Side-by-Side Comparison
๐ฏ๐ต Japan vs ๐ฐ๐ท South Korea
Tipping
๐ฅPublic Transport
Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card at any major station. It works on all trains, subways, and most buses nationwide.
โSome rural buses and regional lines only accept cash. Always carry some yen as backup.
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South Korea has world-class public transport โ the T-money card works on all Seoul Metro lines, city buses, and taxis nationwide.
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Tourist Healthcare
Japan has excellent hospitals but they are expensive for uninsured tourists. Always bring travel insurance. Many hospitals do not speak English.
โSome common medications (e.g. certain cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, codeine, or stimulants) are illegal in Japan even with a prescription from another country. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list before traveling.
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South Korea has world-class hospitals, but national health insurance does not cover tourists, making travel insurance essential.
โSouth Korea's National Health Insurance scheme does not cover foreign tourists; an unexpected hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars without insurance.
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Local Laws
Japan has strict drug laws, zero tolerance for drunk driving, and laws against jaywalking in some areas. Ignorance is not a defense.
โJapan has very limited legal support in English. If arrested, immediately request to contact your embassy. You can be held for up to 23 days without charge.
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South Korea enforces strict drug laws and several unique statutes โ cannabis is illegal even if it is legal in your home country.
โCannabis consumption โ even in a country where it is legal โ can result in criminal prosecution in South Korea if detected upon return or during your stay.
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Emergency Numbers
Dress Code
Japan is generally relaxed about clothing, but remove shoes when entering homes and many temples. Dress modestly at religious sites.
โMany traditional onsen (hot spring baths) refuse entry to guests with visible tattoos. Check the policy before visiting.
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South Korea has no national dress requirements, but modest dress is expected at Buddhist temples, and Koreans themselves tend to dress very stylishly.
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Alcohol Rules
Drinking age is 20. Alcohol is sold in convenience stores 24/7. Drinking in public is legal. Drunk driving has zero tolerance.
โZero tolerance drunk driving: 0.03% BAC limit. Even a small amount can result in arrest, heavy fines, and deportation for tourists.
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The legal drinking age is 19 by Korean age reckoning, drinking in public is legal and common, and soju is the beloved national spirit.
โDrink-driving laws are strict with zero tolerance enforced by frequent checkpoints; designated driver services (๋๋ฆฌ์ด์ ) are widely available and inexpensive.
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Bargaining Culture
Photography Rules
Photography is generally free in public. Avoid photographing people without permission, and check rules inside temples and museums.
โPhotographing geisha or maiko in Kyoto's Gion district without permission has resulted in local photography ordinances. Violations can result in fines.
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Photography is generally unrestricted for tourists, but military installations are strictly off-limits and DMZ tours have specific enforceable rules.
โPhotographing military installations near the North Korean border is a criminal offence that can result in immediate detention and deportation.
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Sunday & Holiday Hours
Most shops, restaurants, and convenience stores are open 7 days a week. Convenience stores never close. Banks close on weekends.
โDuring Golden Week and Obon (mid-August), Japan is packed with domestic travelers. Prices spike and reservations fill months in advance.
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Most businesses including shops and restaurants operate 7 days a week, and convenience stores are open 24/7 year-round.
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Taxi & Rideshare
๐ฅTaxis are metered, honest, and widely available, but expensive โ use the Japan Taxi, S.RIDE, or Uber app to book.
โTaxis in Japan are very expensive compared to most countries. For long distances, trains or expressway buses are far more economical.
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Taxis in South Korea are metered, generally honest, and the Kakao T app (available in English) makes hailing one straightforward.
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Water Safety
๐ฅATMs & Cash
Japan is heavily cash-based โ always carry yen. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) ATMs are the most reliable for foreign cards.
โMany restaurants, shrines, local markets, and rural businesses are strictly cash-only. Never assume card payment is accepted outside major tourist spots.
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ATMs at 7-Eleven, GS25 convenience stores, and post offices reliably accept foreign cards 24/7, though cash remains useful for markets and street food.
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SIM Card & Internet
๐ฅBuy a tourist SIM or eSIM at the airport on arrival โ data coverage is excellent nationwide.
โData-only SIMs cannot make or receive calls. If you need a Japanese phone number for hotel bookings or emergencies, confirm the SIM plan includes voice.
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Buy a tourist SIM card at Incheon Airport arrivals immediately โ KT, SKT, and LG Uplus all offer excellent coverage with 4G/5G nationwide.
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Electricity & Plugs
๐ฅJapan uses Type A plugs (flat 2-pin) at 100V โ the lowest voltage in the world. Check your device labels before use.
โUsing incompatible appliances at Japan's 100V can damage them or cause them to overheat. Always check the voltage rating on your device before plugging in.
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South Korea uses Type C and Type F (European-style round-pin) plugs at 220V/60Hz โ American visitors need an adapter.
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Scams to Avoid
Japan is one of the world's most honest countries โ scams are virtually nonexistent and all prices are fixed.
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South Korea has very low scam rates compared to most tourist destinations, though occasional overcharging can occur in heavily touristed areas like Itaewon.
โA small number of bars in Itaewon have historically used distraction tactics to overcharge tourists โ always check your bill itemized before paying.
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Crime & Safety
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists โ violent crime is essentially zero.
โNatural disasters pose a genuine risk in Japan. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes at your accommodation and keep travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation.
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South Korea is one of the world's safest countries for tourists โ violent crime is extremely rare and women regularly walk alone at night without concern.
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Cultural Etiquette
Remove shoes at the entrance to homes and traditional restaurants, bow as a greeting, and stay quiet on public transport.
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Use two hands when giving or receiving items, pour drinks for others before yourself, and remove shoes when entering traditional restaurants or homes.
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Language Basics
English is limited outside major tourist areas โ download Google Translate with Japanese offline before you arrive.
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Korean (Hangul) is the dominant language, but English signage is widespread in tourist areas and the Papago app is better than Google Translate for Korean.
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Beach & Swimming
Okinawa has world-class tropical beaches; mainland beaches are popular in summer but water is cold on the Sea of Japan side.
โHabu sea snakes inhabit Okinawa waters and are venomous. Box jellyfish appear in late summer. Seek medical attention immediately if stung or bitten.
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Haeundae Beach in Busan is South Korea's most famous, but summer crowds are intense and jellyfish are a seasonal hazard.
โNomura's jellyfish and other species appear in Korean coastal waters each summer; heed beach authority warnings and do not enter the water if a jellyfish advisory is posted.
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Driving Rules
Drive on the left. An International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your original license is required. Traffic laws are strictly enforced.
โDriving in central Tokyo and Osaka is strongly discouraged โ parking is extremely expensive, one-way systems are complex, and public transport is far faster.
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South Korea drives on the right side, an International Driving Permit is required, and Kakao Maps is far more accurate than Google Maps for navigation.
โSpeed cameras are pervasive across Korean highways and urban roads; strictly observe posted speed limits as fines are issued automatically and can be charged to your rental car company.
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Restaurants & Food
Do not tip, water is always free, and set lunch meals (teishoku) at ยฅ800โ1,500 offer outstanding value.
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Korean BBQ is a must-do dining experience, banchan side dishes come with free unlimited refills, and 24/7 convenience store food is genuinely excellent.
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Religious Site Etiquette
Remove shoes before entering temple interiors, bow at shrine torii gates, and keep voices low throughout.
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Buddhist temples are the most common religious sites โ remove shoes, dress modestly, and bow respectfully when entering main halls.
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Weather & Best Time
Spring (MarchโMay) for cherry blossoms and autumn (SeptemberโNovember) for fall foliage are the most popular and beautiful seasons.
โTyphoon season runs from June to October, with August and September being peak risk months. Check weather forecasts and have travel insurance that covers typhoon-related cancellations.
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Spring (AprilโMay) for cherry blossoms and autumn (SeptemberโOctober) for foliage are the best times to visit South Korea.
โTyphoons (called taepung in Korean) occasionally affect the Korean Peninsula from July to September; monitor Korea Meteorological Administration advisories if travelling during this period.
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Money-Saving Tips
Eat at convenience stores and lunch sets, travel by overnight bus, and use a Wise card to avoid foreign exchange fees.
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Eat convenience store meals and set-menu lunches, rent a hanbok for free palace entry, and use the subway for intercity travel to stretch your budget significantly.
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