Hello!
Heading to South Korea (Seoul and Busan), Japan ( Fukuoka) and Taiwan (Taipei) mid May. Does anyone have recommendations for restaurants and activities?
Thank you!

In Taipei, hit as many of the night markets as you are able to. I particularly enjoyed Shilin, Raohe, and Ximending best.
A great spot to visit is thr National Palace and Elephant Mountain.
Posting here too to see everyone's take on Japan and Korea, doing the same trip May 6-23.

Thank you, Kris! Shilin is on our list of night markets to go to. Is scheduling more than one night market per night too ambitious?
Excited to hear about your trip! Will you be taking the ferry over from Japan to Korea?

Lindsey. The night markets are fairly spread out around the city but is generally accessible by rail or uber. I was able to do pairs of them a night for the smaller ones but found Shilin and Ximending needed two nights to really look around in and try most things.
I'm basing myself out of Chiba while I'm in Japan, so no ferry to Korea for me. Flying to Seoul from Haneda, then haven't really planned much after that.

Taipei - I recommend the geopark! It was really cool, and if you stay late (after 5) it completely empties out of all tourists, really cool being there alone!

Thank you, Stacie Eastman! Just Googled, "Yehliu Geopark". Will add it to the list!

Thank you, Stacie Eastman! Just Googled, "Yehliu Geopark". Will add it to the list!

Lindsey excellent! I hope you enjoy

I’m not sure if it’s still around but back in 2014 when I was in Seoul we went to the North Korean demilitarized zone and it was really interesting!

Thank you! Currently looking for a tour group to join to see the demilitarized zone. Did you use one?

yes we did! as far as I know you have to go in a group. Sadly I don’t remember the name of it but definitely try and find one it’s worth it and not too expensive

Take the train to Busan

Thank you! That's the plan!

Shao shao ke in Taiwan! Amazing shaanxi cuisine

https://www.willflyforfood.net/.../shao-shao-ke-a.../

Thank you, Victoria! Looks SO good! Will make resos.

Taipei has amazing hotsprings and a huge museum full of treasures smuggled out of china-oh and great night markets. and Taipei 101-the tower

Thank you!

.

Betty Tsai
Taipei, recommend to take train to Keelung, Keelung night market has great food.
Also Jiufen is a nice place to spend the day. http://www.formosaguide.com/.../jiufen-travel-guide.html...
I would also recommend National Palace Museum.
And Taipei 101 http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/taipei-101/117
Also for Taiwanese cuisine, try Shinyeh restaurant, they have very traditional Taiwanese food.
https://www.shinyeh.com.tw/content/en/info/Index.aspx

Thanks, Betty Tsai! Amazing suggestions that I will add to the itinerary.

Seoul... Walk up to Namsan tower, hiking at Bukhansan, Gyeungbokgung Palace. Loved Seoul!

Thanks, Lara!

Lindsey

Lindsey

Namsan!

For Fukuoka, we did a great city bike tour through Fukuoka Bike Tour - fukuchari.com. None of their scheduled tours worked for our dates, so we contacted them and they did a private tour for the same cost! It was an easy tour for a non-biker. Eat lots of ramen! Hakata ramen, the style local to Fukuoka, is by far my favourite ramen. Dazaifu is a lovely temple city a short train ride away.

Brynn: This would be perfect!! Thank you!!

Definitely rent a Hanbok and walk around Gyeongbukgong Palace! Did it last year and it was fun!

Haha! Fae Torres, I've seen some photos, we will table the dress up suggestion but the Palace is a must!

Fae Torres I’m sad I didn’t dress up!

Lara, really? I'm not generally a dress up person.. but maybe I should give it a try..

Lindsey It’s kind of the thing to do there!

Lindsey yeah! The palace is beautiful and huge!

Lara oh noooo! Make sure you do on your next visit!

Try to find a Korean guided tour that takes you around most of Korea including jeju island. They do have English guided tours and that will be the best way to know Korea. Have fun!

Thanks, Ryan! Do you have recommendations for tour companies?

I can find out for you. My in-laws are there now but speak Korean only. To be honest I don't know of any off hand but will see if I can find something and let you know.

In Busan, go to Yunggunsa Temple. Also, walk around Haundae Beach and the main strip right off the beach. There is a really good buffet right by the beach on the third or fourth floors right by the beach that has a chocolate fountain and an exotic fruit bar where the waiters will prepare dragon fruits, etc. ready to eat for you. It’s so good!! There’s also the Busan tower which is a MUST especially if you are going with a significant other (love tiles to write on, spectacular views and a place to "lock" your love;).
In Fukuoka, go see the Yahoo dome and take a stroll in the mall right beside it, enjoy sushi at the restaurant that is RIGHT by the front doors of that mall, go on a swan boat on the lake and hit up the casino, they have some fun Japan only ball type games that I had never seen before! Enjoy your trip!!!

You had me at, "buffet".. Thank you!!

Taipei:
- Shifen is a short train ride from Taipei. There's a beautiful waterfall there, and it's a good place t.o release lanterns.
- You can take the Maokong Gondola from Taipei Zoo. It's a lovely ride to tea fields. There's also a number of good hikes there. I hiked to Yinhe Cave Temple/Waterfall.
- Elephant Mountain is a must. Quick and easy. If you can, go for sunset. It gets a bit crowded, but it's worth it.
- There are a number of hot springs in Beitou. Stop by Thermal Valley while you're there.
- I unfortunately can't really remember names of anywhere I ate while there, but there's some good food at the night markets. If you're into sweet things, you should try the egg waffle.
Japan:
- If you're basing yourself out of Chiba, Mount Nokogiri may be close by. It's a beautiful mountain full of Buddhist statues (literally so many). It's situated in a cute authentic fishing village, and you likely won't see any other tourists. You can see all the way across Tokyo Bay, and if you're lucky you can even see Mount Fuji. There's also a ferry you could take across the water.