Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Visa Runs...Fukuoka
Goto page 1, 2, 3 ... 22, 23, 24  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Travel Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
paperbag princess



Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Location: veggie hell

PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:53 pm    Post subject: Visa Runs...Fukuoka Reply with quote

does anyone have any information about the pusan-fukuoka ferry? i've only found this site that was useful so far, http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/beetle/english/index.html

any other info would be greatly appreciated! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
matthews_world



Joined: 15 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2004 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Japanese Government and Public Holidays - be aware that some of these are subject to change so check your calendars to confirm.

January 1 - New Year's Day (National Holiday)
The Japanese celebrate New Year's in a big way; as such, businesses are generally closed from the 1st - 3rd. New Year's is the time where Japan's traditions are celebrated.

January 15 - Adult's Day (National Holiday)
Adult's Day celebrates the advent of adulthood; when young Japanese turn 20, they are considered legal adults.

February 11 - National Foundation Day (National Holiday)

March 20 or 21 - Vernal Equinox Day (National Holiday)
The day is celebrated in Buddhist temples where people attend special services and pray for the souls of departed loved ones.

April 29 - Greenery Day (National Holiday)
A celebration of the former emperor, Hirohito.

April 29 - May 5 - Golden Week
Golden Week is one of the more important holiday times for the Japanese. Many spend their vacations traveling, so it's actually a good time to visit larger cities (fewer crowds).

May 3 - Constitution Memorial Day (National Holiday)

May 5 - Children's Day (National Holiday)
This holiday traditionally honors young boys.

September 15 - Respect For The Aged Day (National Holiday)

Septmber 23 or 24 - Autumn Equinox Day (National Holiday)

October 10 - Health and Sports Day (National Holiday)

November 3 - Culture Day (National Holiday)

November 23 - Labor Thanksgiving Day (National Holiday)

December 23 - Emperor's Birthday (National Holiday)

December 31 - New Year's Eve


Korean Government and Public Holidays - Also be advised that some of these are subject to change so check your calendars to confirm.

Jan 1 -- Solar New Year's Day.

Day Before Lunar New Year's Day.
Lunar New Year's Day. (All lunar - check calendar)
Day After Lunar New Year's Day.

Mar 1 -- Independence Movement Day.

May 5 -- Children's Day

Buddha's Birthday. (Lunar - check calendar)

Jun 6 -- Memorial Day.
July 17 -- Constitution Day.
Aug 15 -- Liberation Day.


First Day of Chuseok / Thanksgiving.
Second Day of Chuseok / Thanksgiving. (All lunar - check calendar)
Third Day of Chuseok / Thanksgiving.

Oct 03 -- National Foundation Day.
Dec 25 -- Christmas.


Last edited by matthews_world on Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:50 pm; edited 5 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
just because



Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964

PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll give information as i've done this boat many a time.

It has 3/4 daily departures usually ranging from 8 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon both ways.

It takes 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Cost is 180 000 won return from Busan and 240 000 return from Fukuoka(I guess the Japanese are richer) and halve that for a one way.

There is a bus stop just outside the ferry terminal and a bus comes every 5/10 minutes.

Be Aware: Immigration in Fukuoka are pretty strict so have your act together. If they suspect you are lying they will hold you and send you back here no problems.

Also on the Japanese Entrance Immigration Card you must put the place/hotel you are staying, even if you don't know. This has caught many a tourist out and is a big deal to immigration there.
A suggestion is Green Hotel Hakata as this is a standard business hotel immiration are very familiar with.

Busan Immigration are quite relaxed and normally there is no hassle.

Also the boat is run by JR - japan railways so it is very clean, efficient and well run.

BIG PRO TIP: Make sure you change all your money from won to yen(or US dollars) before you depart in Busan as Japan DOES NOT exchange yen anywhere, even on the boat. I cannot emphasize this enough as it has caught out more than a few passangers.

Have a nice trip and if you have any more questions about the Fukuoka run or anything about Fukuoka in general PM me.

This is a public service announcement brough to you by Just Because Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
chronicpride



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

just because wrote:


BIG PRO TIP: Make sure you change all your money from won to yen(or US dollars) before you depart in Busan as Japan DOES NOT exchange yen anywhere, even on the boat. I cannot emphasize this enough as it has caught out more than a few passangers.


If you're coming in by boat, you can convert Won at the seaport in Fukuoka. The currency exchange desk there is operated by Shinkan Bank of Fukuoka and opens at 7:30am (can't remember when they close.).

If you're flying in, you can exchange Won at the Fukuoka airport. Their exchange desk is open from 7:30am-9pm.

If you're downtown, near Tenjin, then you can also convert Won at the Shinkan Bank on the 8th floor of the Tenjin Mitsui Bldg. Closes at 4:30pm, as I recall.

To add to Just Because's notes, don't expect your ATM card to be a back-up financial resource in Japan. Japanese ATMs, even if they say International, Plus or Cirrus, are notoriously problematic when trying to withdraw from international banks. Credit cards will work, but forget about the ATM cards. Just plan on bringing cash.

Here's some helpful links on the visa run and Fukuoka:

http://www.pusanweb.com/guides/fukuoka/
http://theulsanweb.com/howto/fukouka.html
http://www.kyushu.com/fukuoka/
http://www.fukuoka-now.com/index.php
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
ulsanchris



Joined: 19 Jun 2003
Location: take a wild guess

PostPosted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never saw the currency exchange at the fukouka ferry terminal. I saw a sign that said that you can exchange money at the post office. If you arrive on a sunday the post office won't be open though.
Play it safe and get your money exchanged in Korea.

When you leave fukouka make sure you have enough yen for the departure tax. it's either 400 or 700 yen. One time i was caught 100 yen short. thankfully they exchanged a 1000 won straight across.

Cost to process the visa is 6000 yen. roughly 60,000 won.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
paperbag princess



Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Location: veggie hell

PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 2:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks for the help just because! that was very informative! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
wylde



Joined: 14 Apr 2003

PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 3:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

there are several banks that will change won in fukuoka but you lose big time on the exchange rate..


best bet is to change what you need before you leave....

never knew of anything at the terminal itself.. been there 3 times
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
chronicpride



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The one in the terminal just opened in May.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
yangban



Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Location: The Great Green Pacific Northwest

PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try this site

http://www.seoulsearching.com/transportation/boat/

It has video with sound of a boat run to Fukuoka plus Fukuoka and stuff to do there, an entire boating schedule to other Chinese and Japanese cities, pricing, and domestic ferries.


By the way, change your money before you get to Japan. I've heard Japanese won't take Korean money and get awfully fiesty if you try.
Have fun in Fukuoka!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Daami



Joined: 27 May 2003

PostPosted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:58 pm    Post subject: ferry packages Reply with quote

For some fairly decent round-trip packages from Busan to Fukuoka, try a place in Busan called Kangsan Travel. (kangsantravel.com) They cater to foreigners (english speakers anyway), and I got a round-trip, one night hotel package, for 190,000won. Not sure if it's just the time of year or not, but I figured that wasn't a bad deal. Going from Seoul, you can now get the really fast express train to Busan and then the ferry to Japan - a cheaper option than flying and you can do it in 2 days.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
just because



Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In regards to Daami,
Yes, it is all year round on any day.

www.kangsantravel.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
manlyboy



Joined: 01 Aug 2004
Location: Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

PostPosted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've just been given VERY short notice that I have to do a visa run to Fukuoka TOMORROW. I thought I would be going to Osaka, which I've done twice before, so I wasn't worried about it. But now I need to find out rather expeditiously -

1:Where is the Korean consulate in Fukuoka? and,
2:How do I get there from the airport?

I know this info is floating around somewhere in cyberspace, but because of the hasty nature of my predicament, I was hoping one of the more technologically enlightened amongst you could take pity and speed it to me.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
manlyboy



Joined: 01 Aug 2004
Location: Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

PostPosted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hold the phone! I'm not as technologically inept as I thought! For future reference:

Korean Consulate Fukuoka
1-1-3 Jigyohama Chuo-ku
Fukuoka City
810-0065

Tel: 092-771-0461 (0463)
Fax: 092-771-0464

On Yokatopia-dori Avenue about 500 meters south of the Fukuoka dome.

According to this map: www.macc.jp/fetus2004/map.pdf you should take the Kuko subway line from the airport to Tojin-machi station. Subway map: www.fuk-ab.co.jp/english/frame_index.html
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
wylde



Joined: 14 Apr 2003

PostPosted: Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

you might find a few other foreigners at the airport that are going to the consulate...

even if you don't just jump a taxi at the airport and get him to take you to the consulate.. not that expensive..

when you come out of the consulate gate turn right and a left at the intersection... walk about 1 kilometer or so and you should find a few motels for about 5000 or 6000 yen for the night....

today being tomorrow this may be a little late but... the hard rock cafe across from the consulate has 1/2 price drinks on thursdays...



i'm going in 2 weeks if anybody is heading over then.. on a thursday go figure Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
whatthefunk



Joined: 21 Apr 2003
Location: Dont have a clue

PostPosted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 1:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are two companies that offer boat servieces between fukuoka and busan.
Kobee (the korean one) and Beetle (the japanese on, operated by JR)
They both make three or four trips each way a day.
Around 9.
Around 12.
Areound 3.
Sometimes around 5.
If there is a currency exchange in the ferry terminal, it is new.
It is difficult to exchange won in japan.
Impossible on weekends.
Unless or course the rumors about the money exchange are in fact true.
Bus #55 or maybe #5 to get to Tenjin (����)
Subway from Tenjin to Tojuin Machi.
Walk a bit.
There ya are.
Get the packaged from kansang travel as mentioned below.
No problem.
Tenjin for most of your drinking needs.
All set.
Back to busan.
The boat always smells like kimchi on the way back.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Travel Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3 ... 22, 23, 24  Next
Page 1 of 24

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International