Places to return to in Japan and Korea

As I said yesterday, I’m already thinking over the possibilities of a return trip to Japan and/or Korea. These thoughts are mere dreams and speculations, but at the same time they could be the sparks of a great flame that will rise to clear a path towards an actual journey. Since writing yesterday’s post I started brainstorming places in both Japan and Korea that I’d like to return to. Below are the places I’ve thought of so far and why they’ve earned a spot on my return list.

Tokyo
Like Paris, London, or Rome, Tokyo is a city you can keep coming back to over and over again and never get tired of it. I saw all the big things that I wanted to see while in Tokyo last year but it’d be great to return to Asakusa, the Meiji Shrine, or Shibuya.

Kamakura
Due to my own stupidity I didn’t get as much time in Kamakura as I would have liked so I feel another visit is in order. If nothing else I want to take in another sunset on the beach.

Nikko/Lake Chuzenji
If you read my post on Lake Chuzenji you know that I wish I had more time there just to walk that quiet mountain lake. Another visit to the temples in Nikko would also be in order, but the lake would be more of a focus on my second visit.

Hakodate
Where else am I going to eat a squid that was alive just a moment ago? Also, I think I promised one of the hostel staff that I’d return one day.

Kanazawa
I’m having a hard time pinning down why I want to go back to Kanazawa. There’s just something about the feel of that town.

Kyoto
There are a thousand temples and shrines in Kyoto and some of them like Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji are truly stellar. Hopefully the restoration work on Kiyomizu-dera is finished whenever I get back to Kyoto.

Himeji
Japan’s greatest castle is always worth a visit.

Miyajima
I unfortunately didn’t get to see much of Miyajima due to heavy rainfall, so I really want to go back when the weather is better and see more of the island.

Seoul
Like Tokyo, there are tons of things to see and do in Seoul and I could come back every year without getting bored. I also missed out on e-sports when I was in Seoul last year, so I really want to rectify that mistake.

Busan
I only need a single day in Busan, but I do want to get better photos of both Haedong Yonggunsa temple and the Gamcheon Culture Village. Those two sights are inconveniently on the opposite ends of Busan, so I’d lose a few hours just getting across town, but the photos would be worth it.

Jeju Island
While I didn’t get rained on during my stay on Jeju, it was cool, cloudy, and windy most of the time I was there. Now that I know which places are worth visiting, I’d like to go back when it’s sunny and warm to see the island at its best (and enjoy the beach more).