🇰🇷vs🇯🇵
South Korea vs Japan
Compare travel essentials, budgets, and connectivity between South Korea and Japan.
| Category | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 🇯🇵 Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Budget (Budget) | ₩80,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Daily Budget (Mid-Range) | ₩180,000 | ¥22,000 |
| Daily Budget (Luxury) | ₩450,000 | ¥65,000 |
| Visa | Visa-free entry is available to citizens of many countries for short tourist stays, subject to nationality-specific stay limits and entry conditions. Eligible visa-free travelers normally use K-ETA, although the temporary exemption for designated countries and regions has been extended through December 31, 2026; K-ETA costs 10,000 KRW when required. Visa-on-arrival is generally unavailable, while travelers who are not visa-exempt must apply for an appropriate visa in advance through a Korean embassy or consulate. | Japan permits short-term visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from designated visa-exempt countries and regions, usually for tourism stays of up to 90 days, with some exceptions and shorter limits. Travelers from non-exempt locations generally need a visa; eligible applicants may use the JAPAN eVISA system for qualifying single-entry tourism visits, while visa on arrival is generally not available. |
| Language | Korean; English is common in tourism, transport, hotels, and major attractions. | Japanese; English is commonly used in major transport hubs, hotels, and tourist areas. |
| Best Months | March to May, September to November | March to May, October to November |
| Timezone | KST (UTC+9) | JST (UTC+9) |
| Connectivity Rating | 5/5 (5G) | 5/5 (5G) |
| eSIM Starting Price | $11.00 | $11.00 |
| Power Plug | Type C/F, 220V, 60Hz | Type A and B, 100V |
| Emergency Number | 112 (Police), 119 (Ambulance and Fire) | 110 (Police), 119 (Ambulance and Fire) |