Highlights of Korea and Japan Tour Spring

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Hahoe Village is known as the Village Enveloped by Water because the Nakdong River flows along its borders. Hahoe Village, along with Yangdong Village in Gyeongju, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category of “Historic Villages in Korea” on July 31, 2010. It is located at the base of Hwasan Mountain, which is to the west of Taebaek Mountain. In the center of the village are many tile- roofed houses that belong to the Ryu Clan.

Aside from the scenic view of the river flowing around the village there is the Buyongdae Cliff, sandy beaches, and ancient pine trees. From the cliff you can have a panoramic view of the village below. Then you can enjoy visiting the Bongjeongsa Temple, which was built during the Silla Period, and Gosan Seowon, a Confucian Academy. In addition to breathtaking scenery, Hahoe Village offers delectable local delicacies. Try the Andong Soju (distilled alcoholic beverage), Heotjesabap (a type of Bibimbap eaten by the nobles), Andong Gangodeungeo (salted mackerel), and Andong Guksu (a kind of noodle dish).

Gyeongju National Museum focuses on the cultural history of Gyeongju, which was the capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD). The Main Hall, Annex I, Annex II and Outdoor Exhibit Area are the four large exhibition areas of the museum. There are many glittering accessories, such as golden crowns and ornaments, belts, earrings, etc. You will be introduced to the superb artistry of the Silla Period through these artifacts.

In the Main Hall you can see earthenware and in the Arts and Crafts room you can see various artworks and craftworks. Gukeun Memorial Hall exhibits over 600 artifacts, which were from the personal collection of Dr. Lee Yang-Seon who donated the items to the museum for preservation. Artifacts from the great tombs of Gyeongju are displayed in the Gobun Gallery in Annex I.

Approximately 30,000 artifacts have been excavated from Wolji Pond, the most significant of which are exhibited in the Wonji Gallery in Annex 2. Other galleries in Annex 2 exhibit household goods. These various types of items show many aspects of life in the Royal Court during the Silla Period. After the galleries, you can move on to the Outdoor Exhibit Area in the Museum Grounds.

King Seongdeok’s Bell is the most renowned of all Buddhist temple bells and can be found there. You cannot help but feel solemn as you gaze upon the relic. There is also a variety of artifacts from royal palaces and temples exhibited throughout the grounds. Buddhist sculptures make up the majority of the stone artifacts. If you are a traveler interested in Buddhism or the magnificent culture of royal palaces, this is a place you do not want to miss.

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple are ancient Buddhist temples of Korea, which were established in the mid-8th century during the golden era of the United Silla Dynasty. These two sites are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

These two heritages represent the highly developed architectural skills and creative craftsmanship of the Silla people. The magnificent and sublime beauty of Seokguram's carvings and Bulguksa Temple's sty lobate are great examples of the craftsmanship. The two stone pagodas are considered some of the masterpieces of Buddhist architecture and are unparalleled in all of Northeast Asia.

Seokguram is an artificial stone temple made of granite that is meant to preserve the statues. Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva, and his disciples. The majority of the stone statues have survived the passage of time with the original structure still intact since the 8th century.

Bulguksa, literally translating to Temple of the Land of Buddha, was built with the aspiration for Buddha's utopia. The temple was damaged in 1592 by the Japanese during the Imjin War and all the wooden structures of the temple completely burned down. Luckily, the stone altars, bridges, pagodas, lanterns, and bronze statues of the Buddha escaped the fire. A partial restoration was conducted from 1969 to 1973, which resulted in the current structure.

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. It was constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647) and was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962.

Cheomseongdae was built in a cylinder shape with stones 30cm in diameter. The 362 stones were piled up to make 27 levels. The 362 stones used to build Cheomseongdae represented the 362 days in a lunar year. Roughly 4.16m up from the bottom there is a 1 ㎡ square entrance and a space to hang a ladder under it. The inside is filled with soil up to the 12th level, and the 19th, 20th, 25th, and 26th levels all have long rocks hanging on two areas, shaped as the Chinese letter '井' (jeong).

The Vernal Equinox, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice, Summer Solstice and the 24 solar terms (also known as the astronomical solar year) were determined by the observation of stars. The pavilion stone is believed to have been used as a standard of deciding directions.

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. The palaces were once destroyed in fires during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).

Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond, have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art. The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.

The signature markings of the Presidential Residence of Cheong Wa Dae are its blue tiles. It is the first thing that catches one's attention upon entering the premises. The blue tiles and the smooth roof blend beautifully with Mt. Bugaksan in the backdrop. Approximately 150 thousand tiles compose the roof of the Blue House. Each tile was baked individually, which made them strong enough to be used for hundreds of years.

The unique buildings of Cheong Wa Dae are comprised of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn Pavilion), Nokjiwon (Green grass), the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Valley, and the Seven Palaces. They are unique and beautifully designed, built in the Korean traditional style.

To the right you will see Chunchugwan where the president's press conferences are held. The roof of Chunchugwan was made of earthen tiles. On the left side of the main office, there is the Yeongbingwan. It was designed to hold large conferences and official events for foreign guests.

You can walk along Nokjiwon and the Mugunghwa Valley. At Nokjiwon a succession of presidents planted trees on memorial occasions. There is one famous tree which is 310 years old. The Mugunghwa Valley has colorful flowers, a fountain, and a phoenix statue, which makes it perfect for taking pictures.

The Presidential Museum is also known as Cheongwadae Sarangchae. It first opened in 2010 and is a separate building located in front of the Presidential Residence known for its blue tiles. The museum allows you to experience as well as learn about the history and culture of Korea. There is also much information concerning the past and present Presidents of the country. If you do not have a good idea of what you want to do in the country then the exhibits on the first floor will give you some suggestions.

The Korea Exhibition Center and Hi Seoul Center provide insight into the history and culture of Korea. In the Korea Exhibition Center area focuses on introducing the history, culture, prominent figures, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, currency, and world famous Koreans. The Hi Seoul Center displays everything about the capital city, Seoul. It shows the history, major tourist attractions, and recommends things for you to enjoy while there. On the second floor of the building is the Presidential Center, where the 60 years of the modern history are shown. You can even take a picture with the current President of Korea Lee Myung Bak and the First Lady on a touch screen in the chromakey photo studio. There is also a replica of the Presidential Office where you can sit in the chair and take photos too.

Jogyesa is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is there that you can find the Daeungjeon, Seoul’s largest wooden Buddhist worship hall. It was first established in 1395, but the current design was completed in 1938. Inside there are three giant Buddha statues of Amitabha, historical Buddha, and Bhaisaiya. The exterior is decorated with floral latticework and scenes from Buddha’s life. Jogyesa can be found in downtown Seoul in the Jongnogu area. Aside from the buildings, natural monument No. 9 can be found on the temple grounds. The natural monument is an ancient white pine tree that is 10 meters high and is about 500 years old.

Insa-dong Antique Street is over 700 meters long and goes from Anguk-dong Rotary and tapgol Park. The street is a focal point of Korean traditional culture, crafts, and other goods that can only be purchased in Korea. In the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) it was a place of study for painters and today it is an art center. You can see the rich craftsmanship in the pottery, paintings, and unique folk crafts that are available for purchase. At least 40% of Korean crafts are exchanged at Insa-dong Antique street and ranges from expensive to affordable. On the weekends the vehicles are not allowed to pass through the street, which allows for more room to explore.

The Demilitarized Zone in Korea creates a buffer between the two countries. Imjingak is the furthest northern point in South Korea before the border and is the area where you check in to enter the civilian restricted areas. The Freedom Bridge is located in the village where 13,000 prisoners of war were traded at the end of the Korean War. There are brightly colored ribbons covering different parts of the bridge that have messages on them. The 3rd Tunnel was found in 1978 and it was estimated that 30,000 soldiers passed through there per hour during the war. Nearby is the Dora Observatory where you can see parts of North Korea like the Kim Il-Sung Statue and Geumamgol.

Nanta Cooking Show is a comedy show that uses very little words. The performances are accompanied by music which incorporates traditional samul nori (type of percussion) rhythm. It is the longest running show in Korea and has been staged in 18 other countries. There are three theatres where you can watch the musical in Seoul and one on Jeju Island. The show has pantomime, acrobatics, magic tricks, audience participation and comedy. In the plot there are three cooks trying to prepare a wedding banquet within the deadline, but the manager gives his incompetent nephew a job to work with the kitchen staff.

Dongdaemun Market is a large wholesale market for clothing, which has expanded over the years to include everything related to fashion. Today it has over 20 shopping malls that cover a full range of items like clothing, accessories, sporting goods, etc. The main street divides the market into two sections where one side is retail shops and the other wholesale. Doosan Tower is found on section 1 and Dongdaemun Stadium is on section 2. The inexpensive prices of the Dongdaemun Market bring in large crowds of retailers, tourists, foreigners, and the everyday consumer.

Located north of Nara Park is one of Japan’s most historic and famous temple called the Todai-Ji Temple. This temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple’s main hall named Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden building in the world. It is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha siting at fifteen meters tall.

Located in central Nara is Nara Park, it is one of the most famous and popular parks in Japan. The park is famous and popular because it is home to over one thousand deer. The deer roam freely throughout the park and visitors are able to get up close and feed the deer as well. This park is conveniently located near most of Nara’s main tourist destinations, which include Todai-Ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-Ji Temple, and the Nara National Museum.

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Grand Shrine is located in southern Kyoto and is one of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto. This shrine is only five minutes away from Kyoto Station by train, and features over a thousand vermillion colored torii gates that brings many tourist to this shrine every year.

Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is a well-known destination for both the cherry blossoms and fall colors seasons. North of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge is Sagano, and together they make this place a nice little getaway from temples and shrines to enjoy nature. Popular destinations include the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama.

Located in the Arashiyama district in Kyoto, the Tenryu- Ji Temple is Arashiyama’s most popular temple. The temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The original buildings of Tenryu-Ji Temple was lost many times throughout its history, except for Tenryu-Ji’s garden. The Tenryu-Ji Temple Zen Garden that visitors see today is the original garden and landscape.

One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A nice walking path takes visitors through the groves of bamboos. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is also one of the most famous and photographed places in all of Kyoto and brings many visitors every year during the autumn color season.

The famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple is located in northern Kyoto and is most known for the building covered in gold leaf. This famous building is the number one most popular destination for tourist visiting Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion sits overlooking a large pond and various small attractions and shops are available for visitors.

Take the chance of interacting with a maiko while drinking tea, ask her about her profession, training, and lifestyle. What is different between her life and other girls in Japan? Drink a cup of tea with her, and fulfill some of your curiosity, and even take a picture with her.

The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located only 15 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station to the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple features a large wooden terrace that offers a fantastic view of the cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors during the fall season with the city of Kyoto in the background.

Located only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station, is the Gion Geisha District. The Gion Geisha District is one of the most famous and popular destinations for tourist visiting Kyoto. This area is filled with restaurants, teahouses, shops, and other attractions to entertain guests. The machiya merchant houses along with river and the occasional geisha walking around, brings visitors from everywhere to experience everything that this area has to offer.

The Miho Museum is located in the city of Koka and along with Koka’s ninja attractions, is a fun side trip from Kyoto. This museum has a unique architecture that blends in well with its surroundings and artwork display. This museum features many exhibits of world history and culture.

Hikone Castle is located in Hikone Japan not too far from Kyoto off the shores of Lake Biwa. This castle is one of the four castles in Japan that were declared as national treasures. This castle is an original castle that has never been destroyed and rebuilt. Around the castle is the Hikone Castle Museum and the beautiful Genkyuen Garden.

Built on the grounds of Hikone Castle in 1677, the Genkyuen Garden features a central pond and a circular walking path. It was originally built as a means of entertainment for the local lord, his family, and his guests. From the garden visitors can see the Hikone Castle’s mainkeep, known as “borrowed scenery”. There are also a cluster of wooden buildings where tourists can enjoy a cup of tea during their serene visit.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.

One of the most popular ways to get around Hakone is by taking the Hakone Ropeway. The ropeway travels between Sounzan and Togendai. The Hakone Ropeway gives visitors a beautiful view of Hakone and on a clear day, it is possible to get a nice view of Mount Fuji as well.

Owakudani is located in Hakone and is an area around a crater where gaseous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers exist. Just like most of Hakone, on a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Fuji as well. There are hiking trails available for guests, but these trails are difficult for inexperience hikers.

Mt. Fuji is a widely-known symbol of Japan. At 3,773 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain. “Station (gome)” is the unit representing one tenth of the length from the trail entrance to the top.The fifth station Mt. Fuji is the fifth point from the base at the height of 2,305 meter. Being the end of the Fuji Subaru Line toll road and the highest point that general cars can reach. From the observatory you can see below Komitake Shrine, an ancient place for prayer that has been visited by worshippers and disciplinant, and Yamanaka-ko, the largest lake among the five Fuji lakes.

Shibuya is a popular shopping and entertainment area near Shibuya Station. It is one of the most busiest and popular locations in Tokyo. There are plenty of options when choosing for a place to dine or shop and there are plenty of nightclubs as well. The most famous locations in Shibuya would be both the Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko Statue.

The outer Tsukiji Fish Market offers a variety of freshly prepared food products and ingredients. Travel in between the different stores and taste a few of their dishes, freshly prepared with some of the best ingredients.

The Imperial Palace is located in the center of Tokyo, only a short walk away from Tokyo station. The palace is home to the current Imperial Family. The inner grounds of the palace is not open to the public, except on January 2nd and December 23rd where guests are able to enter and see the current members of the Imperial Family from a balcony. Visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Take a lesson from an expert and prepare fresh sushi. Experience the difference in the taste of Japanese-grown ingredients. Then, enjoy eating your masterpiece for lunch after completing your sushi lesson.

The Sensoji Temple located in Asakusa is one of the most popular Buddhist temples to visit. The temple was built and completed in the year 645 and is Tokyo’s oldest temple. The surrounding area offers shopping for souvenirs and food. The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and is held every May at Asakusa Temple.

The Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure ever built and the world’s second tallest structure ever built at the time of its completion. Located not too far from Asakusa, this 634 meter tall tower is now one of the most popular destinations for visitors. The main observatory is 350 meters high and the second observation deck is 450 meters high and both offer a breathtaking view of the city.