Seoul vs Tokyo: K-pop + BBQ or sushi + bullet trains?
Seoul is K-pop, K-food, K-drama: 24-uurs culture, best BBQ-restaurants, Gangnam. Tokyo is traditie + futurisme: temples next to neon-Akihabara, sushi, kawaii.
Seoul
Seoul is K-pop, K-food, K-drama: old palaces next to neon-neighborhoods, 24-uurs culture, best BBQ-restaurants ter world. Flights from Schiphol from €600 return, 7 days from €1200 per person.
Flight from NL: €600 return
View Seoul →Tokyo
Tokyo is a ontmoeting or traditie and futurisme: serene Shinto-temples next to neon-verlichte Akihabara, bullet trains, conveyor-belt sushi and the best ramen-kraampjes.
Flight from NL: €700 return
View Tokyo →Best time to visit compared
Seoul
April-June for kersenbloesem and mild weather. September-November for herfstkleuren. Vermijd July (rain + warm).
Tokyo
March to May for kersenbloesem (10-20°C). October to November for herfstkleuren. Vermijd July/August (heet, vochtig, rain) and Golden Week (first week May, everything expensive).
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Seoul
Directly from Schiphol to Seoul (ICN) in 11 hour. KLM, Korean Air. AREX Express to Seoul Station €7.
Tokyo
Directly from Schiphol to Narita (NRT) in 11 hour. KLM. Narita Express to center €30 in 60 minutes. Locally: metro €2 per ride, dagkaart €5.
Costs compared
Seoul
Hostels from €20, hotels €60-130, vacation rentals €80/night. Food: bibimbap €6, BBQ €15, bar €8.
Tokyo
Hostels from €25, mid-range hotels €100 to 180 (capsule €40), vacation rentals €120 per night. Food: ramen €6, sushi-conveyor €15, kaiseki €60. JR Pass €280 for week.
Who is it for?
Choose Seoul if you are...
K-pop fans, BBQ-lovers, jonger nachtleven-zoekers.
Choose Tokyo if you are...
Anime/kawaii-fans, sushi-traditionalisten, who lake history because (Kyoto-trips eraan vast).
Our verdict
Tokyo is more expensive but legendarisch. Seoul is cheaper and hipper. Flight between 2.5u, €100.