For those who are keen to dive into and learn more about Korea’s history, a short trip to Jeonju is essential. Just over a 2.5 hour train ride from Seoul, Jeonju is considered one of Korea’s most beautiful places of history and is best known for the Jeonju Hanok Village, which comprises more than 800 hanoks. Apart from this, Jeonju is also recognised for the significant role it has played in the development of Korean cuisine by being the cradle of bibimbap and makgeolli.

Curious to find out what else Jeonju in South Korea has to offer? Here are 10 Things To Do, See & Eat In Jeonju which you can easily cover in a day trip.

#1 JEONJU HANOK VILLAGE 

No one can claim to have visited Jeonju without spending some time at the Jeonju Hanok Village. Comprising approximately 700 hanok buildings, Jeonju Hanok Village is considered Korea’s largest and only modern yet traditional hanok village. Apart from exploring the various cultural heritage sites here, you can look forward to participating in traditional craft activities, games, workshops and also wear a hanbok during your entire visit.

Jeonju Hanok Village
99 Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si,
Jeonbuk-do, South Korea

#2 JEONJU HANOK VILLAGE HISTORY MUSEUM 

For those keen on gaining insights into the history of the Jeonju Hanok Village, do consider walking through the Jeonju Hanok Village History Museum, a small space which chronicles this hanok village’s history. And don’t fret about not being able to understand Korean; the exhibits at this museum are accompanied by short English write-ups.

Jeonju Hanok Village History Museum
17-10 Choemyeonghui-gil, Pungnam-dong,
Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, South Korea

#3 GYEONGGIJEON SHRINE

The Gyeonggijeon Shrine is a registered historic site erected in 1410 which is home to the portrait of King Tae-jo, who is known for being the founder of the Joseon dynasty. It is also housed within the Gyeonggijeon Palace, which takes up one fifth of the Jeonju Hanok Village. It is also incredibly spacious with lots of room for children to run and play in nature.

Housed within the Gyeonggijeon Palace (which occupies a fifth of the Jeonju Hanok Village), visitors can look forward to visiting the Royal Portrait Musem, viewing the Main Hall, the Hongsalmun Gate (which is said to stop ghosts from entering the sacred grounds of Gyeonggijeon), the Jeonju Sago (which is where important books such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty were kept) and more.

Gyeonggijeon Shrine
44 Taejo-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si,
Jeonbuk-do, South Korea

#4 GYODONG SEOKGALBI 

We cannot emphasize this enough. Fans of galbi must have a meal at Gyodong Seok-galbi, a humble galbi restaurant situated in the heart of the Jeonju Hanok Village. During our visit, this restaurant was occupied by more tourists than locals, so this is the best indication that the food in this restaurant is good.

You must order the Tteokgalbi when at Gyodong Seokgalbi. Trust us, you will not regret it. The sweet marinade of the Tteokgalbi was incredibly delicious, and every single slice of grilled meat was tender and juicy. Other dishes that you can order to enjoy with the Tteokgalbi include the Jeonju Bimbimbab and naengmyeon.

Gyodong Seokgalbi
26 Taejo-ro, Pungnam-dong, Wansan-gu,
Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea

#5 GANGNAM CALLIGRAPHY MUSEUM 

Established in 1995, the Gangnam Calligraphy Museum is the only calligraphy museum in Korea. It is also home to more than 1,000 calligraphy works by notable artists such as Kim Jeong-hee, Lee Sam-man, Kim Hong-do and Jeong Yak-yong. Should you be keen on the art, you may be able to take part in one-day calligraphy courses during your visit. Entrance to this museum is free.

Gangnam Calligraphy Museum
74 Jeonjucheondong-ro, Wansan-gu,
Jeonju-si, South Korea

#6 JEONMANG CAFE 

To enjoy one of the best views of the Jeonju Hanok Village alongside a fragrant cup of coffee and sliced cake, head up to the cafe situated at the 4th and 5th floors of Jeonmang. Jeonmang Cafe carries a decent spread of drinks which will appeal to the family, from ades, smoothies and different types of tea.

Depending on the weather, diners can choose to enjoy the views of Jeonju Hanok Village indoors or outdoors on the terrace. We also appreciated the large cafe space which equates to ample seating for the times when you need to escape the rain or the sweltering sun.

Jeonmang Cafe 
89 Hanji-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju,
Jeollabuk-do 55041, South Korea

#7 JAMAN MURAL VILLAGE 

If you’re travelling with young children or are interested in enjoying colourful wall murals, time at the Jaman Mural Village is essential. Located a short walk away from the Jeonju Hanok Village, visitors will be treated to endless wall murals which are based on our favourite childhood characters (cue Ponyo, Doraemon and Spiderman) whilst climbing up the steep hill to the top of the village.

Looking for a place to take a break after snapping pictures with the wall murals? Cafe hoppers would be pleased to note that there are quite a few cafes nestled within the Jaman Mural Village which offer decent cafe drinks and desserts with excellent views of the area. 

Jaman Mural Village 
1-10 Jamandong 1-gil, Wansan-gu,
Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do, South Korea

#8 JEONJUCHUN RIVER, CHEONGYEONRU PAVILLION & NAMCHEONGYO BRIDGE 

The Jeonjuchun River is a river that runs right through Jeonju, and flows under the Namcheongyo Bridge. On hot days, you’d find visitors frequenting the river and dipping their feet, or their whole bodies, into the river to cool down. As there are paved paths at the perimeter of the river, there is also the option of cycling down the path to take in the sights of Jeonju’s scenery and to visit the Jeonju Ecomuseum.

If you don’t intend to be in close proximity with the Jeonjucheon River, the next best place to appreciate its views would be from the Cheongyeonru Pavillion on the Namcheongyo Bridge (which is also the main bridge connecting visitors to the entrance of Jeonju Hanok Village).

And for those travelling with kids, you’d be pleased to note that there is also a small section of books located near one of the entrances at the Cheongyeonru Pavillion. However, do bear in mind that most of the titles are in Korean, which may not be suitable for your children. Entrance to the Cheongyeonru Pavillion is free, but visitors will be required to remove their shoes prior to stepping onto the Cheongyeonru Pavillion.

Namcheongyo Bridge 
192-4 Gyo-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si,
Jeonbuk-do, South Korea

#9 PUNGNAMMUN GATE 

Built during the Josen dynasty in 1734 and a designated national treasure, Pungnammun Gate is the south gate of Jeonju Castle and is also the castle’s last gate standing gate today. The name “Pungnammun” can be translated as the resilient south gate of Jeonju, and this gate certainly deserves its name given the fire damage that it has experienced in 1767 and during the Imjin War. And if you approach the gate from the square in front of it, this is where you’d discover the Statue of Peace, a memorial to the Korean who made certain sacrifices during the war between 1932 and 1945.

Pungnammun Gate
1 Pungnammun 3-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si,
Jeonbuk-do, South Korea

#10 NAMBU MARKET 

One of the best places to dine and shop at in Jeonju has to be the Nambu Market. This market is home to about 800 stores which sell vegetables, fruits, food, dried fish, furniture, silk goods and other general goods. On the 2nd floor, there is also a Youth Market with vibes which resemble the streets of Hongdae in Seoul.

Food-wise, it would be best to visit Nambu Market during their bustling night market which is held on Fridays and Saturdays. During your visit, be sure to sample the range of traditional dishes such as the mung bean pancake, and also enjoy fusion dishes such as the bibimbap wrapped in rice paper. If you’re fortunate, you may even be able to eat your food whilst watching a street concert.

Nambu Market
19-3 Pungnammun 1-gil, Wansan-gu,
Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do, South Korea

History fanatics visiting South Korea need to put Gyeongju down in their itineraries. Fondly known as “the museum without walls”, Gyeongju is a place which lives and breathes history. From tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, museums filled with endless historical artefacts, we were completely blown away by everything that this city has to offer. 

If you’re already intending to pay a visit to Busan, Gyeongju is just over an hour’s drive away so this gives you all the more reason to explore this beautiful city. For a glimpse of what wonders Gyeongju has to offer, here are 13 Things To Do, See & Eat in Gyeongju that you can achieve in 2D1N.

#1 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM 

If you don’t have much time to spend in Gyeongju and are keen on Korean history, the Gyeongju National Museum is one place that you must include in your itinerary. As Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom, the Gyeongju National Museum is largely dedicated to relics of the Silla kingdom such as the Silla crowns and artefacts from the Hwangnyongsa Temple site.

The Gyeongju National Museum spans across 4 different exhibition halls, and is also home to the Library of the Silla Millenium amongst different attractions. Entrance to the Gyeongju National Museum is free, and there is a cafe onsite for those hungry for a bite. So feel free to immerse yourself the history of the Silla kingdom at your own pace.

Gyeongju National Museum
186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#2 GYEONGJU NATIONAL MUSEUM CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

If you’re concerned about whether the Gyeongju National Museum will keep your kids occupied, reward them with a visit to the Gyeongju National Museum Children’s Museum (which is located at the basement of the Special Exhibition Hall) at the end of your visit. This Children’s Museum is extremely friendly and babies, young children, adolescents and adults are all welcome to visit this space. Here, visitors get to learn about Silla history and culture through hands-on exhibits and different activities.

Due to space constraints, the Children’s Museum limits each session to 50 people per slot. To avoid disappointment, do try to book your slot in advance. That said, the Children’s Museum does offer walk-in visits for foreigners but these slots are also limited to 10 pax per session.

Gyeongju National Museum Children’s Museum 
186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#3 BELL OF KING SEONGDEOK 

Housed within the premises of the Gyeongju National Museum is the Bell of King Seongdeok or the Emile Bell. This bell was commissioned by King Gyeongdeok to honor his father, King Seongdeok, and its cast was only completed by King Gyeongdeok’s son, King Hyegong. The Bell of King Seongdeok is designated as the 29th national treasure of Korea and is considered a masterpiece of Unified Silla art.

For those keen on legends, this fun fact may interest you. The name “Emile” draws reference to the ancient Silla term for “mommy”. Legend has it that the first bell that was cast produced no sound when it was struck. Following many failed attempts for the bell to ring, a monk dreamt that if a child was cast into the metal, the bell would ring. As such, the monk took a child from a village and cast her into a metal, after which the bell rung.

Bell of King Seongdeok
186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#4 DONGGUNG PALACE AND WOLJI POND 

The Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond is known for being part of the palace complex in the ancient Silla kingdom, and as the secondary palace occupied by the crown prince then. This is also where grand banquets were held when the Silla kingdom received and entertained important guests. 

Even though Donggung Palace is the only palace left of the Silla kingdom,  it was burnt down in 935 and thereafter, almost 33,000 pieces of historical relics were excavated from this site during the long-term excavation project from March 1975 to December 1986. There is also a model of the entire Donggung Palace and of the pond within one of the pavilions along the pond.

Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
102 Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#5 CHEOMSEONGDAE OBSERVATORY 

Designated as the 31st national treasure of Korea, Cheomseongdae Observatory is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia that was built in the 7th century in Silla. The number and placement of the stones in this observatory is said to be a nod to various historical and astronomical figures. Further, the position of the central hole is between 12 layers of stone (a total of 24 layers) is said to represent the number of months in a year, and the 24 solar terms.

Cheomseongdae Observatory
839-1 Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#6 ROYAL TUMULI PARK 

Also known as the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, the Royal Tumuli Park is one of Gyeongju’s best known attractions. This park is home to a total of 23 tombs belonging to various Silla royalty and family members. Whilst the burial mounds might look enticing for pictures, do note that visitors are strictly not permitted to do so and may have to face penalties for doing so. Entrance to this park is free.

Royal Tumuli Park 
9 Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#7 CHEONMACHONG TOMB (IN THE DAEREUNGWON TOMB COMPLEX)

This was probably the most eye-opening part of our time in Gyeongju and we would highly recommend everyone to include the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in their itineraries. Specifically, you need to pay a visit to the Cheonmachong Tomb, for a chance to appreciate the interior and design of an ancient tomb. Excavated in 1973, the Cheonmachong Tomb is the only tomb that is open to the public and it is also home to many artefacts from the 5th and 6th centuries. Entrance to this tomb is free for all.

Cheonmachong Tomb
14 Gyerim-ro, Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#8 COFFEE DARUDA 

If you’re looking for a relatively quiet yet beautiful space to enjoy some coffee and pastries, a trip to Coffee Daruda would be worth your time. And if you’re keen on getting in some Vitamin D into your system, you can consider enjoying your meal outdoors where you’d be greeted by beautiful views of the pier and the sea.

Taste-wise, the coffee at Coffee Daruda was pretty decent and the croissants were fluffy yet crispy. All in all, a pretty good spot to kick back and rest your mind.

Coffee Daruda
Daebon-ri 63-1, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#9 GYEONGJU GYOCHON TRADITIONAL VILLAGE 

Aside from being home to 12 generations of the Gyeongju Choe clan, the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village is also home to many other historically significant venues. Here, you’d find Gukhak, Korea’s first state academy founded in 682 during King Sinmun’s rule, the House of Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and the Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor.

Other activities that may interest you at the village include the Mi-Gyeong Traditional Culture Center, free musical performance as the Gugak Performance Hall, Hanguk Toki (a Korean earthenware centre) kimchi and noodle making workshops and more.

Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village 
39-2 Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#10 YOSEOKGUNG (GYOCHON TRADITIONAL VILLAGE) 

Gyochon Traditional Village is home to the house of Silla Princess Yoseok, the daughter of King Muyeol. For the uninitiated, Princess Yoseok is more famously known for her love story with the great Silla monk, Wonhyo, who is remembered for composing music for Buddhist doctrines to help the people of Silla remember Buddhist teachings. Walk around Yoseokgung for a glimpse of the life that Princess Yoseok led, including viewing her study hall and living quarters.

And if you’re feeling nibbly, you can dine at the restaurant on the premises which has been in operations through 12 generations since the Joseon dynasty.

Yoseokgung
19-4 Gyochonan-gil, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#11 GYEONGJU GYODONG BEOPJU LIQUOR PREMISES 

If you’re keen on bringing a part of Gyeongju back with you, you should definitely consider popping by the Gyodong Beopju Liquor Premises to pick up a bottle of locally produced Beopju which is a type of cheongju (clear rice wine). Brewed from September to April, the Beopju available here is brewed according to a recipe passed down through the generations of the Gyerim Choe clan, a historically prestigious and influential family in Gyodong, Gyeongju.

Gyodong Beopju Liquor Premises
Gyo-dong 69, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

#12 NAMCHEON STREAM AND STEPPING STONES 

Situated alongside the Gyochon Traditional Village is the Namcheon Stream and Stepping Stones. This is the same stream that flows below the Woljeonggyo Bridge and the Stepping Stones placed across the stream makes this area a popular picnic and picture spot for locals and tourists alike. Whilst there is no specific address for this stop, it is easy to spot the stepping stones along your walk to the beautiful Woljeonggyo Bridge. 

#13 WOLJEONGGYO BRIDGE  

The Woljeonggyo Bridge is one of the most majestic sights in Gyeongju and its beauty when lit up at night brought us to tears. This bridge is located right beside the Gyochon Traditional Village, and was originally built during the 19th year reign of King Gyeongdeok. And if you are visiting during the cherry blossom season in spring, the view of the Woljeonggyo Bridge would be absolutely incredible. 

As visitors are allowed to walk through from one end to the other of the Woljeonggyo Bridge, each step felt as if we were stepping back into time and the lives of the Gyeongju citizens back in the Silla empire. Do also remember to also look for the narrow flight of steps at the side of the bridge as there is a small museum atop the bridge which features information about the people who used to travel across the bridge such as the Hwarang (elite warrior group of male youth in Silla).

Woljeonggyo Bridge 
48 Gyo-dong, Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

When you think of Busan, you either think of the fresh seafood market (aka Jagalchi Market) or the rows of colorful houses on the foothills of a coastal mountain. Whilst most would just see these houses as one of Busan’s most Instagrammable spots, Gamcheon Culture Village was formed by the refugees of the Korean war and this tourist attraction remains an actual residential village till today.

No one should say that they’ve ever been to Busan unless they have visited the Gamcheon Culture Village. So if you’ve never been to this tourist attraction, here are some things that you can look forward to during your visit to the Gamcheon Culture Village. 

As you’d now be aware, Gamcheon Culture Village was built on a coastal mountain and that only means one thing — steep slopes. If you’re driving around in Busan, it would pay to bear in mind that this is a popular tourist attraction and hence, parking near Gamcheon Culture Village is likely limited. You’d probably end up parking at least halfway down the slope to the village so do be prepared for a hike.

As for public transport, do make it a point to alight at the bus stop before Gamcheon Culture Village so that you don’t have to climb any slopes. If not, you can also hailing a cab and be dropped off right outside the entrance of this village.

Whilst there is no lack of things to do, see and eat at the Gamcheon Culture Village, we had our sights set on the Gamcheon Bakery which is famous for their Gamcheon Salt Bread (2,500 won) and their Moon Bread (2,500 won). Whilst we didn’t have a taste of the Gamcheon Salt Bread, we felt that their Moon Bread was average at best and would recommend you give the bakes a miss.

But, if you’re looking for a spot to getaway from the bustling crowd in the village, Gamcheon Bakery is perched upon a hill and the views from the bakery are pretty solid. There are also various wall murals and sculptures around the bakery which are decent photo spots.

Gamcheon Culture Village offers a plethora of food options for those hungry for a bite. From street food stalls which offer the usual street snacks like hotteok, fish cakes and tteokbokki, or cafes such as Coffee It House, Cafe Stairs Wi Pureun House and Cafe Avant-garde, you will struggle to stay hungry during your time at the village.

Apart from the colorful rows of terraced houses, Gamcheon Culture Village is also famous for alleys which are filled with street art and sculptures. Here, walls, roofs, doors and stairs have been transformed into beautiful forms of art, all of which carry its own significance, whether it is to raise awareness about social causes or to celebrate cultures. And for those who are K-pop fans, you may even catch a glimpse of your favourite K-pop groups in the village — BTS anyone? 

Fans of The Little Prince must grab a photo with The Little Prince and fox sculpture at this photo spot which offers views of the entire Gamcheon Culture Village and the bay of Busan. That said, this is probably the most popular photo spot in Gamcheon Culture Village so queues for this photo spot are quite long so you should be prepared to wait if you want to secure a shot with this view. 

If you have the time to spare, some other interesting experiences that you can take part in at the Gamcheon Culture Village include making a hand-flipped photobook, renting a hanbok, collecting stamps around the village, and visiting the Haneul Maru Observatory.

Gamcheon Culture Village
203 Gamnae-2-ro, Saha-gu,
Busan, South Korea 

Aside from Seoul and Jeju, Busan is arguably one of the more popular tourist destinations in South Korea. Being South Korea’s second largest city, Busan is filled with endless places to explore, and many things to do. This city is famous for its stunning coastal views, its rich history and for the vibrant energy that it radiates. There is an adventure at every turn, and you will be thoroughly engaged during your time in Busan. 

So if you’re wondering whether it is worth taking a trip to Busan with your children, we promise you that it is. Here are 8 Child-Friendly Places In Busan To Include In Your Itinerary.

#1 JAGALCHI MARKET

Just as Tokyo is famous for the Tsukiji Fish Market, one of Busan’s most popular attractions has got to be Jagalchi Market. Jagalchi Market is situated at the edge of Nampo Port in Busan and it is South Korea’s largest fresh seafood market. Here, your children can get up close and personal with plenty of live seafood and also have a go at selecting their own meal.

If you’re concerned about using strollers in Jagalchi Market, rest assured that the walkways are sufficiently wide so this would be a non-issue for you. Communication-wise, most of Jagalchi Market’s store owners speak simple Mandarin so you don’t have something else to worry about on top of looking after your children.

Jagalchi Market
52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu,
Busan, South Korea

#2 MUSEUM 1 

Located in Centum, Busan, MUSEUM 1 prides itself as South Korea’s largest multimedia art museum which comprises approximately 80 million LED lights on the floor, ceiling and walls of its large duplex space. MUSEUM 1′s curators have deliberately featured artwork which allow visitors to be fully immersed in the exhibits, so as to heighten one’s appreciation of the messages behind the artworks.

Whilst the lights and screens will be sure to entertain your children for a substantial period of time, do bear in mind that some of the themes in the artworks here may be more appropriate for an audience which is slightly more mature.

MUSEUM 1
20 Centum seo-ro, Haeundae-gu,
Busan, South Korea

#3 ZOORAJI 

For those whose kids are fans of dinosaurs, you need to slot a visit to ZOORAJI into your itinerary. ZOORAJI is an outdoor theme park situated on the 9th floor of Shinsegae Centum City,  which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest department store in the world.

ZOORAJI occupies approximately 40,000 square-foot of space, and this immersive theme park is divided into 5 distinct zones which your children can explore. From the Land of Dinosaurs, the African Rainforest, the Rain Garden, the Woods and the Pirate’s Shipwreck, your children will be thoroughly entertained by ZOORAJI. And if you’re Curious, entrance to ZOORAJI (and the carousel ride located within) is completely free.

ZOORAJI
9F, 35, Centumnam-daero,
Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea

#4 GAMCHEON CULTURE VILLAGE 

Even if you haven’t been to Busan before, you would probably have sighted some pictures and videos of Gamcheon Culture Village. Also affectionally referred to as Busan’s own Santorini, Gamcheon Culture Village was formed by the refugees of the Korean war and this tourist attraction remains an actual residential village till today.

There is aplenty for families to explore at Gamcheon Culture Village. Here, you can explore alleys filled with street art and sculptures, experience making your own hand-flipped photobook, appreciate the sights of Busan at the Haneul Maru Observatory and more. Gamcheon Culture Village is also home to a number of street food stalls and cafes, such that you will find it difficult to stay hungry during your visit.

Gamcheon Culture Village
203 Gamnae-2-ro, Sah-gu,
Busan, South Korea

#5 SONGDO CLOUD TRAILS 

Located on the eastern side of Songdo Beach, the Songdo Cloud Trails (also called the Songdo Skywalk) is a skywalk fitted with glass floors that spans across 365 metres in length. Apart from giving visitors the experience of walking above the sea, the Songdo Cloud Trails is also connected to Geobukseom Island (Turtle Island) which is home to 2 statues of a sea dragon and a fisherman.

And if you take a short walk to the shores beneath the entrance to the Songdo Cloud Trails, this is where you’ll find many Korean families exploring the shallow waters of the Songdo Beach. This would definitely be a hit with the kids and also serve as a chance for the parents to sit down and take a break.

Songdo Cloud Trails
120-4 Annamdong, Seo-gu,
Busan, South Korea

#6 SONGDO MARINE CABLE CAR

One of the best ways to enjoy the views of Songdo Beach is to take a ride in the Songdo Marine Cable Car (or also otherwise known as the Busan Air Cruise). This is a 1.62km long cable car route which not only gives visitors a view of the Songdo Beach, Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, Namhangdaegyo Bridge, Songdo Coastal Dullegil Road and road cliffs from a height of 86 metres.

Depending on your preference, Songdo Marine Cable Car offers 2 different types of cabins — the Air Cruise (cabin with a closed floor) or the Crystal Cruise (cabin with transparent floor). Ticket prices are more worthwhile for a return trip, and will set you back 15,000 won (Air Cruise) or 20,000 won (Crystal Cruise) per adult and 11,000 won (Air Cruise) or 15,000 won (Crystal Cruise) for children between the age of 3 to 12 years.

Songdo Bay Station at Songnim Park (near Songdo Beach/Songdo Cloud Trails)
171, Songdohaebyeon-ro, Seo-gu,
Busan, South Korea

Songdo Sky Park Station (Amam Park)
181 Amnamgongwon-ro, Seo-gu,
Busan, South Korea

#7 HAEUNDAE BEACH

No trip to Busan is complete without a visit to the majestic Haeundae Beach. As one of Busan’s most popular tourist attractions, Haeundae Beach is recognised as one of the most popular beaches in South Korea and attracts more than 10 million visitors every season.

For families visiting Busan during the spring or summer season, do cater at least a day to relax at Haeundae Beach and to explore its surrounding attractions, such as the Dongbaekseom Island, the Haeundae Food Stall Town and Haeundae Traditional Market. 

Haeundae Beach
264 Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu,
Busan, South Korea

#8 JEONPO CAFE STREET

Jeonpo Cafe Street is exactly as it name suggests — alleys lined with various restaurants, dessert shops, and coffee joints. If your children are avid fans of food and are up for an adventure, they will find delight in exploring the wide range of eateries with different themes, and in popping into a souvenir shop or too.

Allthough Jeonpo Cafe Street is in itself child-friendly, do note that you may need to climb stairs to access some restaurants. Also, as this area is popular with youths and young adults and it may be difficult for you to get around with a stroller in the early evening. For a more comfortable experience, you may wish to pop by Jeonpo Cafe Street on a weekday and in the earlier part of the day. 

Jeonpo Cafe Street
92 Dongcheon-ro, Busanjin District,
Busan, South Korea

Most of us would associate the word “Akita” with the Akita Inu, but the city of Akita, Japan, is so much more than that. Located just about an hour’s flight north from Tokyo, Akita is home to the most picturesque sights, a rich history and incredibly delicious local fare. It is one of the more underrated prefectures in Japan that deserves more attention. 

Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered. Here is our 3D2N itinerary with 12 things you must do, see and eat in Akita, Japan. 

#1 AKITA CASTLE RUINS HISTORICAL PARK

The Akita Castle Ruins Historical Park is home to the ruins of the Akita Castle, which is what’s left of the Nara period fortified settlement in Akita. Here, visitors will get to view various restored parts of the Akita Castle such as the Tsuiji fence, the east gate of the Akita Castle, and even ancient flushing toilets. 

Aside from visiting the Akita Castle Ruins Historical Museum, visitors can also enjoy a VR experience of the ruins of the buildings in the Unoki area of the park through their mobile phones.

Akita Castle Ruins Historical Park 
5 Terauchiohata, Akita,
011-0939, Japan

#2 DINE AT AKITA KIRITANPOYA

When in Akita, you must try the Kiritanpo Nabe which is one of Akita’s signature dishes. With its roots dating back to the Edo Period, the Kiritanpo Nabe comprises roasted mashed rice wrapped around a stick of Akita cedar which is cooked in a pot of vegetables, mushrooms, and chicken.

Akita Kiranpoya is a humble restaurant in Akita which serves an excellent rendition of the Kiritanpo Nabe. It also serves other Akita dishes like the Hinai Chicken, Inaniwa udon noodles and more.

Akita Kiritanpoya (Omachi Branch)
4-Chome-2-20 Omachi,
Akita 010-0921, Japan

#3 NAGAHAMA COFFEE

Just a few strides away from the Metropolitan Akita, Nagahama Coffee is a quaint cafe where you can pick up delicious breakfast sets between 8 to 10.30am in the morning. Our favourite breakfast set that we ordered twice in a row was the American Breakfast B Set (710 yen). It comes with a salad, an incredible toasted honey croissant, and a choice of beverage.

Nagahama Coffee
4-2 Senshukubotamachi,
Akita 010-0874, Japan

#4 FUNOSHI-NO-TAKI FALLS

Just about 40 minutes by car away from Akita’s city, the Funoshi-no-taki Falls is definitely one of Akita’s best waterfalls. There is a lookout point just below the slope beside the waterfall, which will give you an excellent viewing point of the beautiful scenery. But for those planning to visit during winter, do take care to rent a suitable car for driving as the snowfall and roads leading to the waterfall are rather challenging to navigate.

Funoshi-no-taki Falls
Ushiromata Kawabeiwami,
Akita 019-2741, Japan

#5 LAKE TAZAWA

Situated just south of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Lake Tazawa is a beautiful lake in Akita. This lake is the deepest lake in Japan, and is considered one of the most 100 scenic spots in Japan. You can either view the lake from the lakeside or take in the wonders of this lake on a sightseeing boat, paddle boat or canoe (of course, when the weather permits).

Lake Tazawa is also home to the Statue of Tatsuko, which pays homage to the legend of Tatsuko, a woman who wished for eternal beauty but turned into a dragon and threw herself into the lake.

Lake Tazawa 
Tazawakokata, Semboku
Akita 014-1203, Japan

#6 KANSAGU (UKIKI SHRINE)

After viewing the Statue of Tatsuko, take a short stroll to Kansagu (or also known as the Ukiki Shrine) which is a small Shinto shrine overlooking the Lake Tazawa. It is said that the Ukiki Shrine was founded to worship a floating log of a large tree that washed up on the stores of Lake Tazawa.

Kansagu (Ukiki Shrine)
Katajiri Nishikicho Saimyoji,
Semboku, Akita 014-0511, Japan

#7 ORAE RESTAURANT AND BREWERY

After taking in the sights at the Lake Tazawa, you can take a slow drive down to the Orae Restaurant and Brewery for a quick bite. As the restaurant is located on the shore of Lake Tazawa, you can continue to appreciate Lake Tazawa’s beauty whilst enjoying a cold pint of craft beer (prices start at about 640 yen for a 330ml glass and 2,900 yen for a 1.8 litre pitcher). And if you’re a k-drama fan, a scene of Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee enjoying local craft beer was also filmed at this restaurant!

Food-wise, you can expect to be treated to a wide spread of German, Italian and Japanese yoshoku cuisine. However, since you’re in Akita, seize the opportunity to enjoy some of Akita’s local fare. We particularly enjoyed the Inaniwa Udon (1,320 yen) which was served with the Junsai, a traditional water vegetable, and the Beer Curry Pizza (1,350 yen) which features a curry pizza sauce infused with the restaurant’s craft beer and dough fermented in Shirajinbo.

Orae Restaurant and Brewery
Haruyama-37-5, Tazawako Tazawa,
Semboku, Akita 014-1204, Japan
Tel: +81 817-58-0608

#8 KAKUNODATE 

If you’re keen on Japanese history, a visit to Kakunodate is essential. Often called Tohoku’s “Little Kyoto”, this small town is filled with well-preserved samurai residences where 80 samurai families once lived in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Kakunodate is also famous for their weeping cherry blossoms that line the streets of this quaint town. Should this prompt you to plan a trip to Akita during the spring, do be warned that this is one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots so you can expect the town to be quite crowded. 

Kakunodate
45 Shimoshin-machi, Kakunodate-machi,
Semboku City, Akita 014-0315, Japan

#9 AOYAGI SAMURAI MANOR MUSEUM

The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum is a must-visit when in Kakunodate. Here, visitors will have the chance to learn about the different items the Aoyagi family used between the 17th to 20th century, and will also get to see the Main House, which was home to the descendants of the Aoyagi family until sometime in 1985.

Apart from the Main House, visitors can look forward to visiting the Kaitaishinsho Gallery, the Akita Folk Museum and the Bakumatsu Photo Gallery. Visitors can also try their hand at holding a samurai sword, lifting the Kago (a carriage used during the Edo period) and wearing the Samurai helmet.

Do note that you will be required to pay for tickets to enter the museum. Tickets for an adult will set you back 500 yen, for a student, 300 yen, and for children between the ages of 6 to 11 years, 200 yen. Entrance is free for children under the age of 5.

Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
3 Kakunodatemachi Omotemachishimocho,
Semobku, Akita 014-0331, Japan

#10 EAT AKITA’S HINAI JIDORI 

For those unfamiliar with the term, Jidori refers to chickens whose parents or one parent are native to Japan, and are raised according to a prescribed method (cage free or free range). Akita’s Hinai Jidori is one of Japan’s major “jidori” and what’s special about the meat is it’s savory and rich flavour. As for the eggs produced from the Hinai Jidori? They are incredibly tasty and way superior in flavour compared to the eggs back home.

If you’re staying in Akita City and are not sure where to enjoy the Hinai Jidori, you can drop by the Akita Hinai-Jidori Restaurant at the Akita Station for some fried chicken, or an Oyakodon.

Akita Hina-jidori Restaurant 
7 Chome-1-2, Nakadori,
Akita 010-0001, Japan

#11 SHOPPING AT THE AKITA STATION BUILDING “TOPICO”

What’s a trip to Japan without shopping for some Japanese souvenirs and snacks? One of the best places to get your shopping done in Akita is the Akita Station Building “Topico”. There is a farmer’s market on the first floor and confections, souvenirs, and other ready-made foods available for purchase on the 2nd floor.

Akita Station Building “Topico” 
7 Chome-1-2 Nakadori,
Akita 010-0001, Japan

#12 KUBOTA CASTLE

Just a five minute walk from the Akita station, the Kubota Castle is a Japanese castle that was home to the Satake clan (rulers of the northern Dewa Province) during the Edo period. However, a fire destroyed most of the Kubota Castle in 1880 and this led to reconstruction efforts for one corner of the castle in 1989.

Aside from viewing the Kubota Castle, other sights that you may pass by (and wish to visit) along your way up to the castle include the Satake Historical Material Museum, the Iyataka Shrine, and the Kurosawa House.

Kubota Castle
1-39 Senshu Park,
Akita City, Japan

Just as Japan has the Tsukiji Fish Market, South Korea’s best known fresh seafood market has got to be the Jagalchi Market. Located on the edge of Nampo Port in Busan, Jagalchi Market is considered the largest seafood market in South Korea and is a spot you must visit when in Busan. As Busan is frequented by quite a number of tourists, Jagalchi Market is relatively tourist-friendly for Singaporeans as most of the stall owners speak decent mandarin.

That said, if you’re looking to tuck into seafood at affordable prices, do take care to enter Jagalchi Market from the correct side of the building. Elsewise, you may find yourself making the same mistake as us – paying slightly higher prices for the exact same dishes at the other side of the building.

As a matter of orientation, this is what you should be looking for when you first enter Jagalchi Market. There will be a couple of rows of shops with fresh seafood laid out for your picking. After you select your choice of seafood, the stall owners will arrange for someone to bring you (and your seafood) up to the dining area to be cooked. Do note that payment for the seafood does not include preparation and cooking of the seafood. The restaurant owners at the dining area on the 2nd level will charge you separately for their service.

In contrast, if you enter from the other side of Jagalchi Market, you will be greeted by stalls with fresh seafood but each stall has a dining area attached to it. The spread of seafood available at this side of the Jagalchi Market is not as extensive as you would find at the other entrance, and the level of touting here is also significantly higher. Also, if you’re not careful, you may find yourselves paying a little more than what you expected to be charged.

Notwithstanding the sentiments above, Jagalchi Market is a paradise for seafood lovers. From eel, to Alaskan King Crabs, octopus and scallops, it will be a feast for the eyes. But one tip that we’d give is to only choose seafood that is displayed outside the shop to ensure that you are paying for what you select. Elsewise, unless you are opting for your seafood to be cooked, you should be prepared for an upset stomach.

Well, we were prepared to suffer the consequences so we opted to enjoy most of our seafood raw. Whilst this plate of sea urchins set us back by just 10,000 won, we felt that there was slightly lesser meat than what we had expected. But for its extremely affordable price tag, it was still a reasonable portion and a delicious meal option.

We could not leave Jagalchi Market without having Sannakji aka sliced raw octopus. The stall owner we purchased the seafood from threw this in for free, and even allowed our toddler to touch the live octopus for entertainment. If you’ve never tried Sannakji, it’s really not as scary as it looks. Doused with sesame oil and sesame seeds, the octopus meat was firm yet chewy, and just slightly slimy. However, if you’re not accustomed to this type of seafood, it would be wise to share this dish with another dining partner.

As for cooked seafood, 2 other dishes that we’d recommend are the Grilled Eel (10,000 won) and the Abalone Porridge (30,000 won). The eel was lightly salted and incredibly fresh, and though we’d have liked a larger portion of abalone, the Abalone Porridge was very satisfying.

Jagalchi Market
52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu,
Busan, South Korea

Please note that Jagalchi Market is closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month and that the prices stated above will differ across the different shops  

It goes without saying that all croissant lovers need to visit Nudake Sinsa when in Seoul. Brought to you by Gentle Monster, Nudake Sinsa is a viral bakery cafe in Gangnam which specializes in a single type of pastry — the croissant. This is Nudake’s third outlet after their first two outlets in Dosan and Seongsu.

Curious whether Nudake (and in particular, Nudake Sinsa) is worth the hype? Read on to find out.

We popped by Nudake Sinsa just after lunch. Whilst we didn’t expect to see a crowd outside the cafe given the timing of my visit, we were surprised to find Nudake Sinsa filled with a decent crowd on the first level. As for their dining space on the second level, it was close to full house.

The first thing that will catch your eye when you first enter Nudake Sinsa are the gigantic croissant sculptures that sit in the centre and at the corner of the clean and minimalist cafe space. And then right behind one of the croissant sculptures is a long table filled with different flavours of croissants for your picking.

This is where things get interesting. Nudake Sinsa doesn’t sell just regular croissants. Their menu features the Oniwassant, a French and Japanese fusion treat, which is a hybrid of the Japanese onigiri and a croissant. Their Oniwassant menu features 3 different shapes (a square, circle and flower) in 6 flavours.

 Being matcha lovers, we gravitated towards the first sight of matcha. This is the Peak Oniwassant (6,000 won), a flavour from Nudake’s signature menu. Even though we packed the Peak Oniwassant to go, we are happy to report that the square-shaped Oniwassant was still crispy and flakey the next day, and these textures paired well with the light matcha cream.

And if you’re looking for something more savoury, try the Pollock Roe Oniwassant (6,000 won) or the Green Onion Oniwassant (6,000 won). The former is a croissant filled with savory pollack roe cream cheese and pollack roe maple syrup, whereas the latter comprises a croissant filled with onion cream and scallion toppings. 

A tip — Nudake Sinsa is available for reservations on CatchTable. So if you’re serious about trying some of their Oniwassants, you know what you have to do. 

Nudake Sinsa
43 Gangnam-daero 162-gil,
Gangnam District, Seoul
Tel: +82 70-4177-6977

If there is one thing that you must try when in Seoul, it is Ganjang Gejang. For the uninitiated, Ganjang Gejang is a traditional Korean dish that comprises fresh raw crabs marinated in a mild soy-sauce based brine and it is absolutely delicious.

One of the best places to enjoy Ganjang Gejang in Seoul is Gebang Sikdang, a small and cosy restaurant in Gangnam which was featured in the Michelin Guide Seoul 2023. Helmed by Bang Geon-hyuk, a fashion marketer, and his parents who are veterans of the soy sauce marinated crab restaurant business, Gebang Sikdang is out to please and here is what you can look forward to during your meal. 

Gebang Sikdang’s menu primarily focusses on raw crab dishes and you’d be delighted to find dishes like the Soy Sauce Marinated Crab Roe Bibimbap (21,000 won), Spicy Sauce Marinated Crab Set (market price), Spicy Sauce Marinated Crab Roe Bibimbap (21,000 won) and more. Each dish is served with a seasonal fruit salad, 2 side dishes of the day, kimchi and dongchimi, soybean paste soup and laver. However, do note that each diner is required to order at least 1 meal.

But, the star of their menu is the Soy Sauce Marinated Crab Set. This set comprises a portion of soy sauce marinated crab, a seasonal fruit salad, a side dish of the day, handmade seasonal kimchi and dongchimi, clam seaweed soup. Whilst the price of this set is subject to the market price of the crabs, this set will be worth the while.

As someone who has never had Ganjang Gejang, I didn’t know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how much roe the dish was served with, and by the size of the blue crab.

Gebang Sikdang marinates the raw blue crabs with soy sauce, chilli pepper powder, garlic, ginger, rice malt, and other ingredients and this made for an exquisite flavour profile. The crab meat was fresh, soft yet firm, and each bite was a wonderful explosion of salty (which comes from the crab roe) and sweet (the soy sauce). That said, as the flavour profile of the meat is quite strong, you may wish to mix the meat together with the rice for a more balanced meal.

Another dish that we really enjoyed was the Spicy Sauce Marinated Crab Roe Bibimbap. The kick from the gochujang paired perfectly with the sweet flesh of the raw crab, and the saltiness from the laver added another layer of flavour to the entire dish. So if you’re someone who needs spice in your meals, this may be a better option for you than the Ganjang Gejang.

Given the size of the restaurant, we would highly recommend placing a reservation in advance of your trip. Reservations may be made via CatchTable, and a deposit of 20,000 won would be required per diner. For those who are driving in Seoul, parking is available onsite albeit in limited quantities.

Gebang Sikdang
17 Seolleung-ro, 131-gil
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82-10-8479-1107

If you’re active on social media and have been researching on cafes to visit in Seoul, Soha Salt Pond would have definitely popped up on your feed at some point of time.

Nestled within the cluster of cafes in Ikseondong, Soha Salt Pond is arguably one of the more aesthetic cafes in Seoul. It is instantly recognisable for the various mountains of salt around its premises and for the long queues that line the perimeter of the cafe.

But for the popularity that this cafe has enjoyed, are their bakes worth the wait?

For context, we visited Soha Salt Pond in the early summer. So if you are visiting during the warmer seasons, do temper your expectations. The exterior of Soha Salt Pond may not be as magical as what you’ve seen online due to the strong and harsh sun.

And to be honest, the Salt Pond is actually quite small in real life. Nonetheless, the elements of salt were incorporated beautifully into the traditional Korean houses and was pleasant to the eye.

We came here for their signature Soha Salted Bread (3,000 won) and the Soha Salted Bread only. Despite the online fanfare about this cafe, we were pleasantly surprised to only wait about 10 minutes for our food at 10.30am in the morning. However, as the seating area of the cafe was small and already filled, we opted to takeaway the bread instead.

Whilst you may have read excellent reviews of the Soha Salted Bread, we felt differently. We’re not saying that it isn’t good bread; it is. However, it just wasn’t as buttery, soft or crisp like the salt bread from another famous bakery just down the row of cafes.

But to be very objective, the Soha Salted Bread was still way better than the best salted bread you’ll get in Singapore.

There was just one other thing that bothered us. Even though we visited Soha Salt Pond in the morning, out of the extensive selection of bread flavours on their menu, the cafe only had 2 types of bread up for purchase i.e., the Soha Salted Bread and the Green Onion Salt Bread (4,500 won).

We wondered whether it was a case that the other flavours had been snapped up by other customers earlier that morning or that Soha Salt Pond couldn’t keep up with the demand.

Soha Salt Pond
21-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil,
Jongno District, Seoul

When thinking of a family-friendly place to travel to, Tokyo isn’t a place that typically comes to mind. Although Tokyo is known for being a vibrant, bustling city i.e., not quite suitable for travelling with children, you’d be surprised to know that there are a number of activities/places that you can visit with your children and form precious memories as a family.

Instead of avoiding travelling to Tokyo until the kids are older, we’ve done the work for you. This way, you can slot these activities into your Tokyo itinerary and still enjoy Tokyo and its beauty as an adult. So here are 9 Child-Friendly Places To Visit In Tokyo. Have fun planning! 

#1 ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM

If your children are big fans of marine life, the Art Aquarium Museum will definitely be a delight. Located on the 8th and 9th floor of the Ginza Mitsukoshi New Building, the Art Aquarium Museum is designed by Hidetomo Kimura who has created 9 different exhibition spaces with moving projections, lights, and thousands of goldfish.

Admission tickets will set you back by 2,300 yen (online pricing) or 2,500 yen (same-day ticket) and tickets can be easily purchased outside the museum. The Art Aquarium Museum also offers free admission for up to 2 children under elementary school age with every adult ticket purchased.

Art Aquarium Museum
4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo City
Tokyo 104-8212, Japan

#2 FIRE MUSEUM

The Fire Museum is located within the Yotsuya Fire Station in Shinjuku, and is dedicated to sharing the city’s history with fire-fighting. The Fire Museum has a decent number of interactive exhibits which your children will enjoy, and most of their displays are accompanied by English write-ups. One tip is to start your visit at the basement of the Fire Museum and then make your way up through the different floors of the museum. Once at the rooftop, you’d be rewarded with a beautiful view of Shinjuku and also have the chance to enter a helicopter. 

The Fire Museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30am to 5pm and admission is free for all. However, do note that the museum’s opening hours may be adjusted during national holidays or festive periods, so do double check their opening hours when planning your visit.

Fire Museum
3-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku,
Tokyo 101-8301, Japan

#3 MAXELL AQUA PARK SHINAGAWA

You can never go wrong with a trip to the aquarium. Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa is one of the most popular public aquariums in Tokyo and is home to approximately 450 species and 18,000 marine animals. Apart from enjoying the sights of the  marine animals, you’d also be treated to a brilliant dolphin performances, penguin performances, otter performances and more.

Admission is free for children below 4 years old. Tickets for children between 4 years old and elementary school age cost 800 yen, and cost 1,300 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa is open daily from 10am to 8pm (last entry at 7pm).

Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa
Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa 4-10-30 Takanawa,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8611, Japan

#4 MIPIG CAFE

One interesting animal cafe experience that will interest both children and adults alike is the mipig cafe. The mipig cafe is Japan’s very first animal cafe which offers visitors the opportunity to encounter and learn more about micro pigs. Here, the micro pigs will walk freely around the cafe, and some of them may even fall asleep on your lap.

mipig cafe has 4 outlets in Tokyo and entry fees are fixed at 1,100 yen. Visitors who are above 4 years of age will also be charged a usage fee of 1,100 yen per half an hour block. And if your children are interested in a more intimate experience, a top up of 550 yen per pax per half an hour is required for the Private Room plan. For those visiting, please note that the cafe only accepts reservations and slots are available from 10am to 8pm daily.

mipig cafe
Jingumae 1-15-4,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

#5 SENSO-JI TEMPLE

Senso-Ji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in Tokyo. The temple grounds are absolutely stunning and you’d be treated to views of the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the Asakusa Shrine, the main hall and the 5-storey pagoda.

After taking in sights of the temple, you and your family can explore the Namakise (a shopping street of over 200 metres) whilst walking from the outer gate to the temple’s second gate. The Namakise is filled with many traditional shops, dining spots, shops selling souvenirs and o-mikuji (fortune) stalls, all of which will definitely keep your children occupied. Also, as Senso-Ji Temple is quite close to a number of kimono/yukata rental shops, head on down to snap some pictures at this beautiful temple after the family dons on their selected kimono/yukata. 

Senso-ji Temple
2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City,
Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

#6 SMALL WORLDS MINIATURE MUSEUM

The Small Worlds Miniature Museum is one of the largest miniature museums in Asia which spans across a total area of 7,000 square metres. Here, your children will explore 8 themed areas with different landscapes (including some familiar landscapes like Hong Kong, an airport), and will be entertained by the various moving features of the exhibits.

The museum is open from 9am to 7pm daily, and entry to the museum will end at 6pm. Tickets are free for children under 3 years of age, and for families visiting with young children, the museum is equipped with diaper changing facilities and a nursing room. 

Small Worlds Miniature Museum
Ariake Butsuryu Centre, 1-3-33 Ariake,
Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063, Japan

#7 TEAMLAB PLANETS 

TeamLab Planets is arguably one of Tokyo’s most famous interactive museums which comprises 4 artwork spaces and 2 gardens. Here, visitors will walk through the museum barefoot, and be taken on a journey through the water, the garden and the flowers. However, as one of the artwork spaces requires visitors to walk through water, do ensure that your children are dressed appropriately. If not, you will likely need to carry them through the space for safety reasons.

As TeamLab Planets is rather popular with both locals and tourists, on top of reserving your tickets in advance, we would recommend visiting early in the day to beat the queue. Admission is free for children under 3 years of age and 1,500 yen for children between 4 to 12 years of age.

TeamLab Planets
6 Chome 1-16 Toyosu,
Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan

#8 TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

You can’t say you’ve been to Tokyo if you’ve never visited Tsukiji Fish Market. Although the wholesale business has moved to Toyosu Market, there are still plenty of retail shops at the Tsukiji Outer Market which offers fresh seafood, produce and dried goods for sale.

If you’re accustomed to the usual seafood display in our grocery marts at home, Tsukiji Fish Market will be an eye-opening experience for not just you, but the children. And for those travelling with strollers, do not fret. The walkways of Tsukiji Fish Market are sufficiently big, so navigating the market with a stroller won’t be difficult.

Tsukiji Fish Market
4-14-2, Tsukiji, Chuo City,
104-0045 Tokyo Prefecture

#9 YOYOGI PONY PARK

For free pony rides in Tokyo, head on down to Yoyogi Pony Park. At Yoyogi Pony Park, your children will get the chance to enjoy pony rides and brush ponies for free. Children above 85cm in height will be able to participate in the pony riding experience solo whereas children below the aforesaid height requirement can enjoy the pony ride with an adult, subject to a total weight of 75kg.

Yoyogi Pony Park offers 2 pony ride sessions a day from Tuesday to Friday and an additional session on the weekends. Pony rides must also be redeemed with a card to be collected from one of their staff members prior to each pony ride session. As for pony brushing sessions, 2 such sessions are scheduled from Tuesday to Friday and an additional 2 sessions are available on the weekends.

Yoyogi Pony Park
4-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City,
Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
Tel: +81333739996

When you think of Japan, you think of fresh seafood. And when you think of a fresh seafood market in Tokyo, Tsukiji Fish Market would definitely come to mind.

Prior to 2018, Tsukiji Fish Market was recognised as the largest wholesale seafood market in the world. Come 2018, the wholesale businesses in Tsukiji Fish Market (aka the Tsukiji Inner Market) moved to Toyosu Market but the retail shops continued operating at the Tsukiji Outer Market. Here, you’d still be able to find all sorts of fresh seafood, produce and even dried goods.

So if you’re planning a trip to Tokyo soon and have yet to experience what Tsukiji Fish Market has to offer, read on to find out why a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market would be worth your time.

If you’ve never been to Tsukiji Fish Market, this is what you can expect. You’ll walk down a walkway lined with numerous shops selling all sorts of fresh seafood and live seafood. As there is a certain degree of overlap in the spread of seafood that each store offers, it would be prudent to walk through the entire market before settling on your purchase to make sure that you get a bang for your buck.

We visited Tsukiji Fish Market in the late morning on a weekday, and were pleasantly surprised to still find quite a number of locals and tourists buzzing around the different stalls. Even so, given the size of the walkway, we were able to navigate Tsukiji Fish Market quite easily even with a stroller.

For those unsure of whether it would be worthwhile bringing young children to Tsukiji Fish Market, we assure you that it is. Apart from our toddler’s fascination with the array of seafood offerings, most of the store owners were friendly and even took the initiative to interact with our toddler whilst we were perusing their seafood options.

One of our favourite parts of Tsukiji Fish Market was this humble tuna store which not only sold fresh tuna, but also performed a live tuna carving for customers to enjoy. Once cut, the store separated the cuts of tuna sashimi according to their grades, and packaged them accordingly for sale.

Thinking of cooking your fresh seafood upstairs? Think again. Whilst there is an outdoor dining area and a food court at the top floor of Tsukiji Fish Market, there are no facilities or restaurants where you can pay to have your fresh seafood purchases cooked. But if you intend to enjoy your seafood sashimi-style, you can definitely head upstairs to enjoy your food.

Tsukiji Fish Market
4-14-2, Tsukiji, Chuo City,
104-0045 Tokyo Prefecture

Sembawang Confectionery is a humble old-school bakery tucked away at the ground floor of a HDB estate at Beach Road, not Sembawang. This bakery has been rolling out freshly baked bread and cakes since the 1960s. Best of all, their goods are free from preservatives.

During the short time we spent at Sembawang Confectionery, the bakery was visited by plenty of regulars which only goes to show how well-loved their bakes are. So take this as your sign to drop by Sembawang Confectionery if you haven’t visited them before.

Sembawang Confectionery carries a wide array of baked goods for your picking. From individually wrapped buns, loaves of bread, kueh, pastries and nostalgic Western cakes, there is something for everyone here.

To top it off, customers can take their time to select their favourites because Sembawang Confectionery is known for their friendly staff who are patient and customer-centric.

When we asked their staff to recommend us some items, she shared that the Cream Horn (S$2) was one of their top-sellers and we witnessed this in person too. Just as we ordered the Cream Horn, someone dropped by to pick up an order and there just wasn’t enough left on the shelf to pack for them. Say what?

Whilst we found the pastry of the Cream Horn decently flaky, the cream filling leaned towards being more of a butter-based cream rather than fresh cream. So if you’re intending to purchase some Cream Horns for yourself, do note that the Cream Horn is best enjoyed fresh instead of being kept in the fridge for later occasion.

Another interesting find at Sembawang Confectionery is the Pineapple Leaf Pie (S$1.50), a twist on the well-loved pineapple tart. Put simply, the Pineapple Leaf Pie shares the same concept as the Bunny Shaped Pineapple Tarts that you’d see during Chinese New Year i.e., a crumbly buttery shell filled with pineapple paste.

Whilst the taste of the Pineapple Leaf Pie was decent for the price, we’d have liked the pastry to be slightly saltier for a deeper flavour.

The best part about all these traditional bakeries is their range of nostalgic old-school Western Heritage Cakes (S$1.80 per slice), especially the “Traffic Light” cake. Sembawang Confectionery’s Heritage Cakes come in chocolate and vanilla flavours, and each slice of cake is carefully decorated with different designs.

Taste-wise, the Heritage Cakes were moist and the buttercream was fresh and light. But if we were asked about what would make the cakes better, we would have liked the cakes to have a slightly fluffier texture. 

Some other treats that you can pick up at Sembawang Confectionery include the Egg Tarts (S$1.50) and Custard Cream Puff (S$1.50). Although they weren’t outstanding, they would make a lovely and affordable afternoon snack for the family.

Sembawang Confectionery
6 Beach Rd, #01-4869,
Singapore 190006
Tel: +65 6295 3965

Contrary to popular belief, Tokyo is actually home to a decent number of child-friendly activities that both locals and tourists can enjoy. For those who are looking for animal-based activities but aren’t keen on such experiences indoors, you need to include Yoyogi Pony Park in your itinerary. 

Yoyogi Pony Park offers children the opportunity to enjoy pony rides and brush ponies. Best of all, it’s absolutely free. This small park is also situated near to the famous Meiji Jingu, so you can treat Yoyogi Pony Park as a pitstop for the children to have fun at before exploring the surroundings of Meiji Jingu.

Yoyogi Pony Park offers 2 pony ride sessions for children under the age of 12 from Tuesday to Friday (1:30pm – 2:15pm and 2:30pm – 3:15pm)* and an additional session from 10:30am – 11:15am on weekends.

Do note that your child has to be at least 85cm to take part in this pony riding experience alone and that they will only be entitled to a pony ride once around the track. Children between 1 and 3 years old can sit on the pony together with their parents, subject to a total weight of 75kg.

Before participating in this experience, children will need to collect a card from Yoyogi Pony Park’s staff, which they will subsequently drop into a box before mounting the pony. Ticket distribution is between 1:30pm – 2:15pm (except Thursdays) and 2:30pm – 3:15pm.

Just a tip: As this park is frequented by quite a number of local children, we’d advise you to reach the park at least 15 minutes before the scheduled sessions as Yoyogi Pony Park’s staff will start handing out cards to children around this time. Also, as there is only one pony available for the pony ride sessions, being present early would also allow you to beat the queue.

As for brushing the ponies, there are 2 “Brushing Time” sessions scheduled each day (1:30pm – 1:45pm, and 2:30pm – 2:45pm)* and these sessions are also free. If you’re visiting on the weekend, there is an additional sessions from 10:30am – 10:45am and 3:30pm – 3:45pm. During these sessions, children get to choose from a basket of small brushes and thereafter brush the adorable ponies for at least half a minute. Thankfully, the queues for these sessions aren’t long and Yoyogi Pony Park does not restrict you from rejoining the queues for this experience.

Before visiting, do remember to run a check online to see if there are any events ongoing outside the Yoyogi Pony Park as they may put horse riding sessions on hold if the events are too loud for the ponies. Pony riding is also suspended from January to February and from July to September.

Yoyogi Pony Park
4-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City,
Tokyo 151-0052, Japan
Tel: +81333739996

*The sessions stated above are accurate as at the time of writing. Please double check the slots online before making arrangements to visit Yoyogi Pony Park. 

Objectively, when one thinks of the food enclave at Katong, Katong Shopping Centre wouldn’t come to mind. And if you’re a fan of bananas, you’ve been missing out. 

Dona Manis Cake Shop is a small and humble 28-year-old bakery nestled within the basement of Katong Shopping Centre. Co-founded by friends back in 1992, Dona Manis Cake Shop has received much love for their banana pie over the years and there is no indication that this is going to change any time soon.

Dona Manis Cake Shop’s Banana Pie will only set you back S$3.30 per slice and S$33 for a whole pie (10 slices). Whilst bananas feature as the central ingredient of their pies, Dona Manis Cake Shop also incorporates coconut into their recipe, which is why the Banana Pie must be refrigerated 1 day after purchase, and consumed within 3 days after purchase.

So are we fans of the Banana Pie? You bet we are. Their Banana Pie was filled with a generous helping of bananas, and the filling was moist even after the Banana Pie spent a day in the fridge. The moist filling was complemented by the crunch of the toasted almonds atop the pie. Whilst you can pick up the Banana Pie in stores, do consider ordering the Banana Pie in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you’re looking for something else to take home, we’d recommend you giving their Marble Cake (S$8) a try. Don’t let its unassuming appearance deceive you — the cake was ridiculously soft and had a slightly powdery “melt-in-the-mouth” texture. This would pair well with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Dona Manis Cake Shop
865 Mountbatten Road,
Katong Shopping Centre, #B1-93,
Singapore, 437844
Tel: 6440 7688

For those who are working in the Bukit Merah and Alexandra neighbourhoods, you’d definitely know how difficult it is to find a spot to dine at (and one which serves up good food) during the lunch hour. With the eatery’s roots dating back to 2006, Joe’s Thai Kitchen at Alexandra Village has received much praise for their authentic Thai dishes over the years.

Drop by Joe’s Thai Kitchen for authentic and legit Thai food with no additional GST charges.

Joe’s Thai Kitchen is a casual Thai eatery at Alexandra Village headed by a Thai Chef and his Singaporean wife.

Joe’s Thai Kitchen keeps things simple and easy so you won’t find any sort of extravagant decor in this eatery. Their walls are kept largely bare, and their tablecloths are reminiscent of the old-school tablecloths that we grew up with. Given this, you know that this eatery focuses their attention on what’s important — the food.

When we visited, we had to order one of our favourite Thai dishes — the Rice with Basil Leaf Minced Pork & Egg (S$8.90). Although the minced pork was on the salty side, this was balanced by the sweetness of the basil leaves. However, if you’re someone who isn’t fond of spicy food, we’d recommend you to proceed with caution as the Rice with Basil Leaf Minced Pork & Egg was spicier than we expected.

How can you dine at a Thai restaurant without ordering some green curry? As compared to the other green curries in Singapore which feature quite a fair bit of coconut milk to suit the Singaporean palate, Joe’s Thai Kitchen kept their version of the green curry closer to what you’d find in Thailand. Their Green Curry Chicken (S$8.80) featured significantly lesser coconut milk which allowed the spices of the green curry to shine. This is authentic Thai food at its best.

You can’t go wrong with ordering Tom Yum soup, and Joe’s Thai Kitchen’s rendition of this dish met our expectations The Tom Yum Nam Kone (Original Orange Soup Base) with Seafood (S$8.50).

Whilst Joe’s Thai Kitchen served a decent portion of soup, we would have liked for the soup to have come with slightly more ingredients. As compared to some other local Thai restaurants, the flavours of fish sauce featured more prominently in the broth so don’t be surprised when you have your first taste of the soup.

Joe’s Thai Kitchen
Blk 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-182,
Singapore 150125
Tel: +65 6270 8484

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake is a classic Japanese bakery located within Alexandra Village which specialises in baking fluffy and creamy Japanese cheesecakes. Helmed by Donald and Joanne, a couple who left their full-time jobs in search of a livelihood that would better support their passion for volunteer work, Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake’s cheesecakes are free of additives and preservatives.

If you’re considering dropping by to purchase their cheesecakes, you are encouraged to place a pre-order with this bakery as Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake operates on a bake-to-order system. With this, you know that you’re only going to get the freshest and fluffiest cheesecake.

As Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake is situated within the enclave of eateries at Alexandra Village, we would advise you to avoid the lunch hour if you intend to drive down to the bakery. Parking is extremely limited during the lunch hour, so you’d be better off making arrangements to collect your order outside the lunch hour.

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake bakes their cheesecakes with the “water bath” method. Donald and Joanne steam the cheesecakes for about an hour, which allows the cheesecakes to rise and develop that perfect fluffy texture we all love Japanese cheesecakes for.

Whilst Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake has a decent selection of cheesecake flavours, customers should note that not all flavours are available every day. We decided to order the Original Cheesecake (S$10) and the Cranberry Cheesecake (S$12). Considering their price tags, the cheesecakes did not disappoint.

Although the cheesecakes are made with less sugar and cream, this didn’t have any implications on its texture. The cheesecakes were creamy and adequately sweet. We also liked the idea of being able to indulge in more slices without worrying about the calories.

Other flavours you can look forward to at Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake include the Raisin Cheesecake (S$11), Rainbow Cheesecake (S$14) and Black Cookie Cheesecake (S$11). 

Apart from their selection of baked cheesecakes, you can also pick up some Butter Cookies (Less Sweet) (S$12 per bottle) from Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake. We are pleased to report that these cookies are so addictive. On top of tasting like homemade cookies, the cookies are not overly buttery and has just the right amount of sugar.

Kiroi Freshly Baked Cheese Cake
123 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-118,
Singapore 150123
Tel: +65 9845 9845

If you’re still contemplating whether to pay a visit to the iconic Bukit Timah Railway Station, a meal at 1932 Story Cafe should be good enough reason to start planning your visit. 

For the uninitiated, 1932 Story Cafe is a 1930s-themed cafe which has found its home in what used to be the Railway Staff Quarters at the Bukit Timah Railway Station. Apart from dishing up some pretty decent cafe fare, diners would also get to enjoy the nostalgic decorations and train memorabilia around the cafe. Best of all, 1932 Story Cafe does not charge GST.

Being the only dining option at the Bukit Timah Railway Station, 1932 Story Cafe can experience reasonably heavy foot traffic during weekends especially when the weather is good. Thankfully for us, we visited 1932 Story Cafe on a drizzly Saturday morning so the cafe was only about 50% occupied.

1932 Story Cafe offers diners the option to dine indoors or outdoors. Those who dine outdoors will get to enjoy the greenery (and a healthy does of Vitamin D), and those who dine indoors will get to enjoy the cafe’s tasteful nostalgic decor.

When you first step into 1932 Story Cafe, you will feel as if you’ve stepped into someone’s personal museum. The selection and placement of all decoration pieces felt intentional, and we especially loved the feature of the old-school ticket station in the center of the cafe — such a statement piece.

To pass the time when waiting for your meal, you can wander to the rear of 1932 Story Cafe to have a tour of their heritage gallery. Here, you’d find plenty of train memorabilia including an old railway telephone and tickets from the former KTM railway.

Apart from the usual coffee and tea offerings, 1932 Story Cafe carries a range of specialty drinks for the adventurous such as the Charred Smoke Latte (S$6) and Rose Latte (S$6). But for those visiting with young children, you can order as per what we did — a Piccolo (S$4.50) for dad, Matcha Latte (S$5.50) for mom and a Babycino (S$2.50) for the toddler.

What is brunch without some poached eggs? We ordered 1932 Story Cafe’s rendition of the eggs benedict — the Eggs Benedict & Honey Chicken Ham with Sourdough Bread (S$15.90).

On balance, we thought that 1932 Story Cafe did a pretty good job with the dish. The sourdough bread was lightly toasted and the poached eggs had an adequately runny yolk. That said, we thought that the Hollandaise sauce was slightly underwhelming and would have preferred for the sauce to have a slightly stronger egg flavour. 

If you’re keen to sample their local delights, we would definitely recommend ordering the Sesame Ball with Ground Peanut Filling (S$3.90 for 3 pieces). The sesame balls were freshly fried and the peanut filling was rather tasty.

Waffles are one of the best things to enjoy at a cafe. At 1932 Story Cafe, you can enjoy the Belgian Waffle (S$6) which comprises 2 pieces of waffles drizzled with honey and icing sugar. Whilst there wasn’t anything outstanding about the waffles, the waffles were crispy, light and fluffy.

1932 Story Cafe
1005 Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 596121
Tel: +65 8766 4223

For those who live in Clementi, Balmoral Bakery is an old-school bakery that would be no stranger to you. With roots dating back to the mid-1960s, Balmoral Bakery is well-loved for their baked pastries and fluffy cakes.

If you’re not sure where Balmoral Bakery is, all you’ll need to do is use your sense of smell to guide you. We kid you not — that’s how amazing their bakes smell even from a distance away. Here’s what you can expect at this traditional bakery.

Balmoral Bakery is located at the edge of the rows of shops at Sunset Way Residence. However, what makes this humble bakery stand out is its brick walls and tiled flooring. Given that the logo of Balmoral Bakery bears resemblance to the Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the choice of red brick walls for the bakery’s was definitely an appropriate choice.

Although Balmoral Bakery doesn’t occupy a very large store space, customers would be impressed by the range of baked goods that they carry within the store. We were drawn in by the rows of freshly baked pastries which made a feast for the eyes.

The pastries at Balmoral Bakery are priced affordably and most are below S$2 each. Our picks were the Chicken Pie (S$1.80), Char Siew Soh (S$1.60) and the Beef Pie (S$2.50). Other options that you can choose include the Chicken Curry Puff (S$1.60), Beef Curry Puff (S$1.60) and Sausage Roll (S$1.60).

Our thoughts? We were big fans of the Chicken Pie and Beef Pie. Each pastry was filled with large chunks of meat, and the flavours were rich and slightly peppery. Best of all? The pastry crust was crispy and flaky even after keeping the pies in the fridge and reheating them the next day. That means you can order more pies and freeze them for future consumption.

As for the Char Siew Soh, whilst the pastry had a pleasing appearance, we weren’t impressed by its flavour. So if you’re visiting Balmoral Bakery for the first time, we’d recommend giving this a miss.

The Bacon & Onion Quiche (S$2.50) was a pretty decent option. The quiche was filled with a generous portion of bacon and white onions, and the saltiness of the bacon was a beautiful contrast to the sweetness of the white onions. The egg custard of the Bacon & Onion Quiche was also pretty tasty and the layer of melted cheese atop the pastry brought all the flavours together.

It would be a crime to leave a traditional bakery without ordering some of their traditional western cakes. We selected Coconut, Vanilla, Kaya Pandan, Chocolate and Coffee Chocolate, all of which were priced at S$1.80 per slice. The buttercream of each slice of cake was light and not overly sweet, and the texture of the cakes was soft and sufficiently fluffy.

Balmoral Bakery
105 Clementi Street 12,
#01-06, Singapore 120105
Tel: 6779 2064

In this day and age, you don’t often come across bakeries that are open 24 hours every day. Sing Hon Loong Bakery is a traditional bakery at Whampoa which sells old-school buns throughout the day. Yes, that’s right; all day, every day. 

With more than 50 years of history, this is one of the best bakeries to visit for a trip down memory lane or if you’re looking for a quick yet reliable fix for that random carb craving. Here’s what you can expect at Sing Hon Loong Bakery. 

For those who intend to pay Sing Hon Loong Bakery a visit, do keep in mind that this is a humble and unpretentious family business who is just focused on selling straightforward, simple bakes. Don’t expect a wide selection of different or fancy-flavoured breads here. This is where simplicity is at its best.

When you drop by, you need to pick up a few of Sing Hon Loong Bakery’s traditional loaves which would pair perfectly with a cup of Kopi or Teh. Out of the few that we picked, we would recommend the Red Bean Buns (a set for S$2.50) which were fragrant, soft, and contained a satisfying portion of red bean filling. 

But if you’re looking for a quick snack, Sing Hon Loong carries a decent spread of classic buns for your picking. Popular classic bun flavours include Coconut (S$2), Red Bean (S$1.20) and Curry (S$1.50). Although these classic buns were priced more affordably than buns you’d find in commercial bakeries, we were pleasantly surprised with the soft and fluffy texture of the bread, and the generous portion of filling within each classic bun. 

Sing Hon Loong Bakery
4 Whampoa Drive
Singapore 327715
Tel: 6256 0878

For those who grew up in the West side of Singapore, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery would be a name familiar to you. A family-run bakery situated along Chun Tin Road, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery is known for selling Teochew-style pastries and traditional Western cakes at affordable prices.

Here’s why you should pay a visit to this bakery the next time you are in the Upper Bukit Timah area.

Step back into time once you reach the doorstep of Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. From traditional patterned tiled floors to the blue Bostwick collapsible gates (aka shophouse grilles), these are just some reasons why this humble bakery has stayed popular with many Singaporeans for more than 60 years.

Pastries always taste best freshly baked, and this is exactly what you’d get at Ng Kim Lee Confectionery. One of their top-selling bakes is the mini butter muffins.

At just S$0.70 per piece, you’d be able to sample many of their flavours without feeling the pinch. As we arrived rather late in the day, we only managed to pick up a couple of their Strawberry Muffins and Jam Muffins. These mini butter muffins had a balanced taste and was not overly buttery.

Other popular pastries that we sampled were the Honey Chicken Siew Pao (S$1.60 per piece) and Portuguese Egg Tart (S$1.50 per piece). The crust of the Honey Chicken Siew Pao was crispy and when cut, revealed tasty chicken chunks enveloped by a buttery flaky crust. The filling of the Portuguese Egg Tart had a slight milky flavour and its pastry was not overcooked.

If you fancy something sweeter, Ng Kim Lee Confectionery offers a decent spread of traditional Western cakes for your picking. We were told that the Durian Mousse Cake (S$3) and the Yam Mousse Cake (S$3) were their most popular flavours. Though you’d expect these ingredients to have strong flavours, both cakes were soft, slightly sweet, and light in flavour.

You can also pick up childhood snacks (such as Iced Gems, Pig Ears at S$3 per packet), Tau Sar Piah (S$4.50 per packet) and Walnut Biscuits (S$3 per packet) here. A tip: As their freshly baked pastries sell out quickly, we recommend visiting the bakery earlier in the day. Elsewise, drop by to enquire about their daily baking schedule so that you can pick up your favourite bakes fresh out of the oven.

Ng Kim Lee Confectionery
4 Chun Tin Road
Singapore 599591