Don't exchange the Japanese Yen to the Korean currency from Japan. Korean banks give one of the best exchange rates in the world on foreign currencies (USD & Yen are the best to bring; the spread is smallest at 1.75% and no fees) Note: Euro,Canadian, Aussie, New Zealand, Singapore dollars get 1.97% to 2%. In Japan, even the best currency USD, the spread average at 2.5% to 3% plus fees in many places. Just bring Yen to Korea and walk into any bank and say in English "I want to exchange money" Only places to avoid is the exchange houses located at airports in Korea. But even they will give you same exchange rate as you'd get in most places in Japan. I heard if you go to Korean banks located in airports though, you pay double 1.75%x2=3.5% spread.
Busan is one of my favorite cities. When I was living in Ulsan, I would go to Busan from time to time. I took the JR Beetle to Fukuoka once from Busan, too. Thanks for the nostalgia!
During my time in the US Army, I was stationed in Busan, at Camp Hialeah years ago! It's amazing to see how the city has developed since then. Thank you for the video it was very informative and entertaining. You're an awesome young Lady!
Once this whole COVID situation is over, I'm going to do a special trip to Japan to make an old dream come true. Since South Korea is on my bucket list, I'm seriously considering taking the ferry over to Busan. Then fly home from Seoul
Possibly it's too late but if you make it to Japan I personally think it's easier + faster + often cheaper to fly Busan/ Fukuoka than take the ferry. The ferry is fun if you like boats but it can't beat a 45 minute flight from 2 convenient airports (I lived in Busan for 3 years and have done both). It's also way easier to get flight tickets than figure out the ferry in Korean (I don't know how hard it is from Japan though)
I'm going to South Korea for my honeymoon so this is super helpful! Watching your videos helped me on my trip to Japan last year - they're all so informative and fun! Also! Laundry tends to be in most U.K. kitchens too. Thinking about it, it is a bit strange ha! xx
A Japanese friend of mine told me once that when she visited Seoul, she felt it was very similar to Tokyo, so much so that she felt she hadn't left Japan. That's interesting, because I've always had the feeling that Korea and Japan are distinctly different, while of course sharing some similarities being two Asian countries. But anyway, it is always so great to see you traveling and trying new foods! I feel like many people around me are so tied down by their jobs and studies that they forget about actually living their lives! I admit though that I'm guilty of that too, big time, lol.
Anna Kravtsova An ex-colleague of mine, Korean, said she found Hakata much more like a Korean city than Tokyo. It would be interesting to hear what your friend says about Hakata.
Yoshi I think she's never been there yet (she is from Chiba herself), but I will make sure to ask her next time we talk! I'm curious about this too, hopefully someday I'll get a chance to compare them myself :)
I felt the same way about going to Taipei. I had to remind myself that I was in Taiwan not Japan. Haven't made to Korea, it's on the list but Taiwan is a must if you like Asian countries
I don't know if someone commented about this already but hodduk in Busan is very different from other region's because it has so many different kinds of seeds. Considered as a must have for Busan visitors! (Even for Koreans)
Im going to Korea next year for a week and then I'm getting the ferry from Busan to Fukuoka and i will spend another week in Japan. Im so excited for it!
I lived in Busan for some time (The pronunciation is closer to "Pusan" than "Busan," but that's a minor point. I loved your video. I recognized so many places in Busan, and that brought an incredibly broad smile to my face. Those places may be a little different to residents than to visitors, but is was so interesting to see how it looks to visitors. I loved your video. I could share many other places depending on what people like to do, but no matter, you did a good job with the parts you shared. I'm glad you liked it. You know, I wanted to take the ferry to Fukuoku, but for various reasons, never actually made that trip. I bet it would be interesting, though.
Yay early haha cool how it takes you only a few hours to go to another country hehe also thanks for replying to my comments! It really makes my day :) Busan looks like a great place too
Oh I was always curious about this! I wish I still lived in Fukuoka. I will be visiting in January! To bad it won't be long enough to visit Korea too. Thank you for sharing this!
This is so neat! I had no idea you could take a ferry between any part of Japan and Korea. Busan looks really chill, glad you had a nice relaxing time! :)
I'm glad you went to Yongdusan park!! As well, it's weird that you think Nampo-dong is more urbanized than Seomyeon!! Nampo-dong is way more rustic, Seomyeon is super busy with chains everywhere! I'm glad you got seed hotteok too. So good!! This video makes me miss Busan! I lived there 2014-2015!
Maybe we just went to a different area than normal people go to (we didn't have a lot of time.) Nanpo-dong had christmas lights being set up, the streets were clean, and there were tons of familiar brands and stores, but Seomyeong felt a little more gritty and aged to me--don't get me wrong, it was still cleaner and more spacious than, say, myeongdong.
Hi Micaela! We took the overnight ferry from Busan to Fukuok last November. I got so seasick that I was only able to enjoy the "cruise" the next morning. Haha! Fun to be brought back to Busan, thanks for posting :D
Taking the ferry over to Busan is one of the things I've been wanting to do ever since I first found out I was moving to Kyushu (I'm in Oita prefecture so Fukuoka is my main travel hub)!! It's so nice to see what that would be like and a little more about Busan.
I loved this mini travel vlog! One of my new favs and looking forward to more (even just Busan). FYI, the washer/dryer combo being situated in the kitchen is also prevalent in Europe. Also, some older Koreans (like my own parents) are fluent and literate in Japanese due to the occupation in the first half of the 20th c. so you might find some conversation in Korea.
It looks amazing omg!! I always get so surprised when Asian cities have signs in English, maybe it's just a misconception that I've always had... Very cool to know though, people should be less and less afraid of going to such culturally and language different countries! I hope to visit some day :)
+Jeong D.W. (Animate) I didn't miss them, we went to Gwangalli beach after the Spa, the restaurant I shot dinner at was at Gwangalli, I just didn't put it the beach in my video.
I decided to visit Japan again this summer and your videos definitely inspired me to stop by Fukuoka for a few days and this video inspired me to then take this ferry over to Busan!! Long time fan of your videos! ♡ 福岡にいる間に会えるといいね~
That is so cool! Ive seen boats like this running between Tokyo, Atami, and going to the southern islands. Ive always wanted to ride on them! Im riding the ferry vicariously through this video. Plus, Busan....lucky....i wanna go there so badly. great vid as usual, Micaela :D
mochi! Hahahaha. It's called tteok. Though, true, most people will be more familiar with the word mochi. I remember when I first moved to Korea, all I knew were the Japanese words for things Japan and Korea have in common
Hey I just wanted to say I LOVED this vlog - not only is the quality of your footage and editing great but it's so lovely to see you having such a lovely time and give us a good glimpse of Busan
Been watching for a while but is it just me or are your recent videos getting less views? Because the subscribers are still here I don't understand why they don't get more views the videos are good.
+Ninja Well thanks, not really sure what to say about it. A lot of channels are suffering from reaching a fraction of their subscriber base, my channel statistically took a nosedive October first just like many others, and nobody is really coming forward to explain why this happen. I did start a second channel though which is seeing more engagement and growth every single day. It may not ever be what this channel was, but it's nice to work on something that actually shows improvement over time. :) You can catch the playlist on my channel page!
There's been a massive overhaul with youtube's algorithm and they're not talking.... I think the best way to stay notified is to check your sub feed more frequently.
I think the trick to getting views these days, is to dress up as Elsa from Frozen and get someone else to dress up as Spiderman from Spiderman, and make it so Spiderman is pregnant and Elsa gets stabbed in the butt with syringes. Bots also help.
Google changed the way people get notified about new videos. You now have to specifically select that you want a notification for every video. They also changed the way videos are promoted and listed on the home page. Some big youtubers have also complained and some are even walking away just to point out that it's not right to change these things without communicating and instead let people figure everything out for themselves.
it sucks -i love your videos! you're totally adorbs! youtube totally screwed content creators and i know i'll be sad if it eventually drives you away from making content. how can we support you? patreon?
Oh man I would spend so much money on makeup in Korea... and also on street food. Did you guys have any patbingsu? Also loved your cat eye after the salon! It suits you! 😍
I'm the person that eats ice cream year round. I forget that not everyone does that. Hahaha The ice cream shop I live by actually gives discounts for how many degrees below freezing it is. (22F = 10% off)
Thanks for a really informative video! I'm doing the same soon and I was wondering; I heard I have to pay a port tax/fuel charge even though I am travelling alone (no vehicle). So I was wondering; did you have to do that as well? How much was the fee? Thanks in advance!
Hi Micaela. Nice video!. With my wife are going the next february to a quick trip to busan from fukuoka. And i have questions related to transportation and comunicaction in Busan: 1. To travel in subway and bus, there is a one day ticket or card so we dont have to be paying every time we hope on or of a train or bus?. 2. We definitelly are going to need google maps, so... ¿Where can we rent a pocket wifi? ¿How much it costs?. Thanks for your time!
Use Naver instead of Google Maps, it’s English friendly and has more accurate information. Also you can use Naver Taxi to call a taxi anywhere without having to speak Korean. Renting a pocket wifi router can be done at the port. We got ours in Fukuoka before we left, after we checked in. It’s not expensive. Don’t remember how much it costs.
デイナだ〜！ I hope she doesn't read this comment cos it may look creepy 😅 I've been to Nampo in spring. Apple trees' white blossoms and shiney green leaves were really pleasant to see. Next time I WILL try the hotteok you had. Looks so good! 😋
Love this video Micaela! I was visiting my bf for 2months in Sasebo (+SMALL trips to fuk) and would had love a trip to korea... I wish I knew this beforehand. :D thanks
Depends on your passport, but for Americans/Canadians, it's visa on arrival, so as long as you're just visiting for a short period of time, you don't need to apply in advance :)
+yellow6ird haha, I said we were "hangry" (Hungry/Angry) It's when you're so hungry you feel irritated. We ate Toppogi and dumplings first, so we weren't "Hangry", so we could wait a long time for hotteok.
Hello I recently found your channel 🙂. I am from Texas and I have a trip to South Korea in September and I have a few questions. This is my first ever trip to a different country. If I also decide to visit Japan would you recommend the ferry? What would I need in terms of paper work to go from a foreign place like South Korea to another foreign place such as japan? I am super anxious about having all the right documents and stuff. Anyways if u see this comment thanks! I have enjoyed watching your videos 🙂
I'm so sad that I'll probably never have a chance to visit Japan or South Kore :( it's my dream to live in one and travel between the two like you do. I have no clue how I'd get started because my family is poor waaaaah 😩oh well but it's fun to see people enjoy 😊
Bre 059 don't expect your family to pay for your travels. You can live in Korea or Japan easily if you can speak English Fluently and have a college degree. Just look for English teaching jobs in both Countries.
Pretty good video, but why no footage during the voyage or of the ferry accommodations? That might have been helpful so people would know what to expect, especially since it's a long ride.
It is too complicated to order tickets at jrbeetele site since it is full in japanese!! only camellia line site has the english option but ferry goes at night
I'm making a trip to Fukuoka from Korea (plane, not ferry) in less than a month, and your videos have been very helpful! However, at 2:54 you refer to Korean rice cake (떡, ddeok) as もち and that just sounds so wrong to me.
I'm a Brazilian living in Shimane-ken and very interested to know wether it's possible or not to drive safely in Busan with your own car and japanese driving licence?!... Does anybody can tell?!
omg but you HONESTLY missed some of the best parts in Busan~ if you come in the summer again I can show you the AWESOME places~ Gwangali beach, Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon culture village, Dalmaji hill
+Tegan Elizabeth Smith we actually did go to gwangalli beach and that entire area, but it was November and freezing cold and it was windy and didn't make an interesting video, we did stay until the evening and enjoy the lit up bridge though...
Hello everyone.. Anyone here who did this trip the other way - Busan to Hakata: and if so, did the immigration at Busan Port put a n exit chop on your passport or not ? When we did this trip last year, they didn't chop an exit on our passport, and need to know if that is normal with them.
Yakiniku is a Japanese term for Korean barbeque itself. The notion of grilling meat on the table, nor the word ‘yakiniku’ did not exist before Korean immigrants went to Japan and introduced it to the country. So stop saying Korean yakiniku, just say Korean barbeque. It’s the same as saying Italian pasta, Mexican taco, or Korean kimchi...
Hey dr.. me and my friend are planning to go to busan from fukuoka by ferry. Could you please give us bit information about that. Like when did you go and was it chep and how did you find hotels in korea...
Hi Micaela! I'm going from Busan two Fukuoka in a week, also with the ferry. Is it easy to find the port and stuff? How do you check in at a port? I am pretty exited about this, since I've never done anything like it before ^^''
+Alexandra Meister you're going from Busan to Fukuoka? It should be easy to find the ferry! If I remember correctly it's just a short walk from the main station?? Busan Station??? From the port to Fukuoka City you just take a bus. It's very simple. Busan and Fukuoka are pretty similar but I feel like Fukuoka is a bit more foreigner friendly. Make sure to bring your passport and check in early before your departure. Your ticket should have instructions on it? But I'm not sure if they'll be printed in English or Korean... I remember Busan and Fukuoka having different check in times...
I love Japan and South Korea because their people are sophisticated and beautiful. I like coming from Tunisia to Japan and taking the ferry and going to Busan, but the treatment in the immigration department with Muslims is not upscale. They are returned and deported, knowing that our affairs are legal. Thank you.
