Japan &
South Korea
Two months exploring East Asia's most fascinating cultures. From Tokyo's neon wonderland to Seoul's K-pop energy — ramen, temples, and unforgettable nightlife.
Your journey
Japan
South Korea
Tokyo
Tokyo Guide →Tokyo is a city of contrasts — Shibuya Crossing's controlled chaos, then the silent serenity of Meiji Shrine (free). Explore Shinjuku for nightlife and Golden Gai (200+ tiny bars, most seat 6 people — cover charge ¥300–500). Akihabara for anime and electronics. Harajuku for Takeshita Street's cosplay culture. Sensō-ji in Asakusa (free) is Tokyo's oldest temple. Tsukiji Outer Market for the best sushi breakfast of your life (¥1,500–3,000). Ramen from ¥600–900 at ticket-machine shops. Stay in a capsule hotel (¥3,000–4,500/night) for the experience. Day trip to Kamakura (¥950 train) for the Great Buddha.
Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku (¥6,100 for 2 days) covers the Romancecar train, cable cars, pirate ship on Lake Ashi, and buses — an incredible loop tour. On clear days, Mount Fuji dominates the skyline from Hakone. If visiting Jul–Sep, you can climb Fuji itself (2-day hike, mountain hut ¥8,000–10,000). Onsen (hot spring baths, ¥800–2,000) are a cultural must — Hakone has dozens. For budget Fuji views, stay near Kawaguchiko (hostels ¥3,000–5,000/night) and hike the Panorama Terrace trail.
Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (¥13,970, 2 hrs 15 mins — JR Pass covers this). Kyoto has 2,000+ temples and shrines. Must-sees: Fushimi Inari's 10,000 orange torii gates (free, go at dawn for empty shots), Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion, ¥500), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (free), and Gion geisha district at dusk. Rent a bike (¥1,000/day) — Kyoto is flat and perfect for cycling. Day trip to Nara (¥720 train, 45 mins) for the free-roaming sacred deer and Todai-ji's giant Buddha (¥600). Eat yudofu (tofu cuisine), matcha everything, and kaiseki (multi-course) on a budget at department store basements (depachika).
Train from Kyoto to Osaka (¥580, 15 mins). Osaka is Japan's kitchen — street food capital of the country. Dōtonbori is sensory overload: takoyaki (octopus balls, ¥500), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes, ¥800–1,200), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers, ¥100–200 each). Osaka Castle (¥600) and the quirky Shinsekai district. Nightlife in Namba is wilder than Tokyo. Day trip to Hiroshima (Shinkansen ¥10,440, 1.5 hrs, JR Pass covers it) — the Peace Memorial Museum (¥200) and A-Bomb Dome are essential. Ferry to Miyajima Island (JR Pass covers it) for the floating torii gate and wild deer.
Seoul
Seoul Guide →Fly from Osaka to Seoul (₩80,000–150,000 on Peach/Jin Air) or take the ferry from Fukuoka. Seoul is massive and endlessly explorable. Gyeongbokgung Palace (₩3,000, free in hanbok — rent one for ₩15,000–20,000) is stunning. Bukchon Hanok Village for traditional houses, Insadong for art and tea, and Myeongdong for K-beauty shopping. Korean BBQ from ₩12,000–18,000 per person (samgyeopsal — pork belly). Nightlife in Hongdae is legendary — clubs, live music, street performers until 6am. Jjimjilbang (Korean spa, ₩12,000–15,000) — you can sleep overnight for the price of a hostel.
DMZ day tour from Seoul (₩50,000–70,000, book through your hostel). The Demilitarised Zone is the most heavily fortified border on Earth — you'll visit the Joint Security Area (JSA) where North and South Korean soldiers stand metres apart, the infiltration tunnels, and Dorasan Observatory. Chilling and fascinating. KTX train to Gyeongju (₩25,000–40,000, 2 hrs) — the "museum without walls". The ancient capital of the Silla kingdom has royal tombs you can walk among (Daereungwon, ₩3,000), Bulguksa Temple (₩6,000), and Seokguram Grotto (₩6,000). Rent a bike (₩10,000/day) to explore the surrounding countryside and the Bomun Lake area.
KTX from Gyeongju to Busan (₩10,000–15,000, 30 mins). Busan is Korea's beach city — Haeundae Beach is iconic, but Gwangalli Beach has better sunset views with the Diamond Bridge lit up. Gamcheon Culture Village (free) is Korea's most colourful neighbourhood. Jagalchi Fish Market has the freshest seafood — raw fish platters from ₩15,000. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (free) sits right on the ocean cliffs. Fly to Jeju Island (₩30,000–60,000, 1 hr) — Korea's Hawaii. Hike Hallasan (Korea's highest peak, 1,950m, free), explore lava tube caves (₩4,000), and eat black pork BBQ (₩15,000–20,000). Stay in guesthouses from ₩25,000/night.
Budget breakdown
Daily costs per person in local currency (JPY / KRW). Total 2–3 month budget: approximately $4,000–7,000 USD. Japan is pricier but 7-Eleven meals and capsule hotels keep costs manageable.
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇰🇷 South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Hostels, capsules, jjimjilbang | ¥3,000–5,000 | ₩20,000–35,000 |
| Food Ramen, konbini, BBQ, street food | ¥1,500–3,000 | ₩10,000–20,000 |
| Transport JR Pass, metro, KTX | ¥1,500–3,000 | ₩10,000–15,000 |
| Activities Temples, museums, tours | ¥1,000–2,500 | ₩10,000–20,000 |
| Drinks/Social Izakayas, soju, bars | ¥1,000–2,000 | ₩10,000–15,000 |
| Daily Total Budget–comfortable range | ¥8,000–14,000 | ₩60,000–100,000 |
Practical info
Visas
- Japan: 90-day visa-free for most nationalities. No extension possible — exit and re-enter if needed
- South Korea: 90-day visa-free for most. K-ETA (₩10,000) may be required — check before booking flights
- Visit Japan Web: fill out the immigration and customs form digitally before arrival to skip queues
Transport
- Japan Rail Pass: 7-day ¥50,000 / 14-day ¥80,000 / 21-day ¥100,000. Covers most Shinkansen and JR trains
- South Korea: KTX high-speed trains connect Seoul–Busan in 2.5 hrs. Book on Korail app. KORAIL Pass available for tourists
- Budget flights: Peach, Jetstar, Jin Air connect Japan and Korea from ¥5,000–15,000 one way
Health
- No special vaccinations required. Both countries have excellent, affordable healthcare
- Japan: pharmacies (yakkyoku) are well-stocked. South Korea: pharmacies are on every block
- Tap water is safe to drink in both countries. Convenience store food is fresh, cheap, and surprisingly healthy
Connectivity
- Japan: pocket WiFi rental (¥500–800/day) from the airport. eSIM from Ubigi or Airalo (¥2,000–3,000 for 30 days)
- South Korea: SIM or eSIM from KT or SK Telecom at Incheon Airport (₩30,000–40,000 for 30 days). Excellent 5G coverage
- Free WiFi is everywhere in Korea (cafes, metro, buses). Japan has less public WiFi but is improving
Best Time
- Cherry blossom season (late March–mid April): magical but crowded. Book accommodation months ahead
- Autumn (October–November): vivid red/orange foliage, comfortable temperatures, fewer tourists than spring
- Avoid rainy season (tsuyu/jangma) in June–July. Summer (August) is hot and humid in both countries
Food Tips
- Japan: 7-Eleven/FamilyMart onigiri (¥120–200) and bento boxes (¥400–600) are genuinely good budget meals
- South Korea: convenience store kimbap (₩2,000–3,000) and cup ramyeon stations. Lunch sets (정식) at local restaurants ₩7,000–9,000
- Both countries: department store basement food halls (depachika/depato) have incredible prepared food at reasonable prices
Ready for Japan & South Korea?
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