I had high expectations for my trip to Japan, but I think I’d skip the country next time I head to Asia.
My final trip of the year was to South Korea and Japan, where I traveled by bicycle to lesser-visited regions of each country. After over 600 miles of riding, I found I preferred South Korea to the latter.
Not only did I think South Korea had better bicycle infrastructure, with car-free bike paths spanning much of the country, but also I preferred the country’s cuisine, weather, and culture.
Japan’s temples and cities were awe-inspiring, but the oppressive summer heat made exploring miserable.
Additionally, as a vegetarian, I found the country’s cuisine options limited as many focused on fresh seafood. On the contrary, I loved South Korea’s spicy dishes and communal dining culture.
I’m not opposed to visiting Japan again in the future, although certainly not in the summer. Regardless, I’d probably pick South Korea instead if I’m in Asia.
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