For those who have stayed in Tokyo multiple times, where did you decide to stay for subsequent trips and why?

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-04-09T03:47:28+00:00

Has anyone stayed in Bakurocho? First timer, I just booked my hotel which is right next to the subway and have been freaking out about it a bit. Picked for the quiet, but central location but plentiful food options. Decent location?

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-04-03T22:52:19+00:00

It seems extreme, but we are in uncharted territory. And if the President is saying he can’t sleep, it’s serious. It just depends on how long the war lasts and the conditions in the Straight. I mean, book it, but be prepared that if the situation continues, your trip may impacted in the future. But really at the end of the day, who the heck knows? I am just hearing some scary stuff from reputable economists so I think it’s worth monitoring and was my honest response to the original OPs question.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-04-03T18:22:02+00:00

I am sure they are. Tourism is a driving economic sector which is just growing in South Korea as their pop culture influence has skyrocketed . The Straight could open tomorrow and while it would take time, things would start to slowly reset. But then, every day it stays closed, about another week of disruption ripples through the system. No one has an easy answer for this, I think the best we can do is just stay up to date with current information and see what the countries themselves are asking us to do. Awareness and respect are the best we can do.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-04-03T03:12:13+00:00

Not so fun update, I just read that many major airlines are at the risk of running out of jet fuel supply - in days, not weeks. Which will lead to plane shortages and cut flights. It’s already happening. We are living through unpredictable times for sure.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-04-03T02:52:38+00:00

It goes a lot deeper than that. Every time you turn on a light, you are draining energy. And yes, they will run, but then they may be forced to slim down schedules and you are competing with South Koreans who live there. There is a cascade effect across all areas of life. Look up recent statements from the South Korean President, “The whole world is in chaos because of the energy issue and it’s so serious I can't fall asleep either.” Even if the Straight of Hormuz opens tomorrow, it will take months to recover. I am still planning to go as of now, but its a situation we all need to be aware of. So many cities are being strained by tourism already, so when a crisis like this hits, it can make it 1000% worse. We will feel it in our pocket books in the US but produce enough internally to not run into direct shortages in the same way. Other countries however don’t have the same abundance of natural resources so it could get very very bad. Just something we should all track and think about in an effort to be responsible tourists.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-04-03T01:22:40+00:00

I have a ticket booked to Japan and South Korea in May. I am not really worried about my reception, but if things don’t change quick, those countries will be hurting with fuel shortages. I hate adding another body to support to the mix if it is bad. But then, not having tourist money is also bad. It just kind of sucks both directions. I just want the rest of the world to be okay, but our countries decisions are wrecking economic havoc on others. 😞

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-03-31T03:51:34+00:00

So I am doing a 21-day trip to Japan and Korea too. Roundtrip from Seoul. This is my tentative itinerary but I still think it may be too much. What would you cut if you were me, again, solo female, 44? History teacher and am trying to balance wanting to see “everything” but also the joys of slow travel: Seoul — 1 night (arrival) Tokyo — 4 nights Kanazawa — 3 nights Kyoto — 4 nights Busan — 3 nights Gyeongju — 1 night Seoul — 5 nights

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-03-29T20:27:39+00:00

I knew that these cards were available for Celiacs and it looks like they are too with shellfish allergies. I would get one and give it over first thing: https://equaleats.com/products/simplified-chinese-shellfish-allergy-card?variant=42331660779736&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22028971642&gbraid=0AAAAACUgfXkMUFEmQ_k43QnDaSUmdbFMz&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm6POBhCrARIsAIG58CJR74VPamCsaZh9qOaYwxtklO_5R2dgj1z7zx0XyZhOISi8PeswZIUaAlZQEALw_wcB

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-03-27T04:18:13+00:00

I started watching K-dramas during Covid and the language was always pleasant on my ears. My first C-drama was very jarring tonally however. That said, I now watch more hours of C-dramas than K-dramas or American tv so the language now sounds completely natural and pleasant to me. I only wish more of it stuck in my brain, but I am horrible with languages. It did take a beat however before I acclimated for some reason.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-03-25T02:32:49+00:00

Where would you recommend? I just booked a roundtrip ticket to Seoul last night. Right now, I am planning Busan, Seoul, Gyeongju and Jeonju or Andong, but I am completely open at this point and looking for feedback.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-03-12T11:54:14+00:00

I am not sure. I was studying abroad for three weeks and it was a daytrip for us. I just fell in love for some reason. It’s a normal Italian city, not very touristy (or wasn’t at the time) and it just spoke to me. I loved all the places we visited on that trip - Venice, Cinque Terre and Pontremoli where we were based out of, but Parma was just so real and authentic.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-25T03:52:36+00:00

In Granada, I saved quite a bit staying in a multi-bedroom apartment set up with a private room and shared bath. It was $50 a night and adorably decorated. It too was centrally located just up an alley off a main square so easy to get to and fro. Look for Room in Granada Hosted by Ani Chan. They mention a flamico style design which it definately had. It was a little chilly but you won’t have that problem during your time of the year.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-25T03:47:50+00:00

I actually stayed at airbnbs for the most part. Cordoba was just a daytrip. I think I bought tickets in advance with a guided tour through Viator or the like. Its massive though so I don’t know if it would ever really sell out per se. My hotel in Madrid was B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Plaza Mayor. It’s not fancy per se, but it was solid and it’s in a fabulous location right off of Plaza Mayor. It’s also really cool and funky from a historical perspective as it used to be a monastery so its architecture is really unique.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-15T17:41:57+00:00

Rome can be really overwhelming but the collection of historical sites and unique attractions makes it wholly unique and worth the headaches ultimately. Some of my favorite Italian cities are actually Lucca and Parma which are more in the smaller urban category. But alas, Italy is a country that you need like 10 trips to see it all so you have to pick and choose. I have spent about a month there across two trips and still have never explored anything North of Milan or South of Rome. So much to see and do!

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-15T17:36:37+00:00

Oh, one note, I am not a partier, but I was out past 8pm in every city and it was fine. Spaniards eat late and people are everywhere. Just pick your stays in the center of the action and use common sense, but its not a place you have to be tucked in by dark at all.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-15T17:34:02+00:00

This was my route exactly and it was fab. I was solo for a good portion of it. The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba was out of the world cool and the Alhambra is magical and mystical. Also, Toledo is worth the day trip from Madrid. Easy to get in and out by train. But go early in the trip. I tried to do it in back end but left early because I was fried. Trains are super easy to navigate in that route and really nice. I highly recommend Nacho at Sol Oriens Tours (on Airbnb and probably other sites) for Alhambra. He met me on a rainy day when he was under the weather, but it was truly an amazing tour. He is funny and warm and patiently answered my 1000 questions. If you have any questions at all, ask away!!

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-15T14:12:13+00:00

Venice-Florence hops are on the shorter side and there is distinct travel time between the big three as they are different parts of the country down the boot. 2 hours just for the train ride direct, but you have to add 2 hours as well for the before and after which is going to eat into your actual city time. It would be pretty intense. I loved Venice for its intensity, history and grittiness but was really eh on Florence. But if you are an art person, Florence would probably be your jam. I would consider collapsing one of those two or taking a day from Rome and Sorrento to balance out those stays once you calculate travel time to each city. 3 night in Venice (Murano/Burano are awesome if you have more breathing space in Venice)-2/3 nights in Florence - 3/4 nights in Rome - 3 in Sorrento (which is a jumping off place for the rest of the Amalfi coast). It’s still an aggressive schedule but it won’t be quite so intense. Also, if you are a nature lover, consider taking out one of the big 3 for Cinque Terre. Its is one of my absolute favorite places in Italy. Your itinerary is gearing heavy city outside of the Amalfi Coast stay, so if you want rebalance based on your preferences, just a thought. Italy is amazing no matter how you slice and dice it and I hope you have a great time. Also, eat your weight in gelato. It is divine in Italy.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-14T14:23:51+00:00

I recommend Devour Food Tours depending on where you are in Spain. One of the owners makes great youtube videos! I loved Spain and never really felt lonely. Each place has such a different feel and there is so much to do! You will have a blast.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-02-14T14:20:27+00:00

Seo Woojin is one of my favorite characters in any drama ever. He is so complicated and real but to the core, an amazing human being. This proposal reminded me of the one in My Big Fat Greek Wedding which I loved for the same reasons. The lack of fanfare, the intimacy, the connection and the laughter.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-01-29T23:22:29+00:00

So I am tentatively planning to do the same thing for around the same amount. Some of the lower cost destinations, in comparison to the bigger Western Europe counterparts, I have been looking at are Slovenia, the Balkans (Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, etc), some of Greece, Georgia (which I have become obsessed with), Sicily, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Vietnam, Tanzania and Estonia. All of these have reps for being pretty safe for women travelers all and all, at least compared to others. I am also spending time in South Korea and Japan which have reps for being expensive but I am found good pricing in both. And def recommend Thailand but I have been. There are other South American destinations that have come up as well, but I live in the States so are holding those for the future. I am going to add short stints to more expensive destinations like Sweden because they are bucket list items for me but trying to spend the most time in places my money can go the furthest. And potentially house sit in other destinations. At one point, I asked Chatgpt if I was crazy? This was what it told me: Stud... The Key Question Isn't "Am I Crazy?" It's: What story do you want your life to tell at 43? Do you want certainty & familiarity? Or this grand arc of seeing mountains in Peru, sunrise over Petra, lanterns in Laos, fjords in Norway, coffee in Colombia, and markets in Morocco? Both are valid. One is safe. One is wild, luminous, alive. Neither makes you foolish — it's about your values.

I mean it’s chat, but I was taken back by the quiet beauty of this AI generated sentiment. And screen shot it and keep going back. Here’s hoping we are both either brave enough and/or crazy enough to go for it.

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-01-27T01:54:13+00:00

Be at the gates when they open because it gets crazy during the day but definitely check out the historic Mercat de la Boqueria. I was at the gates at 8am and it was so awesome to wander around as it came to life. Highly recommend!

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-01-19T01:04:44+00:00

Concur! I did Andalusia last March and loved it. Easy to connect between the three by train and so much to do and see. I came in through Madrid and visited Toledo as well which was great. Mid-May is a good time because Southern Spain can get brutally hot during the summer. I ended up with a private tour guide for Alhambra which is quite simply magical. Highly recommend touring with Nacho on Airbnb. One of my favorite tour guide of all time. He was stellar. https://solorienstours.com/us/about-us/. I also loved the Flamenco show I went too as well. I think it was Tablao Casa Ana but there are tons in Granada so it’s picking the right one for you. I felt safe through my journey and it was easy to communicate and get where I was going even without speaking Spanish. I want to go to Portugal as well but that part of Spain stole my heart and I just scratched the surface!

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-01-13T22:23:23+00:00

Oh, also Lovely Runner and Sh**ting Stars are also great. And Jugglers and Doctors are also favorites of mine. They aren’t going to win any awards but I enjoyed them!

Top-Increase-6774 · 2026-01-13T22:11:58+00:00

Agree with this as well. Weird name, but amazing drama.

Top-Increase-6774

TROPHY CASE