Donghwa Kim's Hotel
~$80📍 Pyeongchang-dong • CLOSEST
Mountain cabin aesthetic. 51 rooms. <1km from friends. Aging but charming facilities.
Transit & Accommodations
Transitioning from Osaka to Seoul via the efficient KIX-GMP corridor. Gimpo Airport provides optimal access to the Jongno-gu district, significantly closer than Incheon.
✈️ Osaka-Seoul Flight Options GIMPO PREFERRED
| Carrier | Route | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean Air ⭐ | KIX → ICN | 1h 55m | Full-Service |
| Japan Airlines | KIX → GMP | 2h 01m | 96% On-Time |
| Peach Aviation | KIX → GMP | 2h 00m | Budget-Tier |
| Jeju Air | KIX → GMP | 1h 55m | High Frequency |
| Asiana / Korean Air | KIX → GMP/ICN | 2h 00m | Full-Service |
💡 Gimpo is ~16km from Pyeongchang-dong. Taxi fare: ₩25,000-35,000. Incheon is ~60km—avoid if staying in northern Seoul.
✈️ Seoul-Tokyo Return Flights JUL 4 DEPARTURE
| Carrier | Route | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANA ⭐ | GMP → HND | 2h 15m | Haneda Central |
| Japan Airlines | GMP → HND | 2h 20m | Full-Service |
| Korean Air | GMP → HND | 2h 15m | High Frequency |
| Asiana Airlines | GMP → NRT | 2h 30m | Narita Option |
💡 Haneda (HND) recommended for Tokyo city access. Afternoon flights allow morning activities in Seoul.
🏨 Pyeongchang-dong (Near Friends)
Closest stay to 24 Pyeongchang 14-gil. Access to Gana Art Center and Bukhansan trails. Limited but authentic local dining.
🌿 Gwanghwamun/Insadong (Recommended)
Modern hotels, walking distance to palaces, Nishiki-style markets. 10-15 min taxi to Pyeongchang-dong.
✈️ Return to Tokyo (Jul 4)
Afternoon flight GMP → HND. Arrive Tokyo evening. Final 3 nights in Tokyo before MAD departure.
📱 Essential Apps & Travel Passes for Seoul
Apps
KakaoT
Taxi booking, bike rentals, navigation
Subway Korea
Real-time subway info & route planning
Papago
Naver's translator (better for Korean)
Naver Map
Better indoor/transit maps than Google
Passes
T-money Card
Korea Tour Card
Climate Companion Card
💡 T-money works on subways, buses & taxis. Get it at any convenience store.
🏨 Family-Friendly Accommodations 5 OPTIONS
Scroll to explore • Options range from traditional to luxury
Four Seasons Seoul
~$450📍 Gwanghwamun • 5-STAR
Ultimate luxury near Gwanghwamun Plaza. World-class amenities and dining.
Nine Tree by Parnas Insadong
~$150📍 Insadong • 4-STAR
Modern, family suites available. Walking distance to cultural hubs and palaces.
Orakai Insadong Suites
~$180📍 Insadong • FAMILY
Apartment-style with kitchenettes. Ideal for families needing space and flexibility.
Hanok Hotel DAAM
~$200📍 Jongno • BOUTIQUE
Traditional Korean hanok experience with modern comfort. Unique cultural immersion.
🍜 Gastronomy Highlights
Jaha Sonmandu
Michelin Bib Gourmand. Handmade dumplings & mandu-jeongol hot pot.
Depuyong Galbi
Upscale Hanwoo Korean BBQ in a beautiful hanok-style building.
Gwangjang Market
Famous bindaetteok, mayak kimbap, and hand-cut kalguksu noodles.
Tongin Market
Seochon's copper coin bento system—build your own traditional lunch.
Accommodation Price Comparison
Nine Tree offers best value for families.
01
Day 1: Arrival & Artistic Orientation
Wednesday, July 1 — Incheon Arrival & Pyeongchang-dong Evening
15:55 Arrive at Incheon International Airport
↗
Flight from Osaka KIX (~2h). Clear immigration and collect luggage. Expect ~60-90 min taxi transfer to Jongno-gu.
KakaoT Taxi → Jongno-gu
75 min
17:30 Taxi Transfer to Hotel
Check-in and refresh after the cross-border journey.
Short taxi / Walk
10 min
19:30 Dinner: Pyeongchang-dong Cluster 🥟 TRADITIONAL
↗
First meal in the neighborhood. Options include **Jaha Sonmandu** for Bib Gourmand dumplings or **Depuyong Galbi** for premium BBQ.
Day 1 Energy Profile
Arrival day—easy pace with art focus.
02
Day 2: Royal Heritage & Creative Craft
Thursday, July 2 — Palaces, Markets & Museums
09:00 Gyeongbokgung Palace UNESCO
↗
Rent Hanbok for free entry. Watch 10:00 AM Changing of the Guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
Walk inside palace grounds
5 min
11:00 National Folk Museum of Korea
↗
On palace grounds. Excellent displays on Korean history. Free Children's Museum inside.
Walk to Seochon Village
15 min
12:30 Lunch: Tongin Market
↗
Seochon Village. Use brass coins to create your own personalized bento box from various stalls.
Walk through Seochon
10 min
14:30 Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) INDOOR
↗
Pre-book Children's Museum workshop. Hands-on woodcraft, ceramics, metalcraft, and textiles.
Walk to Bukchon area
10 min
17:00 Bukchon Hanok Village
↗
Walk through 900+ traditional homes between palaces. Visit Bukchon Cultural Center. Keep quiet—residential area.
Walk to Insadong district
10 min
19:00 Dinner: Insadong District
↗
Explore Ssamzigil and Annyung Insadong shopping. Traditional tea house or Gaeseong Mandu Koong for dinner.
Day 2 Activity Distribution
📅 Booking Tips
- • SeMoCA Children's Museum: Reserve 14 days ahead
- • Hanbok rental: Shops surround Gyeongbokgung
- • Guard ceremony: 10 AM & 2 PM (closed Tuesdays)
🌧️ Rain Contingency
If heavy rain, spend more time at SeMoCA and skip outdoor Bukchon walk. Palace has covered corridors.
03
Day 3: Modern Seoul & Indoor Play
Friday, July 3 — Rain-Proof Family Fun
09:30 HiKR Ground FREE
↗
Immersive K-pop and Korean culture media art center. High-tech exhibits engaging for all ages.
🚃 Metro Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga 15 min
11:30 Gwangjang Market
↗
Seoul's oldest market. Try bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak kimbap, and kalguksu noodles. Go early to avoid crowds.
🚃 Metro Line 2 to Samseong 25 min
14:00 COEX Aquarium & Starfield Library INDOOR
↗
One of Korea's best aquariums with themed zones. The Starfield Library is an Instagram-worthy architectural gem.
🚃 Metro Line 1 to Yongsan 20 min
16:30 Champion 1250X Kids Cafe KIDS
↗
High-energy "sportainment" center at Yongsan I-Park Mall. Ziplines, rope courses, and giant slides while parents relax.
🚃 Line 4 to Myeongdong + Cable Car 30 min
19:00 N Seoul Tower & Namsan Park
↗
Cable car up for sunset and panoramic city views. Famous "love locks" and scenic walking paths.
July Monsoon Rain Probability
Early July = Peak Jangma season 🌧️
04
Day 4: Farewell & Flight to Tokyo
Saturday, July 4 — Morning Leisure & Afternoon Departure
08:30 Seokpajeong Seoul Museum
↗
Early visit to 19th-century royal villa in Buam-dong. Traditional architecture with manicured gardens. Opens 9 AM.
Taxi to Pyeongchang-dong
10 min
10:30 Final Visit: 24 Pyeongchang 14-gil FAMILY
Farewell visit to family friends. Luggage pickup and final goodbyes before departure.
Taxi to Buam-dong
5 min
11:30 Early Lunch: Jaha Sonmandu
↗
Quick farewell meal at the Michelin Bib Gourmand dumpling spot in Buam-dong before heading to airport.
KakaoT Taxi to Gimpo
30 min
13:00 Taxi to Gimpo Airport
KakaoT taxi from Pyeongchang-dong (~30 min). Arrive 2 hours before international flight.
Check-in & Security
90 min
15:30 Flight GMP → HND ✈️ TOKYO
↗
Afternoon flight to Tokyo Haneda (~2h 15m). Arrive Tokyo around 17:45 local time.
Flight + Immigration
3h
18:30 Arrive Tokyo & Hotel Check-in
Clear customs at Haneda. Monorail or taxi to hotel. Evening free for dinner in Shinjuku or hotel vicinity.
Flight Details
GMP
Seoul Gimpo
~2h 15m
HND
Tokyo Haneda
Depart 15:30 → Arrive 17:45 (JST)
4-Day Step Tracker
Total: ~42,000 steps over 4 days.
✈️ Tokyo Final Days
Jul 5-6 in Tokyo before the MAD return flight on Jul 7. Use this time for any missed Tokyo experiences or souvenir shopping.
📱 Essential Apps
- • KakaoT: Seoul taxi hailing
- • Suica/PASMO: Ready for Tokyo transit
- • Papago: Korean translation
Key Sites & Experiences
🏛️
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Grand Joseon Dynasty palace with Hanbok experience and Guard ceremony.
🎨
Gana Art Center
Wilmotte-designed gallery in Pyeongchang-dong's artistic enclave.
🏠
Bukchon Hanok Village
900+ traditional Korean homes in historic residential neighborhood.
🥟
Jaha Sonmandu
Michelin Bib Gourmand dumplings in the artistic Buam-dong valley.
🐠
COEX Aquarium
World-class indoor aquarium perfect for monsoon days.
🗼
N Seoul Tower
Panoramic city views, cable car ride, and famous love locks.