This has always been my dream.

In 2017, I experienced the autumn season for the first time in Vancouver, British Columbia and I promised myself to go and experience the fall each year if I can. In 2018, I went for another Autumn solo travel in Tokyo and Seoul, two of my most favorite countries in Asia.

For a week, I spent Php 40, 236 in two countries, ALL IN. This is how I did it, but first things first, a friendly reminder to:

• Apply for a Japanese Visa at least a month before your travel.
  – List of requirements
  – Link to the application form here
  – Sample schedule in Japan here (they will also require this one)
  – List of accredited travel agencies for Japanese visa application
  – PS. I don’t really know how much they are requiring for bank certificate and statement but I only had Php75k when I first applied and 90k the 2nd time. I got single entry on both. You can also present some insurance documents with your face amount on it.
• Plan your itinerary. I use Dropbox Paper because it is easy to navigate through the app (you can download it in Google Play and Appstore). I dumped all of my travel plans in there and just edit or add things up when I suddenly remember things I wanna do.
• Book your activities ahead. I use Klook because for me it is still the most convenient way to arrange my travel. I book way ahead of the trip so I don’t have to spend additional money on rides or tickets when I get to my destination. It works wonders, I promise (+ less hassle). PS. Use my code for Php 150 less on your booking.
• Damsel your distress to your accommodation, lol jk. Google search how you could reach your accommodation in the most efficient way. Or you could just use Google maps when you reach Tokyo, works, too.
• DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT FORGET to rent a wifi router. It is available here. It is much-needed these days. You will mostly need it for navigation and contacting your friends and loved ones. It’s easy to get lost in Tokyo. It’s also convenient for Google translate.
• Download the Tokyo subway app. I swear Tokyo has the most complicated subway in the world, but it worked just fine for me because of this subway/metro app. Since I know where I want to go (reiteration: the itinerary is the key), all I had to do is input the nearest station to where I am and then the station or destination I want to go. Japanese apps are way too efficient. Try it.
• Buy your 24/36/72hrs Tokyo subway ticket ahead of time. It’s cheaper in Klook than in subway stations (+ it’s so hard to communicate with the subway attendant when there are too many people around)
• Prepare your Php1620 for travel tax. Ugh, yeah.

Sooo, itinerary and expenses coming up!

I bought the plane tickets (MNL-Tokyo RT) months before, and because Cebu Pacific canceled my flight from Tokyo to Manila, I requested to reroute it from Incheon to Manila instead. Good thing, Traveloka was on sale for their Tokyo to Incheon flight, so I bought the ticket at a much lower price. I only spent Php 12, 873 (USD 253~) for the Manila-Cebu-Tokyo-Incheon-Manila flights.

If you’re flying from Cebu to any international destination, you still have to pay Php 800 for the terminal fee. It’s a bother but it’s okay. The Cebu International Airport is the best airport in the Philippines my tired feet have ever stepped on.

I spent three (3) days in Tokyo, Japan and it was so chill. Here’s the breakdown of my activities and expenses:

Day 2: Tokyo Disneyland

Day 3

• Mt. Fuji Classic Tour, but it was canceled, so I went around Asakusa and Shinjuku Garden instead (it is closed on Mondays, okay). HOW TO GET THERE:
  • From Asakusa Station to Shinjuku Gyoen’s Okido Gate, get off at Shinjuku Gyoen Mae Station, exit 2, on the Marunouchi subway line, it is about 3 minute
• Odaiba (TeamLab Tokyo) – there are two TeamLabs in Tokyo, check where you booked your ticket
  • From Asakusa station, get off at Aomi subway line. Transfer to Shinbashi JT line and get off at Yurakamome station.

Transportation in Tokyo is relatively cheap, for three days, I spent Php 1750 on JR lines transport.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

It has been my third time in Seoul, South Korea so it was easy for me to go around the city. Above is my super chill itinerary so I’m just gonna dump

the information on how to get there here.

• Check-in at the Hotel
  • Philstay Ehwa Boutique – Female 
  • 3F, 43, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03766, Korea, South Korea
  • From the airport you can take bus number 6002. You need to get off at Ehwa Women’s University Station (both same for subway and bus). Then from there go to the subway station of the same name (the bus stop is right next to the station). Then go to exit number 2, from there walk straight uphill. You will pass a small park, then a store called KT, then another store called Juicy. Then you will see another store called Olive Young. Our guesthouse is in that building on the 3rd floor.

• Pocheon Art Valley, Apple Picking, and Herb Island Day Tour
  • Klook booked
  • Meet your guide at Myeongdong Station Exit 2

• Nami Island
  • From Myeongdong Station to Dongadaemun History (sky blue) then take Green line (towards Sindang) to Wangsimi Station. Change to JUNGANG Line, take the clue line (towards Cheong-nyangni) to Mangu Station. From Mangu station take blue line (towards Galmae) to Gapyeong station. 
  • At Gapyeong Station, take the Shuttle Bus for Gapyeong Tourist Resort (Course A). You can buy the bus from the bus driver; it costs KRW 6,000 (cash!). The ticket is for a UNLIMITED ride and it is for the whole day! You can go to these destinations on the bus route:
  • Gapyeong Intercity Bus Terminal – Gapyeong Station (Train Station) – Jarasum Gapyeong Rail Park –Nami Island – -Petite France – Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal -Cheongpyeong Station – The Garden of Morning Calm
• Soul Cup Cafe (*whispers JYP*)
  • Olympic Park station. You can take bus number 3319 or 3220 outside Olympic Park Exit 1
  • Stop at Yoons English School ( 2nd stop after Olympic Park)
  • You will see a blue building which is JYPe! The bus will overpass this building so maybe you should sit on the right-hand side of the bus.(However, it is only 2 stops I don’t think you will miss it)
  • Going back to Olympic Station: Go to the opposite bus stop ( in front of Paris Baguette) and ride bus 3220 

• COEX mall library
  • Samseong station, exit 6. Walk straight & follow the signs to COEX. Eventually, you’ll come across the Starfield library, which is the center of the mall
• Eland Han River Cruise
  • Klook booked
  • Walk from Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5) Exit 3, then go towards Yeouido Dock for about 9 minutes.

Third time in South Korea and it still remains my most favorite city in the world. xx