Experience K-Culture in South Korea during one of the best times of the year. The spring activities for Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 guarantee cherry blossom sightings and tons of traditional and local experiences. These unique tours were hand-picked for international tourists who want to jump on the K-wave and make the most of their trip to South Korea. The country is celebrating all things K-Culture with visa-free travel for 22 countries throughout 2024!
Rated one of the best night walking tours, this moonlight adventure takes you to hidden gems smothered in K-Culture. Discover cultural hot spots with incredible views as an informative, English-speaking guide talks about the history of each stopping point. The magical journey starts with a walk up the hill near Hanyang City Wall, where the night view of Seoul will leave you aghast.
Enjoy an authentic spring strawberry picking experience with lots of extra fun activities thrown in the mix! Wollong Strawberry Farm in Paju is an easy train ride just north of Seoul, and the perfect place to spend the day surrounded by nature and K-Culture. An adventure to the farm includes picking fresh strawberries, sampling homemade strawberry cotton candy and making your own souvenir keychain. Due to popularity, this seasonal event should be booked in advance to guarantee tickets.
See rural Jeju on this marvelous full-day tour that includes local tradition, luxury transportation and lunch. The tour features the best natural landscapes and attractions of eastern Jeju Island, including UNESCO World Heritage sites Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) and Manjanggul (Manjang Cave). Seongeup Folk Village welcomes visitors with Korean traditions and a scrumptious meal made by local female sea divers who know how to cook what they catch. Vegetarian menus are available upon request. This group of wise women are admired for more than their daily harvests of mollusks, seaweed and edible marine life. Grab a spot on the beach to hear their incredible stories.
Pedal your way along Bukhan River on one of the most unique tourist experiences of your life. Hop on a 2- or 4-seat bike to take a leisurely ride down Mugunghwa train track through lush forests and sets of popular Korean variety shows “Running Man” and “We Got Married.” Spring is a beautiful season to ride the entire loop of attractions, which takes about one hour, but those not up for the full adventure can ride a shuttle bus back to the rail park village. The park shops and cafes are fun to explore!
Spring is a great time to make this expedition between North and South Korea that uncovers the years-long result of the Cold War Era. Feel like you are part of the action as tour guides reveal details of the conflict as you explore the many historic landmarks on this tour. The most heavily fortified border in the world, the DMZ offers an opportunity to experience history in the making.
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae
“Visit Korea Year” will extend from 2023 through 2024, with events, festivals, and discount promotions for visitors. Please visit the “Visit Korea Year” website for dates and details.
This Christmas, the magic shines even brighter with dazzling party energy, as Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20th Anniversary celebrations are combined with beloved Disney Christmas traditions!
When China comes to mind, plenty of images emerge: an ancient culture brimming with beauty and history, colossal cities boasting towering skyscrapers, and mouthwatering cuisine ranging from street vendors to high-end restaurants. Shanghai masterfully blends all these elements into a thriving metropolis.
Eat · See · Do · Buy · Must Not Miss Heading to Thailand between November and December? Great choice — you’re landing in the perfect season. As Europe cools down, Thailand is entering its most pleasant weather window: breezy evenings, post-monsoon freshness, and the start of festive season vibes. While many tourists rush to […]
At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, visitors can explore the future of technology and experience global food cultures as they tour pavilions from around the world. A major highlight of the expo is its diverse food offerings—from international cuisine served in expansive food halls to pavilions showcasing the best of their national dishes. To enrich this […]
Surrounded by verdant mountains and splendid seas, Hyogo is a treasure trove of premium ingredients for gourmet cuisine. While Kobe beef stands out, Hyogo is also home to seafood such as Kasumi red snow crab, Akashi sea bream, and Awaji conger eel, which have legions of devoted fans. Here, we introduce some must-try delicacies when visiting Hyogo.
Only about 2 hours and 20 minutes by JR Limited Express from Kyoto—no transfers required—lies the easily accessible hot spring resort of Kinosaki Onsen. Alongside Kinosaki, Yumura Onsen is considered one of the two major onsen destinations in the Tajima area. Surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, the region is blessed with fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan and mountain delicacies nurtured by beautiful forests and pristine waters.
Himeji is home to romantic ancient castle ruins and Buddhist temples with over a thousand years of history, many of which have been featured in classic films. Embrace your imagination as you embark on a journey that lets you step into the shoes of characters from famous films.
Awaji Island is located in the eastern part of the Seto Inland Sea. Despite its small size, it’s easily accessible and dotted with numerous tourist spots, making it a popular destination among visitors in recent years. The island is perfect for a drive, as you can circle it in about four hours by car. Read on as we introduce some of the island’s must-see spots.
Located just over two hours from Kyoto by express train, Toyooka City in northern Hyogo Prefecture is a haven of natural beauty, fully designated as part of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark. With its pristine blue seas, dazzling white beaches, and fascinating geological formations writ with Earth’s history, Hyogo offers an abundance of scenic spots and year-round activities where you can immerse yourself in nature.
Hyogo Prefecture is home to one of Japan’s oldest pilgrimage routes, the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The core values that form the foundation of the Japanese spirit—respect for manners and a deep appreciation for things—have been nurtured through the nature and people encountered along this pilgrimage.
Hyogo Prefecture offers awe-inspiring sights: a towering wooden castle with a pristine white facade, the dazzling “million-dollar” night view, and one of the world’s largest whirlpools. These extraordinary vistas showcase the harmonious interplay of nature’s artistry, the ingenuity of past generations, and the dedication of those who preserve them today. Visit the “Castle in the […]
Hyogo Prefecture, located near Kyoto and Osaka, is home to popular tourist destinations such as Kobe and Himeji Castle, which draw many international visitors. The region offers a variety of English-guided tours, enabling travelers to connect deeply with the local community and culture. This article highlights local travel experiences that celebrate the unique culture of […]
Hyogo Prefecture, nestled between mountains and sea, boasts cities with unique identities, from the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe to the historic hot spring town of Arima at the foot of Mount Rokko, one of Japan’s famed 100 mountains (hyaku meizan). Beyond their distinct charm, these towns are home to the cultural origins that have […]
Hyogo Prefecture, blessed with a plethora of diverse landscapes, is often called a “microcosm of Japan.” Offering unique travel experiences that immerse visitors in the region’s distinct ecosystems, culture, and cuisine, the journey outlined below takes you through globally rare stork habitats to sensory Zen retreats and farm-to-table restaurants on Awaji Island to enjoy while […]
Just 12 minutes by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka lies Shin-Kobe, a station steeped in history. Over time, the area became a hub for foreign residents, quickly adopting Western culture—an influence that extended to the neighboring city of Takarazuka, earning its reputation as a town of culture and arts. Indeed, Hyogo Prefecture’s Kobe-Kitano, Sannomiya, and Takarazuka are picturesque at every turn, making them a hit with influencers. Over two days, we explored some of their top spots as selected by photographers.
Planning a trip to Thailand this Chuseok? You’re not alone. As Korea’s most important harvest festival approaches, many Koreans are choosing to skip the crowded highways and head overseas — and Thailand is one of the top destinations. Why? Because during Chuseok, Thailand offers warm weather, great value, and a perfect blend of relaxation and […]
A short boat ride from Himeji brings you to Ieshima, a tranquil fishing town where boats bob in the harbor and the day’s catch is displayed beneath seaside eaves. Wander sunlit lanes, greeted by friendly locals and lounging cats, and soon you’ll feel at home in island life. Cross the water again to Naoshima, where contemporary art and bold architecture transform the landscape, blending the everyday with the extraordinary in the heart of the Seto Inland Sea.
Crossing the tranquil Seto Inland Sea leads to Shodoshima, an island where salt and fermentation have shaped centuries of soy-sauce making. Here, the aroma of koikuchi soy sauce, brewed in wooden vats for over 400 years, mingles with the legacy of usukuchi soy sauce from Tatsuno, reflecting the delicate flavors essential to Kyoto cuisine. This journey invites you to experience Japan’s fermentation culture through its rich tastes, scents, and artisanal traditions.
When you travel, every dish you encounter reflects the land and culture from which it comes. In recent years, gastronomy tourism, a journey that explores not only cuisine itself but also the stories behind it, has been attracting attention worldwide. This time, the journey takes us to Kyoto, home to the refined art of lacquerware, and to Tamba-Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture, renowned for its Tamba pottery. Guided by the Japanese sensibility of hare (the extraordinary) and ke (the everyday), we explore the rich world where food and tableware intertwine.
In the San’in region, red snow crab season opens in autumn, followed by Matsuba snow crab in winter – prime time for crab-focused trips. One of the hub towns is Hamasaka in Hyogo Prefecture, the only place in Japan where “crab sommeliers” host your meal, offering a singular dining experience found nowhere else. Using the hot-spring town of Hamasaka as a base, set off on a grand rail journey toward the Tottori Sand Dunes, taking in the dynamic vistas of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark along the way.
Hyogo Prefecture is famed for its scenic rail journeys. Among them, one of the most popular is the Tango AO-MATSU Train, which lets travelers explore both Hyogo and Kyoto while staying in the historic hot-spring town of Kinosaki Onsen. The journey begins in Kinosaki Onsen, about two and a half hours from Kobe, Osaka, or Kyoto by limited express train—a trip that connects hot springs, fine sake, and breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan.
