seoul or tokyo?
The two big East Asian capitals on most Malaysians' list, with similar flight times and the same best seasons. Seoul is the pick for K-culture, shopping and café hopping, while Tokyo is bigger and more varied, with neighbourhoods that feel like different cities.
seoul
Dear group chat,Palaces in hanbok, Myeongdong street food, K-beauty hauls and café hopping till late.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingSeoulKR, Seoul
tokyo
Dear group chat,Konbini breakfasts, train-hopping, and neighbourhoods that feel like different cities.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingTokyoJP, Tokyo
- From KL
- seoulAbout 4,610 km
- tokyoAbout 5,320 km
- Best months
- seoulApr–May, Sept–Nov
- tokyoMar–May, Oct–Nov
- Vibe
- seoulFast, trendy capital of palaces, cafés and K-culture
- tokyoHuge, orderly city of very different neighbourhoods
- Food
- seoulKorean BBQ, fried chicken, tteokbokki
- tokyoRamen, sushi, yakitori and konbini breakfasts
- Sights
- seoulGyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Gwangjang Market
- tokyoSenso-ji, Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine
- Halal food
- seoulClustered in Itaewon, around the Central Mosque
- tokyoSpread out; look up Muslim-friendly places
- Getting there
- seoulAbout 6.5 hours' direct flight to Incheon
- tokyoAbout 7 hours' flight to Haneda or Narita
- Best for
- seoulShopping, cafés and anything K-culture
- tokyoVariety, from old temples to tiny bars
Go seoul if…
- K-dramas, K-pop or K-beauty are half the reason you're going
- you want to wear hanbok around Gyeongbokgung
- Korean BBQ and fried chicken by the Han River sound like the right evenings
- you'd like halal food grouped in one easy area
Go tokyo if…
- you want variety, from old temples to tiny bars to digital art
- ramen, sushi and konbini runs are the food plan
- you like getting around by train
- a day trip to Kamakura or Nikko appeals
The verdict
Both are big, safe, easy cities, at their best in spring and autumn. Seoul wins for shopping, cafés and K-culture; Tokyo has more variety and more to see, which suits a longer trip. Can't decide? Go where the group's shows come from: K-dramas, Seoul; anime, Tokyo.