Greedy Korean Girls’ Trip! From Obihiro to Seoul

On November 11, at last, a direct flight linking Obihiro Airport and Incheon International Airport in South Korea began service! Incheon International Airport, Korea’s main gateway, offers easy access to central Seoul—meaning you can reach a city filled with the latest trends in about three hours from Obihiro.

In this article, two women from our editorial team will share the full appeal of an easy “Korea trip” from Obihiro—packed with cosmetics, cafés, and variety goods shopping.

This trip is two women’s first-ever Korea journey

A portrait drawing we had made in Myeongdong

Meet the travelers: Kana and Suzu from the “MATOKA Editorial Team.” For Suzu, this is her very first time traveling abroad—an absolute beginner. With excitement and nerves in their hearts, and the motto “Do everything we want to do!”, they report on a delightfully packed “all-out Seoul trip” from Obihiro.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/southkoria-tripguide/)”]

At last, the Obihiro–Incheon route has launched.
Seoul is now much closer

This year, the Cheongju route has been extended through March 2026, and a new direct flight to Incheon International Airport has also begun. We boarded this commemorative first flight. The Obihiro–Incheon route operates twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Departure from Obihiro Airport is at 15:20.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]I’m so happy it’s a direct flight from Obihiro—no hectic morning rush, and plenty of time to get ready!

The flight time is about three hours. It’s best to plan with some buffer in case of minor delays. From Incheon Airport to central Seoul takes about 1.5 hours. There are many ways to get around—subway, bus, taxi—but this time we took a limousine bus straight to our hotel in Myeongdong. With no transfers and stops near major hotels, it’s reassuring even if you’re not familiar with the area. The bus stops are conveniently located just outside the arrivals lobby.

Spacious and comfortable inside the bus

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【Day 1】A must-have for shopping in Seoul!
The ultra-convenient card “WOWPASS”

If you’re shopping in Seoul, one thing you’ll definitely want to have is “WOWPASS.” It’s an all-in-one card that combines three functions in a single card: a prepaid card, currency exchange, and a transit IC card (T-money).

A must-have item for a Seoul trip!

In Seoul, WOWPASS can be used at most shops (excluding street stalls). It’s so widespread that more people pay with WOWPASS than with cash. WOWPASS machines are installed in many places, making it easy to create a new card or top up. The machines support Japanese, and when you insert Japanese yen to top up, it automatically exchanges it into won. The fees are lower than at many exchange counters, so it’s a great deal.

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You don’t need to exchange much cash! Charging WOWPASS directly from Japanese yen was definitely the best value

If you install the dedicated app, you can check your usage history and also top up the “T-money” transit card function. Once you’ve charged T-money, you can use it to ride the subway and buses.

Click the button below to get the WOWPASS app!

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You can even send money to other WOWPASS users through the app! This time I charged 20,000 yen, and had just a little left over

【Day 1】Even if you arrive late, you can still enjoy it—
Head to lively Myeongdong

We stayed in Myeongdong, a popular area bustling with tourists until late at night. We arrived at the hotel around 9 p.m., but plenty of places—street stalls, cosmetics shops, apparel stores—were still open, so we were able to enjoy that “Korea vibe” right away.

Lots of shops with Japanese support, so it feels safe!

Because Myeongdong is a major tourist area, many shops can communicate in Japanese, so it’s reassuring even if you don’t know Korean. At the street stalls we enjoyed cheese grilled snacks and Korean fish-cake soup. Hot stall food on a chilly night warms you right up.

Korean fish-cake soup. Left: non-spicy, right: spicy.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3-1-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”スズ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]Korean fish-cake soup is skewered seafood paste. I ordered the spicy one, and it was seriously spicy! Classic Korea…!

Also, many hotels in Korea don’t provide pajamas. If you need them, you can buy some in Myeongdong. Since most shops stay open late, you don’t have to worry about last-minute purchases.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]Myeongdong is crowded, and some roads are uneven too. It looked tough to walk around pulling a suitcase

【information】

Myeongdong Street Food Alley
Open:Daily
Hours:Most stalls close around 22:00
Address:Myeongdong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

【Day 2】To Starfield Library (Byeolmadang)—
A breathtaking “photo-worthy” space

For taxi apps, “KAKAO T” and “K-ride” are highly recommended

Day 2 began with a trip from our hotel to Starfield Library (Byeolmadang Library) in Gangnam. We took a taxi. It’s handy for foreign visitors to install “KAKAO T” and “K-ride.”Since you can set pick-up and drop-off locations in the app, there’s no need to talk with the driver. It’s also reassuring to have “Uber” installed in case the app glitches.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/kakao-t/)”]

For the K-ride app,click the button below!

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Korean taxis are spacious, clean, and comfortable—but the driving is really aggressive! If you get carsick easily, take motion-sickness medicine in advance…

【information】

Starfield Library (Byeolmadang Library)
Open:Daily
Hours:10:30–22:00
Address:159 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

 

Inside the complex there are plenty of cafés and restaurants, plus lots of shops selling lifestyle goods and apparel. You can spend time at a relaxed pace while shopping and taking breaks.

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There are so many stores! It wasn’t just the library—we could have enjoyed the area all day

【information】

% Arabica Starfield COEX Mall
Open:Daily
Hours:8:30–21:00 (Sat/Sun from 10:00)
Address:159 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

【Day 2】In Seongsu, the cutting-edge trend district,
enjoy shopping and café hopping

Next, we headed to Seongsu, a popular area known as a trendsetter. We took the subway from Starfield Library to Seongsu Station. Korea’s subway is easy to use, since you can search routes with Japanese-supported apps, and station names are displayed in Japanese on platforms and inside trains—so you can ride with confidence.

For a Korea subway app,click the button below!

Google Play

App Store

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Whenever we felt unsure, we asked station staff and locals a lot. Even though we couldn’t speak Korean, everyone kindly helped us using English and gestures

Seongsu is a popular area packed with stylish cafés and Korean brand shops. With renovated older buildings alongside the newest hotspots, you can enjoy a unique atmosphere where the past and present blend together.

We then visited the Seongsu branch of “Olive Young,” Korea’s hugely popular cosmetics store—its largest location in the country. It happened to be hosting a first-anniversary event, with limited-edition goods and pop-ups to enjoy. Of course you can test cosmetics, and even try hair irons—making it a great store for anyone who wants to try items before buying.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3-1-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”スズ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]If you use the translation app “Papago” to translate products with your camera, you can instantly understand the ingredients and descriptions—super handy!

For Papago,click the button below!

Google Play

App Store

韓国行く前の準備ガイド｜帯広→清州（11月は仁川も） – MATOKA

「海外ってハードル高そう」そんな心配、今日で終わり。やることは3つだけ。①パスポート取得→②エアロKで航空券を予約→③ホテルを予約。あとは出発前日までに電子入国申告（e-Arrival Card）を済ませ、必須アプリをスマホに入れておけばOK。

【information】

Olive Young N Seongsu
Open:Daily
Hours:10:00–21:00
Address:314-11 Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Café hopping—an essential part of any Korea trip

After enjoying shopping, we headed to the popular café “Onion Seongsu.” A wide variety of freshly baked bread lined the shelves, and the airy terrace seating was another highlight. Since Seongsu has so many cafés, it’s the perfect area to take a relaxing break between shopping stops.

Shine muscat croissant, fig tart, and bacon basil bread

【information】

Onion Seongsu
Open:Daily
Hours:8:00–22:00 (Sat/Sun from 9:00)
Address:277-135 Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/840052d8e98e55e3387adb53c386528d.mp4%22][/video)]

【Day 2】Authentic Korean BBQ and
a leisurely stroll through Myeongdong at night

For dinner, we went to a Korean BBQ restaurant near Suktaeik Station. From thick-cut tongue and authentic side dishes like yangnyeom gejang, to the abundant banchan (side dishes), you can fully enjoy the flavors that make Korea so special. If you’re not good with spicy food, we recommend saying “덜 맵게 해주세요 (deol maepge haejuseyo),” meaning “Please make it less spicy.”

【information】

Chowon
Open:Daily
Hours:12:00–23:00
Address:80-4 Namyeong-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

 

Once we were full, we headed back to Myeongdong for a nighttime stroll. Myeongdong is home to major shopping hubs like Shinsegae Department Store and Lotte Department Store. The massive LED panels at Shinsegae (a “media pole” that projects 3D visuals onto LED-covered buildings and large outdoor digital signage) display advertisements and seasonal imagery—absolutely impressive.

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This season, it was showing sparkling Christmas visuals! Lots of people were filming the mysterious LED panel that looks 3D

【information】

Shinsegae Department Store
Open:Daily
Hours:10:30–20:00
Address:52-5 Chungmuro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

While walking around, we discovered a shop where you can create your own original goods. Choose patches to attach to keychains or pouches and make a one-of-a-kind item just for you.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]There were so many patches—it was fun to choose! I made one for myself and one as a souvenir

【information】

Sunoa
Open:Daily
Hours:10:30–22:30
Address:55-4 Myeongdong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

Korea also has “Daiso,” familiar in Japan. The Myeongdong Station branch is especially shocking in scale: an entire 12-story building is all Daiso. With affordable cosmetics and lifestyle goods, it’s hugely popular not only with tourists but also with locals. Be sure to check out the Korea-exclusive items! We visited around 9 p.m., and the store was packed with people.

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There were lots of high-quality cosmetics you can’t find at Daiso in Japan! I totally understood why it’s so popular

【information】

Daiso Myeongdong Station Store
Open:Daily
Hours:10:00–22:00
Address:13-25 Namsan-dong 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

【Day 3】Breakfast at Seoul Station
& souvenir shopping at Lotte Mart

This was the day we moved on to Cheongju. Before departure, we had breakfast at eateries attached to Seoul Station. There are restaurants open from 8 a.m. and a food court called “CONNECT PLACE,” and it’s also convenient because the train platforms are close by. We enjoyed bibimbap and a pork stew set. However, many dishes are quite spicy even in the morning, so if you’re not good with spice, we recommend ordering it less spicy in advance.

Pork stew on the left, octopus bibimbap on the right

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]I was shocked at how spicy it was for breakfast…!

【information】

Connect Place Seoul Station
Open:Daily
Hours:10:30–21:00
Address:122-11 Bongnae-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

After eating, we took a commemorative photo in front of the “I♡SEOUL” photo spot outside Seoul Station. While we were taking pictures, a group of four Korean ladies spoke to us, and we ended up taking a photo together while chatting in our limited English. It was a heartwarming moment that reminded us of how kind Korean people can be.

Next, we headed to Lotte Mart when it opened at 10 a.m. It’s so popular that long lines form even before opening, so arriving early is recommended. Inside, you’ll find everything from Korean ingredients to snacks—perfect for souvenirs. Another convenient point is that if you buy a lot, you can use an international shipping service. There were also plenty of tastings, and staff offered samples with simple Japanese.

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They encouraged us to sample lots of things like kimchi and changja. Everything was delicious!

【information】

Lotte Mart ZETTAPLEX Seoul Station
Open:Daily (closed 2nd & 4th Wednesdays)
Hours:10:00–24:00
Address:122-11 Bongnae-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

【Day 3】To Cheongju by KTX—
A comfortable rail journey

For intercity travel in Korea, express buses or trains are convenient. This time, we took the high-speed train “KTX” to Cheongju.

KTX tickets can be purchased online in advance. The official website supports Japanese, so even first-timers can use it smoothly.

KORAIL official site (KTX ticket reservations) isavailable here

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3-1-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”スズ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]Be careful—there are two places called “Cheongju” in Korea! The English spelling is different, and the one with Cheongju Airport is “Cheongju.” Make sure to double-check!

At the platforms in Seoul Station, there are plenty of snacks sold—like Japanese ekiben—so you can eat on the train. The platform number is displayed about 15 minutes before departure. Check the large electronic board, then head to the platform.

The board also shows information in Japanese, which is reassuring

Inside the KTX, there are vending machines and power outlets, making for a comfortable trip. As you leave Seoul Station, the view shifts from cityscapes to rural scenery. For us, living in Obihiro, it felt strangely calming.

We got off at Osong Station and took a taxi into Cheongju city.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]To get into Cheongju city, it’s quickest and easiest to get off at Osong Station and take a taxi! Taxi apps were super helpful here too!

After arriving, we went shopping at Lotte Outlet Cheongju. Compared to Seoul, it was less crowded, so we could browse at a relaxed pace.

【information】

Lotte Outlet Cheongju
Open:Daily
Hours:10:30–21:00
Address:811 Bihadong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

 

For dinner, we enjoyed authentic samgyeopsal. The downtown area, Seongan-gil, stays lively even at night, and you can also shop here at places like lifestyle stores and Olive Young.

Cheongju blends an urban vibe with a local feel in just the right balance, offering a different kind of charm from Seoul.

【information】

Tongil Sikdang
Open:Daily
Hours:10:00–14:00 / 16:00–22:00
Address:147-7 Seomun-dong, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

 

Olive Young Cheongju Town Store

【information】

Olive Young Cheongju Town Store
Open:Daily
Hours:10:00–22:30
Address:165 Bukmun-ro 1-ga, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

 

【Day 4】At last, the final day—
Savor Korea to the very end

It’s about a 20-minute taxi ride from central Cheongju to Cheongju Airport. Before departure, we even managed to squeeze in some last-minute shopping at Hyundai Department Store.

【information】

Hyundai Department Store
Open:Daily
Hours:10:00–20:00 (Fri/Sat/Sun until 20:30)
Address:811 Bokdae-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

 

Inside the airport, there are restaurants and souvenir shops, so it’s best to pass through security early and spend your time calmly. Cheongju Airport is compact and easy to navigate, so you can reach the boarding gate smoothly without getting lost. We also cleared outbound immigration quickly.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]There’s a café and a burger place—perfect for a quick bite before departure!

To wrap up the trip, we chose kalguksu at a restaurant past the security checkpoint. Kalguksu is a classic Korean noodle dish similar to Japanese udon, and its gentle broth soothed our travel fatigue.

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We departed Cheongju Airport with a bit of sadness, and the return flight flew by—bringing us straight back to Obihiro Airport. And with that, our fulfilling four-day Korea trip came to an end.

A gentle, beginner-friendly Korea trip—even for first-time travelers

On this trip, it was a “first time in Korea” for both of us. At first we were anxious because we didn’t understand the language, but whenever we got lost in the city or on the subway, people around us kindly helped. We felt that kindness firsthand and kept thinking, “What a warm country.” With a few key points in mind, even beginners can travel here with confidence.

The “kindness of people” you feel while traveling resonates even more than usual. The people we met, the scenery, the energy of the streets—everything answered our excitement.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-2-300×193.png)” size=”M” position=”L” name_position=”under_avatar” radius=”true” name=”カナ” balloon=”talk” balloon_shadow=”true”]Even after coming home, the feeling still lingers. Four days filled with satisfaction—like a reward trip where we got to do everything we wanted.

Even though it was my first time abroad, the apps we prepared in advance and the kindness of local people helped us so much—I’m truly relieved we could spend the trip without any trouble.

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Now that you can fly directly to Incheon from Obihiro with ease, why not take a trip to Seoul, the city of the latest trends? It’s sure to be a journey that truly satisfies you.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/southkoria-tripguide/)”]