A perfect little escape from the grips of winter in the Southern Hemisphere and a change of scenery if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere. June is perfect for Summer and Shopping in Japan and South Korea.
From Thursday 18 June to Tuesday 30 June 2020.
Stay 13 nights and spend the days shopping, eating and sightseeing in Japan and South Korea. You will get a great introduction to both countries, we more than scratch the surface and you will taste and enjoy wonderful local food. Festivals are abundant at this time of the year and add colour and vibrancy to cultures that are already brimming with tradition, stories and wonder.
It is summer in Korea and Japan and the rainy season has finished. The sales are just beginning and the shops are brimming with goodies.
It’s not just about shopping and eating, every second day offers the opportunity to see the sights. There is no time wasted trying to find that elusive item as each city has the perfect shop, department store or retail area to discover.
Seoul, South Korea is full of fabulous designs and architecture, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, linens, household goods, art materials and paper. The markets are huge and fascinating, the underground shopping arcades offer endless goods and explore the side streets to find small shops, exclusive boutiques, galleries and cafes. You will also see the palaces, gardens, hanok (traditional houses) and enjoy a cleansing foot bath using oriental medicinal herbs.
You’ll love the atmosphere of a city that has almost been completely rebuilt since the 1950’s and has retained old areas that are still very original and now protected.
Japan is a shopper’s paradise and shopping is a national past time in Japan. We begin our travels in Fukuoka, Auckland’s sister city. A great start as it is commonly referred to as Japan on ‘trainer wheels’. And a big part of the fun is watching the locals shop. Ginza, though not terribly affordable, is a great way to enjoy a shopping experience like none other - it’s combined Retail Therapy and People Watching. The high end department stores are beautiful and focused on clothing and fabrics. While other department stores are more focused on their original brands and food departments known as ‘Depachika’. Covered shopping arcades called Shotengai house a myriad of shops, cafes and restaurants.
We will visit Hiroshima to see the remains of the Dome, the Peace Park and the War Museum. We also visit Kyoto to see the temples, gardens and beautiful geisha.
Shop for old and new kimonos and obi sashes, yukata and haori, clothing and shoes, art works, ceramics, homeware and electronics. Fabric samples make great wall hangings and easy to display using unique hangers. Japan has awesome paper shops, book shops, drugstores and even the local convenience store is brimming with opportunity to spend a little more yen. Best buys in Japan are anything from Uniqlo and Muji to Commes des Garcon and Issey Miyake, Made in Japan clothing, socks, kitchen knives, chopsticks, ceramics, fans, Noren (room dividers), fabrics and don’t forget Tokyo Bananas and Kit Kats.
Japanese suitcases are excellent quality and you might find you will be needing one before you leave.
4 nights Seoul, 3 nights Fukuoka, 2 nights Osaka, 1 night Kyoto, 3 nights Tokyo (does not include airfares but ask me for advice about the best flights)
Price: NZ$6550 or US$4325 (if you prefer just Seoul or just Japan please ask for a revised itinerary)
Please contact me for further details louise@zouzou.co.nz
