Asia Trip 2026

Land Incheon → AREX Airport Express to Hongdae (~55 min, ~$4, no transfers)

Arrive hotel ~5–6 PM

Lodging: On:the zip Airbnb

47-10 Donggyo-ro, Mangwon, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Host: Mason (Superhost) · Smartlock entry, no meetup needed

Check-in after 3 PM · Check-out before 11 AM May 10

5 nights booked

Nearby: Mangwon Market, Hongdae 10-min walk, Han River 15-min walk

Cafes: Always August, Anthracite Seogyo

Unpack, walk the neighborhood, eat something nearby.

Early night — jet lag will hit hard after a transpacific flight.

Early bus ~7 AM from Seoul, 2 hours south to Buyeo (부여) — last capital of the ancient Baekje Kingdom and where Grandma was born.

Heritage stops:

• Busosanseong Fortress
• Nakhwaam Rock — where Baekje court ladies jumped into the river rather than surrender
• Gungnamji Pond — Korea's oldest man-made pond
• Buyeo National Museum
• Walk the old streets with the X100V

Back in Seoul by 7–8 PM.

Heritage reference:

Grandma — Buyeo (부여), South Chungcheong Province — her birthplace, ancient Baekje capital

Full day — no pressure. The most personal day of the whole trip.

• Eungam-dong (응암동) — Mom's neighborhood. Walk her streets, photograph the markets and alleys
• Myongji High School (명지고등학교) — her high school
• Seodaemun-gu (서대문구) — her district
• Seodaemun Prison History Hall — right in the area, historically loaded

Take your time.

Heritage reference:

Mom — Eungam-dong (응암동), Eunpyeong-gu — her neighborhood, streets, markets

Mom — Seodaemun-gu (서대문구) — her district

Mom — Myongji High School (명지고등학교) — her high school

3.2 miles / ~2 hrs / Easy–Moderate

Shamanistic mountain, active shrines, surreal photography. Best in the morning.

Photo ops: shrine detail shots, shamanistic artifacts, mountain views

Slow walk through the hanok alleyways. Great afternoon light for the X100V.

Photo ops: tiled rooftops, narrow alleyways, doorway details

Late afternoon — Gyeongbokgung Palace

Changing of the guard if timing works.

Photo ops: gate ceremony, palace courtyard, mountain backdrop

Breakfast together. Full day in Seoul.

• Hwanghakdong Flea Market + Dongmyo Antique Market — walkable between each other, best antique hunting in Seoul
• Han River
• Wherever she takes it from there

Photo ops: antique market stalls, Han River at golden hour

Lodging: Kenny Stay Jeju Seogwipo (케니스테이 서귀포)

42 Dongmun-ro, Seogwipo, Jeju 63591 · +82-64-7605000

Booking #1658110323885910 · Standard Corner Single · Ocean/Panorama View · Floors 7–10

$19.04 prepaid · Free cancellation before May 8, 11:59 PM

Check-in after 3 PM · Check-out before 11 AM

9.1 miles / 944 ft gain / 4–5 hours / Moderate

No permit required. Start ~1:00 PM from the Jeju Olle Tourist Center.

Coastal trail — passes Oedolgae Sea Stack, Subong-ro ecology path, Seogwipo coastline.

Ends near Wolpyeong — taxi back (~10 min).

Golden hour hits the coast beautifully in late afternoon.

• Jeongbang Waterfall (정방폭포) — falls directly into the sea
• Soesokkak Estuary (쇠소깍) — freshwater meets seawater, traditional wooden boats

Good dinner. Early night.

Note: Leave hotel by 10:15 AM tomorrow — Jeju Airport is 40–50 min away, flight at 12:55 PM.

Lodging: Kenny Stay Jeju Seogwipo (케니스테이 서귀포)

42 Dongmun-ro, Seogwipo, Jeju 63591 · +82-64-7605000

Booking #1658110323885910 · Standard Corner Single · Ocean/Panorama View · Floors 7–10

$19.04 prepaid · Free cancellation before May 8, 11:59 PM

Check-in after 3 PM · Check-out before 11 AM

9.1 miles / 944 ft gain / 4–5 hours / Moderate

No permit required. Start ~1:00 PM from the Jeju Olle Tourist Center.

Coastal trail — passes Oedolgae Sea Stack, Subong-ro ecology path, Seogwipo coastline.

Ends near Wolpyeong — taxi back (~10 min).

Golden hour hits the coast beautifully in late afternoon.

• Jeongbang Waterfall (정방폭포) — falls directly into the sea
• Soesokkak Estuary (쇠소깍) — freshwater meets seawater, traditional wooden boats

Good dinner. Early night.

Note: Leave hotel by 10:15 AM tomorrow — Jeju Airport is 40–50 min away, flight at 12:55 PM.

✈ Korean Air KE2125 — CJU → NRT · 12:55 PM → 3:25 PM JST · 2h 30m nonstop

Expedia #73400151133695 · $184 · Economy (K)

Carry-on (22 lbs) + 1 checked bag (50 lbs) included

Train to Hakone (~2.5 hrs):

N'EX Narita → Tokyo Station (~60 min)

Shinkansen (Tokaido) Tokyo → Odawara (~35 min)

Hakone Tozan or bus to lodging (~30–50 min)

Romance Car ruled out — sunset at ~6:30 PM, scenic views gone by then. Shinkansen faster.

Lodging: TBD (Airbnb awaiting host reply)

Options: Onsen Guesthouse Tsutaya ($109/2n, 4.92 stars) or Chojuyu Hakoneso ($159–176/2n, 4.81 stars, leaning this one)

2 nights · Check-in May 11 · Check-out May 13

Check in. Onsen. Sleep.

✈ Korean Air KE2125 — CJU → NRT · 12:55 PM → 3:25 PM JST · 2h 30m nonstop

Expedia #73400151133695 · $184 · Economy (K)

Carry-on (22 lbs) + 1 checked bag (50 lbs) included

Train to Hakone (~2.5 hrs):

N'EX Narita → Tokyo Station (~60 min)

Shinkansen (Tokaido) Tokyo → Odawara (~35 min)

Hakone Tozan or bus to lodging (~30–50 min)

Romance Car ruled out — sunset at ~6:30 PM, scenic views gone by then. Shinkansen faster.

Lodging: TBD (Airbnb awaiting host reply)

Options: Onsen Guesthouse Tsutaya ($109/2n, 4.92 stars) or Chojuyu Hakoneso ($159–176/2n, 4.81 stars, leaning this one)

2 nights · Check-in May 11 · Check-out May 13

Check in. Onsen. Sleep.

3.9 miles / 1,696 ft gain / 3–4 hrs / Moderate–Hard

Summit at 3,976 ft — teahouse at the top

Closest unobstructed Fuji view in Hakone, snow cap still on in May

Start by 6 AM — clouds roll in by 10–11 AM

32–50% chance of clear Fuji view; hike is worth it either way

Back by ~10:00 AM

10:00–11:30 AM — Return to lodging. Onsen. Breakfast.

Kuro-tamago (black eggs, sulfuric spring-cooked, shell turns black). Volcanic steam vents — strong X100V subject.

Continue ropeway → Togendai (Lake Ashi).

1.1 miles / flat / 45 min. Ancient cedar-lined Edo-period highway. Moody, atmospheric, great light.

400-year-old teahouse. Only serves amazake (warm sweet rice drink).

RENTAL CAR (NEEDS BOOKING):

Pick up: Odawara or Hakone area — evening May 12

Drop off: Odawara — midday May 13

Duration: ~1 day · Small car, automatic, Route 138 capable

Book via: Times Car Rental, Toyota Rent a Car, or Nissan Rent a Car

Pre-dawn photo run — best window 5:00–8:00 AM:

• Lawson Kawaguchiko (main) — viral spot, 1.4m barrier but still frameable standing up
• Second Lawson ~1km west — no barrier, less crowded, equally strong framing, often empty before 7 AM
• 7-Eleven near Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida — pagoda + store + Fuji in one frame, no barrier, ~15 min drive
• Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida — "city with Fuji at the end of the road," Fuji fills the vanishing point

Clouds form by 10–11 AM. Check forecast 48 hrs out — visibility spikes 1–2 days after a cold front.

Car is essential — spots span 15 min apart, no pre-dawn buses.

Check in at Green Hill Hotel.

Higashi Gosho cho 9-1, Onomichi · +81 848-24-0100

Agoda #981289774 · Single Room, Non Smoking · Includes breakfast

$146.80 · Payment May 9 · Check-in after 3 PM · Check-out before 11 AM May 15

Onomichi Ropeway up to Senkoji Temple for panoramic sea views at golden hour.

Fresh sea bream (tai) for dinner — Seto Inland Sea specialty.

Pre-dawn photo run — best window 5:00–8:00 AM:

• Lawson Kawaguchiko (main) — viral spot, 1.4m barrier but still frameable standing up
• Second Lawson ~1km west — no barrier, less crowded, equally strong framing, often empty before 7 AM
• 7-Eleven near Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida — pagoda + store + Fuji in one frame, no barrier, ~15 min drive
• Honcho Street, Fujiyoshida — "city with Fuji at the end of the road," Fuji fills the vanishing point

Clouds form by 10–11 AM. Check forecast 48 hrs out — visibility spikes 1–2 days after a cold front.

Car is essential — spots span 15 min apart, no pre-dawn buses.

Check in at Green Hill Hotel.

Higashi Gosho cho 9-1, Onomichi · +81 848-24-0100

Agoda #981289774 · Single Room, Non Smoking · Includes breakfast

$146.80 · Payment May 9 · Check-in after 3 PM · Check-out before 11 AM May 15

Onomichi Ropeway up to Senkoji Temple for panoramic sea views at golden hour.

Fresh sea bream (tai) for dinner — Seto Inland Sea specialty.

Full day. Partial route — Omishima focus. Don't need to reach Imabari.

• Onomichi → Mukaishima — ferry from Onomichi port (5 min)
• Innoshima — Suigun Castle (pirate fortress ruins on a hilltop)
• Ikuchijima (Setoda) — Kosanji Temple (full-scale shrine replicas + white marble sculpture garden). Lemon sorbet at Dolce.
• Omishima — Oyamazumi Shrine. 80% of Japan's samurai-era National Treasures (swords, armor, helmets). 2,600-year-old camphor tree. Most important stop.

Transport: rent a bicycle in Onomichi (flat sections between bridges) or ferry hop between islands.

Photo ops:

• Tatara Bridge — iconic suspension bridge over the Inland Sea
• Oyamazumi Shrine — ancient forest, stone lanterns, samurai artifacts
• Kosanji Temple — surreal white marble garden
• Inland Sea from bridges — best at golden hour
• Ikuchijima citrus groves — lemon trees along the route in May

Food:

• Citrus sorbet at Dolce, Ikuchijima — lemon or mandarin, local specialty
• Fresh sea bream (tai) — grilled or as rice bowl, Seto Inland Sea specialty
• Amazake or local cafe on Omishima — slow down, sit by the sea

Shin-Onomichi (taxi/bus ~10 min) → Shinkansen → Shin-Osaka (~1.5 hrs)

Shin-Osaka → Haruka Express → Osaka KIX (~75 min)

Leave by 9:00–9:30 AM to arrive KIX by 12:30 PM (2.5 hrs before departure)

✈ Hong Kong Airlines HX615 — KIX → HKG · 3:00 PM → 6:25 PM · Nonstop

Expedia #73400225411228 · Airline confirmation: MFFHQ3 · $184.70

Lodging: TBD (NEEDS BOOKING)

Option A — The Cityview, Yau Ma Tei (Kowloon) · $70–85/night

Walking distance to Temple Street Night Market, Jade Market, Mong Kok

Option B — iclub Sheung Wan (HK Island) · $85–100/night

One stop from Central. Near PMQ arts space, tram stops, Star Ferry

Pick based on which side of the city your friends are on.

2 nights · Check-in May 15 · Check-out May 17

Meet friends.

Shin-Onomichi (taxi/bus ~10 min) → Shinkansen → Shin-Osaka (~1.5 hrs)

Shin-Osaka → Haruka Express → Osaka KIX (~75 min)

Leave by 9:00–9:30 AM to arrive KIX by 12:30 PM (2.5 hrs before departure)

✈ Hong Kong Airlines HX615 — KIX → HKG · 3:00 PM → 6:25 PM · Nonstop

Expedia #73400225411228 · Airline confirmation: MFFHQ3 · $184.70

Lodging: TBD (NEEDS BOOKING)

Option A — The Cityview, Yau Ma Tei (Kowloon) · $70–85/night

Walking distance to Temple Street Night Market, Jade Market, Mong Kok

Option B — iclub Sheung Wan (HK Island) · $85–100/night

One stop from Central. Near PMQ arts space, tram stops, Star Ferry

Pick based on which side of the city your friends are on.

2 nights · Check-in May 15 · Check-out May 17

Meet friends.

Friends are local and showing you around. Keep it open.

Four things to mention:

• Temple Street Night Market (Yau Ma Tei) — after 9 PM. Neon signs, fortune tellers, open-air seafood stalls. X100V Classic Chrome was made for this. One of the last places that still looks like old Hong Kong at night.
• Sham Shui Po — street photography neighborhood. One MTR stop past Mong Kok going northwest. Electronics parts markets, vintage fabric stalls, old signage. Most visitors skip it. Afternoon light off the shophouse awnings is exceptional.
• Dai Pai Dong — open-air cooked food stalls. Only 17 licensed dai pai dong left in HK — they're disappearing. Communal tables, open woks, no English menus. Order: wok-fried clams in black bean sauce, clay pot rice, or wonton noodle soup. Let your friends order.
• Chun Yeung Street Market (North Point) — morning photo op, 8–10 AM. Century-old wet market on an active tram route. A full-size tram rolls through the middle of the market with produce vendors on both sides. One frame: tram + market stalls + old building facades. X100V at 35mm handles it perfectly.

Return flight — NEEDS BOOKING

Options:

• Korean Air via Seoul (HKG → ICN → LAX) — SkyTeam partner, bookable with Delta SkyMiles
• Cathay Pacific direct (HKG → LAX) — ~13 hours nonstop, cleanest option
• Delta connecting (HKG → SEA or SFO → LAX) — longer total time

Note: Delta's new nonstop HKG→LAX (DL88) launches June 6, 2026 — after this trip.

Recommended: Check delta.com for Korean Air partner award, also check Cathay Pacific direct.