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bulguksa temple monk 700x700

In September-October 2016, I traveled to South Korea for the first time. On my way, I also decided to visit Japan for a few days. My flights were mostly booked with American Airlines AAdvantage miles. I flew in first class between San Francisco & Tokyo in both directions thanks to mileage awards. I then spent a few days in Fukuoka, Japan, eating as much delicious tonkotsu ramen as I could & going to Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball games.

Then, I flew to Seoul, South Korea. I spent the next few weeks in Korea, first exploring Seoul, taking in the city’s vibrant culture. From there, I headed south to the amazing experience of the Jinju Lantern Festival. My next stop was in Busan, where I took a day trip to Gyeongju (and also experienced my second typhoon of the trip). Next, I traveled back north to Sokcho, where I was able to see some changing leaves & hike in the spectacular Seoraksan National Park. After heading back to Seoul, I had a long layover in Tokyo before heading home. Along the way, I ate a ton of amazing food & tried the best craft beer in every city.

Here are all of my posts from my trip to South Korea & Japan:

A trip to South Korea & Japan – Introduction
Cathay Pacific Lounge San Francisco SFO review
Japan Airlines JAL Sakura Lounge San Francisco SFO review
Japan Airlines JAL First Class Boeing 777-30ER San Francisco SFO to Tokyo Haneda HND review
A visit to the observation deck & showers during a layover at Tokyo Haneda HND
Japan Airlines JAL Domestic Lounge Diamond Premier Tokyo Haneda HND review
A walking tour of the parks, shrines, & temples of Fukuoka, Japan
A day trip from Fukuoka to Dazaifu, Japan
Attending a Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Japanese baseball game
The best craft beer in Fukuoka, Japan
The best tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka, Japan
A visit to the DMZ – Touring the border between South Korea & North Korea
A visit to the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul, South Korea
A visit to Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul, South Korea
Walking the Seoul City Wall – Naksan Mountain Trail section
Walking the Seoul City Wall – Heunginjimun Gate Trail section
Walking the Seoul City Wall – Namsan (Mongmyeok) Mountain Trail section
Attending a Doosan Bears KBO game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, South Korea
The best craft beer in Seoul, South Korea
Attending the Jinju Lantern Festival in Jinju, South Korea
A visit to Jinjuseong Fortress in Jinju, South Korea
A visit to Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, South Korea
A visit to Haeundae & Dongbaek Park in Busan, South Korea
The best craft beer in Busan, South Korea
A day trip from Busan to Gyeongju, South Korea
Busan to Sokcho, South Korea by bus
Staying & eating near the entrance of Seoraksan National Park in Sokcho, South Korea
Hiking in Seoraksan National Park – Biseondae
Hiking in Seoraksan National Park – Cable Car & Gwongeumseong Fortress
Hiking in Seoraksan National Park – Biryong, Yukdam, & Towangseong Falls
Hiking in Seoraksan National Park – Heundeulbawi Rock, Gyejoam Grotto, & Ulsanbawi Rock
KAL Lounge Seoul Gimpo GMP review
Air Lounge Hue Seoul Gimpo GMP review
Japan Airlines JAL Business Class Boeing 787-800 Seoul Gimpo GMP to Tokyo Haneda HND review
A layover in Tokyo from Haneda Airport – sushi, arcades, & beer in Akihabara
The best craft beer in Tokyo, Japan
Japan Airlines JAL First Class Lounge Tokyo Haneda HND review
Japan Airlines JAL First Class Boeing 777-300ER Tokyo Haneda HND to San Francisco SFO review

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