Japan vs South Korea: Which is Better for Your First Asia Trip?

Japan or South Korea? It's a common question many travelers ask when planning a trip to East Asia. So which one is right for you?

• If you're traveling with kids, looking for more fun activities and sights, or hoping for a rich experience of Eastern culture, Japan is perfect for you.
• If you want to experience K-pop, South Korea is the place to go!
• Have a 2-week vacation? We highly recommend visiting both countries! They're close, and it only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to fly between them. Spending 7 days in Japan and 7 days in South Korea is a great way to enjoy a well-rounded journey.

Japan vs South Korea: A Quick Overview

Japan vs South Korea: Things to Do

Japan has a rich culture and offers a wide range of experiences. You can enjoy traditional culture, modern city life, high-tech museums, and anime.

South Korea, on the other hand, is strongly influenced by K-pop and also offers rich traditional experiences.

Japan vs South Korea: Cultural Experiences

• Japan: Rich Experiences and Culture

Japan is a culture-rich country with a wide range of experiences. You can enjoy traditional customs, modern city life, anime, high-tech attractions, and fun theme parks.

You shouldn't miss immersing yourself in its traditions. You can visit well-preserved temples and shrines, watch a geisha performance, explore a samurai museum, try on a ninja outfit to learn its techniques, and more.

Japan's modern side is also exciting. You can explore high-tech interactive museums, walk through the busy Shibuya Crossing, eat at a robot restaurant, enjoy a theme park, and explore the anime district.

• South Korea: Palaces and K-pop Experiences

In South Korea, experiences focus on traditional culture and K-pop. They may not be as varied as in Japan, but you can still have a memorable trip.

South Korea also has a rich history. Highlights include palaces and Buddhist temples, where you can enjoy royal culture and religious traditions. We can arrange for you to visit the palaces dressed in a hanbok, letting you feel like you've stepped back in time.

The country is famous for K-pop. You can enjoy snacks at cafes your favorite idols like or visit spots from popular K-dramas, creating fun and unique memories along the way.

Moreover, you can also explore the unique DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). From the observation decks, you can see neighbouring North Korea, and you can even walk through tunnels that were used during the war.

Japan vs South Korea: Shopping

• Japan: Almost has everything

In Japan, you can find almost anything you want to buy. This includes fashionable clothes, limited-edition items, electronics, anime products, cosmetics, traditional crafts, and more.

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the best cities for shopping, each with its own style and specialties. Here are my tips from visiting them:

1) Tokyo: For electronics, anime products, high-end fashion, and limited-edition clothes.

2) Kyoto: For traditional Japanese crafts.

3) Osaka: For affordable cosmetics, casual clothes, and local specialty foods.

• South Korea: K-beauty and tax-free shops

Shopping in South Korea isn't as diverse as in Japan. Most of it focuses on beauty and fashion.

Seoul is the best city for shopping in Korea. It has more shopping areas and duty-free stores than any other city.

My favourite shopping districts are Myeongdong, Hannam-dong, and Hongdae. You can find everything you need for cosmetics and clothing in one convenient place.

Japan vs South Korea: Nightlife

• Japan: Exquisite Bars and Izakaya

Tokyo and Osaka have the liveliest nightlife in Japan, while other cities are much quieter at night. Most nightlife in these two cities comes from upscale bars, local izakayas, and street performances.

At upscale bars, you and your partner can relax with a drink and enjoy the city skyline at night. But these places can be expensive.

Looking for a local and affordable experience? Head to an izakaya. You can eat, drink, and soak up the lively atmosphere as the Japanese chat and socialize around you.

• South Korea: Vibrant and relaxed

South Korea's nightlife is livelier and more relaxed than Japan's, with a fun, party vibe.

Seoul has the most vibrant nightlife, with the city feeling like it never sleeps. Many restaurants and bars stay open late, and nightclubs stay open all night. The best places to experience Korean nightlife are Itaewon and Hongdae, which have the most clubs and restaurants.

Japan vs South Korea: Accommodation

The most common accommodations in Japan and South Korea are Western-style hotels.

Both countries offer upscale chain hotels, relatively small rooms (due to limited land), and the prices are generally similar.

For a true taste of local culture experience, we can arrange special traditional stays for you: ryokans with onsens in Japan and hanoks in Korea. In both, you sleep on a futon laid out on a tatami mat.

We know you might not be used to sleeping on the floor, so it's best to stay just one night. This way, you can experience traditional accommodation while still getting a good rest.

Japan vs South Korea: Food Scene

Japanese food is known for its light flavors and wide variety. South Korean food is generally spicier, with more fermented dishes and fewer cuisine types.

Japan: Light Flavours, a Variety of Dishes

Food is a big reason travelers visit Japan. You can enjoy a wide variety of dishes, from local favorites like sushi and ramen to high-end kaiseki and Michelin-starred restaurants. There's something for everyone.

After visiting, I realized that the essence of Japanese cuisine is ‘less is more'. It uses minimal seasonings to let the natural taste of the food stand out.

Japanese food is known for its light flavors, fresh seasonal foods, and beautiful presentation. You won't miss popular dishes like sushi, sashimi, ramen, tempura, and takoyaki.

You can also try high-end kaiseki or shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). We can arrange for you to enjoy them in a traditional setting or a quiet temple. The meal becomes more than just food—it's a full experience of Japanese culture.

South Korea: Spicy and Fermented food

Korean food is spicier and more flavorful than Japanese food, often using fermented and salty dishes. Famous dishes include kimchi, Korean barbecue, bibimbap, Korean rice cakes, and more. But the overall variety is not as wide as in Japan.

Kimchi is the heart of Korean food. It's cabbage fermented with a spicy paste. In Korea, kimchi is served with almost every meal and tastes sour, spicy, and crunchy.

Another must-try is Korean barbecue. You grill beef or pork and wrap it in a lettuce leaf with garlic, green peppers, and kimchi. It's a fun way to enjoy the food and experience Korea's shared dining culture.

Japan vs South Korea: Which is More Expensive

Japan is a bit more expensive than South Korea. Since accommodation is a big part of your travel costs, hotels in Japan are usually pricier.

Here's a quick price comparison for hotels per night:

• Japan: 3-star around US$100-150, 4-star US$160–250, 5-star over US$300
• South Korea: 3-star around US$70-90, 4-star US$100-160, 5-star over US$280

Daily food costs are similar in both countries, usually about US$20–40 per day. High-end dining in Japan, however, tends to be more expensive and varied, with meals often costing $100 or more per person.

Transportation is generally cheaper in South Korea than in Japan. This is mainly because high-speed trains cost less. A single ride on Japan's Shinkansen can cost US$100-140, while South Korea's KTX usually costs US$40-70.

During busy times, like cherry blossom season, prices are higher in both countries. Japan is usually more expensive than South Korea. Its cherry blossoms are famous worldwide and attract more visitors.

Japan vs South Korea: Which Is Easier to Get Around

Japan is easier to get around in, thanks to its extensive and well-connected transportation system.

The most popular way to get around Japan is by Shinkansen (bullet train). It's fast, comfortable, and takes you to your destination on time. The Shinkansen connects all major cities with frequent departures. For smaller towns or rural areas, you can use Japan Rail trains.

In South Korea, the main way to get around is by KTX (Korea Train eXpress). It connects major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju. However, to reach more remote areas, you'll need to take a bus.

Japan vs South Korea: How Long to Spend

Spending 7–14 days in Japan is ideal because the country has so much to see and do. In South Korea, 7–10 days is enough since the main attractions are concentrated.

Japan: 7-14 days

I have to say, Japan is definitely worth spending 7 to 14 days exploring. With so many places to visit and things to do, you'll find abundant experiences in its many cities.

Spend at least 7 days in Japan. While it may seem like a short time, it's enough to see the top sights in the three major cities: 3 days in Tokyo, 2 days in Kyoto, and 2 days in Osaka.

If you have 10 days, you can explore the major highlights at a more relaxed pace. You'll also have time for day trips to places like Mount Fuji, Nara, or Hiroshima.

With 12 to 14 days, you can visit both the top cities and hidden gems like Takayama and Kanazawa. Plus, you'll have 1-2 free days to explore on your own.

South Korea: 7-10 Days

South Korea has fewer major attractions than Japan, and they are mainly concentrated in three cities: Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. So, if you're short on time, South Korea is a great option for a more relaxed trip.

The minimum of 5 days in South Korea is best for a deep trip in Seoul. You can also take a day trip or two to nearby places like Jeonju and Suwon to make the most of your visit.

A 7-day trip is perfect for first-time visitors. You can visit 2-3 top cities in South Korea without feeling rushed. Spend 3-4 days in Seoul, 1 day in the ancient city of Gyeongju, and 2 days in the seaside city of Busan.

Spending 10 days in South Korea is the most popular choice. It lets you explore the best of Korea at your own pace. A common route is Seoul (3–4 days), Gyeongju (1 day), Busan (2–3 days), and Jeju Island (2–3 days).

Should I Visit Both Japan and South Korea in One Trip?

If you have a 2-week vacation, we recommend visiting both Japan and South Korea in one trip. The flight between the two countries takes only 1.5 to 2 hours.

It's wise to spend 7-10 days in Japan and 7 days in South Korea. This allows you to have enough time to fully explore the best of both countries.

Based on our travel experience, we recommend visiting South Korea first, then Japan. As Japan has more highlights and a richer travel experience, this route lets your trip build up to the best and enjoy each step.

Start Planning Your Trip Now!

Whatever you want to do in Japan and South Korea, our travel advisors and local team can make it happen. Just tell us your preferences, and we'll take care of everything.

Here are some of our handpicked tours for your inspiration.

• 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour Including Hakone Leisure
• 13-Day Japan Family Vacation with Theme Parks