Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

Just called the airlines as I was able to manage a Fukuoka reservation (330,000) as well as a Taipei (340,000) reservation. The more popular destinations seemed to be booked already. Anyhow, its a Thursday-Monday combination rather than the Wednesday-Sunday completely booked out days, so thats an option to those of you who might so decide to pursue such options..

First off, anyone know any cheap hotels or hostels in Fukuoka? I checked the Lonely Planet and they start at around 5000 yen (or 50,000 won).. there is a also a capsule for 3800 yen (38,000 won), but the thought of sleeping in a capsule doesn't let me sleep well.

Just curious, anyone else booked for Fukuoka or Taipei? I'm leaning on the Taiwan as I've never been there before and probably alot cheaper as well. Plus Fukuoka could probably easily be done on a regular weekend as well.

Any comments, thoughts, opinions, advice, which-would-you prefer, or what are you doing if you're getting away.. just something to fuel my excitement that I'm officially getting out temporarily! Whew! Did it.

[whatthefunk]

Im going to Fukuoka on Friday, coming back Sunday. I like Fukuoka, but you could easily do it on a long weekend (like the one in early October). You would be able to see most of the sites and do the night life in two days easy. So Id go to Taipei.
Also, if you take the boat from Busan to get to Fukuoka, you can get great package deals that include hotel (240,000 won for the boat and two nights).
But, if you have your heart set on fukuoka, heres a list of hotels in the area.
http://www.fukuoka-now.com/hotels/index.php

[Tiger Beer]

Thanks for the list of hotels.. looks like there is actually a guesthouse in Fukuoka.

Whatthefunk, have you been to Fukuoka before? How is the nightlife? What area is a good area to be? Know any good bars and/or reasonably prices clubs?

I'm still opting for Taipei as well.. its shifting higher chance there, as Fuokaka can be easily visited at any time.. but I haven't actually purchased either ticket yet, so still open to either.

My friend was telling me however that 4 nights in Fuokaka might be too much to take and I'd get bored. Maybe true? Not sure..

[Anda]

It's a long time since I did the Taipei visa run. Taipei has plenty of Hostels like Seoul has. It's a lot harder to get around in Taipei and the food is yuck.

Fukuoka is easy to get about. There is a expats, I think weekly booklet available on what is happening within the expat comunity that should be available free at the airport as it is available at the Busan /Fukuoka ferry terminal in Fukuoka. There was a YWCA in Fukuoka but it had no life and was away from everything. There is an old style Japanese hostel but it's hard to get into and costs 6,500 a night. There is however a load of cheap hotels near the central train station from 4,500 to 55.000 yen.

There are plenty of expat operated eating places there.

Be careful when you go as the Korean Embassy closes for all the Korean holidays and I think Saturdays.

The Hydrofoil from Busan is only 170,000 won return and gets to Fukuoka in about 4 hours. I like it better than flying. The Ferry terminal in Busan is close to the Main Train Station. Also the ferry terminal in Fukuoka is centrally located.

[whatthefunk]

[Zyzyfer]

I'd weigh it on outside reasons for going. If you need a recharge from Korea, I honestly don't think Taiwan will be the kind of place you'll want to hit up. Fukuoka's far better in that category. It also has that "ocean breeze" kind of feel to it, which I really dig.

However, if you're going for travelling's sake, go to Taiwan. You haven't been there before, and it sounds like you've been to Fukuoka.

If you do go to Fukuoka, don't go to ANY of those ramen shops on the riverside near the big entertainment center(forgot the name). There's some punk bitches in their midsts who I should've socked in the mouth for refusing to sell me ramen, simply because I couldn't speak Japanese. The guy I was with could!

[Tiger Beer]

Yeah, Taiwan probably would be just as stressful and all the rest as Korea, good point. Its basically a trip to get the hell out of Korea for a few days to refresh the mind. Not necessarily a vacation vacation. But just curious to see what Taiwan is all about. That being said, I was thinking of it more of stopover/layover some other time on my way down to Bangkok or Manila on some future trip. So in some ways its a waste of 340,000 won, in other ways, at least I'll have finally been there and have a picture of the place.

Fukuoka is still tempting.. it does sound somewhat relaxing except for the costs.. and I do gotta go there at some point. Actually I haven't been there, but I've been to other Japanese cities, just not that one. But I've heard so many good things its making me pretty curious!!

Oh, also, its not for a visa run.. just to get away.. all the 'cooler' destinations are long gone snatched up.

[chi-chi]

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[Tiger Beer]

[chi-chi]

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[Tiger Beer]

[chi-chi]

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[whatthefunk]

Just watched the CNN weather report...massive hurricane expected to hit Taiwan on Thursday.
That would suck.

[Tiger Beer]

Just checked the weather report as well.. looks like alot of thunderstorms... didn't see the hurrice notice, but maybe BBC will have it on later... I checked Fuokaka as well.. and lots of thunderstorm there as well.. hmm..

Tomorrow noon I'm buying one ticket or the other..

[buddy bradley]

I agree with Chi-chi. Avoid Kaohsiung. Taichung is OK, but Taipei is definitely worth seeing. The MRT is very user-friendly, and English should get you around. I heard that taxi drivers were learning English to give them the 'edge'.

For a list of bars, restaurants and clubs check out http://forumosa.com.