When planning a trip to East Asia, two countries often come to mind – South Korea and Japan. Both countries have gained worldwide recognition for their amazing pop culture, mouthwatering food, and stunning landscapes. You can find yourself walking along the cherry blossom-filled banks of the Han River or hunting for street food in Dotonbori. Whether you choose South Korea or Japan, both countries lead to unforgettable experiences.
Nonetheless, let’s navigate through the essentials of both countries so you can make a choice. Hear from our TripLeaders, seasoned travelers who have been roaming around for at least three years. We’ll compare South Korea and Japan based on key travel factors—cost, best time to visit, best destinations, landscape, food, and accessibility—so you can decide which destination fits your travel style.
Cost
South Korea and Japan don’t have a dramatic difference in terms of budget. Japan has been recognized as a destination you need to splurge to enjoy. However, the cost of travel to Japan is similar to big cities in Europe like Paris or Berlin. Meanwhile, South Korea is known for its slightly more affordable prices.
Japan and South Korea have secured the identity of being sophisticated and futuristic countries. Still, that does not mean you have to splurge tremendously to get the best out of the countries. We learned from TripLeader Irina from Switzerland that €1,500 can get you an 11-day trip to Seoul and Busan with a comfortable apartment. Then, the same cost allows you to go for a 7-day trip along Mount Fuji’s route.
Here is a general cost breakdown of two top cities (Tokyo and Seoul) in Japan and South Korea:
| South Korea | Japan | |
| Mid-range hotels (per night) | €100 – 150 | €80 – 150 |
| Street food | €3-10 | €3-10 |
| Casual dining in a restaurant | €15-30 | €10-20 |
| Public transportation (subway) | Start from €1.20 | Start from €2 |
| Attractions (temples and museums) | €3-10 | €5-15 |
Best Time to Visit
As neighboring countries, both Japan and South Korea has four seasons and continental climate. They are bursting with cherry blossoms during the spring, experiencing scorching summer, turning gaudy in the autumn, and welcoming a snowy winter. Besides the season, you can choose the best time to visit South Korea or Japan based on the activities you want to experience.
South Korea
Spring
The blossoming season brings pink-hued cherry blossoms to the country. Crowds flow to Yeouido Park and Namsan Park in Seoul to witness the beautiful flowers. Spring starts in March and ends in mid-May. The temperatures are cool, hovering around 6-17°C. You can expect a good proportion between sunny skies and mild drizzles during the day.
Autumn
The landscapes of South Korea transform into a sea of reddish complexion. With temperatures hovering around 19-21°C at daylight, autumn is a great time to head outdoors. You can see fall foliage in metropolitan areas or national parks, including Seoraksan National Park. There is no overwhelming crowds too during this season.
Japan
Spring
“Swap your chocolate eggs with cherry blossoms. Easter is a great time to visit Japan as they cherry blossoms bloom perfectly,” says TripLeader Monica, a social traveler who has been hosting trips for the last three years.
The best time to visit Japan is in spring. It usually starts in late March and ends in mid-May when the cherry blossoms start to bloom in Japan’s Honshu area. Travelers flock to see cherry blossoms and join the hanami tradition. It is the high season in Japan so expect skyrocketing prices during the period.
Autumn
Japan looks magical in autumn with reddish trees dominating the landscape. I visited Japan in late November 2023 and fall foliage had just arrived in Tokyo and Yokohama. Orange-colored trees line the metropolitan’s neat streets. Moreover, the weather is also pleasant and mild. The lowest temperature I experienced was 5°C during the night, while daytime temperatures hover around 16-20°C.
Best Destinations
South Korea and Japan has distinctive yet similar cultures as both of them sit in East Asia. Both countries’ flavors, traditions, and architectural wonders are influenced by the Chinese culture, dating back to centuries ago. Moreover, South Korea and Japan have attracted travelers due their pop culture. South Korea turned popular due to KPop and drama while Japan gained fame for its anime and games, such as Pokemon.
Generally, both Japan and South Korea have futuristic cities, fascinating traditional architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. Here are some destinations based on categories:
| Attractions | South Korea | Japan |
| Metropolitan | Seoul | Tokyo |
| Theme Parks | Lotte World Seoul, LEGOLAND Korea Resort | Disneyland & Disney Sea Tokyo, Universal Studios Osaka |
| Traditional Culture | Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongju (Historical city with temples and palaces) | Kyoto (an imperial city from the Edo period where you can experience traditional ceremonies and festivals) and Shirakawa-go, |
| History | Pyeongchang (Home of Buddhist temples and centuries-old palaces), Demilitarized Zone (border between South and North Korea) | Takayama (Old town with samurai history), Hiroshima (remnants of World War II) |
| Nature | Seoraksan Mountain National Park, Jeju Island | Hokkaido, Mount Fuji |
Food
Japanese food has been our go-to if we don’t know what we want to eat. A hearty chicken ramen or fresh sushi always hits the right spot. Other than that, South Korean food has started to gain popularity. A hot bowl of tteokbokki or sizzling Korean barbeque comes as a great dinner option. So – South Korea or Japan – which one will you choose for food?
South Korea
Korean cuisine is known for its spicy, sour, yet refreshing flavors. They love including gochujang or chili paste in a lot of soupy dishes, including tteokbokki and jjampong (spicy seafood noodles). Moreover, South Koreans enjoy an array of side dishes. The famous ones include kimchi, a fermented cabbage soaked in spicy sauce. You can try Korean fried chicken and bingsoo (shaved ice) for more modern options. In a nutshell, South Korean food suits those who love spicy and bold flavors.
Japan
Contrary to South Korean flavors, Japanese food has delicate and hearty flavors. Their dishes use mainly seafood, including sushi, sashimi, and takoyaki. While Korea has gochujang, Japan has dashi as its signature flavoring. Dashi is a broth incorporated into soupy dishes like ramen, soba, and udon. Moreover, you cannot leave Japan without tasting matcha or green tea. They are also available in form of desserts. In conclusion, Japanese food suits those who love delicate and refined flavors.
Accessibility and Transportation
Both South Korea and Japan has comfortable public transportation system and a wide choice of private transportation. Big cities like Seoul and Tokyo offers subways and buses that are easy to navigate. Then, which one between South Korea and Japan is more accessible in terms of intracity and intercity transportation?
South Korea offers an affordable and efficient public transport system, with subways and buses that are easy to navigate. You can purchase a Tmoney card that costs €2 to access buses and subways in Seoul. Taxis are cheap and convenient, though some drivers may not speak English. For intercity travel, the KTX bullet train is a fast and hassle-free option.
Japan has one of the world’s most advanced transport networks. Tokyo subway is my personal favorite when visiting the city. At first, you might be confused with the endless channels of route. However, if you have Google Maps, it gives you an overall information about which station and route you should take to get to a certain destination. Moreover, Taxis are widely available but expensive. If you want to travel to other cities, you can ride the Shinkansen bullet train. It can take you as far as Hokkaido, which sits on the northernmost part of Japan.
Final Verdict
Both South Korea and Japan are bucket list-worthy destinations that you must visit. However, if you must choose only one, here is our wrap-up:
- Choose South Korea if you want a budget-friendly trip with easy transportation, modern cities, and spicy street food.
- Choose Japan if you’re interested in diverse landscapes, historic temples, and cutting-edge technology.
No matter which country you pick, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience. Also, you can visit both countries at once and don’t have to sweat about the planning and itineraries. JoinMyTrip connects travelers from all around the globe in expertly-crafted group trips. You can find handcrafted group trips to Japan and South Korea – all planned by experienced travelers and passionate locals. So, are you ready for your next adventure?