Korean Job Discussion Forums

[highstreet]

I've read about a ferry that departs from Busan to Fukouka.

Is there a travel agent that can set everything up for me to go from Busan > Fukouka or Osaka >Tokyo

edit: The reason I want to take a ferry is I'd like to spend maybe a day in Busan, a few days in Osaka and 4-5 days in Tokyo.

[shostahoosier]

Busan Air flies from Busan to Osaka. This may be cheaper than taking a ferry to Fukuoka and then taking a train to Osaka. The cheapest way to get from Osaka to Tokyo is probably an overnight bus.

I have yet to hear of a cheap way of getting back to Korea from Tokyo on the cheap...but Jeju Air flies back from Osaka at great prices.

[highstreet]

After doing some more research on the internet

Seems like just flying in to Tokyo from Seoul would be the way to go.

Maybe I can go to Tokyo and then take my return flight in Osaka.

[brento1138]

[highstreet]

[darkjedidave]

Trains between Fukuoka and Tokyo are expensive, about 21,000 Yen (about $250) ONE WAY.

[brento1138]

Yeah, I know. Any way you look at it, it's gonna be a bit pricey. I do envy the people who live in Busan... esp. if they're happy just visiting Fukuoka!

[Caffeinated]

There used to be an overnight bus from Fukuoka to Tokyo run by Willer. Not so sure now though since it isn't showing up as an option on the website at
http://willerexpress.com/bus/pc/3/top/

Willer also has a multi-day bus pass and good phone service in English.

There is also apparently an overnight bus Fukuoka (Hakata) - Tokyo (Shinjuku) run by JR.

http://www.japanbuses.com/route_kyushu.html

Nishitetsu runs a Fukuoka (Tenjin) - Tokyo (Shinjuku) overnight bus for 15,000 (one way) or 27,000 (return). Online reservation in Japanese.

http://www.rakubus.jp/english/rosen/fko_tky.html

If you can read some Japanese you can reserve all of the above from a convenience store machine. You can reserve tickets in person at JR and Nishitetsu or by phone (likely very limited English).

Here's a useful link for bus travel in Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2366.html

[shostahoosier]

Are you returning to Seoul or Busan?

Unless you have interest in seeing western Japan (Fukuoka, Nagasaki, etc.) I would save Busan for another trip (if possible). Traveling from western Japan to eastern is going to eat up a lot of money and possibly time if you arent up to paying for the shinkansen. And the rest of your trip in Japan wont be cheap.

A round trip ticket from Seoul to Nagoya on Jeju Air is the cheapest way I've seen to get to Japan (as low as 145,000W before fees if the timing is right) and their prices to Fukuoka and Osaka arent bad. I've been able to get decent deals on flights to Tokyo from Seoul through ANA and JAL...but I still paid less money to fly to Thailand.

[highstreet]

I would be returning to Seoul.

I think I'll just fly in to Tokyo from Seoul and stay in Tokyo for a week.

I just saw ticket prices and it is strange how you can get to Phuket for just about the same price as Tokyo.

Decisions, decisions...

[Beeyee]

Fly out of Gimpo rather than Incheon if you can. Haneda is much closer to Tokyo than Narita.

[b-class rambler]

I spent a decade in Japan in Tokyo and then the Fukuoka area and would basically agree with the above advice that your best bet if you're leaving from and coming back to Seoul is just to fly straight to Tokyo.

Western Japan to Eastern Japan would indeed eat a long way into your finances and for someone who just wants to "do" Japan for a few days, I don't think also including Fukuoka in your trip would add much to your overall Japan experience, much though I personally like that area of Japan myself.

[shostahoosier]

[b-class rambler]

[fratnoodle]

Check out Jeju Air. Incheon to Kita Kyushu (about 50 km south of Fukuoka) in October 2010 was less than 250,000 KRW.