Jagalchi Market

Jagalchi Market is the largest fish market in Korea and sits right at the harbour. This one you simply have to experience. Just stroll through and look at what is swimming in the tanks. Most of it I had never seen before. The actual market with the stalls is on the ground floor. The restaurants are on the first floor above it. They cook whatever you bought downstairs for you. It does not get any fresher than that. You can just as well go straight upstairs and order à la carte.

Prices and opening hours

Eating at Jagalchi Market is more expensive than elsewhere in Busan. You pay for the location and the freshness. If you want to get full on a budget, you are better off at Bupyeong Kkangtong Market. For a lunch with a harbour view it is still worth the extra. The market is open daily from 5 am to 10 pm, the restaurants on the first floor from 9 am. Getting there: subway line 1 to Jagalchi, exit 10, then about a five minute walk.

Songdo cable car and Amnam Park

The Songdo cable car, officially Busan Air Cruise, takes about 20 minutes to cross Songdo Bay at around 80 metres above the water. You start at the end of Songdo Beach and arrive at the top in Songdo Sky Park, right in the middle of Amnam Park. You can buy tickets on the spot at the machine, no need to book ahead. Have a look at the operating page of the Busan Air Cruise beforehand, it shows the hours for the day and whether the cable car is currently running. In bad weather it stops. The page is in Korean only, but your browser translation is perfectly enough.

Standard cabin or glass floor?

There are two types of cabin. The standard Air Cruise costs 15,000 Won for a round trip. The Crystal Cruise with the glass floor is 20,000 Won. Save yourself the glass floor! The surcharge gets you little, because the view out of the window is the better one anyway, and there is a seriously long queue in front of the Crystal Cruise.

The hiking trails up in Amnam Park

Amnam Park at the top station is free and has several signposted forest trails, all of them well surfaced and doable without any gear. The Happy Healing Forest Trail for example is only 1 km long, or the Baragi Healing Forest Trail runs 3 km along the camellia path including an observation deck. Three minutes from the top station you will also find the 130 metre Songdo Yonggung suspension bridge over to the uninhabited island of Dongseom.

Walk out onto the peninsula instead of taking the cable car

You do not have to take the cable car in both directions. From Amnam Park you walk back to the beach along the Songdo Coastal Bolle-gil, 1.2 kilometres on a steel walkway right above the water. If the coastal walkway is closed, you can also take the road with the stairs downhill.

BIFF Square and Busan Tower

BIFF Square in Nampo is named after the Busan International Film Festival. In the pavement you can see the handprints of Korean actors and directors. The motto here is: try everything once. The portions are small enough that you can eat your way straight across the square. What you should definitely try:

• Ssiat hotteok: a deep fried yeast pancake filled with sugar, cinnamon and sunflower seeds
• Eomuk: fish cake skewers
• Tteokbokki: rice cakes in a VERY spicy sauce
• Gimbap rolls

The stalls take cash only. You will find ATMs in the convenience stores right on the square and at Nampo station. Most stalls open around 11 am and close between 9 and 10 pm.

Tip: If it rains or BIFF Square is packed again, walk down the street to Bupyeong Kkangtong Market. It is only a few minutes away on foot and the food there is seriously good. During the day every stall keeps its own hours, in the evening pretty much everything is open from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm.

Busan Tower, the most central of the Busan sights

From BIFF Square or Bupyeong Kkangtong Market you walk up Gwangbok-ro and take the covered escalator up the hill into Yongdusan Park. The park is free and open around the clock. In the middle of it stands Busan Tower, also called Diamond Tower. From the observation deck at around 120 metres you can see the harbour, the south port, the island of Yeongdo and, on a clear day, the Namhang Bridge. Admission is about 12,000 Won. It is open from 10 am to 10 pm. You will find a free alternative in the insider tips.

Sky Capsule and Haeundae Beach

At the other end of the city lies Haeundae, Busan’s best known beach. And right next to it, on a disused railway line, runs the Sky Capsule, for me the finest half hour among all the Busan sights.

You roll along at walking pace in a brightly coloured capsule above the water from Cheongsapo to Mipo, past rocks and little bays. The capsule is yours alone for the ride. At the end you get off in Mipo, and from there it is a few minutes on foot to Haeundae Beach. How I plan the whole day around it and where the difference to the cheaper Beach Train lies is here: Sky Capsule Ride, Busan’s most beautiful train ride

Busan X the Sky, the observation tower on the beach

Right at Haeundae Beach stands the tallest tower in the city, the 400 metre Haeundae LCT Landmark Tower with the Busan X the Sky observation deck. I was not up there myself, so I cannot tell you from my own experience whether the 27,000 Won are well spent. From the top though you see the entire bay of Haeundae, the Gwangan Bridge, the island of Dongbaekseom and, on a clear day, even as far as the Japanese island of Tsushima.

Gamcheon Culture Village

Colourful cube houses stacking up the hillside, called the Machu Picchu of Busan by some. Gamcheon Culture Village sits at the top of every list of Busan sights, and that is exactly its problem. Crowds of visitors! In the central alleys you shuffle forward in a pack, there is a queue in front of every designated photo spot, and the Little Prince on the wall has one of his own. Why I recommend the village despite the hype, which route I walked and what the city is currently planning against the overtourism is here: Gamcheon Culture Village, hidden gem or scam?

Getting there

Madrid sits right in the middle of Spain and, with over 3 million inhabitants, is the largest city in the country. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is only about 10 km from the centre. This is how you get into the city best:

• Metro line 8: The quickest way. It is only 20 minutes to Nuevos Ministerios, and about 40 minutes to Sol including the change. The ticket costs around 5 euros including the airport surcharge.
• Cercanías C-1: If you land at Terminal 4, this train gets you to Atocha in 45 minutes. The ticket costs around 3 euros.

And here come my top 5…

Parque del Retiro

The Parque del Retiro sits right in the centre of Madrid and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site together with the Paseo del Prado since July 2021. Until the 19th century it was the private garden of the Spanish kings.

Today it belongs to everybody, and you notice that straight away. Half of Madrid jogs, picnics and drums here, and still you find a bench to yourself after five minutes.

A boat ride on the Estanque Grande

You can take a boat out on the big lake in the middle of the park, the Estanque Grande. Or you lie down on the grass with a coffee and watch the boats. In the background the impressive colonnade for Alfonso XII rises up. You can book a rowing boat right at the hut by the jetty or in advance through the Madrid Móvil app. On warm weekends the lake is as busy as in the photo, during the week you have a lot more space.

What else to see in the Retiro

• Rosaleda: The rose garden. In May and June it is full of roses, the rest of the year you can skip it.
• Ángel Caído: The fallen angel from 1877. One of very few statues in the world that shows the devil. It stands a little hidden in the south of the park.
• Bosque del Recuerdo: 192 trees for the victims of the attacks of 11 March 2004. A quiet spot that disappears completely in the bustle of the park.
• Palacio de Cristal: The most photographed sight in the park has been closed since May 2023, after parts of the structure came loose. The restoration is expected to run until 2027. You can still see it from the outside, although right now it is completely wrapped up.

Opening hours and location

The Retiro is open from April to September from 6 am to midnight, from October to March until 10 pm. In strong wind the city closes it at short notice, and that does happen now and then. Metro Retiro (line 2) right at the Puerta de Alcalá, or Atocha (line 1) at the southern end.

Santiago Bernabéu

I am not a Real fan, and still the stadium was one of the things that stuck with me the most. From the outside a closed shell of steel louvres, inside a retractable pitch and a roof that closes completely. You stand in there and simply cannot grasp how big it is.

I was in the stadium for work, but there is also a regular stadium tour where you walk the whole thing at your own pace. You get up to the panoramic seats at the very top, into the room with the Champions League trophies, into the presidential box, into the first team dressing room, onto the bench at the edge of the pitch, through the players’ tunnel and into the press room.

The tour takes a good 2 hours. If you are a fan, give it half a day, because you will not get out of the trophy room and the museum in a hurry.

Important: check the fixture list beforehand. On a match day the pitch, the dressing room and the players’ tunnel are closed off. You pay the same price and only see the museum and the panorama.

Opening hours and location

The basic ticket costs around 35 euros. Buying online saves you a little. The stadium is open Mon to Sat from 9:30 am to 7 pm, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 6:30 pm.

Metro Santiago Bernabéu (line 10). The entrance at tower B is practically at the metro exit, you cannot get lost.

Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real

Old Madrid sits compactly together. From the square where the city has staged everything for 400 years you walk to the royal palace in about ten minutes. Do it in one go, then you have the historic core done in a morning.

Plaza Mayor

The rectangular square was built around 1619 under Philip III. The eye catcher is the Casa de la Panadería on the north side. Do not sit down in one of the places right under the arcades. They are seriously expensive! For food you go two alleys further, more on that below. In December the Christmas market takes over the square.

Palacio Real

Ten minutes further west stands the largest royal palace in Western Europe. With more than 3,000 rooms it is far bigger than Buckingham Palace or Versailles. The palace is only used for state receptions and is otherwise open to visitors. This is all about splendour, and there is plenty of it. Tip: on the Plaza de la Armería the changing of the guard takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 11 am and 2 pm, in high summer from 10 am to midday.

Opening hours and location

Admission is around 18 euros depending on the ticket type. The palace is open Mon to Sat from 10 am to 6 pm and Sundays until 4 pm.

Metro Ópera (lines 2 and 5)

Atocha Station

A railway station as a sight sounds odd at first, but this one really is worth seeing. And not only because of its sad history. The garden and the memorial are both freely accessible.

No trains have run in the old hall since the 1980s. Instead a tropical garden grows in there, covering around 4,000 square metres with more than 7,000 plants from 260 species.

You come in from the street and suddenly you are standing in a greenhouse, while next to you people race to the AVE with their suitcases.

In the pools between the palms live several hundred freshwater turtles. You can see them well from the raised walkways, which is exactly where everybody stands and looks down.

The memorial

Right next to it lies the memorial for the attacks of 11 March 2004, in which 191 people died. The underground room you see today opened in 2024, with the names of the victims engraved and 193 points of light in the ceiling. Take the few minutes, the contrast to the bustle upstairs is intense. In the passage towards the metro just follow the signs marked 11-M.

Location

The station sits at the southern end of the Paseo del Prado. Metro Atocha (line 1), one stop from Sol.

Museo del Prado and Paseo del Prado

If you have time for one museum in Madrid, make it this one. The Prado is one of the most important art museums in the world. It sits on the boulevard Paseo del Prado, which together with the Retiro has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021.

Within a few hundred metres you also find the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía with Picasso’s Guernica. In between lie the Cibeles fountain and the Neptune fountain. Walking the stretch alone is worth it, even without a single ticket.

Opening hours and location

Admission costs around 15 euros. The museum is open Mon to Sat from 10 am to 8 pm, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am to 7 pm.

Metro Banco de España (line 2) or Estación del Arte (line 1), about five minutes on foot from either.

Gwangjang Market

The Gwangjang Market, which has been around since 1905, is the classic and a good starting point. It is one of the oldest continuously operating markets in the country. What you should try:

• Bindaetteok: The signature snack of the market. Mung beans fried up with bean sprouts, kimchi, spring onions and pork. Served with raw onion slices and a soy sauce with vinegar.
• Mayak Gimbap: Literally drug gimbap. The name says it all, because after the first one you cannot stop.
• Yukhoe: Raw, finely sliced beef with sesame oil, garlic and pine nuts on grated nashi pear. On top a raw egg yolk. Yummy!

The market became world famous through the Netflix series Street Food and social media, and it is packed accordingly. Many stalls only take cash. Unfortunately we had none, but in the end we were able to pay contactless with the phone. Do not count on that though, it depends entirely on the stall.

Location and opening hours

Jongno 5-ga (line 1), exit 7, or Euljiro 4-ga (lines 2 and 5), exit 4.

The food stalls are usually open daily from 8.30 am to 11 pm.

BBQ Quarter Jongno 3-ga (종로3가)

For Korean BBQ you do not need a restaurant chain. Behind Donhwamun-ro, named after the main gate of Changdeokgung Palace, lies one of the best BBQ quarters in the city: Jongno 3-ga. You come out of the station, turn around and you are right in the middle of it. The special part is sitting outside, in Korean yajang.

The grilling is done over charcoal, which is lit separately next to the restaurants. Once you have ordered, the waiter comes over with the hot coals and tips them straight into the opening in your table. It does not get more authentic than that. Depending on the spot, many places also put gas grills on the table.

Tip: Put the kimchi on the grill as well until it caramelises. So good with the meat! Order somaek with it, that is beer with soju.

Location and opening hours

Jongno 3-ga (lines 1, 3 and 5), exit 6. From there it is two minutes into the side alleys around Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil.

Most places open in the late afternoon and stay open past midnight. Come before 6 pm, after that you will barely get a table outside.

Rain Report Gyeongridan Café

After market and grill you need something sweet, and South Korea has more than enough of that. Insta cafés as far as the eye can see. The Rain Report Gyeongridan Café is one of them too, but I found it so unusual that I have to mention it here. It is in Itaewon, in the middle of a residential area at the upper end of Gyeongnidan-gil.

In the courtyard a rain system is mounted on the roof that makes it rain every 15 minutes. No drizzle, but properly heavy rain. You are allowed to walk right into it. There are transparent umbrellas, rain jackets and rubber boots. That is exactly the reason the place went through the roof on social media.

Inside the café is very stylish too. It is kept almost completely black and has a huge panoramic window onto the courtyard. You sit in the dry and watch the rain outside. There is a seating landscape and lounge chairs right by the window, and one floor up there are more seats. Despite the hype it is surprisingly quiet inside.

The signature drink is called Sesame Cloud, a latte with black sesame. Among the desserts the Cloud Black Cheesecake and the strawberry souffle cake are the classics.

Location and opening hours

The easiest way is the subway to Hangangjin (line 6) and from there bus 405 to the Namsan Sports Center stop, the last few metres on foot. You can also walk the whole way up from Gyeongnidan-gil, but it goes properly uphill.

Open daily from 10:30 am to 8 pm.

The café sits right next to the Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden, which is lovely for a stroll before or after your coffee. The park is free to enter and open around the clock: bamboo forest, planted flower beds, paved paths and natural trails next to them. There is even a barefoot path made of clay, with a washing station for your feet afterwards. From there you can also walk all the way uphill to the N Seoul Tower.

There is a second branch

In case you do not want to head up to Itaewon: in Ikseon-dong in Jongno there is the sister café Rain Report Rainbow, housed in a completely monochrome hanok. There a curtain of water falls from the edge of the roof into a basin at the entrance.

Mangwon Market

The Mangwon Market in Mapo is the counter programme to the Gwangjang Market. It is visited almost exclusively by locals and is considerably cheaper. This is where people from the neighbourhood buy their vegetables, and that is exactly why the trip is worth it. What you get here:

• Kalguksu: Noodle soup in the middle of the market. The noodles are made by hand here.
• Dakgangjeong: Deep fried chicken pieces in various sauces. The longest queue is here.
• Korokke: Korean croquettes filled with kimchi, japchae or cream cheese.

The Mangwon Hangang Park by the river is only a few minutes away. Buy a few things together at the market, gimbap, croquettes, fruit, and turn it into a picnic by the Han. You will hardly eat cheaper or better in Seoul. Right next to the market runs Mangridan-gil, a street full of small cafés and restaurants.

Location and opening hours

Mangwon (line 6), exit 2, then about five minutes on foot into the neighbourhood.

Open daily from around 9 am to 9 pm, it is busiest at the weekend.

Eolssu Together – my insider tip

And now the place I am actually writing this article for. The 얼쑤 Eolssu Together is in Mangwon-dong, on a completely ordinary residential street, only a few minutes from the market. From the outside almost impossible to spot, inside tiny, a few tables and that is it.

It is what many people look for and rarely find. A real Korean restaurant with no English menu, no Instagram decor and no guidebook entry. The host is incredibly nice and takes care of every table personally. She explains with her hands and feet what she can make for you and is visibly pleased when somebody finds their way there from far away. You are basically sitting in somebody’s living room.

We had stew with pork and vegetables, I reckon it was kimchi jjigae, but nobody really knows. What is certain is that it was really good. We sat right by the window, watched the colourful goings on outside and enjoyed the stew on the gas burner at the table. Because it took a little moment, we also got a small bibimbap starter on the house. Price wise you are well below what you otherwise pay in Jongno.

Location and opening hours

Mangwon (line 6), from there on foot.

Lunch from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, evenings from 5 pm and then until late into the night.

Practical tips

• Paying: At the big markets cash is still king, many stalls have no card terminal. In Mangwon and in restaurants the card works almost always. For the subway, buses and many market stalls the prepaid card is the easiest option, everything about it is here: Tmoney Card, prepaid card in South Korea
• Tipping: Does not exist in Korea. You pay the price on the menu, usually at a machine or at the till on your way out.
• Eating alone: In small restaurants and at BBQ many dishes are designed for two people. At the markets that is no problem, there everybody eats on their own at the stall.

If Korean cuisine has got you hooked, cook it at home: Kimchi-Jjigae, the Korean stew

Overview

1. Barcelone overview & Arrival
2. The Sagrada Família
3. Trip to Montjuïc
4. Park Güell (Gaudí)
5. Passeig de Gràcia with Casa Batlló & Casa Milà
6. Beach
7. Insider Tips

Barcelona overview & Arrival

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist cities in Europe, famous for its unique architecture, vibrant culture, and lively atmosphere. Experience the capital of Catalonia and don’t miss the masterpieces of the architect Antoni Gaudí.

The easiest way to arrive is by flying directly to the city. The airport is only about 30 minutes from the city center via the L9S metro line. The cost of the airport metro ticket (Billete Aeropuerto) is around € 5.

Here are my top 5 Barcelona highlights.

Costs & Opening Hours

Tickets start at around € 25. If you want to access the tower as well, the ticket will cost a bit more. You can skip the guided tour since you can access an audio guide directly on your phone. Don’t forget to bring your headphones!

It’s best to get your ticket online to avoid waiting in line at the ticket counter. Select the day and time, and go to the main entrance at your booked time—it’s hard to miss, as thousands of tourists will be waiting with you. But don’t worry, the line moves relatively quickly.

The church is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, with slight variations depending on the season. Here are all the details.

Trip to Montjuïc

A trip to the approximately 170-meter-high Montjuïc is a great day excursion offering variety and stunning views of the metropolis.

The adventure begins at Barcelona’s port at the Telefèric del Port. The tall tower by the docks is hard to miss. From there, a somewhat quirky cable car takes you across the harbor to Montjuïc, offering breathtaking views of the city. Once you reach the other side, you can take some great photos of the port. The cost for a one-way trip is around € 12. You can find the opening hours directly on the official website.

From there, a short walk leads up to Castell de Montjuïc. The fortress was built in the 17th century. Today, it houses Barcelona’s Military Museum and offers a spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Behind the castle is the Botanical Garden Jardí Botànic de Barcelona. Both attractions are open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, and during the summer months until 8 PM. Admission to the castle is around € 12, and the botanical garden costs around € 3.50.

Afterward, you can head down Montjuïc. You can either walk the entire way, take the cable car from the mountain station, or walk part of the way and take the cable car from the mid-station. I recommend taking at least a small ride in the panoramic cable car for the view. The ride costs around € 10.

Once you reach the lower cable car station, you can either take the funicular to the nearest metro station or walk the two stops. The cost for the funicular is included in your Barcelona day pass.

Park Güell (Gaudí) in Barcelona

Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous parks in Barcelona. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, it is known for its unique architecture, colorful mosaics, and whimsical shapes. Some of the park’s most notable features include the long, serpent-shaped bench, the famous mosaic lizard, the Sala Hipòstila with its striking columns, and the vibrant ceramic work that runs throughout the park.

Costs & Opening Hours

Admission costs around € 10. It can get very crowded, especially during the summer months. It’s best to visit the park as early as possible and use one of the side entrances (Side Entrance 1 / Side Entrance 2). You can also buy a ticket with a timeslot online.

The park is open to tourists from 9:30 AM to 6 PM.

Passeig de Gràcia with Casa Batlló & Casa Milà

Passeig de Gràcia is one of the most famous streets in Barcelona and an absolute must-visit for every visitor. This wide avenue connects Plaça Catalunya in the heart of the city with the charming Gràcia neighborhood. Here, you’ll find everything from luxury boutiques and chic restaurants to impressive architecture.

A highlight on Passeig de Gràcia is definitely Casa Batlló. This whimsical, colorful building was designed by Antoni Gaudí and looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. With its wavy façade, shimmering ceramic tiles, and quirky balconies, Casa Batlló is a true masterpiece. The house is often referred to as the “House of Bones” because its structures resemble a skeleton. Today, you can visit the building as a museum and experience Gaudí’s unique vision up close.

Not far away, you’ll find another Gaudí masterpiece: Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera. Casa Milà is a real highlight and has even been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here, too, you can visit a museum and learn more about Gaudí’s innovative architecture.

Whether by day or night, Passeig de Gràcia offers a perfect mix of culture, shopping, and dining, making it a place you shouldn’t miss when in Barcelona.

Costs & Opening Hours

You can buy tickets for Casa Batlló online for around € 30. It is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM.

Tickets for Casa Milà can also be purchased online for around € 30. It is open daily from 9 AM to 8:30 PM, and during the winter months until 6:30 PM. There are also night tours available. You can find all the information here.

Beach

The beach of Barcelona is the perfect place to relax. With miles of sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, it’s the ideal spot to enjoy the sun, go for a swim, or simply unwind. The most famous beach, Barceloneta, is just a short walk from the city center and offers plenty of activities, from beach volleyball to water sports like windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

In addition to the great atmosphere, Barcelona’s beach is also home to many bars and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious tapas and refreshing cocktails. The chiringuitos, small beach bars right by the water, are especially popular and offer a relaxed setting to end the day with a cool drink. In the evening, the beach promenade transforms into a vibrant nightlife scene with music, dancing, and a joyful atmosphere.

So let’s go, grab your swimsuit, and dive into the cool water. Speaking of cool waters: You can find more great beaches here.

Overview

1. The first time in Japan – What awaits you
2. Best travel time & duration
3. Tokyo – The Mega City
4. Honshū Round Trip – The best choice
5. Preperation
   • Traveling by train & bus
   • Traveling by car
   • Payment
   • Booking hotels
   • Internet
6. Entry – What you should consider
7. Insider Tips

The first time in Japan – What awaits you

I can tell you already, it won’t be your last time in Japan, because once you’ve traveled to Japan, you’ll come back again. It’s probably also due to the hospitality you will experience. It is often expressed with the term “Omotenashi” (おもてなし). Omotenashi goes beyond mere politeness and service. It embodies the sincere desire to anticipate and fulfill the needs of others, often before they are even spoken. And as a tourist, you feel this every day. Japanese people greet you everywhere with politeness and respect, place great importance on attention to detail, and always respect your personal space.

The fascinating clash between tradition and high-tech will also inspire you. While on one side, deep roots in centuries-old traditions and customs can be found, on the other side, modern Japan is reflected in vending machines, robots, and skyscrapers.

Here you will find the most important information to make your first time in Japan unforgettable.

Tokyo – The Mega City

Tokyo (東京市) is a must-see on your trip. From traditional temples and historic shrines to modern shopping districts and exciting entertainment options, there is something for every taste to discover. You will be surprised at how orderly this metropolis of 38 million people operates and you will experience the clash between tradition and high-tech.

It’s best to start your trip directly after arriving at one of the two airports, Haneda or Narita, in the mega city.

For more about Tokyo and the top 5 must-see attractions, click here: Top 5 Must See in Tokyo

See also: Day trip to Hakone from Tokyo

Honshū Round Trip – The best choice

Honshū (本州) is the largest of Japan’s four main islands and offers picturesque hiking trails in the Japanese Alps as well as the most important cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima.

The perfectly developed Shinkansen rail network allows you to travel quickly and comfortably between the different regions of Honshu. It only takes about 2.5 hours to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto (about 500 km). This allows you to explore entire regions in just a few days. It’s best to take full-day trips from individual cities. This way, you can avoid traveling with all your luggage. More on the topic of day trips can be found here.

The typical Honshu round trip goes from Tokyo to Kyoto, then Osaka and back to Tokyo. Many also take a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka to Nara. If you have a little more time, you can visit additional destinations after Kyoto and Osaka.

Here you will find everything you need to know about the best itineraries for your first trip to Japan: Japan Itinerary: 2 to 3 Weeks for Your First Trip

Preparation

Traveling by train & bus

Consider whether you want to travel entirely by public transportation or if you’d prefer to drive a car. For your first time in Japan, I recommend taking trains and buses (see also Taking the bus in Japan and Traveling through Japan with the Shinkansen). Getting around in Japan is super easy and, above all, punctual. Consider whether you need a Japan Rail Pass. I would recommend it for a Honshu round trip. You can find all the information about the Rail Pass here: Japan Rail Pass for tourists

You can also travel partially without luggage. More information Luggage service in Japan

Traveling by car

The costs for the translation is approcimately 70 Euro. There are several authorized services where you can get it done. More information here: Rental Car in Japan: Driving Licence and Driving Tips

Payment

Start thinking ahead about how you’ll pay in Japan. I recommend getting a Japanese prepaid card and paying the rest in cash or with a credit card. For more information, see Pay in Japan

Booking hotels

Make sure to pay attention to the size of the rooms when booking hotels. Some rooms are so small that there’s no space for your luggage. Recommendation: Minimum 18 sqm for a double room.

Also, double beds often have a width of only 140 cm. Look for Queen-size beds, which are between 150 – 180 cm wide.

If you book your hotel with breakfast, make sure the hotel offers a buffet. Otherwise, you’ll only get a sandwich every morning.

Internet

I recommend getting a SIM card or eSIM for your trip. This way, you can translate Japanese Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji characters and navigate more easily without public Wi-Fi. For more information, see Internet in Japan – SIM card or eSIM?

Entry – What you should consider

Valid Passport / Visa

For entry into Japan, you’ll need a valid passport. If you’re planning to stay in Japan for longer than 90 days, you can apply to extend your stay for up to a total of 180 days at the local Immigration Office.

However, if you’re planning to stay more than 180 days or if you’re a citizen of China, Russia, Vietnam, or the Philippines, you’ll also need a visa prior to entering the country. In these cases, it’s essential to contact the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country well in advance to understand the specific visa requirements and processing times.

Entry without QR Code

Alternatively, you can also fill out everything manually on paper. For this, you will receive a white sheet (entry form) and a yellow sheet (customs declaration) on the plane. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be encouraged to fill out everything electronically at the terminal anyway, to expedite the entry process. I would strongly advise completing the registration as described above before departure.

County Cornwall – How to get there

The county of Cornwall is located in the southwest of England and is a charming holiday destination that impresses with its breathtaking coastal landscapes and small fishing villages similar to Ireland. The relaxed atmosphere, mild climate, and culinary delights, including fresh seafood, make Cornwall an unforgettable travel destination. And here’s how you can easily get to Cornwall:

The small Newquay Airport in the heart of Cornwall is the easiest and fastest option, although it is also very limited. Most flights operate within the UK, but you can fly there as well from Düsseldorf, Faro, Alicante, Zurich, Malaga, Copenhagen and Guernsey.

By car, the journey takes a bit longer, approximately 5 hours from London. The first section on the highway is relatively fast, but patience is required for the subsequent journey on the country roads.

The most convenient option is the GWR train, which goes directly from London to Cornwall.

There is so much to see and experience.

The bustling metropolis of Tokyo blends historic temples and shrines with skyscrapers and futuristic technologies, creating a fascinating cultural diversity. Just strolling through the different neighborhoods is an experience.

Here are my top 5 must-see recommendations for your trip to Tokyo:

1. Akihabara (秋葉原)
2. Shibuya (渋谷)
3. Harajuku (原宿)
4. Shinjuku Gyoen Park (新宿御苑) & Hamarikyū-Park (浜離宮恩賜庭園)
5. Asakusa (浅草)

City Parks

For those in need of some peace from the city noise and seeking relaxation, I can recommend two beautiful parks.

Not recommended, however, is the somewhat sterile Ueno Park with its pond, where hundreds of Japanese people ride around in pink swan boats.

Top 5 places you must visit in Munich

Munich is one of the most beautiful destinations in Germany, offering the unique Bavarian atmosphere. There are many fantastic spots here. Here are my top 5 recommendations for you.

1. The Isar River
2. Olympiapark
3. The English Garden
4. Viktualienmarkt
5. Marienplatz & Surroundings

The Isar River

The Isar River, with its clear waters and surrounding green banks, presents the beauty of nature amidst a metropolis. Grab a refreshing drink and your swimwear in the summer and relax by the Isar. Good spots are:

• https://maps.app.goo.gl/NKDNeuNxXy9bpnr19
• https://maps.app.goo.gl/hzQENeosmrPr8PJ5A

Olympiapark

The Olympic Games were held in Olympiapark in 1972. It remains an architectural legacy that attracts visitors from all over the world. What you can do here:

• During summer, there are often festivals for all ages, such as the Sommer Tollwood featuring concerts, a craft market, and delicious food and drink stalls.
• Action in the park: Are you not afraid of heights? Then head to the roof of the Olympic Stadium. You can climb to the top for a fantastic view and then abseil down. Alternatively, you can return with the Flying Fox. All information here.
• Reach for the sky: Take the elevator up the 190-meter-high Olympic Tower and enjoy the view, stretching as far as the Alps. Note: From June 2024, the tower will be under renovation for 2 years.

You can find more information about Olympiapark here: https://www.olympiapark.de/en

The English Garden

The English Garden is Munich’s green oasis featuring expansive lawns, shaded avenues, and the Eisbach River.

• The Eisbach Wave attracts surfers from around the world to ride the wave in the middle of the city.
• The Chinesische Turm (Chinese Tower), a 25-meter-high wooden pagoda, and the beer garden invite you to enjoy food and drinks amidst the park. Tip: On every third Sunday in July, the Kocherlball, a revived event from 1989, is celebrated here.

Viktualienmarkt

From fresh fruits and vegetables to exotic spices and Bavarian delicacies – you can find a variety of specialties here. With its traditional stalls, the Viktualienmarkt is a cultural highlight in the heart of the city.

Tip: It doesn’t get fresher than this. Get yourself a delicious fish sandwich from Fisch Witte. Here, during colder months, you can also enjoy your meal in a cozy gondola.

Marienplatz & Surroundings

Marienplatz is the vibrant heart of Munich, dominated by the imposing Town Hall, the Marian Column, and the Frauenkirche in the background.

• Just to the right behind the Town Hall is Dallmayr, the famous delicatessen house with its own gastronomy. Take a stroll through or drop by for coffee and cake.
• Not far from Marienplatz are the Opera Square (Opernplatz) and the Residenz. Not the cheapest, but worthwhile. Tip: In winter, one of Munich’s most beautiful Christmas markets takes place here.
• For those seeking Oktoberfest vibes, a detour to the Hofbräuhaus is a must. It’s a hub of excitement all year round.