A Day Trip to Tsushima Island: My Experience
Hello! This is Luna J :) Recently, I went on a day trip to Tsushima Island's Hitakatsu with my friends.
In search of a refreshing getaway from our busy lives, we decided on a destination that could be visited in a single day from Busan.
I made the reservation through a specialized travel agency called "Japan Man," which offered a convenient package including round-trip ferry tickets, itinerary, and sightseeing.
Now, let me share my firsthand experience of this day trip to Tsushima Island.
1. How to Book the Ferry to Tsushima
We booked our round-trip ferry from Busan to Tsushima (Hitakatsu) through Japan Man, which operates a cost-effective day trip package. For more details, check their official website.
2. Departing from Busan Port
We arrived early at the Busan International Passenger Terminal. It took about 1.5 hours to get there from Daegu.
If you plan to use the duty-free shops, it's best to arrive with some extra time.
After completing the boarding procedures, taking some motion sickness medication, and visiting the restroom, we set off for Tsushima!
The ferry we took was the relatively large Pan Star Link, which has two floors.
They provided water and snacks, and even hygiene bags for those prone to motion sickness. Thankfully, we all managed to enjoy the trip without any seasickness.
The seats were comfortable, and the travel time passed quicker than expected.
3. Visiting Poemu Bakery
After arriving at Hitakatsu Port, we picked up our rental car nearby and headed straight to the famous Poemu Bakery.
The yakisoba bread was a popular menu item, and we rushed over to find only one left!
The sweet bread paired well with the savory yakisoba, and I highly recommend getting there early if you're curious about the taste!
4. Exploring Dining Options in Daimyo Street
We moved to Daimyo Street, the center of Hitakatsu, for lunch.
Out of two restaurants I had researched beforehand, we chose the one with a shorter wait time.
We arrived right at the opening time, ordered immediately, and enjoyed our meal while quenching our thirst with Asahi beer.
It felt great to chat with friends and truly feel the essence of traveling.
The food arrived relatively quickly, allowing us to enjoy various Japanese dishes without a long wait.
After our meal, we stopped by a nearby café for some Kukudas ice cream (550 yen) and coffee, enjoying our dessert on the go.
While the iced Americano was a bit different from the Korean style, the Kukudas ice cream exceeded my expectations—definitely a must-try!
5. Strolling Along the Shushi River Maple Path
After lunch, we took a drive along the Shushi River Maple Path and enjoyed a light walk.
Although many leaves had fallen, the autumn atmosphere was still vibrant, making the scenery beautiful.
The peaceful ambiance helped calm our minds as we strolled.
6. Shopping at Value Mart & Korean Observatory
Next, we stopped by Value Mart for some quick shopping.
It was fun browsing through various items, and after purchasing some duty-free snacks and souvenirs, we headed to the next location.
We then moved to the Korean Observatory. On clear days, you can see Busan from there, but unfortunately, it was cloudy and windy, so we couldn't spot it.
Nonetheless, the open view was refreshing, and the landscape was lovely.
7. Miuda Beach & Nagisanoyu Onsen
Our next stop was Miuda Beach, selected as one of Japan's top 100 coastlines.
Although it’s not very large, the water was incredibly clear and had a beautiful emerald hue.
It was a great spot to relax and take beautiful photos, making it one of the highlights of our trip.
We concluded our day with a visit to Nagisanoyu Onsen, a Japanese-style hot spring nestled in nature.
Though our stay was short, it was enough to unwind and was a perfect way to end our day trip.
8. Conclusion
After returning to Busan Port, we settled the parking fee of 10,000 won and had dinner nearby before heading back to Daegu.
Initially, the schedule felt a bit tight, but reflecting on the trip, it was a worthwhile experience with reasonable costs, allowing us to enjoy the essence of Japan's atmosphere, nature, food, and hot springs all in one day.
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