Japan Roadtrip - 10 Days, South Korea Ideas.?

Lister55 on 02/10/2023 - 11:27

I am going to Japan in April/May next year. I have been there twice before, so this is the third time and we decided to hire a car. Does anyone have a roadtrip itinerary for 10 days.. starting at Narita Airport.. ending at Narita Airport? I have basically done all the standard, popular stuff.. wouldn't mind going back to Hiroshima to show my kids. Was also thinking Nikko, Nara, Kobe, Lake Karaguchiko… I guess if anyone has done it before and had a good time?

Whole trip… 3 days in Tokyo (will go to Disneyland), 8 days in South Korea, then back to Japan for the roadtrip.

Actually… anyone got ideas for Seoul, I'm all ears!!

Finally… didn't realise I would be doing my roadtrip during Golden Week.. but just have to roll with it at this point…

Thanks All… Anyone.. Haha..

(Kids are 13yr twins and 6yr old - girls)

Travel Asia Japan South Korea

Comments

  • Mechz on 02/10/2023 - 11:52
    +4

    Seoul is awesome, you can just pick a suburb and stay and explore then do day trips away to major stuff. I'd highly recommend a DMZ day trip, a day to check out the wall and palaces, and the war memorial. Plus a walk up the hill (or down) to N Seoul Tower.

    There's also a town with lots of penis sculptures if you're not prudish.

    • AustriaBargain on 02/10/2023 - 12:08

      And one of the world's most fantastic drinking cultures, they put Australia to shame.

    • Godric on 02/10/2023 - 12:42

      What's the experience like down at the DMZ? I imagine quite intimidating?

  • jv on 02/10/2023 - 12:03

    Actually… anyone got ideas for Seoul

    Itaewon

  • capslock janitor on 02/10/2023 - 12:56
    +7

    Day 1-3: Tokyo

    Start your trip in Narita Airport and spend the first three days in Tokyo.
    Visit Tokyo Disneyland with your kids and enjoy the magical attractions.

    Day 4-5: Nikko

    Drive to Nikko, which is known for its stunning natural beauty and historic temples.
    Explore the Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls.
    Spend the night in Nikko or nearby Kinugawa Onsen for a relaxing soak in hot springs.

    Day 6: Nara

    Head to Nara, a city famous for its friendly deer population and ancient temples.
    Visit Nara Park to feed the deer and see landmarks like Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

    Day 7: Kyoto

    Drive to Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart.
    Explore the historic Gion district, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion).

    Day 8-9: Osaka and Kobe

    Travel to Osaka, a city known for its street food and vibrant atmosphere.
    Visit Universal Studios Japan for a fun day with your kids.
    On the next day, take a short trip to nearby Kobe, famous for its beef and scenic harbor.

    Day 10: Hiroshima

    Drive to Hiroshima, where you can introduce your kids to the historical significance of the city.
    Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkeien Garden.
    Return to Narita Airport for your departure.

    Seoul, South Korea:
    Since you'll be spending time in Seoul as well, consider these family-friendly activities:

    Visit Lotte World, an amusement park in Seoul.
    Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, where your kids can experience Korean history.
    Enjoy the street food in Myeongdong and Insadong neighborhoods.
    Take a day trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) for a unique historical experience.

    Golden Week Considerations:
    Golden Week in Japan can be crowded, so plan your accommodations and activities in advance. Try to book accommodations with free parking since you'll have a car.

    This itinerary offers a mix of cultural, historical, and fun experiences suitable for your family. Adjust the schedule according to your interests and pace, and don't forget to try local Japanese and Korean cuisine along the way. Enjoy your road trip!

    • capslock janitor on 02/10/2023 - 14:26
      +1

      Seems like a SK trip, innit with 8 days?

      3 days in Tokyo

      Day 1: Visit Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea.
      Day 2: Visit the Imperial Palace and Sensō-ji Temple.
      Day 3: Visit the Ghibli Museum and explore Harajuku and Shibuya.

      8 days in South Korea

      Day 1: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul.
      Day 2: Visit the DMZ and the Joint Security Area.
      Day 3: Visit the N Seoul Tower and Namsan Hanok Village.
      Day 4: Visit the War Memorial of Korea and the National Museum of Korea.
      Day 5: Visit the Lotte World theme park.
      Day 6: Visit the Everland theme park.
      Day 7: Visit the Gwangjang Market and Myeongdong.
      Day 8: Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong.

      • jv on 02/10/2023 - 15:28
        +1

        Visit the DMZ and the Joint Security Area.

        Take a photo with Kim Jong Un…

  • valuer on 02/10/2023 - 12:59
    +2

    We have contemplated doing a road trip in the north, perhaps looping north out from Sendai. If you are in May you would likely still be in Sakura season, as it ends later the further north you go.

    • altomic on 03/10/2023 - 10:41

      I used to live in Sendai. Nice city. Ocean on one side, mountains on the other

      • valuer on 03/10/2023 - 13:09

        What; no North or South? :-)

        Yes, we've heard good things about the place as to it being livable even if it has fewer of the traditional sites that people go to Japan for. We like to travel slowly so have juggled as to whether to hire a car or just do our usual and make it up as we go along using public transport.

        If you have time do you have any recommendation for when in Sendai?

  • miruku on 02/10/2023 - 13:18
    +1

    Seoul ideas

    • Gwangjang market - street food market, known for food like knife cut noodles, mandu, bindaetteok (mung bean pancake). There’s a Michelin star place Buchon Yukhoe that does beef tartare within the market too. It’s inexpensive but there can be a long line to get in - moves pretty quickly though. The taiyaki at the market was surprisingly good too and better than ones we had in Japan. We enjoyed the food here more than Myeongdong market which seemed more geared towards tourists.

    • Gyeongbukgong Palace - a good cultural experience. Join the free English speaking tour at certain times

    • Banpo bridge - watch the evening light show while listening to kpop

    • Hongdae shopping street - your teens might enjoy shopping here

    • eat K BBQ

    • Insadong St worth a visit depending on your interests. We enjoyed the work and wares by independent artists, and chilling and listening to records at Music Complex.

  • donga100 on 02/10/2023 - 13:52
    +1

    Have you considered going anywhere else in Korea? Jeju Island is really good at that time of year. You could also fly to Busan and do a road trip to Seoul comfortably in 8 days, plenty to see along the way either along west coast or central/east coast. Korea is an excellent country for a road trip, great roads/highways and so many places to see that are away from the main train lines.

  • dtc on 02/10/2023 - 14:33
    +1

    If I had a car I would head to one of the areas where the trains aren’t as good - Kyushu or maybe Kii peninsula. Especially during Golden Week, gets you out of the popular areas

    Your main issue is Hiroshima. It’s a 10 hour drive from Tokyo, so even if you were willing to drive 3.5 hours a day, you have to do that for 6 days out of the 10 (there and back) and that assumes you are going the most direct route via the expressway. Realistically you are looking at 3 hours driving per day for 7 or 8 days (to get to more interesting stopovers) and then only spending 1/2 day or so in each stop before heading on.

    Think about flying from Narita to Hiroshima. It’s probably no more expensive than the toll fees and it opens up a lot of options and allows you to slow down your trip by just having a one way drive

    Eg: Hiroshima- Himeji - Lake Biwa - Kanazawa- takayama - Matsumoto- onsen near Nagano (or Lake Kawaguchiko)- Narita. That’s a fairly touristy route though and still fairly fast paced (although you can make it shorter). Most of the places (other than Mt Fuji) shouldn’t be super busy although will be busier

    or fly to Hiroshima, drive around Kyushu, fly back to Narita. Or around Kii peninsula for a few days and then up the east coast.

  • valuer on 02/10/2023 - 15:09
    +3

    An earlier thread on SK

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/778255

    • Lister55 on 02/10/2023 - 21:41

      Thanks for pointing this out!! Soooo thorough! I wouldn't have ever found it…

  • jv on 02/10/2023 - 15:29
    +1

    Have you considered North Korea?

    • AustriaBargain on 02/10/2023 - 17:03

      You actually can get tours of North Korea. I don't know why you would want to though, would be like touring Nazi Germany in the early 30s. Which actually would be pretty cool.

      • jv on 02/10/2023 - 21:08
        +1

        I don't know why you would want to though

        Just curious to see if I bump into Dan Andrews there…

  • nandystam on 02/10/2023 - 16:22
    +2

    Keep in mind a lot of the Japanese freeways are toll roads, and they are not necessarily cheap, even by Australian standards.

    As @dtc mentioned, I would also consider driving only in areas where the train coverage isn't as good.

  • Lister55 on 02/10/2023 - 19:51

    Honestly… thanks everyone for the suggestions. Yeah - Hiroshima is seeming a bit far. I have already hired the car from Narita, to Narita…. so that's locked in. I also accept the tolls. First day back to Japan from Korea I booked a place 45 mins south from the airport. Sort of wish I hadn't done that based on some of these other itineraries…

    Love the S.Korea stuff… I keep asking people I know, and actual Koreans… and just like.. what shouldn't I miss!?! And no one has anything to say!!!! So I really appreciate it. Umm… I did book two hotels already though… as well… so.. just Seoul.. no car etc, just because hotels booked.

    I'm going to have to print a map and like, chart the roads… and we'll, at least put all these places on there and figure out how to connect the dots..!!

    Love OzB…

    • debb on 02/10/2023 - 20:26
      +1

      Suwon makes for a nice day trip from Seoul, mainly to see the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Korean Folk Village.

  • debb on 02/10/2023 - 20:03
    +1

    This site may help. Japan expressways It's got route maps, toll fees, realtime info, etc. and live cameras! Search tool is useful, shows alternative routes, fees, travel time.

  • No and then on 03/10/2023 - 08:20
    -1

    Wouldn't doing Japan and SK at same time feel same same?

    I've done Kyushu Island for 6 days and only managed to do half the island. So much to see and do. My highlight is Takachiho Gorge, Sasebo and Mt Aso.

    Don't forget the IDP, the car rental asked for mine.

  • altomic on 03/10/2023 - 10:45
    +1

    Tolls roads get pretty boring (sure you cover distance and see stuff ) but non toll roads allow you to experience japan. For a "small " country it can be slow going on non-toll roads. But again, you have the chance of stopping at random place. Source- i lived in Japan for 4 years

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