to be plenty who have gone to Tokyo in this thread. I must say I enjoyed both holidays just as much as each other.

Seoul is definitely worth going to. If you like a bit of night life/culture then I would highly recommend staying in the Hongdae area, in the side streets it is still perfectly quiet so no problems sleeping. If you fancy having an apartment then I would thoroughly recommend the guy I went with, let me know if you want details on it. I love the food the best, awesome Korean BBQ and meat stews all under £6 per person. You have all the temples etc to look at in Seoul, so you can get the history. Plus a day trip to the DMZ is a good trip to do. One thing I would really recommend is going to a baseball game, only around £4 and you get to see what the countries people are actually like. All these things are easy to get to as the subway is good, nearly as good as Tokyo's trains.

If you were going for longer than I would have recommended Jeju Island too, do a google image search to see why. It is the worlds busiest plane route between Seoul and Jeju, the flights are only £50-60 return and take 50mins. You have to rent a car whilst in Jeju otherwise you will waste far too long travelling. The natural wonders there are brilliant and I really enjoyed seeing more rural Korea.

I must make my vote that I don't think Tokyo is overrated. This year I am looking at going back and also fancy going to see Osaka.