visiting Korea and Japan next month!

crazyone

I'm going to East Asia (Korea and Japan) for 3 weeks next month! This is my first time going to that part of the world, and I'm soooo excited. I have a conference in Korea plus I have friends who live there, so I'm staying there for 2 weeks and going to Japan for one of them. Can't wait to take in the super-stylish fashion, too Any recommendations from Fabbers who've been to these countries?

12 years ago

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13 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

MsMary

Veteran

SO AWESOME!!

I was in Japan last winter and we had a stop at Incheon Airport. Nicest. Airport. Evah. Where in Japan are you going?

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

In Korea, get a custom made leather jacket. If you want a designer knock off bring a picture of the jacket. The shops in Seoul had lookbooks from the runway shows.

12 years ago

deb

Veteran

When I lived in Korea, I had shoes and jacket made from pictures. Since you have friends that live there, they should be able to point you in the direction of good craftspeople.

12 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

MaryK, I remember your trip--to visit your son, right? In Japan, I have my itinerary set since I needed to book accommodation, so I'm going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima.

Deb and Annagybe: I had no idea that Korea was a destination for custom made clothing. That's a good tip to keep in mind!

12 years ago

Anonymous

How exciting! I hope you will share photos from the trip.

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Make sure you go to Miyajima Island, which is about an hour by train (and a short ferry ride) from Hiroshima and is just fantastic! And of course in Hiroshima the Peace Park and museum. Bring Kleenex because it will make you weep. There is also a beautiful garden right in the heart of Hiroshima -- here's a photo of my Marine and me there! And make sure to eat some okonomiyaki or "Hiroshima pancake." Yum!!

My son was just in Tokyo and climbed Mt. Fuji and says he HIGHLY recommends doing that! You can go on a day trip or do an overnight and stay in a cabin (or whatever) on the mountain. He says no climbing experience is required and although it's a long climb it's totally, totally worth it.

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12 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

MaryK: nice picture of you and your Marine Sadly the weather conditions when I go will not be like the ones when you visited, I hope it's not too hot! I am planning to go to Miyajima but forgot to mention it, and of course the Peace Park and museum while in Hiroshima.

The tip for Mt. Fuji is a good one but I don't think I'll be in the Tokyo area long enough to climb it (though there probably will be some mountain climbing in Korea).

12 years ago

Anonymous

You will have a fabulous trip! We were in Japan this spring visiting our son. Eat traditional Japanese food. It's wonderful. If you can, visit the fish market in Tokyo. In Kyoto there are many beautiful temples but try to make time for the complex of Zen Buddhism gardens. Gorgeous. It's fun just to walk and explore.

12 years ago

abc

Veteran

I haven't been to this corner of the world but can't wait to hear how the trip goes. Please share pics if you can. Enjoy!

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I went to the Tokyo area of Japan in summer, and it was quite hot and humid. I agree the fish market was epic. There were also these awesome 3-yen stores with used clothing, kind of like a Buffalo Exchange (not sure if that's your thing, but it was fun since clothing was very expensive there).

You can get custom leathers in Korea? Sweet!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FABULOUS!

I loved Japan!! Will you be with someone who speaks Japanese? We were with friends who did, which made ALL the difference.

Outside of Tokyo, I highly reccomend Kyoto and Yokohama. Take the Shinkasen!!!

12 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

Joy, thanks for the recommendation on the Zen gardens! I'm actually spending a few days in Kyoto, so hopefully I will get to see a lot of it.

Rae: yeah, that's my one concern about this trip, that it's going to be the hottest period in both Korea and Japan. But oh well, it's not like it's any different here...

And thanks for the tip on the clothing exchange stores!

Angie: I recently re-read your Japan trip posts and really enjoyed them! I won't be traveling with anyone Japanese speaking, unfortunately. Though I do know a few people in the country whom I'll be able to see during my trip.
And I got the Japan rail pass, so I'll definitely be taking the shinkansen!

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

The Shinkansen is great! You will love it!!

If you have a little money to spend, it's definitely worth it to get a Japanese guide. I had great luck at http://www.toursbylocals.com. It costs about $300 a day or $180 for a half day, and it's so worth it to have somebody with you who can navigate the transportation and food and admissions and everything, as well as tell you where you are and what you're seeing! I LOVED my guide in Osaka, who also works in Kyoto. PM me if you'd like me to give you her info!

12 years ago

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