Forget Tokyo

[Mulboyne]

[Takechanpoo]

[Mulboyne]

boyne intentionally omitted writer's name

I always omit bylines unless I think it's worth mentioning. The links are there for anyone to follow.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Interesting. In 2008 my brother visited me and a friend in Korea. Last year a friend and his brother hit Japan and Korea as their last stops after spending more than half a year on the road. Eveyone thought Korea was a lot more fun than Japan. I've been hearing more and more about Korea and Seoul specifically as a holiday destination from people back in the States. Korea seems to be slowly but surely working its way into people's consciousness.

[BO-SENSEI]

I've been hearing more and more about Korea and Seoul specifically as a holiday destination from people back in the States. Korea seems to be slowly but surely working its way into people's consciousness.

There are many academies in America that have a dozen or so Korean exchange students and definitly has the right idea when it comes to sending students aboard. When I think about whether or not if my students could handle it I shudder to think. One could also argue that Korea probably has a more positive few towards America than Japan does, probably because Korea heavily relies on America's military and with good reason.

[Mike Oxlong]

[yt]N3FQCZrFS94[/yt]

[Mulboyne]

The NYT might not be recommending Japan but The Scotsman thinks Kyoto is a top 10 contender this year:

World leaders have a habit of meeting in picturesque places so it's no surprise the city that gave the world the Kyoto protocol on climate change is one of the prettiest. Its spot in the headlines has also given a boost to what was already one of Japan's most popular destinations. The centre of Japanese culture for centuries, this ancient city is full of lantern-lit alleyways, elegant machiya-style houses, gardens, shrines and temples. February is a great time to visit as local restaurants join in a Winter Special event and the Setsubun festival, where beans are scattered to drive away demons that symbolise illness and disaster, also takes place. In March 'Hinamatsuri', where dolls are decorated in hope of the healthy growth of girls, provides the entertainment and in July, the Gion festival, with its decorated floats, shinto rituals and costumes, is an annual draw.

[FG Lurker]

Kyoto's an attractive city if you are inside it walking around. If you get up high for a better view it's just hideous urban sprawl as far as the eye can see.

[Mulboyne]

Chosun Ilbo: Seoul Is Asians' Favorite Travel Destination

Seoul is the preferred travel destination of Chinese, Japanese and Thai tourists. According to a straw poll of 800 Chinese, 500 Japanese, and 300 Thais in their respective countries in December, 11.4 percent, 9.8 percent and 20 percent said Seoul is a city they want to visit within the year, the Seoul city government said Wednesday. Regardless of actual travel plans, the largest percentage or 14.3 percent of Thais chose Seoul as their favorite city, while the second largest proportion, or 7 percent of Japanese respondents picked Seoul after Honolulu (8 percent). Seoul was the third favorite city of Chinese people with 7.3 percent after Paris and Tokyo.

In multiple answers to the question why they wanted to visit Seoul, 57.4 percent of Chinese respondents, 50.2 percent of Thais and 36.8 percent of Japanese said they were attracted by watching ads for Seoul or Korean soap operas on TV or the Internet. This indicates that the Korean pop culture boom and the city government's overseas TV ads have proved effective in attracting foreign tourists. The number of foreign tourists to Seoul stood at about 7.8 million last year, up 13.2 percent from the previous year's 6.89 million. The three countries had different ideas about what image the city should promote. Most Chinese respondents suggested a city "with many things to enjoy"; most Japanese a city "where shopping is fun"; and most Thais a "traditional city."

[Samurai_Jerk]

There are many academies in America that have a dozen or so Korean exchange students and definitly has the right idea when it comes to sending students aboard. When I think about whether or not if my students could handle it I shudder to think. One could also argue that Korea probably has a more positive few towards America than Japan does, probably because Korea heavily relies on America's military and with good reason.

Were you drunk when your wrote that?

[tidbits]

Were you drunk when your wrote that?

You mean he was writing the truth?

[BO-SENSEI]

You mean he was writing the truth?

The truth? Maybe not. My opinion, surely.