Japan vs South Korea – Which Should You Visit?

On paper, Japan and South Korea sound like they offer similar experiences to people looking to travel in East Asia. They’re two of the leading destinations in the region, with distinct cuisines, globally recognizable pop culture, and a fascinating blend of historic and modern attractions.

Comparing Japan vs South Korea, though, you start to see that these two countries have their differences, too. They’re also a bit like an old favourite and an up-and-comer, meaning while in the past you might not have had to think too hard about going to South Korea vs Japan, now it’s quite the contest. Let me show you the advantages of visiting both these places, and then I’ll give my reasons for how each suits different kinds of travellers.

Why visit Japan

You won’t find many destinations worldwide more popular or iconic than Japan.

And that’s because it’s rare to find a place where everything about it is so distinctive. Everyone is familiar with at least some aspects of Japanese culture, be they traditional things like samurai, tea ceremonies, and sumo or modern aspects such as manga/anime and J-pop. Oh, plus Japanese food is a rabbit hole that many people are willing to spend a whole trip falling down.

These aspects lure people into visiting, but some credit must go to the destinations that allow visitors to experience them.

Because the depth of destinations in Japan is unbelievable.

Tokyo is a city like no other — massive and home to an unrelenting number of attractions and areas to explore.

Osaka and Kyoto also offer big-city experiences, as do other large cities such as Hiroshima, Kanazawa, and Nagoya.

But Japan has destinations spread across four large islands: Honshu Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, plus islands such as Okinawa. And cities aren’t the only places to go either.

You can easily add postal towns like those along the Kiso Valley. You can soak your troubles away at hot spring resorts or stretch your legs in national parks among Japan’s many mountains.

And wherever you go, you have history and culture— and yes, cherry blossom season — to explore. Often, temples and castles are even the best places to see the hanami.

Finally, there’s the food. Whether you’re eating sushi and ramen or dining out on convenience store food, you’ll eat well here.

Flying to Japan is convenient since the country has many international airports, Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita Airports being two of the main ones, alongside airports in Sapporo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

• Dive into Japanese culture that you’re familiar with properly this time
• Choose from an endless selection of destinations
• See the famous cherry blossom or soak at an onsen
• Eat yourself silly on delicious Japanese cuisine

Why visit South Korea

South Korea is a growing tourist destination rapidly gaining people’s attention.

This is mostly thanks to South Korea’s influence on pop culture through music, film, and TV. K-pop is huge — BTS and Blackpink are household names, while Korean TV shows (usually dramas) have gone mainstream thanks to hits such as Squid Game, Crash Landing on You, and Business Proposal.

But while it’s growing in popularity, that doesn’t mean South Korea is crowded.

Certainly, you can find plenty of tourists around Seoul in popular areas such as Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Those are the exceptions, though. It’s much harder to find international tourists elsewhere.

South Korea offers much more to visitors than its capital. Places such as Suwon and the DMZ, which are easily visited as day trips from Seoul, allow you to dive into different eras in the country’s history.

The country also has other cities, from Busan’s coastal charms to historical hotspots such as Jeonju and Gyeongju. And that’s not even getting to natural and cultural attractions worth seeking out, like Seoraksan National Park and Andong Hahoe Folk Village.

You also can’t talk about experiencing South Korea without mentioning its food.

Kimchi (fermented vegetables) may be the most famous aspect of Korean food, but you’ll never run out of new Korean foods to try when you visit. That’s because, whether it’s tteokbokki, bibimbap, or galbi, these dishes all have regional variations that demand you keep trying them.

To get to South Korea, start by looking for flights to Seoul or Busan. Seoul’s Incheon International Airport will likely have the most options from outside Asia.

• Get your fix of Korean culture, be it K-pop or seeing K-drama locations
• Explore the wonderful world of Korean food
• Visit ancient Joseon palaces and Korean War monuments
• Escape the crowds in less-well-known destinations

Which is better to visit, South Korea or Japan?

Let me first say that no matter which destination you choose, Japan or South Korea, prepare for a good trip.

But if I’m forced to pick one, I say go with Japan. I think it has a broader appeal and maybe seems a little less intimidating, not that this is necessarily true.

Still, by now, you should see that both countries offer lots of food, culture, and history to explore. But there are differences.

Japan has such a deep roster of destinations to explore, across multiple climates, from chilly Hokkaido to beachy Okinawa. This makes it easier to plan trips year-round.

On the other hand, South Korea isn’t nearly as popular yet, and you can easily escape the crowds by traveling around. This is especially useful as you don’t have to worry quite so much about peak season and can still enjoy seasonal benefits like cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

Cultural differences might also sway you one way or the other. Japanese society is generally more reserved and well-suited for solo travellers. South Korea is a bit more spirited and group-focused, especially in places like hanok homestays.

As for cost, I didn’t notice too much of a difference between the two, but I think that Japan is the more expensive destination. So:

• Pick Japan if you want a longer trip with lots more variety or are travelling solo.
• Pick South Korea if you prefer to escape the crowds in a place that’s less automatically familiar.

Or do what I did and visit both in one trip. Porque no los dos?