My next big trip is S. Korea and Japan. I'd love to hear your experiences!
Mar 31st, 2010, 05:23 AM
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My next big trip is S. Korea and Japan. I'd love to hear your experiences!
Sorry for the long (and rather demanding) title! I'm planning a trip to S.Korea and Japan as I've always been completely fascinated with both countries. I'd like to think I know a bit about both culturally, but I'd love to hear some personal recommendations and stories in order to adjust my itinerary or attitude 
Btw this is my first ever post here, hello all!
Btw this is my first ever post here, hello all!
Mar 31st, 2010, 08:56 AM
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>>>Btw this is my first ever post here, hello all!<<<
(Warm greetings to you and welcome to a warm, family friendly travel forum, considered by some to be second only to the all-sensational SQTalk.com !)
Now, as for personal 'reccos' (and not knowing your ultimate budget and lifestyle), this Asia business traveller would gently propose flying 'up-front' on Singapore Airlines! ( Not such a bad way to fly in/out Incheon and Narita - for more info, check out that singaporeair.com )
As for lodging/meals/culture/history others shall know best, but have always loved the Park Hyatts in Seoul and Tokyo, the restaurants, and even various office buildings/rooms. (And even late-night, in-room massage treatments with highly skilled masseuses.)
Savour you Asian times, perhaps, with a certain Singaporean airline.
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
(Warm greetings to you and welcome to a warm, family friendly travel forum, considered by some to be second only to the all-sensational SQTalk.com !)
Now, as for personal 'reccos' (and not knowing your ultimate budget and lifestyle), this Asia business traveller would gently propose flying 'up-front' on Singapore Airlines! ( Not such a bad way to fly in/out Incheon and Narita - for more info, check out that singaporeair.com )
As for lodging/meals/culture/history others shall know best, but have always loved the Park Hyatts in Seoul and Tokyo, the restaurants, and even various office buildings/rooms. (And even late-night, in-room massage treatments with highly skilled masseuses.)
Savour you Asian times, perhaps, with a certain Singaporean airline.
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Apr 1st, 2010, 04:31 AM
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AskOKensa
Do you shamelessly PROMOTE Singapore Airlines with all your replies ?
The question was requiring information on Korea and Japan, not an airline company.
To answer the original question, I have visited Korea and Japan( lived and worked in Nagoya and Tokyo for 5 years as well)on numerous occasions in the past 20 years,and while the Koreans are nice people, I have never had the desire to go back to Korea as a tourist. I have been in Korea from Seoul to the south (Pusan)
Japan is interesting, from the crowded cities like Tokyo and Osaka, the sights of KYOTO, HIROSHIMA, NIKKO, TOYAMA area ( Gokayama, Shira Kawa Go, Tateyama )
The question to the original poster is: how long do you wish to stay in the location?
Do you shamelessly PROMOTE Singapore Airlines with all your replies ?
The question was requiring information on Korea and Japan, not an airline company.
To answer the original question, I have visited Korea and Japan( lived and worked in Nagoya and Tokyo for 5 years as well)on numerous occasions in the past 20 years,and while the Koreans are nice people, I have never had the desire to go back to Korea as a tourist. I have been in Korea from Seoul to the south (Pusan)
Japan is interesting, from the crowded cities like Tokyo and Osaka, the sights of KYOTO, HIROSHIMA, NIKKO, TOYAMA area ( Gokayama, Shira Kawa Go, Tateyama )
The question to the original poster is: how long do you wish to stay in the location?
Apr 1st, 2010, 07:15 AM
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As for the <b>ohaithere</b>'s questions: This board is filled with a wealth of information directly related to your questions. To find that info, I'd recommend that you first spend some time doing some searches for the information that's already here. Look for the box that says <b>Search the Forums</b>, type in some keywords such as <i>Japan culture</i>, and off you'll go. If you then have some specific questions and can't find the answers using Search, that's the time to ask away.
Apr 3rd, 2010, 04:28 AM
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Just in case.
Last year, I visited both countries. It was my 3rd trip to Japan and the first one to S. Korea. So, I agree with the idea that you could enjoy more Japan than Korea, as I did.
I feel very comfortable in both countries, but if I visit again the area, I will stay longer in Japan (even if it's a 4th trip) than in Korea.
Korea had something I can't describe that doesn't left me feel 100% ok. Maybe, coming from Japan, I had a shock of rudeness. Maybe I had bad luck choosing hotels. Also, in Seoul I felt disoriented compared to Tokyo. But I know all of the comparisons are awful.
That said, I would return to both countries. Korea has a good potential as a tourist destination, specially outside the big cities. But I felt in love with Japan.
Last year, I visited both countries. It was my 3rd trip to Japan and the first one to S. Korea. So, I agree with the idea that you could enjoy more Japan than Korea, as I did.
I feel very comfortable in both countries, but if I visit again the area, I will stay longer in Japan (even if it's a 4th trip) than in Korea.
Korea had something I can't describe that doesn't left me feel 100% ok. Maybe, coming from Japan, I had a shock of rudeness. Maybe I had bad luck choosing hotels. Also, in Seoul I felt disoriented compared to Tokyo. But I know all of the comparisons are awful.
That said, I would return to both countries. Korea has a good potential as a tourist destination, specially outside the big cities. But I felt in love with Japan.
Apr 5th, 2010, 03:21 PM
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Simple recommendation: Don't miss Kyoto.
Friends who have been to both STRONGLY favor Japan -- not even close.
Go to japan-guide.com and click over to the complete sightseeing guide on one of the left side frames. Then putter around there for a bit.
Go to Borders/B&N and check out the DK guides to each country for the pictures of what's neat.
Narrow down what you're interested in.
Then come back for specifics (no, you can't buy a JR pass in Japan; no, not everything in Japan is expensive; yes, the trains do run on time nearly all the time . . .)
Friends who have been to both STRONGLY favor Japan -- not even close.
Go to japan-guide.com and click over to the complete sightseeing guide on one of the left side frames. Then putter around there for a bit.
Go to Borders/B&N and check out the DK guides to each country for the pictures of what's neat.
Narrow down what you're interested in.
Then come back for specifics (no, you can't buy a JR pass in Japan; no, not everything in Japan is expensive; yes, the trains do run on time nearly all the time . . .)
Apr 9th, 2010, 05:04 AM
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Hello all, don't be shy, I'm reading guides, but frankly it's a good deal more fun just talking to people about what they like and dislike. @rizzuto Thanks for the tip @siofont @BigRuss I'm getting more of that impression, though I'll still go to sk I think.
Apr 14th, 2010, 08:43 AM
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I like both Korea and Japan. I lived in Korea for a few years, so maybe that's why I can appreciate it more than just the casual tourist.
Koreans tend to be a more outgoing and fractious than do the Japanese, not as polished. I'll disagree with rh on sights in Seoul--some are quite interesting and certainly worth more than 10 minutes. But I am a history buff and cultural anthropologist, so that might make a difference in what I find interesting.
I will agree that, overall, Japan has much more of interest to foreigners than Korea does, but Korea is certainly worth several days--how many depends on your interests.
Koreans tend to be a more outgoing and fractious than do the Japanese, not as polished. I'll disagree with rh on sights in Seoul--some are quite interesting and certainly worth more than 10 minutes. But I am a history buff and cultural anthropologist, so that might make a difference in what I find interesting.
I will agree that, overall, Japan has much more of interest to foreigners than Korea does, but Korea is certainly worth several days--how many depends on your interests.
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