UPDATE: Cheap Flights from OSAKA to SEOUL? - When to Travel to Japan! Late Nov/Early Dec or Mid-Late Jan?

• 

  nismo on 01/10/2014 - 22:34

  +3

  I've only ever been in Spring.. (March, April, May).

  All of those options are in Winter and it is freezing across most of the country, including where you're planning to visit. If you were going for skiing… But it seems you're not, so I'm just trying to warn it will be very cold.

  Even the start of spring is cold, my first trip in 2011, it snowed around Osaka / Kansai region, this was mid March heading into Spring!

  Seasons are opposite to ours.

  Love Japan, I go every year.

• 

  danield on 02/10/2014 - 00:53

  +1

  I agree with nismo, it will be cold. Both your options will be similiar season, early December is heading into Winter and Jan/Feb is heading out of it. Winter in Japan is much colder then here and snow fall in the cities is common. I try and avoid the winter trips there, but hard to avoid due to usually being the easiest time to take leave from work.
  As long as you are prepared for cold, it can be a good time to be there, public transport and shopping centres will be heated to boiling point, they have a knack of over doing the indoor heating in winter (likewise for air-cons in Summer) and generally there isn't much rainfall, so you get a lot of sunny blue skies..just bitter cold wind.

  I lived there for 4 years, and generally return every second year.

• 

  Grillman on 02/10/2014 - 01:12

  +1

  I don't think anything stands out between the two periods. Last time I was there during February it snowed(Kanagawa area). I reckon you should decide on whether you would rather visit before christmas or have something to look forward to after christmas.

  Either way it's gonna be cold and it's gonna be awesome. And I'd much rather be there in winter than summer.

• 

  ml17 on 02/10/2014 - 11:14

  +1

  I agree with all the other comments. It's not going to be too different in terms of climate or things to do (as far as I know) between those 2 periods.

  And, tbh, it does not get that cold in (southern) Japan, it will probably be -5 degrees at the lowest. I went earlier this year in mid-late January and it was 15 degrees one day in Tokyo and 18 degrees another day in Osaka, although it did get down to around 0 degrees sometimes.

  I think it boils down to what is the best and most convenient time for you.

• 

  altomic on 02/10/2014 - 11:20

  +1

  I lived in japan for 4 years. It will be cold. Mt fuji, if you're thinking of climbing, will closed. But the fuji highland fun park should be open. Japan in winter is beautiful.

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  sprsl on 02/10/2014 - 13:24

  +1

  I'd say Nov-Dec. During that time the autumn foliage is still around - you could also clock in some hiking. I'd only go during Jan-Feb if skiing was on the to-do list, because Hokkaido has pristine snowboarding conditions around that period. If not, Nov-Dec is the right amount of cold to do some trekking, kick back over a few beers and then hit the onsens.

• 

  tre180 on 02/10/2014 - 15:02

  +1

  I just got back from Japan last night, funnily enough my gf and I both agreed that we'd love to come back in the winter. I'd definitely recommend staying a day or two in Hakone, about an hour outside Tokyo. If forested mountains are your thing it's amazing scenery, I imagine it would be even more amazing in winter, get a cable car over the mountains and check out the view of Mt Fuji! We stayed in the gorgeous Fujiya hotel; http://www.fujiyahotel.jp/en/

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  revo on 02/10/2014 - 21:29

  Thanks for the help guys!

  Decided to try catch both! Arriving Early Early Dec. and leaving around Christmas! Hopefully I get to see both :)

  Also anyone know cheap flights from Osaka to Seoul return. Including Luggage.

  THANKS!

• 

  odyssi on 02/10/2014 - 21:34

  You can always try and win your tickets here!

• 

  revo on 04/10/2014 - 13:47

  Decided on Peach airlines!

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  Grillman on 04/10/2014 - 17:39

  What price did you end up getting?

  I have been looking at EastarJet to go Osaka to Seoul. 8000Yen return for an adult seems to be the best I can find with them but I don't want to go through all the trouble of filling all the details just to see the final price with fees and taxes.

  I flew with Korean Air Haneda to Gimpo earlier in the year for about $300 return, was awesome, so much room I couldn't believe it.

  • 

    revo on 04/10/2014 - 17:52

    8000 Yen is really good!
    Total cost came down to roughly ~$220AUD This is flying Happy Peach Plus. (inc seat selection, 1 checked in baggage, exchange/refund etc.)

    Something strange did happen :/ Only the first part of my first name appeared on my passport data in the ticket emailed to me… I'm assuming I'll have to cancel (lucky I can because I got the plus) but still super annoying… Not sure who's fault it is.. my comp/internet or their side. Regardless, they don't have email either so could be a bit troublesome.

• 

  Grillman on 05/10/2014 - 00:58

  +1

  Yeah 8000 Yen seems too good so I assume the taxes and fees will hit hard. I put in some dates with Peach to check for what I want to do next year and was quite happy with what it showed. It was basically around $500 including fees/taxes for the wife and I and our baby who would be over 2 when we travel, if I can get similar to that when we travel I'll be very happy.

  In my experience I have found some Asian airlines to be much more relaxed about things when it comes to ticketing but I guess you don't wanna find out they aren't when it's too late! Hopefully they have a decent international call centre.

  • 

    revo on 07/10/2014 - 00:44

    Their overseas call centre is not bad at all. Easily understood, and name change went smoothly. Only drawback is I had to call internationally. But yeah if you do fly with peach and need to bring along checked in luggage. I definitely recommend going peach plus. Best of luck for when you travel! Might even get some sale fares if you're lucky!