t r i p
j o u r n a l
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In Japan, four national holidays fall between April 29 to May 6
and make up what is known as Golden Week.
DIDYOU
KNOW?
DIALINGCODE
+81 (6)
CURRENCY
JPY100=PHP52.92/US$1.28
TOUCHDOWN
Take the Nankai Express
Rapit from Kansai International Airport to
Osaka (38 minutes to Namba station) and
the JR Haruka limited express (33 minutes
to Tenno-ji, 51 minutes to Shin-Osaka).
SEE&DO
Visit the Osaka Castle, which
is rich in history, then stroll the streets
of Dotonbori at night and see if you can
spot an anime character walking around.
Plan a side trip to Kyoto, as it’s only
two hours away from Osaka. (
Read our
beginners’ guide to Kyoto on page 64.
—
Editor
)
SLEEP
Try Hilton Osaka at 1-8-8 Umeda,
Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-
0001.
It’s close to the shopping spots in
Umeda.
Tel: +81 6 6347 7111
EAT
Go to Dotonbori, a popular strip of
restaurants. But if you love ramen, you
have to try Ippudo.
SHOP
Go to Yodobashi in Umeda. For
branded boutiques, head to Shinsaibashi.
INSIDERTIP
Go to Don Quijote (a
Japanese discount store) in Dotonbori to
buy souvenirs.
Rhea
Villareal
seniorbrand
manager
JAPAN
OSAKA
DIALING CODE
+82 (51)
CURRENCY
KRW100=PHP3.65/US$0.09
TOUCHDOWN
From the Gimhae
International Airport, take the bus, the
Busan Subway Line or railroad line. Make
sure to plan your transfers carefully so
you don’t miss your flights.
co.kr/doc/gimhae
SEE &DO
The world’s largest department
store, Shinsegae Centum City, is found
in Busan and it offers leisure and
cultural facilities. It includes a whole lot
of awesome must-go places such as
an upscale spa, skating rink, multiplex
theater, concert hall, art gallery, driving
range and an outdoor park.
SLEEP
Love in Busan Guesthouse is
a smart traveler’s choice. It is ideally
situated in Dongrae-gu and close to Pusan
University.
Tel: +82 70 7364 6647
EAT
If you’re up for Korean grilled beef,
head to one of the more popular restaurants
called Bawoo Seokswegui. Try the galbi.
SHOP
Nampo-dong is the best place to
shop. It has everything!
INSIDER TIP
The easiest way to get
around the city at a low cost is to ride any of
the roaming Busan City Tour Buses.
DIALING CODE
+82 (32)
CURRENCY
KRW100=PHP3.65/US$0.09
TOUCHDOWN
Look for taxis with
stickers that say “Foreign Language
Service”. Cabs can be shared except for
those with black and yellow tops. Thanks
to a new bridge, the trip takes 15 minutes.
Eight subway lines serve the main areas.
SEE &DO
Walk around the Gangnam-gu
area in Gangnam-style (means "dress up"
so no ratty shorts!). Visit N Seoul Tower
and get a 360° view of the whole city.
Visit and explore Gyeongbok Palace in
the morning when ceremonial soldiers in
colorful costumes parade on the palace
grounds.
SLEEP
Stay in an authentic
hanok
(
a
traditional Korean house) at the Bukchon
area. Try Bukchon Guest Houses.
EAT
Try the
buddae-jiggae
,
which
literally means “army stew”, and
hotteok
(
fried pancake).
SHOP
Dongdaemun Market is the most
popular for retail and wholesale shoppers.
INSIDER TIP
Have a tourist and subway
map on hand, and go around the city via
the subway and the bus system.
Benmarc
Josef S.
Negre
metallurgical
engineer
Alphonse
Delgado
traveler
SOUTH KOREA
INCHEON(SEOUL)
SOUTH KOREA
BUSAN
OSAKA TOURISM
