16 Days in November for Japan and Korea. Thoughts?

nocrocks on 07/03/2018 - 01:43

Hi guys,

My partner and I are thinking of spending 16 days travelling to Japan and Korea. Below is an outline of our itinerary, and any tips/ideas/opinions will be much appreciated.

We'll be purchasing a return trip to Osaka (as an open Jaw ticket works out to be more expensive).

Day 1 - 3 (Osaka - Kaiyukan, Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, Osaka Castle, Minami)
Day 4 - 6 (Kyoto - Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Fushini Shrine, Nishiki market, Gion, Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama, Okochisanso Villa, Kinkaku and Ginkaku temples)
Day 7 - 9 (Hiroshima & Miyajima)
Day 10 (Travel to Shimonoseki to take the ferry to Busan)
Day 11 - 12 (Busan - have yet to research places to visit)
Day 13 - 15 (Seoul - have yet to research places to visit)
Day 16 (Will fly from Seoul > Osaka > Perth)

Would purchasing a 7 day JR pass (west - Sanyo-Sanin Area) be worthwhile for the travel from day 3 to 10?
Do you think we have allocated enough time for sightseeing in those areas?
Did we miss any other spots that is a must-see?

In general, we'd like to take our time and travel easy rather than trying to fit as much into our day.

Other things we're considering:
Apply for a 28 degrees card

Travel Asia Japan South Korea

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 07/03/2018 - 02:46

    Day 14 suggestion: cross the border to the north and catch up with Kim.

    Other things to consider:
    Cut hair like Kim

  • Nugs on 07/03/2018 - 05:47
    +4

    "16 Days in November for Japan and Korea. Thoughts?"

    why can't they use the same calendar as everyone else?

    .

  • tighttighttight1 on 07/03/2018 - 07:10
    +3

    Seems a bit rushed. Your Japan side of the trip is packed! Have you taken into account how long it takes to get from place to place & your average spending time at each place?
    I attempted something similar where I packed heaps of things on the itinerary and of course never made it to every place even though I googled maps every location before and worked out how long it would take to get from spot to spot. Be prepared to miss busses and trains. The only way to guarantee success is to use a taxi.
    For the JR Pass - https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
    I don't think it will be worth it.
    In Osaka, don't miss out on the obligatory picture with the Glico running man in Dotombori.

    DMZ in Seoul is a must in my opinion, but make sure you book in advance! You cannot go to the DMZ unless you are with a tour group. They sell tours where you can go to the "3rd tunnel" and the JSA. I missed out on the JSA part of the tour as only so many tourists can visit everyday.

    • nocrocks on 07/03/2018 - 14:37

      Good idea to do the google maps bit to see how long it takes, we'd certainly try that now.

      Trying to compare the value of JR pass or otherwise seems quite challenging particularly with the number of ways (and trains) you can use to get from one place to another. You wouldnt want to lose too much time in travel too.

      Thank you for suggesting the DMZ. We'll try to fit that in.

  • Caped Baldy on 07/03/2018 - 08:00
    +2

    I found the bamboo forest to be quite lacking - too many tourists and the bamboo was very sparse. The monkey park nearby was a good hike though.

    I really liked Osaka, Nara is nearby if you want to go to the deer park. Might not be possible with your schedule. You can go mario kart around in Osaka and make sure to visit the night life around Dotonbori.

    I did Hiroshima in half a day, just went to the Peace Park and Memorial. Miyajima is great but you should consider leaving luggage in a locker around Hiroshima if you have big bulky items. The JR pass will cover the ferry too. I recommend the hike to the summit of Mt Misen and possibly get the cable car up as there is still a bit of walking involved.

    • altomic on 07/03/2018 - 09:37

      Miyajima, cable car. Just remember that it stops at ~5pm. #exhaustingeveningwalkdownthemountain

      Though walking from forest in to the town on dusk was beautiful as the all the hotels and the paths have cute lanterns. And the staff of some if the hotels come outside and wait for expected guests

    • nocrocks on 07/03/2018 - 14:42

      Hey Phil, Mt Misen and the monkey park are now in the itinerary :) and definitely will be opting for the cable car ride.

      • Caped Baldy on 07/03/2018 - 17:00

        It's still not the easiest stroll from what I remember, though I did have to lug my suitcase over a kilometer to the accommodation. Pack appropriately.

    • MeesusEff on 07/03/2018 - 18:09

      I gave the Bamboo forest daytime trip a miss too, as I felt like I would get over the view pretty quickly. However, made a trip to Arashiyama at light for the 'kimono forest' and that was quite beautiful and unique to me. There was nobody around as well so could get some pretty good pictures. However, the town is pretty quiet at night so would aim to go after dinnertime.

      • purplelady on 08/03/2018 - 09:04

        Sorry, so do you recommend going to kimono forest at night?

        • MeesusEff on 08/03/2018 - 10:54
          +1

          Yes, it would be most beautiful at night as it would be lit up from within. I can't comment if it'll be worth it over the daytime activities there as I only went at night, but if you are looking for something unique.. barely anyone there (about 7.30-9pm) and if you got a good night camera you can enjoy the bamboo forest without the crowd. It is not very lit up there at night though

          https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/126302/56983/fb_img_15…

        • purplelady on 08/03/2018 - 14:33

          @kza2610: I see. Thanks!

  • Wills7 on 07/03/2018 - 08:19

    Day trip from Osaka to Nara is definitely worth it. Himeji (very nice castle and garden) is also worth considering for a quick stop if you can somehow squeeze it in.

  • purplelady on 07/03/2018 - 08:44
    +1

    Apply citibank too so you can take money out. Small stores/restaurants in Japan usually only take cash.

    • nocrocks on 07/03/2018 - 14:47

      Thanks! I knew I was missing something.

      • purplelady on 08/03/2018 - 09:28
        +1

        I didn't have time to read the places you mentioned yesterday:

        Well done on choosing Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. It was one of my highlights in Osaka. We were all girls and spent like 2 hours there lol but really, it's a good place to take photos and see how Japan would look in the old times. They also have the lightings set to project dusk to night.

        Day 4 - 6 (Kyoto - Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Fushini Shrine, Nishiki market, Gion, Tenryu-ji, Arashiyama, Okochisanso Villa, Kinkaku and Ginkaku temples) -> I don't think you can fit all in 3 days though. You have to go to Nishiki market and Arashiyama. And though other people here say to skip bamboo forest, I personally loved it. The colour and the surroundings was just lovely. But I went in early autumn and god… so many mosquitoes.. when are you going?

        Busan - Go to Haedong Yonggungsa temple!! It's a very crowded temple though, so better go early, like 9 AM. And go to Gamcheon Cultural Village as well! Lots of cafes/little shops and just pretty. I was there just before sunset which was good and bad. Good for sunset, but bad as it got dark quickly and had to leave. The stores etc were still open, but I went there to see the view, so yeah… Make sure to try Hotteok in Gamcheon. They are all around Korea anyway, but I found the one I ate in Gamcheon the best. They put pumpkin seeds in the filling too. So nice! I can find the photo if you like.

        I didn't enjoy Nami Island, I found it overrated and VERY touristy. I went during Autumn, it was pretty with Autumn Leaves etc, but yeah, a bit boring and it was VERY crowded. Maybe I shouldn't have stayed all day.

        Seoul - Bukchon Village!!!!!!!! MY fav place in Seoul. It's a traditional residential area, so people have to keep their voices down as there are people living in the area. But every single corner of it asked me to take a photo! Google it! There are stores and restaurants too just before you get to the residential area. Mt Namsan. It's in the middle of the city, so you can see the whole city from up there. The walk was easy and nice with great view along the way up. Palaces.. I went to Changdeokgong and Gyeongbokgung Palace. I personally found Gyeongbokgung to be a bit boring. It is big and has the nice little pond in the middle of the palace ground, but the whole palace architecture is the same (this palace is close to Bukchon though, if you want to combine them together). While Changdeokgong has more than 1 style of palaces. Myeongdong for shopping (skincare heaven!!) and street food (I didn't try their street food. The crowd was just too much and put me off so I left just when they started setting up the carts).

        Hope that helps :)

        • nocrocks on 08/03/2018 - 20:33

          Fantastic review, purplelady! I appreciate it being detailed and full of personal insights. Thanks for also including places of good eats. Will take it all in.

          We'll be going early November, so pretty much the end of autumn. And it was my partner was the one who suggested a visit to the Museum in Osaka so kudos to her :)

          Owing to the comments, we have decided to extend our trip by a couple of days. Now to decide where to allocate those days. Very exciting.

        • purplelady on 09/03/2018 - 08:56

          @nocrocks: no problem at all! I love Japan and South Korea so much, so i'm happy to share :)

          We rent yukata at the museum of housing and living for cheap. Check if they still have those. Also check their business hours, from memory they close on tue or wed and following a public holiday or something.

          Do you like nature/countryside/river + green tea? If you do, google Uji. It's pretty close to Kyoto by train, we loved it as it was quiet and pretty, and not touristy. Good for a couple of hours walk. I did that in the morning and then continued on to Nara (feeding deers was so fun!).

          As for South Korea, we went to Yeong Ju to visit Seon Bi Chon. That place is used in many historical drama and the colours were great in November. Transport is a bit limited though.

          Just some ideas for you to start the planning. Don't hesitate to ask of you have any questions :)

  • dasvenson on 07/03/2018 - 08:46
    +3

    Honestly cut out Umeda Sky Building. We went there at the end of last year and it really was just… Meh. It took a while to get to, you have to walk through the worst smelling tunnel I've been through in Japan (surprising since everything else is so clean). Views were okay but not worth the price of the ticket up there.

    There are some "German" Christmas markets downstairs but very touristy and not a German in sight.

    For the aquarium. Expect to spend a good 3 hours at least there so consider how much you can squeeze into that day.

    I have some other tips which I'll write down later if I get a chance.

    • Caped Baldy on 07/03/2018 - 09:59
      +1

      +1 re Umeda Sky Building, the walk was a lot further than expected. Though you can get up to the second highest area without paying.

      OP check out hyperdia to compare costs for JR pass vs getting the train tickets separately each time.

    • nocrocks on 07/03/2018 - 14:50

      Thanks for that guys, we'll cut Umeda out. I'll be looking forward to your tips, dasvenson.

  • one man clan on 07/03/2018 - 09:25

    Have you been to Tokyo before or something?

    • nocrocks on 07/03/2018 - 14:52

      A long (>10yrs) while ago yes, this time I'm thinking of exploring this region of Japan and hoping to cover Korea in the trip too.

  • Ocker on 07/03/2018 - 10:27

    Speak to JTB - that's what they are there for.

  • onetwothreefour on 07/03/2018 - 11:44

    Go to Tokyo if you haven't already been.

  • DarthAntz on 07/03/2018 - 18:19

    you can take the JR beetle from Fukuoka to Busan. I didnt enjoy the fish/food markets in Busan, but can recommend kimchee guesthouse busan, and the location 20 minutes walk north of there for restaurants.
    Find a good vantage point to check out the dock city, as its impressive and colourful. shopping centre next to nanpo station has a rooftop to check out the views.
    I dont think theres much worthwhile shopping in Busan. all the good stuff can easily be bought online, so save lugging around extra weight. spend your money on food.

    cut down on your temple and castle visits in japan. once youve seen one of each, youve seen them all. wear good walking shoes though and soak in the good scenery as you walk around.

    November itll start to get cold, probably around 10 degrees each day.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join