Seoul/Tokyo Exploration Seminar 2008
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION – SEOUL/TOKYO EXPLORATION SEMINAR 2008 The following contains useful information regarding your arrival and stay in Seoul and Tokyo. Please note that some of the information may be subject to change. Please check your email frequently for messages and updates from Jeff. For additional information, you may refer to commercially available guidebooks. Climate – Be prepared for the hot and humid summer weather in Seoul and Japan with the average high temperature of 86o F in August in Seoul and 87 o F in Tokyo. But don’t despair. There is a bewildering variety of shaved ice, cold beverages, and air-conditioned cafés and shops to cool you down. Communication – You can stay in touch with your family and friends in the U.S. via the Internet and phone. Country code for Seoul is 82, and 81 for Japan. See the info on accommodations below for phone numbers of the places we will be staying. Your cell phones will not work in Korea neither in Japan. Korea does not support GSM networks. However, this might be varies depending on what cell phone company you are with. Check with your cell phone companies regarding international roaming. You may rent a mobile phone in the arrival lobby at the Narita or Inchon Airport. You also may buy an international phone card at these airports (starts from $10). See the accommodation sections for additional information on Internet access. Cultures – While Seoul and Tokyo are both highly cosmopolitan cities, local cultures are still alive and well. Be prepared for etiquettes in eating, public manners and other cultural nuances. Be ready to also experience a variety of exciting urban subcultures. (See the etiquette section for more details) Currency and Cash – The local currency in Seoul is the Korean Won. In Japan, it is the Japanese Yen (¥). For the latest currency rates, see http://www.oanda.com. The best way to get cash is through the ATM machines at the airport and at major locations in the cities. You should also bring some cash (U.S. Dollars) just in case. Prepare to spend at least about US$25 on average each day on meals and beverages in Tokyo, and about US$20 in Seoul. Electricity – Voltage and outlet type in Japan is the same as in the U.S. However, Korea uses different voltage (220 volts) and outlet type (2 round pins) -- http://treehouse.ofb.net/go/en/voltage/Korea%252C%2BSouth. You should purchase adapters or converters if you are planning to bring your own electronic goods. The converter is about $30 and adapter is about 50 cents in Korea. Check this website if you want to purchase them earlier. www.laptoptravel.com/Category.aspx?ID=2232 Emergency – In Seoul, call 119 for police or medical emergency. Hye-young’s mobile number is 010- 4598-6272. In Tokyo, call 119 for ambulance and fire and 110 for police. Naomi’s mobile number is 090- 9335-7790. Languages – The main spoken language in Seoul is Korean. Although some basic skills will help, you can get by in Seoul and Tokyo without speaking a word of Korean or Japanese. There are bilingual signs in most public areas. In some restaurants and cafes, you can also request for English (and Japanese) menus. Korea has become friendlier to foreign visitors with bilingual signs and English-speaking cab drivers. Laundry – There are coin-operated washing machines at the Yoyogi Youth Center in Tokyo and the Holiday in Korea Hostel. Public Transportation – We will be using subways (and some buses) as our primary way of transportation in Seoul and Tokyo. The two cities have similar subway systems with line displayed in color codes and with the last stops indicating the directions of the services. The subway systems in Seoul are called Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation and Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation Practical Information – Seoul/Tokyo Exploration Seminar (http://www.urbanrail.net/as/seou/seoul.htm.) These systems are simple to navigate since there are only a few lines. You can get the Transportation Card (T-Money Card) at almost every subway station cashier window. The card works for both buses and subways and costs about $10 USD. Once you buy the card, you can keep adding money on the card by paying cash at any subway cashier window. You can also get the remaining balance back when you return the card. When you take a bus in Seoul, there is a small sensor attached to the driver’s seat. You just simply touch the sensor with the card until you hear a beep sound. When you get off the bus, you need to do the same thing again to pay appropriate amount of fair. Otherwise you will pay almost twice more than you actually need to pay. There is also a sensor at the rear door that allows you to scan your T-card. When you transfer from a bus to a subway or a bus to a bus, you also get a discount by doing this. It might sound very complicate, but once you are in Korea, since everyone is using the card, you can learn from others very quickly. Public messages in the Seoul subways are announced in Korean and English. However, taking a bus is much harder than taking a subway. You need to pay attention what bus you are taking and where you are going. Compared to subways, many buses do not have English announcements, so you need to ask the driver or people around you if lost. The subway system in Tokyo is probably the most complex in the world – with lines operated by different private and public companies – see the attached map. Subway lines in Tokyo also have bilingual displays and announcement. Besides, each subway station has unique symbols and numbers (see the attached map “Tokyo subway map”). Make sure to purchase a Suica card with stored values to save time from queuing. In Tokyo, purchase a Suica card from a station window. Put in about 4,000 yen. You may add more money later. The price includes a deposit that you can retrieve when you return the card. The card can be used for most subway lines. Alternatively, you may purchase a Pasmo card, a new service that can be used for all lines. In Tokyo, you can also use the Suica in convenient stores and some vending machines and lockers at the train stations. Both T-card in Korea and Suica in Tokyo are used in the same way, by touching the cards to the sensor at the gate. Single-trip tickets are also available. But to save time traveling as a group, it is strongly recommended that you purchase the cards. Safety – Both Tokyo and Seoul are relatively safe cities to live and travel. But do exercise caution as you would in any big cities. For example, avoid dark alleyways and underpasses at night. Guard your personal belongings in public areas and especially in crowded night markets. Traffic – Seoul is famous for heavy traffic congestion. Even the subway is chaotic during rush hours. Make sure that you are ready and prepared in that situation. You might get lost in the crowd if you do not pay attention to the group. Most sidewalks are not pedestrian-friendly although it’s slowly getting better. Exercise caution when crossing the streets, as cars don’t stop for people. Exercise caution also in Tokyo especially as cars drive on the left side of the streets. WHAT TO BRING In addition to the typical travel essentials, here are the things you need for the program. As a general advice, travel light especially as we are making multiple stops in different countries. Comfortable footwear – We will be doing extensive walking in Seoul and Tokyo. Comfortable footwear is essential for you to keep up with the group and keep your feet happy. Since August and early September is the typhoon season in East Asia, all-terrain sandals are probably the best option to handle both dry and wet weather and the hazardous urban terrain particularly in Seoul. Credit card, bankcard, and cash – Do not forget to bring your credit card or bankcards when you travel. Please note that not all ATMs machines in Seoul and Tokyo accept credit cards or bankcards issued overseas. Your safest bets are the airports and foreign banks (and Post Office ATMs in Tokyo—closed Sundays). There are 24-hr Citibank ATMs available in both Seoul and Tokyo. If you plan to use your credit card to withdraw cash, make sure to obtain you PIN number from your credit card companies for cash advances. In addition to credit cards and bank card, bring some cash (US Dollars) for emergency. 2 Practical Information – Seoul/Tokyo Exploration Seminar Daypack – Bring a daypack to carry your important personal belongings and sketchbooks, and leave the rest at the guesthouse or hostels. Digital camera – Bring a digital camera for taking pictures and doing your assignments. There are also other creative uses, like ordering food, asking for directions, etc. Enough clothes for change – Because of our tight schedule, there will be little time to do laundry. So make sure to bring enough clothes for change. Hat – To prevent sunburn or heat stroke, it is essential that you wear a hat when under the sun for an extended period of time. Long-sleeve shirt – In recent years, government buildings and some private buildings in Seoul and Japan have raised the temperature in air-conditioned rooms as a way to save energy. But you may want to bring a long-sleeve shirt just as a precaution against strong air-conditioning in some restaurants, cafes, and even buses.