The Asian country Aussies are turning to after ‘doing’ Japan

Australians are having a travel love affair with Japan – visitor numbers to the country hit one million last year, overtaking travel to Indonesia from Australia for the first time ever.

It makes sense: the country is relatively affordable, packed with activities from cities to nature, and just a direct flight away.

Our love for a Japan holiday won’t go away any time soon, but it seems we’re starting to set our sights a little further as well.

Data shows that South Korea saw a massive 18.7 per cent surge in Australian travellers in May, suggesting that Aussies who have already “done” Japan are looking to expand their Asian holidays.

In some cases, even Japan first-timers are deciding to tick off the two countries in the one trip.

One traveller who had recently done just that told nine.com.au that it “makes sense” to do both Japan and South Korea in one trip – they’re similar but also culturally very different.

Read more

13 things first-timers need to know for visiting South Korea

It is also incredibly easy to get between the two countries: just a six-hour ferry ride from one to the other, or a 2.5-hour flight between Tokyo and Seoul.

“Japan is still a draw for Australian tourists, but as many have already visited the main sights, some are looking for new experiences to complement their trip,” Tristan Daikin, ANZ Country Manager at Wise, told nine.com.au.

Like Japan, South Korea delivers a mix of futuristic, high-tech cities, centuries-old history, incredible food, and an easy-to-navigate transport system.

Of course, there’s the bustling capital city of Seoul, with its blend of ultra-modern skyscrapers with 600-year-old wooden architecture, and incredible local food scene.

Just a short bullet train ride away is the coastal city of Busan, with its pastel houses and relaxed beach city vibe.

Travellers also love hiking in the country’s national parks and spending a few days on Jeju Island, sometimes called the Hawaii of Korea.

View gallery

The ten best places to visit on a trip to South Korea

South Korea has a lot of other great selling points, including the fact that the Aussie dollar is strengthening against the Won.

Data from Wise reveals that one in three Aussie travellers are purposefully choosing destinations where the Australian dollar has stronger buying power, making a Japan/South Korea combo trip even more appealing.

South Korea is also keen to welcome visitors. The country has extended its K-ETA visa fee exemption for Australians through to the end of December 2026, making it free for us to visit the country on holiday.

Meanwhile, Japan has increased a number of taxes across the country, to address overtourism.

A new hotel tax coming to Tokyo could see travellers having to add about $230 to their hotel budget. It has also increased its visa fee and its departure tax.

Tristan also tells Nine Travel that overall, South Korea is a more affordable country in other aspects, too.

“While Tokyo offers excellent mid-range accommodation, comparable three-star hotels in Seoul average around $100 AUD per night, which is around 25-35 per cent less.”

“A fast KTX train across South Korea from Seoul to Busan starts at around $57AUD, whereas a Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto is closer to $145-$160. And taxis are significantly cheaper in South Korea too,” he said.