In short, Japan is more interesting. For a tourist, Japan > Korea.
The long version is...
I had already been to Japan twice at this point, this was back in October 2019, in November I was itching to go away again. Part of me wanted to go to Japan again and a part of me want to go to somewhere new. Original plan was Singapore but I found out that Singapore was way over what I had budgeted so I quickly scrapped that idea.
During this time I had been started to following this girl on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/blurrysmiles
(I also follow this Canadian couple call Simon and Martina who now in Japan and was in Korea for 6 years and watched lots of their videos)
She is an American married to a Korea living in Seoul and videos mostly Korea stuff (through Covid and all), and it was quite interesting on video so I thought I'd give Korea a go.
So then since I am going to Korea the Japan loving side of me thought....why not go to Japan too? It's only across a bit of water! So I did, Japan for the 3rd time. I will make a separate thread on Japanese food that I ate later on. Anyway, I went to Osaka and Kyoto again just because, also took a trip to Himeji Castle for the day. Then I popped over to Korea for a week, starting with Busan then Seoul.
Here is what I came away with:-
Korea, I think this is due to its history and the many conflicts in the 20th century, it has been FLATTENED many times, almost everything is built since either WW2 or Korean War, what is left are either rebuilt or anything original from the old old days are few and far between. Compared to Japan, aside from the 2 Atomic Bombs and Tokyo, most of other parts of Japan escaped pretty unscathed. Also, Japan's main islands (besides Okinawa) has never ever been invaded successfully. The Mongolians tried, twice, and failed. It was also completely closed off to the world for 200 years from about 1700's so in those 200 years it developed a lot of interesting traditions that is fascinating which a lot is still around today (Geisha for example). Japan also has many laws that is specific to preserve traditions, both the physical arts and crafts, and also buildings. They would often build around something old than let developers flattern it.
Take this for example, a random temple I found.
You see, I find this just pure awesome. In the middle of a shopping mall no less. This is besides the whole Otaku and Anime scene. I always allow an afternoon in Akihabara to just browse and window shop even though i don't buy any Manga or Anime there (don't understand a word), I just like the area and love looking at the figurines.
Korea, has not much of that. There really no place like Akihabara or DenDen Town. The history are limited to the palaces and a couple of temples. Japan has lots of Castles, Temples, Shrines, Pagodas just everywhere. Kyoto alone probably have more Unesco World Heritage sites alone than all of Korea. Also, due to all the new building, the city itself feels quite plain and bland. Everywhere feels the same really. The streets on Busan looks like it could be in Seoul and vice versa, besides the fact the Busan is next to the sea.
That's not to say Korea is bad, I mean there is the DMC (was closed when I went), if you are into K-pop then it is a must go. Hongdae with the university students (or just the teenagers) trying to be the next K-Pop star is very interesting to watch. Korean food is very good, the spice thing is real and if you like spicy, you will like the food. Korean drinking culture (albeit I didn't part take) looks fun, they often have their food alongside drinking so that is always good.
What is not good for a solo traveller in Korea is their their culture is more a group hangout culture so eating out it can be limiting as some places only serves 2+ persons. There are more places cater for solo eating but unlike Japan, Japan is solo traveller's dream, with it's Ramen booths and conveyor belt sushi and Cococurry etc. I have never been turned away anywhere because i am eating alone in Japan. I went to some quite expensive Waygu beef place in Kobe by myself no problem.
I think Korea is worth a visit, but I distinctly recall when I left was that "Japan is better". I would go back for the food, but I wouldn't rush back to see the city.
I am sure that is quite a ramble, and probably sounds like I found Korea very bad and boring. It may be because i went by myself, a lot of the activities are for couples for groups, like they have "Instagram" spots but that is useless for me! Where in Japan if you go to a famous spot for photo (like the Torii gate in the water near Hakone), people line up and it is an unwritten rule the person behind you will take photo for you. I didn't see such a rule in Korea, or perhaps they are all in groups!
Also some of the cultural things in Korea you got to know first before you go. Like don't be surprise if people don't hold the door for you even if they are just in front, they just don't. It is a culture of age, so older person immediately demand respect. Even if they are strangers.
Story time.
On the underground, the end seats by the door is designated for elderly or pregnant women or the physically disabled, but when it is dead on the train you'd think no one would care. So one time I saw a young girl sitting on the end seat, next stop on came an old guy, by old he is probably about 50-60? He saw her sitting where she shouldn't and went over to shout at her, kicked the base of the seat she was sitting at. She was very startled (was looking at her phone), saw him then immediately ran off to the other end of the carriage.
He didn't sit down though, he just wanted to make a point.
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