itinerary – The Wknd Travel

Tokyo 2025: MOUNT FUJI DAY TRIP WITH KIDS – Our Easy, Stress-Free Private Tour Experience (Including Price, Booking Process & Itinerary) [February 2025]

A trip to Tokyo is not complete without at least a day tour around Mount Fuji. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Mount Fuji several times over the past eight years.

In 2017, I traveled to Kawaguchiko and enjoyed the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji over a 3-day, 2-night stay. I wrote about that first visit [here].

In October 2023, my friends and I returned to Kawaguchiko on a do-it-yourself day trip. We visited the Chureito Pagoda, Kawaguchiko Station, Lake Kawaguchiko, and Oishi Park—all via public transportation. I also shared details of this DIY tour [here]—feel free to check it out!

Fast forward to February 2025: I flew to Tokyo with my relatives and had the opportunity to visit Kawaguchiko once again. This time, we explored the area with a private driver we hired for the entire day. Let me share everything about this Mount Fuji Private Day Tour—from the cost and booking process to the full itinerary.

Private Day Tour Agency Booking & Cost

My relatives and I booked our private day tour with Your Travel Guide: Daily Private Tours & Airport Transfers via Facebook. This tour agency was recommended by several members of a Japan travel-related Facebook group. We had already used their service for a private Kyoto day tour back in February 2024 and were happy with their rates and service, so we decided to book them again for this Mount Fuji private tour.

After providing our pick-up and drop-off locations along with the number of passengers (in our case – 3 adults and 2 kids), the agency sent us a suggested itinerary and an initial cost estimate. Following a brief exchange of questions and clarifications, they gave us a final quotation, which was valid for three days. We made the payment via local bank transfer and received our tour confirmation on the same day.

We paid ₱18,068 for a 10-hour private day tour around Mount Fuji from Tokyo Haneda area. The fee included 10 hours of private car (7-seater) service with a basic English-speaking (Japanese or Chinese) driver, along with fuel, tolls, and parking fees. Pick-up and drop-off at our designated location/hotel were also included in the package.

Pre-Tour Arrangement

The tour agency sent us a WhatsApp group link the night before our tour. Both the tour operator and our private driver were included in the group. On the morning of the tour, the driver sent a message to notify us of his arrival at our hotel.

Day Tour Itinerary

Our driver picked us up from our hotel at exactly 7:00 a.m. We immediately began the tour and headed straight to Lake Kawaguchiko.

OISHI PARK & LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO

We arrived at the park before the crowds started to come in. We spent some time by Lake Kawaguchiko, walking around and enjoying the magnificent views of Mount Fuji from Oishi Park.

OSHINO HAKKAI

Oshino Hakkai is a small village located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako. It is known for its eight crystal-clear springs, believed to originate from Mount Fuji. My cousins and I enjoyed walking around the springs and taking in the serene atmosphere.

LAKE YAMANAKAKO

From Oshino Hakkai, we drove about 15 minutes to Lake Yamanakako. There, we strolled along the lake and boardwalk, enjoyed the view of Mount Fuji, and watched my cousins play with and feed the swans. The area had significantly fewer tourists—probably not even 10% of what we saw at Lake Kawaguchiko. If only we had more time, I would have rented a bicycle and ridden it around the lake.

GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS

Our final stop was Gotemba Premium Outlets. We had lunch there and did some shopping while still enjoying the stunning view of Mount Fuji. We left the outlets a little past 3:00 p.m. and made it back to our hotel just in time to complete the 10-hour tour.

Our Mount Fuji private day tour was a great mix of nature, sightseeing, and shopping. Since we were traveling with two kids, having a private car made the trip much easier and more comfortable. We did not have to deal with crowded buses or train schedules, and we were able to enjoy each stop at our own pace. From the lovely views of Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamanakako to the charming village of Oshino Hakkai and the shopping at Gotemba outlets, every part of the trip was fun, relaxing, and stress-free. It was totally worth it!

Have you been to Mount Fuji before? Did you explore it through a private tour, a joiner tour, or a DIY trip? Which place was your favorite? Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You’re welcome to send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com—I’d be happy to respond!

Thank you for reading this post. Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Food Edition – A 9-Day Culinary Adventure [November 2024]

Late last year, I embarked on a 9-day trip around Seoul—my first visit in 9 long years. It was a memorable journey with friends who had overlapping schedules, making the experience even more special.

Over the past few days, I have shared some of the must-visit places from our trip: Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace, Insa-dong, Namsan Park, Myeong-dong, Hangang Park, Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, Nami Island, Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu, Starfield COEX Library, and, of course, our base in Hongdae.

Between exploring these iconic sights, we indulged in a variety of delicious meals and street food. While I am not a food blogger, I could not resist sharing some snapshots of the local dishes we devoured. And yes, I did miss capturing some of the classic street foods like tteokbokki (rice cake), gimbap (rice roll), bungeo-ppang (fish pastry with red bean paste), sundae (blood sausage), and odeng (fish cake). Promise, I had them—I just forgot to take photos.

In case you missed it, I wrote about the step-by-step process I followed to get my multiple entry South Korean tourist visa. You can check it out here.

Gyeran-ppang

Gyeran-ppang, or egg bread, is a popular street food across South Korea. This oblong-shaped, fluffy bread is topped with a whole egg, making it both savory and satisfying.

Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with a variety of vegetables, a fried egg, and sometimes meat (typically beef), all mixed together with gochujang sauce. My friends and I opted for the vegetarian version at a cozy local restaurant near Changdeokgung Palace.

Chimaek (Chicken & Beer) + Soju

Chimaek, the perfect combo of crispy fried chicken and cold beer, is a beloved treat in South Korea. We enjoyed this pairing with a bottle of soju at Two Two Fried Chicken, located near Myeong-dong Station.

Hangang Ramyeon & Chicken

One of the best experiences in Seoul is enjoying hot (overpriced) ramyeon and fried chicken by the Hangang River. At Yeouido Hangang Park, we prepared our own ramyeon from the machines and paired it with BHC Chicken.

Dak-galbi

Dak-galbi is a spicy, stir-fried chicken dish with vegetables and rice cakes, often enhanced with kimchi, cheese, and noodles. We savored this flavorful dish during our day tour to Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island.

Samgyeopsal

A trip to Seoul would not be complete without samgyeopsal, the iconic Korean BBQ. On our last night in the city, we visited a local restaurant that was a filming location for a popular drama. We enjoyed grilled pork belly and beef, along with unlimited side dishes.

Jjajangmyeon & Tangsuyuk

Jjajangmyeon is a Korean-Chinese noodle dish topped with a savory black bean paste sauce, diced pork, and vegetables. We paired it with tangsuyuk, a crispy sweet-and-sour pork dish. We had this combo for dinner at Hong Kong Banjeom 0410 in the Hongdae area.

Chicken Burger

Our tour guide highly recommended Mom’s Touch for the best chicken burger in South Korea. My friend and I decided to give it a try, and while the chicken burger was good, we thought it was just okay. We opted for the set meal, which came with fries and a drink.

Jokbal

Jokbal, braised pig’s trotters (pork feet), is a traditional Korean dish known for its rich flavor and unique texture. It is usually served with lettuce, kimchi, dipping sauces, and sliced garlic, and often paired with soju. However, we tried it with makgeolli (fermented rice wine) for a different twist. We enjoyed this dish for dinner at a local jokbal restaurant near Seongsu Station.

Galbi-jjim & Mandu

Galbi-jjim is braised beef short-rib dish cooked in a savory sauce, and mandu are Korean dumplings. We had both for lunch at Gangnam Myeonok Restaurant’s Myeong-dong branch. The combination of tender beef and delicious dumplings left us full and satisfied.

That wraps up our 9-day culinary journey through Seoul! From street food to traditional dishes, we experienced so much more than just the city’s sights. Be sure to try these dishes and street foods on your next visit—there is still so much more to taste, and I cannot wait to go back!

Have you tried any of these dishes before? Which one is your favorite, and which one would you always make sure to have when in Seoul? If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments section below or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond! You can also check out other posts about this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, hostel of the day features, and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Exploring Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu & Starfield COEX Library [November 2024]

In November 2024, my friends and I flew to South Korea for a quick break from our routine lives. We were there on overlapping schedules, but I stayed for 9 days and 8 nights. I had visited Seoul in 2014 and 2015, and I was ecstatic to finally revisit the city after 9 long years.

In my previous posts, I shared where we had been during the trip, including Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden, Insa-dong, Namsan Park, Myeong-dong, Yeouido Hangang Park, Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, and Hongdae. We also took a day tour to visit Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island. Today, I will share the last few places we visited—Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu, and Starfield COEX Library.

Read on to find out why you should include these three places in your next visit to Seoul.

In case you missed it, I wrote about the step-by-step process I followed to get my multiple entry South Korean tourist visa. You can check it out here.

Plane Ticket

My friends and I scored affordable return tickets during Cebu Pacific Air’s ₱1 base fare anniversary sale in early March 2024. We paid ₱4,329.30 each for a round-trip ticket from Manila to Seoul (Incheon). The ticket included a guaranteed seat on both flights and a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance for each leg of the journey.

We added prepaid baggage both before and during the trip. For the Manila to Seoul sector, I added one 20-kilogram checked luggage allowance, and for the Seoul to Manila leg, I added two 20-kilogram checked luggage allowances. Including the baggage fees, I paid a total of ₱7,409.30 for the round trip.

This type of return fare is only available once every few months, so we were lucky to snag such a low-ticket price. I would like to thank Cebu Pacific Air for offering their ₱1 base fare sale to all Filipinos. The airline has made it possible for millions of Filipinos to travel both domestically and internationally at such affordable fares.

Accommodation

I spent 9 days and 8 nights in Seoul, which overlapped with my friends’ stay. During this time, we all decided to stay at the same place, choosing Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in the lively Hongdae District. For the first 4 nights, we booked a family room with a full bed, two single beds, and a balcony. After some friends returned to Manila, we moved to a twin room with bunk beds for the remaining 4 nights. My share of the 8-night stay was ₱13,243.97, which I thought was a great value, especially since we enjoyed private rooms and free breakfast every morning.

I also featured Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in one of my recent Hostel of the Day posts — make sure to check it out here.

Going Around Seoul

During our trip, my friends and I used a T-money rechargeable card for all our public transportation. We initially thought about getting the Climate Card but decided against it due to our varying schedules and plans. In October 2024, we received a complimentary T-money card when we picked up our passports at KVAC. Those of our companions who did not already have one purchased theirs at the Airport Station.

Seoul Forest Park

Seoul Forest Park is a large, popular park known for its ginkgo trees during autumn. It is a favorite among locals and has also become a popular tourist destination. The park is located next to SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment companies.

Nearest train station: Seoul Forest Station of the Bundang Line (Exit 4)

Seongsu

Seongsu is home to both local and international fashion brands and has become one of Seoul’s most vibrant shopping destinations. The area is filled with boutiques, shops, pop-up stores, cafés, and restaurants.

Be prepared to queue for your favorite brands, especially on weekends. My friend and I visited on a Saturday, and the streets were packed with people either waiting in line for their favorite brands or hopping from one shop to another.

Nearest train station: Seongsu Station of the Seoul Subway Line 2 (Exit 4)

Starfield COEX Library

Similar to the Starfield Suwon Library, the Starfield COEX Library is located inside the Starfield COEX Shopping Mall. This two-storey library houses thousands of books that visitors can freely read while relaxing in the open spaces provided. It is the first Starfield Library in Seoul.

My friend and I visited on a Sunday afternoon and found the library to be crowded with visitors. I recommend avoiding weekends if you prefer a quieter experience.

Nearest train stations: Samseong Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 (Exit 5) or Bongeunsa Station on Seoul Subway Line 9 (Exit 7)

What do you think of Seoul Forest Park, Seongsu, and Starfield COEX Library? Are these places on your list for your next Seoul visit? Have you been to any of them before? What was your experience, or are you considering visiting them in the future? I would love to hear your thoughts!

If you have any questions or want more details, feel free to leave a comment below or email me at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am always happy to respond! Stay tuned for more posts about Seoul and South Korea. You can also check out other posts from this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Exploring Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market & Hongdae [November 2024]

Last November 2024, I flew to Seoul, South Korea, for the first time in 9 years. I went there with my high school friends, whose schedules overlapped, and we enjoyed the cold weather and the beautiful autumn scenery. I had previously visited Seoul in November 2014 and November 2015, so this time, I did not feel the need to rush around to see everything. Instead, I took things slow and savored every moment in the city; I even had a few work days during the trip.

In my previous posts, I shared details about the places we visited on this trip, including Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden, Insa-dong, Namsan Park, Myeong-dong, and Yeouido Hangang Park. I also shared photos from the Klook day tour we took, which included a visit to Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island. Today, I will take you through Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, and Hongdae.

Keep reading to find out if these places pique your interest and if you would be keen on visiting them.

Plane Ticket

In early 2024, my friends and I got lucky and snagged a ₱1 base fare return ticket during Cebu Pacific Air’s anniversary sale. Initially, we paid ₱4,329.30 for a return ticket, which included a guaranteed seat on both flights and a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance.

Months before the flight, I added 20 kilograms of checked baggage each way and paid an additional ₱1,980. While in Seoul, I bought a lot of things, which prompted me to add another 20 kilograms of baggage allowance, bringing the total to 40 kilograms. This additional baggage cost ₱1,100. In total, the return ticket with baggage came to ₱7,409.30. Such a steal!

Affordable tickets like this are difficult to come by, especially given the airline’s popularity during ₱1 base fare sales. I still want to thank Cebu Pacific Air for consistently offering this kind of promotion and helping every Filipino fly to their destinations with such low fares.

In case you missed it, I wrote about the step-by-step process I followed to get my multiple entry South Korean tourist visa. You can check it out here.

Accommodation

My friends and I traveled to Seoul on overlapping schedules, so we decided to stay in just one accommodation—Bunk Guesthouse Hostel. We spent the first 4 nights in a family room (1 double bed and 2 single beds) with a balcony. After the other 4 friends returned to Manila, my friend and I moved to a twin bunk room. Both rooms included private toilets and showers, along with a complimentary simple breakfast every morning.

My share for both rooms over the entire 8-night stay was ₱13,243.97. I consider it a great deal, especially since we had the room to ourselves and it included a private toilet. On top of that, the property’s location was just a few meters from the metro station and the bustling Hongdae district.

I wrote about our stay and experience at Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in one of the latest Hostel of the Day features. I hope you can check out the write-up here.

Going Around Seoul

My friends and I used the rechargeable T-money card for all our transportation during the trip. Seoul offers a few unlimited pass options, but none of them suited our itinerary. There were also days when we used our train cards only twice; in fact, there was even a day when we did not use them at all.

We received a free T-money card when we picked up our passports at KVAC in October 2024. Our companions, who did not have a T-money card, bought theirs at the Airport Station.

Starfield Suwon Library

Starfield Suwon Library is located inside the Starfield Suwon Shopping Mall. Spanning four floors, the library has become a popular photo spot since its opening in early 2024. I visited this library with a friend who was in Seoul for a quick layover.

Nearest train station: Hwaseo Station of Seoul Subway Line 1 (Exit 1)

Dongmyo Flea Market

Dongmyo Flea Market is a local market known for its vintage goods and secondhand items. The market has just about everything you need and want—antiques, vinyl records, leather jackets, clothes—you name it. Some of these items are even offered for as low as ₩1,000.

The market is open daily from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. It is closed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Please note that most stalls close before sunset, so it is best to visit early, or while the sun is still up.

I went there on a Saturday afternoon and was surprised by the number of people visiting. The flea market was packed, but it still had some interesting items.

Nearest train station: Dongmyo Station of Seoul Subway Lines 1 & 6 (Exit 3)

Hongdae

Hongdae is a vibrant cultural neighborhood near Hongik University. The area is famous for its urban art, artisan shops, trendy cafes, indie music stores, and local clothing boutiques. It is also well-known for its buskers and street performers, who perform on the streets to gain exposure and hone their skills. Additionally, Hongdae is famous for its lively clubbing scene, with several nightclubs and party spots. Many people refer to Hongdae as the go-to area for young and energetic individuals.

Nearest train stations: Hongik University Station of Seoul Subway Line 2 (Exit 9) or AREX Airport Railroad (Exit 3)

What do you think of Starfield Suwon Library, Dongmyo Flea Market, and Hongdae? Would you include these places in your next Seoul visit? Have you been to them before? What was your experience? Are you considering visiting them in the future?

If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to leave a comment below or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond! Stay tuned for more upcoming posts about Seoul and South Korea. You can also check out other posts from this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Rediscovering SEOUL After 9 Years: Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park & Nami Island Day Tour [November 2024]

In November, I flew to Seoul, South Korea, for 9 days and 8 nights. I joined my friends, who had overlapping schedules—some arrived during the first few days, while another friend joined on the fifth day and stayed until the end. I had visited Seoul in 2014 and 2015 with my former colleagues but had not been back since. I was so excited to return to the place where I first experienced autumn.

During one of those eight days, my friends and I took a day trip to Chuncheon to visit Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island. We booked a guided tour via Klook for a hassle-free experience. Keep reading as I share how the guided tour went. Normally, I do not go on guided tours, but this time, I made an exception.

Previously, I shared about the other places we visited on this trip: Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden, Insa-dong, Namsan Park, Myeong-dong, and Yeouido Hangang Park. I hope you can also check out these posts.

In case you missed it, I wrote about the step-by-step process I followed to get my multiple entry South Korean tourist visa. You can check it out here.

Plane Tickets

I purchased my return ticket to Seoul during Cebu Pacific Air’s anniversary sale in March 2024. The initial ticket cost ₱4,329.30 and included only a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance. I added a 20-kilogram checked baggage allowance for the Seoul leg and two 20-kilogram checked baggage allowances for the Seoul to Manila return flight. I paid an additional ₱3,080 for the prepaid baggage. After adding the baggage, the final price of the return ticket came to ₱7,409.30.

I consider this return ticket a steal, especially given how expensive flights and surcharges are these days. A big thank you to Cebu Pacific Air for consistently offering these ₱1 base fare tickets. This promotion has helped thousands of Filipinos, like me, visit many countries in the airline’s network.

Accommodation

My friends and I stayed at just one accommodation for all 8 nights: Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in Hongdae. We booked a family room with a balcony (for 4 people) for the first 4 nights, then transferred to a twin room with bunk beds for the remaining 4 nights, after some of my friends left for Manila. My share for this 8-night stay was ₱13,243.97. The rate included a simple complimentary breakfast each morning, as well as private toilets and showers inside each room.

I wrote about Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in one of my recent Hostel of the Day features—feel free to check it out here.

Guided Tour

We booked this guided tour through Klook and chose the Alpaca World, Gangchon Rail Park, and Nami Island option from a long list of combinations. Originally, the guided tour cost ₱3,958 per person, but we were able to take advantage of an ₱8,800 flash sale on Klook. In the end, we paid only ₱2,491.33 per person. Thank you, Klook!

The tour included an English-speaking guide, a comfortable coach ride from start to finish, and all entrance fees. Lunch was not included, but our guide, David, helped us organize lunch during the trip. The tour began at 7:00 a.m. in front of KFC near Hongik University Station Exit 9 and ended at the same location around 8:00 p.m.

Alpaca World

We first visited Alpaca World and arrived just in time for the 10:10 a.m. daily alpaca parade. We had the opportunity to interact with and feed the alpacas (which was included in the tour fee). We were also given some time to explore the area and check out other animals, such as deer, birds, snakes, and even a capybara.

Lunch

Our tour guide, David, took us to a spicy stir-fried chicken (dakgalbi) restaurant near Gangchon Rail Park. He placed our orders in advance and made sure the food was ready when we arrived.

We really enjoyed the lunch. The dak-galbi was flavorful, and the side dishes were unlimited, just like at any other Korean restaurant. However, the meal was on the pricier side (touristy pricing), not the usual costs we are used to back in Seoul.

Gangchon Rail Park

My friend and I went on a railbike course with two other tourmates, biking through three tunnels and enjoying the beautiful scenery. We also biked along the Bukhan River, taking in the relaxing views of the South Korean countryside. The course ended at Nanggu Village.

From Nanggu Village, our tour group took the romantic train to the final station, where our tour bus was waiting. This ride was included in the tour fee we paid to Klook.

Nami Island

Nami Island, locally known as Namiseom, is a half-moon-shaped island that became famous because of the Korean drama Winter Sonata. It is a small island that you can visit for a day (or just a few hours) to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing time in nature.

Entry to the island and the ferry ride to and from the mainland are included in the Klook tour fee.

All in all, we had an amazing day surrounded by nature, just outside of Seoul, thanks to this Klook tour. It was a great way to explore South Korea’s scenic countryside and unwind, leaving us with unforgettable memories.

Have you been to these places before? What do you think of them? Are you considering visiting them in the future? If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to post them in the comments section below or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond! Stay tuned for more upcoming posts about Seoul and South Korea. You can also check out other posts about this Seoul trip under the Seoul 2024 category.

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.