Tokyo to South Korea: A Week in Busan
I just wrapped up my stopover in Tokyo and am now heading to South Korea for a week. The trip primarily focused on spending time with family and enjoying the Nampodong area in Busan. Here’s a recap of my journey:
Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Flight from Tokyo to Busan
- Day 2: Ananti Hilton & Lotte Outlets
- Day 3: Nampodong - Family Dinner
- Day 4: Nampodong - Lotte Mall
- Day 5: Nampodong - Lee’s Pizza
- Day 6: Busan Coastal Walk
- Day 7: Flight back to LAX via HND
Day 1: Arrival in Busan
I arrived in Busan from Tokyo and opted for a relaxed evening. After a haircut, I enjoyed dinner at a pork BBQ restaurant. After a long day that began at 4 AM in Tokyo and a crowded train ride, I decided to take it easy.
Day 2: Ananti Hilton Busan
I spent the night at the Ananti Hilton, which was a luxurious experience for about $300 a night—something hard to find stateside. I had lunch at the Lotte Premium Outlets while shopping. The Tonkatsu was good, though I think Japan still does it better. The prices at the outlets weren’t significantly lower than regular malls, but brands like Uniqlo and ABC Mart were still cheaper than in the U.S.
Day 3: Nampodong - Family Dinner
Celebrating Buddha’s Birthday, we visited a mountain temple. I enjoyed a traditional chachamyun breakfast before a family dinner in Nampodong.
Day 4: Nampodong - Lotte Mall
I finally made it to Uniqlo, where I found the Supima Cotton shirts. In Korea, the sizing is vanity-sized, so an XL here is a L in U.S. sizes. Lunch in the food court was interesting; the bibimbap had a unique flavor. As usual, the coffee was light and almost watery.
I also indulged in some vending machine treats, which are always affordable, and enjoyed craft beers at home. The Pilsner was good, while the others were just okay.
Day 5: Nampodong - Lee’s Pizza
I spent the day chilling in Nampodong, picked up some memory foam shoe inserts at ABC Mart (which worked wonders for my feet), and had lunch at Lee’s Pizza. The place has changed a bit since 2018; it’s still good but doesn’t quite hit the same as before.
I also tried Dalgona coffee, which was sweeter than I typically enjoy, but it was a treat worth having in Korea.
Day 6: Coastal Walk in Busan
This was a slow-paced day filled with relaxation and enjoying the sights. I had kalguksu noodles at Chungmudong market and an iced coffee at Jeolyeong coastal walk. I reminisced about a previous visit to Mok Jang Won, where I enjoyed lunch and coffee. The café wasn’t open this time, but I appreciated the lovely landscaping and decor.
Day 7: Return to the USA
Looking back, this was quite a travel day. I had a total of four flights starting at 4 PM from Busan Gimhae Airport to Seoul Gimpo Airport. The 1-hour flight on a tiny A200 was quick, followed by a modern A321 to Haneda, which even allowed Bluetooth headphones with the in-flight entertainment.
Travel Tip: At Gimpo Airport, there’s a free shuttle bus. Catch Stop 8 from the Domestic Terminal to the International Terminal.
On the Gimpo to Haneda flight, I had a meal of tomato seafood spaghetti—though not my first choice, it was decent. The fruits were excellent, and the salad was okay. I appreciated the metal utensils provided.
The 3-hour layover in Haneda was a bit tough, especially since many shops were closing. Thankfully, the vending machines accepted credit cards, making it easy to grab bottled water. The temperatures were warm and humid until late at night.
I also got to experience the ANA Star Wars-themed R2D2 plane. It was cool, but aside from themed music and cups, it didn’t differ much from a regular 787. The flight started with a light snack of a sandwich, crackers, and water.
I ended up dozing off and missed the main dinner, but I wasn’t too worried as I had enjoyed it on other flights. I woke up for breakfast, which was okay but could have used some condiments like ketchup and maple syrup for the pancakes and potatoes. The paper R2D2 coffee cup was a nice touch.
This concluded the epic international portion of my two-week journey, filled with memorable moments and experiences.
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