keninseoul
Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject: some notes on the visa run - flight run |
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recently did the visa run to Fuk. - took the 8am flight from Incheon to Fuk. - just enough time to get to the Korean embassy by 11am (cut-off time for applications).
You can change money (USD to Yen) at the airport there - via machine , it took my USD 100 bills, not sure about other denom. Facing the exit doors, it's on the left, right beside an ATM - easy to miss it unless you hunt. The tourist info desk has a map to the embassy, offers advice on how to get to the embassy, and the usual stuff.
There is a bus leaving the airport - going by the embassy, but only runs hourly.
Otherwise, take the [free, run every 10 minutes] loop bus (#1) from outside the terminal building (on the left) to the domestic terminal (takes about 10 minutes), exit to the right, to the subway - subway fare is Y 290 - machines takes bills as well. just punch the Y 290 button, or get the English menu (button on the right). Take the same train to Tojinmachi (about 8 stops - 30 or so minutes).
Exit 1 is a bit of a walk - once on the street, go straight about 6 minutes till you reach a major intersection (2nd stop light), turn right, and walk for another 5 minutes or so. The embassy, on a major intersection, is opposite the Shell gas station, with a mall/entertainment complex on the other corner. It looks more like a museum that an embassy.
Fee is Y 6,000 - as usual ask for a receipt. They don't give a ticket/chit for the application! Just one photo. Recall a photo booth there.
Release is next day, after 1:30pm
Found a decent hotel - very near Exit 1 - as you exit Exit 1, take the 1st crosswalk on your left (of course), and continue down the road about 30m. It's the Heiwadai - narrow blue exterior. Y 5,500+ a night.
Check-in time is 3pm(!!!), check-out time is 10am, though they let me check in at noon. Don't need a passport to check-in. TV channels suck, unless you enjoy Sumo wrestling and silly Japanese game-shows.
You can eat cheap[er] with the shrink-wrapped meals at the larger convenience stores.
Flights are cheaper to Fuk., and travel in-country is cheaper but the embassy area in Osaka is lively, and has shopping/rest./girl watching/etc. There is NOT much around the embassy in Fuk. - it's just a residential area. Duty-free in Fuk is pretty sad, as well.
Do try to get a seat up-front on the flight to Fuk. - Japanese immigration there is SLOW and customs is a nusiance. When leaving Fuk., at the airport, you can side-step the LONG security check at the check-in counter, if you have only carry-on. |
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