{"id":2167353,"date":"2026-09-28T05:00:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T02:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167353"},"modified":"2026-09-28T05:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T02:00:18","slug":"tokyo-vs-seoul-which-trendy-capital-should-you-visit-on-an-asian-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167353","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo vs Seoul: Which trendy capital should you visit on an Asian adventure?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/1200x675_cmsv2_db3fdd5a-a961-5155-a841-8f732e12f920-9924360.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2929208-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929208\" data-cid=\"9930368\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929208-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/68\/189x106_cmsv2_99adb2f6-3185-529d-b3df-1b911e30bc41-9930368.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in Brussels on 28 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU ministers plan response to hybrid attacks amid warnings of Russian\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928395-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2928395\" data-cid=\"9926717\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928395-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/67\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_718645bf-ae7b-5323-ae8d-1147564db4f6-9926717.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Denmark&apos;s Prime Minister, Greenland&apos;s Prime Minister, and US President at the signing ceremony of a security deal between the US, Denmark and Greenland at United Nations HQs.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Cube<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did Denmark play &#8216;Send in the Clowns&#8217; before US-Greenland deal?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929160-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929160\" data-cid=\"9930327\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929160-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/27\/189x106_cmsv2_258cf1e5-c61e-569e-bcdb-0ea81f08589b-9930327.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Illustrative photo.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Russia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia lost nearly half its schools \u2014 war propaganda fills the rest\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929146-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929146\" data-cid=\"9930351\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929146-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_abbab57d-15ac-51b9-9a18-6435008f066e-9930351.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"From Deniz G\u00f6kta\u015f&apos;s show &quot;Dead Sea&quot;\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Turkey<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkish comedian Deniz G\u00f6kta\u015f on trial for insulting Erdo\u011fan in show\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929208-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929208\" data-cid=\"9930368\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929208-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/68\/189x106_cmsv2_99adb2f6-3185-529d-b3df-1b911e30bc41-9930368.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas in Brussels on 28 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU ministers plan response to hybrid attacks amid warnings of Russian\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928395-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2928395\" data-cid=\"9926717\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928395-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/67\/17\/189x106_cmsv2_718645bf-ae7b-5323-ae8d-1147564db4f6-9926717.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Denmark&apos;s Prime Minister, Greenland&apos;s Prime Minister, and US President at the signing ceremony of a security deal between the US, Denmark and Greenland at United Nations HQs.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Cube<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Did Denmark play &#8216;Send in the Clowns&#8217; before US-Greenland deal?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929160-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929160\" data-cid=\"9930327\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929160-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/27\/189x106_cmsv2_258cf1e5-c61e-569e-bcdb-0ea81f08589b-9930327.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Illustrative photo.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Russia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia lost nearly half its schools \u2014 war propaganda fills the rest\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929146-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929146\" data-cid=\"9930351\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929146-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/03\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_abbab57d-15ac-51b9-9a18-6435008f066e-9930351.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"From Deniz G\u00f6kta\u015f&apos;s show &quot;Dead Sea&quot;\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Turkey<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Turkish comedian Deniz G\u00f6kta\u015f on trial for insulting Erdo\u011fan in show\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Travel<\/p>\n<p>                          Destinations<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Tokyo vs Seoul: Which trendy capital should you visit on an Asian adventure?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/1536x864_cmsv2_db3fdd5a-a961-5155-a841-8f732e12f920-9924360.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Shibuya crossing in Tokyo and Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Shibuya crossing in Tokyo and Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Timo Volz\/Hanvin Cheong\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Timo Volz\/Hanvin Cheong\/Unsplash\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMike Starling\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790571618\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-28 07:00:18 +02:00\">28\/09\/2026 &#8211; 7:00 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"share-comment-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Tourism in both Tokyo and Seoul has been booming for a while now and there\u2019s no sign of this slowing down just yet. Here we take a look at two of Asia&#8217;s trending capital cities.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--travel js-article-content\">\n<p>What\u2019s the answer to the question in the headline above? It\u2019s an easy one, really. If you are planning a trip to the Far East, then of course you should visit both Tokyo <em>and<\/em> Seoul. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The capitals of Japan and South Korea have emerged as two of the world\u2019s most in-demand destinations \u2013 not just for the trendy jet-setters, but for travellers of all ages and interests. <\/p>\n<p>As someone who\u2019s been to both \u2013 and is genuinely fascinated by both \u2013 Tokyo and Seoul offer very different vibes for a city break in Asia. <\/p>\n<p>But the one thing they do have in common is the sheer amount of things to see and do, especially for first-time visitors. <\/p>\n<h2>Tokyo: A big-city experience<\/h2>\n<p>Few cities can match Tokyo for sheer scale or energy. And the numbers don\u2019t lie as in 2025 Japan\u2019s capital welcomed a record 28.65 million international visitors. <\/p>\n<p>According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the country\u2019s travel sector is \u201cbooming\u201d and for many first-time visitors classic destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto remain a major draw with their temples and historic neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n<p>Tokyo really does have everything and is so big that it can sometimes feel like there are cities within a city, with each area and district having their own personality. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.642\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/808x518_cmsv2_b9e50082-ae05-56df-bf99-066dce0836fa-9924360.jpg\" alt=\"Tokyo with Mount Fuji in the background\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Tokyo with Mount Fuji in the background<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Clement Souchet\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When I arrived my first port of call was the gigantic Shinjuku train station \u2013 a memorable experience in itself. Not only is it the world\u2019s busiest station, serving more than 2.7 million passengers every day, but there are also more than 200 exits. Yes, 200. So, first things first, if you arrive at Shinjuku carefully check where to exit or you could soon get lost\u2026 <\/p>\n<p>Once you have managed to leave the station and make it to street level, you\u2019ll really feel like you\u2019ve arrived. Shinjuku is home to towering skyscrapers, wide shopping streets and plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants \u2013 many of which are open around the clock. <\/p>\n<p>Another introduction to modern Tokyo is Shibuya with its famous crossing, shops and observation decks. For fashion and creativity head to Harajuku, a close walk from Shibuya, where you\u2019ll see street fashion and youth culture on display from stylish Tokyoites. <\/p>\n<p>Akihabara is Tokyo\u2019s go-to district for pop culture, electronics, anime and manga. Other cool areas to see include Roppongi and the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, which boasts the Tokyo City View observation deck, and Ginza, which offers luxury shopping and high-end restaurants. <\/p>\n<p>While modern Tokyo is neon-lit and bustling at all hours, centuries of culture and heritage reveal a much slower side to the Japanese capital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/808x454_cmsv2_3845f76d-49e7-57d8-997b-5d1d7112f515-9924360.jpg\" alt=\"Sake barrels on display \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Sake barrels on display <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ng Winston\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Located in the historic district of Asakusa, Sens\u014d-ji is Tokyo\u2019s oldest Buddhist temple and definitely worth a visit. As is Meiji Jingu Shrine next to Yoyogi Park in Shibuya. Don\u2019t forget your camera here as there\u2019s an Insta-worthy shot of a wall of decorated sak\u00e9 barrels on the path leading towards the shrine. Honestly, your camera roll will soon be full\u2026 <\/p>\n<p>For foodies, Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, including 11 three-star and 26 two-star. However, it\u2019s not all about fine dining as some of the most memorable meals can be found on the streets and are quite affordable. <\/p>\n<p>A few days is not nearly enough to truly discover what makes Tokyo one of the world\u2019s best capitals. With temples, traditional gardens, anime culture and a brilliant nightlife to explore, even a week would barely scratch the surface here.<\/p>\n<p>If you do have a day or two to spare though, don\u2019t miss out on Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes region. We stayed by Lake Kawaguchi and here you can enjoy lakeside walks, hot springs and panoramic viewpoints of Japan\u2019s iconic peak.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/808x454_cmsv2_cc876442-64ed-5e0e-a784-d0d41dad0dd3-9924360.jpg\" alt=\"Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Daniel Bernard\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Seoul: K-culture sparks tourism boom<\/h2>\n<p>While Tokyo has long been one of Asia\u2019s tourism heavyweights, Seoul is experiencing a remarkable rise of its own \u2013 thanks in part to all things \u201cK-culture\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>In South Korea\u2019s capital, K-pop, K-dramas, Korean food, fashion and beauty have helped create one of the world\u2019s hottest city break destinations. Need proof? Just look at some of the trends and stats. <\/p>\n<p>Described by Time Out as \u201ca master of all trades\u201d, Seoul jumped 33 places to rank ninth in the magazine\u2019s 50 Best Cities in the World for 2026. The trendy Jongno 3-ga was also named by Time Out as officially the coolest neighbourhood on Earth. High praise indeed. Head to Jongno 3-ga and explore a \u201cmaze of alleys, late-night food stalls and rivers of makgeolli\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>With the rise of K-culture, Seoul was also named the favourite worldwide city among Gen Z and Millennial travellers in the Trazees awards for the fifth consecutive year. <\/p>\n<p>International arrivals are booming, too: a record 8.23 million overseas visitors came to the city during the first half of 2026, up 21.3% year on year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. <\/p>\n<p>Like Tokyo, one of Seoul\u2019s biggest attractions is the contrast between old and new. <\/p>\n<p>Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul\u2019s five grand palaces. Time your visit for the colourful changing of the guard ceremony before exploring its courtyards, pavilions and gardens. You can easily spend a few hours here. <\/p>\n<p>From Gyeongbokgung Palace, walk to nearby Bukchon Hanok Village and explore the narrow streets lined with traditional Korean \u201chanok\u201d houses. Personally, the village was one of the highlights from my trip. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/808x539_cmsv2_df7e241c-0e79-5167-a6cc-56831c266150-9924360.jpg\" alt=\"The Han River runs through Seoul\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Han River runs through Seoul<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Jiwon Kang\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After the palaces and traditional side of Seoul, it\u2019s time to hit the skyscrapers, shops and nightlife of Gangnam, made globally famous by Psy\u2019s 2012 smash hit \u201cGangnam Style\u201d. Please, don\u2019t do the dance\u2026 <\/p>\n<p>As well as a trip to trendy Jongno 3-ga, other neighbourhoods to put on your list include Myeong-dong, a major destination for shopping and street food, and Hongdae, which is known for its nightlife and music scene. Meanwhile, Seongsu has emerged as one of Seoul\u2019s coolest districts for caf\u00e9s, fashion and pop-ups.<\/p>\n<p>Foodies should not miss out on the classics like Korean barbecue, soju, and \u201cchimaek\u201d \u2013 a hugely popular combination of fried chicken and beer. What a pairing. For fine dining, Seoul has 42 restaurants that have been awarded a Michelin star. <\/p>\n<p>While Seoul is undoubtedly a megacity, there\u2019s also plenty of nature to enjoy. The Han River cuts through the heart of Seoul and its waterfront parks can be explored on foot or by bike. Another nice option is a river cruise, especially at night. For hiking trails and mountain views, Bukhansan National Park is a good choice and easily accessible from the city.<\/p>\n<p>Make time for N Seoul Tower and its views of the South Korean capital. Another attraction you\u2019ll certainly see is Cheonggyecheon, an 11km-long restored stream and public park running through the centre of downtown Seoul.<\/p>\n<p>For an easy day trip from Seoul, book a tour to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. It\u2019s a strange experience, but worth seeing. Depending on the tour, you can visit the Dora Observatory for views across the border and Dorasan Station, a symbolic railway station built with the hope of connecting the two Koreas.<\/p>\n<h2>Tokyo or Seoul? Why not both?<\/h2>\n<p>So, which one will it be, Tokyo or Seoul? Tokyo wins for sheer scale and endless exploration, while Seoul offers an exciting mix of K-culture, historic sights and cool neighbourhoods. But there\u2019s little reason to choose. <\/p>\n<p>Direct flights between Tokyo and Seoul take around 2.5 hours, with multiple services every day. If time and budget allow, combining a trip gives you two very different sides of an Asian city break.<\/p>\n<p>Faced with the difficult choice between them, I decided to visit both cities on the same trip. And I\u2019d definitely do the same again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2920772-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2920772\" data-cid=\"9890090\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920772-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/00\/90\/480x270_cmsv2_ded5753e-7c42-5ee7-b072-2815adfd36fe-9890090.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Thailand proved popular with both Gen Z and Millennial travellers \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why Gen Z and Millennials want very different holidays<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2918325-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2918325\" data-cid=\"9877714\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2918325-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/87\/77\/14\/480x270_cmsv2_aa54b8e0-52ba-5e5c-8e5b-bc624cfa9465-9877714.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tokyo was among three Japanese cities in the ranking&apos;s top ten\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Japan dominates digital nomad ranking as Spain makes top ten<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2878842-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2878842\" data-cid=\"9687191\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2878842-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/68\/71\/91\/480x270_cmsv2_ea75b7e8-c02a-5047-b379-f0d99747e0ce-9687191.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Seoul&apos;s Myeongdong shopping street at night\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How KPop Demon Hunters is driving a new wave of Seoul set-jetting<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Travel destinations<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Seoul<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Japan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Travel trends<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Tokyo<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  South Korea<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927780-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927780\" data-cid=\"9923468\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927780-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/34\/68\/320x180_cmsv2_f61e2187-7019-59c6-bbb5-cd84ea6e0a38-9923468.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Albania is one of the fastest growing destinations in Europe\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How Albania became one of Europe\u2019s fastest-growing destinations<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2849382-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2849382\" data-cid=\"9560464\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2849382-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/56\/04\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_cba69ac4-7bd3-5886-88da-252745379693-9560464.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Travel - Euronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Euronews Travel Channel \u2013 Travel News, Guides, Magazines &amp; Inspiration | 24\/7<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928370-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928370\" data-cid=\"9926546\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928370-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/65\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_659cfec8-2e4e-54df-bf00-7e35a92fea66-9926546.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spain is the strongest European passport on Passport Rankings\u2019 list\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European passports are the strongest for visa-free travel?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927762-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927762\" data-cid=\"9923355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927762-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/33\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_3c5fc488-809a-5e46-8430-8e13ce45da35-9923355.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ayia Napa beach in Cyprus\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cyprus to the Canaries: Where to go for a warm autumn holiday<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2927428-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927428\" data-cid=\"9921499\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927428-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/14\/99\/320x180_cmsv2_d2151556-074d-5c39-8c82-e7382abea6a5-9921499.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Beau-Rivage Palace is among the seven hotels in Europe that have been upgraded from Two to Three Keys by Michelin\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    All the new Michelin three key hotels in Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928370-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928370\" data-cid=\"9926546\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European passports are the strongest for visa-free travel?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928014-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928014\" data-cid=\"9924695\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The world\u2019s best spas for 2026 revealed \u2013 and Italy leads the way<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928333-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928333\" data-cid=\"9926302\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The 50 Best Bars 2026: 18 spots in Europe make extended list<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2911554-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2911554\" data-cid=\"9845904\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Social media is ruining travel\u2019s element of surprise, survey reveals<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928110-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928110\" data-cid=\"9925153\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Revealed: The best airport lounges in the world<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2920772-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2920772\" data-cid=\"9890090\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2920772-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/00\/90\/480x270_cmsv2_ded5753e-7c42-5ee7-b072-2815adfd36fe-9890090.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Thailand proved popular with both Gen Z and Millennial travellers \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why Gen Z and Millennials want very different holidays<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2918325-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2918325\" data-cid=\"9877714\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2918325-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/87\/77\/14\/480x270_cmsv2_aa54b8e0-52ba-5e5c-8e5b-bc624cfa9465-9877714.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tokyo was among three Japanese cities in the ranking&apos;s top ten\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Japan dominates digital nomad ranking as Spain makes top ten<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2878842-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2878842\" data-cid=\"9687191\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2878842-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/68\/71\/91\/480x270_cmsv2_ea75b7e8-c02a-5047-b379-f0d99747e0ce-9687191.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Seoul&apos;s Myeongdong shopping street at night\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How KPop Demon Hunters is driving a new wave of Seoul set-jetting<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927780-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927780\" data-cid=\"9923468\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927780-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/34\/68\/320x180_cmsv2_f61e2187-7019-59c6-bbb5-cd84ea6e0a38-9923468.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Albania is one of the fastest growing destinations in Europe\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How Albania became one of Europe\u2019s fastest-growing destinations<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2849382-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2849382\" data-cid=\"9560464\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2849382-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/56\/04\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_cba69ac4-7bd3-5886-88da-252745379693-9560464.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Travel - Euronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Euronews Travel Channel \u2013 Travel News, Guides, Magazines &amp; Inspiration | 24\/7<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928370-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928370\" data-cid=\"9926546\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928370-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/65\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_659cfec8-2e4e-54df-bf00-7e35a92fea66-9926546.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spain is the strongest European passport on Passport Rankings\u2019 list\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European passports are the strongest for visa-free travel?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927762-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927762\" data-cid=\"9923355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927762-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/33\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_3c5fc488-809a-5e46-8430-8e13ce45da35-9923355.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ayia Napa beach in Cyprus\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cyprus to the Canaries: Where to go for a warm autumn holiday<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2927428-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2927428\" data-cid=\"9921499\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2927428-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/14\/99\/320x180_cmsv2_d2151556-074d-5c39-8c82-e7382abea6a5-9921499.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Beau-Rivage Palace is among the seven hotels in Europe that have been upgraded from Two to Three Keys by Michelin\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    All the new Michelin three key hotels in Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928370-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928370\" data-cid=\"9926546\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European passports are the strongest for visa-free travel?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928014-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928014\" data-cid=\"9924695\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The world\u2019s best spas for 2026 revealed \u2013 and Italy leads the way<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928333-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928333\" data-cid=\"9926302\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The 50 Best Bars 2026: 18 spots in Europe make extended list<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2911554-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2911554\" data-cid=\"9845904\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Social media is ruining travel\u2019s element of surprise, survey reveals<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928110-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928110\" data-cid=\"9925153\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Revealed: The best airport lounges in the world<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">What\u2019s the answer to the question in the headline above? It\u2019s an easy one, really. If you are planning a trip to the Far East, then of course you should visit both Tokyo and Seoul.\u00a0The capitals of Japan and South Korea have emerged as two of the world\u2019s most in-demand destinations \u2013 not just for the trendy jet-setters, but for travellers of all ages and interests.\u00a0As someone who\u2019s been to both \u2013 and is genuinely fascinated by both \u2013 Tokyo and Seoul offer very different vibes for a city break in Asia.But the one thing they do have in common is the sheer amount of things to see and do, especially for first-time visitors.\u00a0Tokyo: A big-city experience\u00a0Few cities can match Tokyo for sheer scale or energy. And the numbers don\u2019t lie as in 2025 Japan\u2019s capital welcomed a record 28.65 million international visitors.\u00a0According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the country\u2019s travel sector is \u201cbooming\u201d and for many first-time visitors classic destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto remain a major draw with their temples and historic neighbourhoods.Tokyo really does have everything and is so big that it can sometimes feel like there are cities within a city, with each area and district having their own personality.\u00a0When I arrived my first port of call was the gigantic Shinjuku train station \u2013 a memorable experience in itself. Not only is it the world\u2019s busiest station, serving more than 2.7 million passengers every day, but there are also more than 200 exits. Yes, 200. So, first things first, if you arrive at Shinjuku carefully check where to exit or you could soon get lost\u2026\u00a0Once you have managed to leave the station and make it to street level, you\u2019ll really feel like you\u2019ve arrived. Shinjuku is home to towering skyscrapers, wide shopping streets and plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants \u2013 many of which are open around the clock.\u00a0Another introduction to modern Tokyo is Shibuya with its famous crossing, shops and observation decks. For fashion and creativity head to Harajuku, a close walk from Shibuya, where you\u2019ll see street fashion and youth culture on display from stylish Tokyoites.\u00a0Akihabara is Tokyo\u2019s go-to district for pop culture, electronics, anime and manga. Other cool areas to see include Roppongi and the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, which boasts the Tokyo City View observation deck, and Ginza, which offers luxury shopping and high-end restaurants.\u00a0While modern Tokyo is neon-lit and bustling at all hours, centuries of culture and heritage reveal a much slower side to the Japanese capital.Located in the historic district of Asakusa, Sens\u014d-ji is Tokyo\u2019s oldest Buddhist temple and definitely worth a visit. As is Meiji Jingu Shrine next to Yoyogi Park in Shibuya. Don\u2019t forget your camera here as there\u2019s an Insta-worthy shot of a wall of decorated sak\u00e9 barrels on the path leading towards the shrine. Honestly, your camera roll will soon be full\u2026\u00a0For foodies, Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, including 11 three-star and 26 two-star. However, it\u2019s not all about fine dining as some of the most memorable meals can be found on the streets and are quite affordable.\u00a0A few days is not nearly enough to truly discover what makes Tokyo one of the world\u2019s best capitals. With temples, traditional gardens, anime culture and a brilliant nightlife to explore, even a week would barely scratch the surface here.If you do have a day or two to spare though, don\u2019t miss out on Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes region. We stayed by Lake Kawaguchi and here you can enjoy lakeside walks, hot springs and panoramic viewpoints of Japan\u2019s iconic peak.Seoul: K-culture sparks tourism boom\u00a0While Tokyo has long been one of Asia\u2019s tourism heavyweights, Seoul is experiencing a remarkable rise of its own \u2013 thanks in part to all things \u201cK-culture\u201d.\u00a0In South Korea\u2019s capital, K-pop, K-dramas, Korean food, fashion and beauty have helped create one of the world\u2019s hottest city break destinations. Need proof? Just look at some of the trends and stats.\u00a0Described by Time Out as \u201ca master of all trades\u201d, Seoul jumped 33 places to rank ninth in the magazine\u2019s 50 Best Cities in the World for 2026. The trendy Jongno 3-ga was also named by Time Out as officially the coolest neighbourhood on Earth. High praise indeed. Head to Jongno 3-ga and explore a \u201cmaze of alleys, late-night food stalls and rivers of makgeolli\u201d.With the rise of K-culture, Seoul was also named the favourite worldwide city among Gen Z and Millennial travellers in the Trazees awards for the fifth consecutive year.International arrivals are booming, too: a record 8.23 million overseas visitors came to the city during the first half of 2026, up 21.3% year on year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.\u00a0Like Tokyo, one of Seoul\u2019s biggest attractions is the contrast between old and new.\u00a0Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul\u2019s five grand palaces. Time your visit for the colourful changing of the guard ceremony before exploring its courtyards, pavilions and gardens. You can easily spend a few hours here.\u00a0From Gyeongbokgung Palace, walk to nearby Bukchon Hanok Village and explore the narrow streets lined with traditional Korean \u201chanok\u201d houses. Personally, the village was one of the highlights from my trip.\u00a0After the palaces and traditional side of Seoul, it\u2019s time to hit the skyscrapers, shops and nightlife of Gangnam, made globally famous by Psy\u2019s 2012 smash hit \u201cGangnam Style\u201d. Please, don\u2019t do the dance\u2026\u00a0As well as a trip to trendy Jongno 3-ga, other neighbourhoods to put on your list include Myeong-dong, a major destination for shopping and street food, and Hongdae, which is known for its nightlife and music scene. Meanwhile, Seongsu has emerged as one of Seoul\u2019s coolest districts for caf\u00e9s, fashion and pop-ups.Foodies should not miss out on the classics like Korean barbecue, soju, and \u201cchimaek\u201d \u2013 a hugely popular combination of fried chicken and beer. What a pairing. For fine dining, Seoul has 42 restaurants that have been awarded a Michelin star.\u00a0While Seoul is undoubtedly a megacity, there\u2019s also plenty of nature to enjoy. The Han River cuts through the heart of Seoul and its waterfront parks can be explored on foot or by bike. Another nice option is a river cruise, especially at night. For hiking trails and mountain views, Bukhansan National Park is a good choice and easily accessible from the city.Make time for N Seoul Tower and its views of the South Korean capital. Another attraction you\u2019ll certainly see is Cheonggyecheon, an 11km-long restored stream and public park running through the centre of downtown Seoul.For an easy day trip from Seoul, book a tour to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. It\u2019s a strange experience, but worth seeing. Depending on the tour, you can visit the Dora Observatory for views across the border and Dorasan Station, a symbolic railway station built with the hope of connecting the two Koreas.Tokyo or Seoul? Why not both?\u00a0So, which one will it be, Tokyo or Seoul? Tokyo wins for sheer scale and endless exploration, while Seoul offers an exciting mix of K-culture, historic sights and cool neighbourhoods. But there\u2019s little reason to choose.\u00a0Direct flights between Tokyo and Seoul take around 2.5 hours, with multiple services every day. If time and budget allow, combining a trip gives you two very different sides of an Asian city break.Faced with the difficult choice between them, I decided to visit both cities on the same trip. And I\u2019d definitely do the same again.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/28\/tokyo-vs-seoul-which-trendy-capital-should-you-visit-on-an-asian-adventure&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/43\/60\/1200x675_cmsv2_db3fdd5a-a961-5155-a841-8f732e12f920-9924360.jpg&#8221;] Europe News EU ministers plan response to hybrid attacks amid warnings of Russian The Cube Did Denmark play &#8216;Send in the Clowns&#8217; before US-Greenland deal? Russia Russia lost nearly half its schools \u2014 war propaganda fills the rest Turkey Turkish comedian Deniz G\u00f6kta\u015f on trial for insulting Erdo\u011fan in show Europe News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2167353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2167353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167353\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2167353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2167353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2167353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}