Myeongdong Cathedral is the principal church of the Archdiocese of Seoul in the Catholic Church, an architectural masterpiece constructed in the Neo-Gothic style. The hill in Myeongdong where the cathedral stands was once known as ‘Myeongrye-bang,’ the site of the residence of Thomas Kim Beom-woo, the first pilgrim of the Catholic faith in Korea. This area witnessed the first Catholic ...
Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 commenced operations on January 18, 2018, as a response to the growing number of international travelers, necessitating the expansion of Incheon Airport. Originally planned to be situated south of Incheon Airport Terminal 1, technical constraints led to the decision to place Terminal 2 on the north side of the airport. “Incheon Airport Terminal 2, Travelmate” ...
The area in front of Hongik University in Seoul is aptly nicknamed the street of youth. Known for its youthful population, it’s a trendy and culturally sensitive area where you can find people and shops expressing diverse personalities. Thanks to this, in the vicinity of Hongdae, you can discover many shops that showcase strong individuality. Even within the “AK Plaza” ...
In the heart of Tokyo, there’s a place known as ‘Kanda Jinbocho,’ often referred to as a used bookstore or antiquarian bookshop street. You can find bookstores of various sizes here, known for primarily dealing with used books, hence its name. Some establishments also sell extremely old publications, adding another layer to its character as an antiquarian bookshop street. “Exploring ...
In Japan, you can find a general store named Don Quijote. It offers a unique shopping experience, different from general stores in Korea. With various items packed into narrow spaces, it feels like a treasure hunt. From household goods to clothing, medicines, food, electronics, souvenirs, and more, Don Quijote is a distinctive general store where you can find a wide ...
Having evolved into a global giant, Apple now has its presence felt with Apple Stores in major cities. In Osaka, you can find an Apple Store located across the street from the Shinsaibashi Shopping Street in the central area of Osaka, known as Amerikamura, often referred to as Osaka’s Hongdae. ‘Apple Store at the Entrance of Amerikamura’ The Apple Store ...
Heading a bit south from Namba, considered the southern hub of Osaka, you’ll come across the Shinsekai and Den Den Town areas. In Shinsekai, you can find the Tsutenkaku Observatory, a tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. “Jyanjyan Yokocho in Shinsekai Shopping Street to the South” The area with the Tsutenkaku Observatory is part of the Shinsekai Shopping ...
Near Namba Station, the southern hub of Osaka, you can discover various shopping streets. One distinctive location east of Namba Station is the “Sen-nichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street.” Unlike other shopping streets, this one specializes in selling cooking tools and kitchenware. “Shopping Street for Cooking Tools and Kitchenware” Sen-nichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street spans a length of 150 meters, lined with shops ...
In Japan, there are various accessory stores that sell character goods, and “Village Vanguard” is one such store where you can find unique products. Village Vanguard is a variety store that sells a diverse range of products and is found in multiple locations. What makes it interesting is that, despite primarily selling accessories, the store is registered as a “bookstore.” ...
One of the representative general stores you can find in Japan is “Don Quijote.” It’s a unique type of store not commonly found in Korea, similar to Daiso but with a distinct atmosphere. This store is known for its variety of products, ranging from inexpensive to more expensive items. It provides customers with a treasure hunt experience as they explore ...
The globally renowned company, Apple, has enticed people worldwide by establishing Apple Stores in major cities. Japan is no exception, with several Apple Stores available. While there are many Apple Stores in Seoul, Japan had them even earlier. During my visit to Tokyo, there were three Apple Stores – Ginza, Shibuya, and Omotesando. Considering the time elapsed since my trip, ...
In Tokyo’s Odaiba, a variety of shopping malls awaits exploration. Among them, “DiverCity” with its life-sized Gundam and “VenusFort,” showcasing the Toyota Automobile Museum, stand out as prominent shopping destinations. Another noteworthy addition is “Aqua City,” considered one of Odaiba’s four major shopping complexes since its opening on April 1, 2000. Aqua City: A Department Store Atmosphere Aqua City exudes ...