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Seoul(Gimpo)

on February 25th, 2026 (JST) current information

Immigration and Visa

Visa

No visa is required for stays of up to ninety days for tourism, but visitors aged 18 to 64 must receive Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) in advance. (As a temporary campaign, Japanese passport holders do not require a visa for the period until December 31, 2026). It is recommended to apply for authorization within three days before departure. Authorization is valid for 3 years, and you do not generally need to be re-authorized during that period.

Electronic Arrival Card

Instead of the regular paper-based arrival card, starting in January 2026, you can create an e-Arrival Card online. Declarations can be made up to 3 days before arriving in the Republic of Korea.https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr/portal/main/index.do?locale=JP

Passport

An existing validity period of at least 3 months from the time of entry is recommended when entering the country.

Quarantine

When visiting from Japan, you must declare when bringing the following items into South Korea.

Animals, livestock products, meat (including skin or fur), animal products, plants, or vegetables. Seafood, agricultural products and other food products, seeds, or soil.
Live pathogens and pests (including pet insects)

Customs

Bringing in e-cigarettes

The scope of tax exemptions on e-cigarettes for travelers is up to 200 cigarettes or 20 ml of liquid. For all other types of e-cigarettes, up to 110 g. E-cigarettes are not tax free for travelers under age 19.

For bringing and possession of tax-free cigarettes

Liquor: 2 bottle (total volume less than 2L, total price under $400)
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or e-cigarette nicotine solution 20ML (with nicotine content less than 1%)
Perfume: 100ml

Alcohol and tobacco products are not tax free for travelers under age 19.

Time difference and Daylight Saving Time

Time difference

There is no time difference between Japan and South Korea. Neither is daylight saving time observed, so the time in South Korea is the same as Japan throughout the year.

Climate

South Korea’s climate can be considered nearly identical to the northern to central regions of Honshu in Japan. There are four distinct seasons and a rainy season. Usually, visitors from Japan can wear the same type of clothing as they wore in Japan at the time of their departure. Winter is quite cold, so precautions against the cold must be taken. Generally, the disparity between cold and warm temperatures is more extreme than Japan.

Monthly Average temperature & Precipitation in Seoul and Tokyo

Monthly average temperature and precipitation

The average maximum temperature in Tokyo and Seoul, The average minimum temperature in Tokyo and Seoul

month	The average maximum temperature in Tokyo	The average minimum temperature in Tokyo	The average maximum temperature in Seoul	The average minimum temperature in Seoul
Jan.	10℃	2℃	2℃	-6℃
Feb.	10℃	2℃	3℃	-4℃
Mar.	13℃	5℃	8℃	0℃
Apr.	18℃	10℃	15℃	5℃
May	23℃	15℃	24℃	12℃
Jun.	25℃	18℃	27℃	15℃
Jul.	28℃	23℃	28℃	22℃
Aug.	31℃	24℃	30℃	22℃
Sep.	27℃	21℃	26℃	15℃
Oct.	23℃	15℃	20℃	8℃
Nov.	17℃	10℃	13℃	2℃
Dec.	13℃	5℃	4℃	-3℃

The average precipitation in Tokyo and Seoul

month	The average precipitation in Tokyo	The average precipitation in Seoul
Jan.	50mm	30mm
Feb.	60mm	40mm
Mar.	120mm	50mm
Apr.	130mm	80mm
May	130mm	100mm
Jun.	170mm	150mm
Jul.	160mm	330mm
Aug.	150mm	340mm
Sep.	210mm	130mm
Oct.	160mm	50mm
Nov.	90mm	60mm
Dec.	50mm	30mm

Currency and Exchange Rate, Tax, Currency exchange, Tip

Currency and Exchange Rate

South Korean banknotes and coins

The unit of currency is the won, abbreviated as W. As of March 12, 2026, W100 is equal to approx. JPY10.74. There are four denominations of banknotes: W50000, W10000, W5000, and W1000. There are seven types of coins: W500, W100, W50, W10 (new and old), W5, and W1.

Tax

Consumption activities are subject to a 10% value added tax (VAT). The minimum duty-free purchase amount was lowered to W15,000 in 2024. Foreign tourists can receive a tax refund by completing a procedure at a store with a TAX FREE symbol. You cannot get a refund for food and drink costs at restaurants that are not eligible for a tax refund.

Tip

Tipping is not required. A service charge is added in advance to expenses such as meal charges at upscale establishments and room fees at hotels. It is acceptable to tip when receiving a special or excessive service.

Voltage and plug

Voltage

A 220V outlet

In South Korea, the voltage is 220V and outlets are mostly the same shape as Europe, type SE (that also fit type C plugs). In Japan, the voltage is 100V and outlets are type A, so a plug adapter or transformer is needed when using Japanese electronics there. Japanese electronics that are also compatible with 220V only require a plug adapter and not a transformer.

Video and DVD

The DVD region code is 2 in Japan and 3 in South Korea. When buying DVDs, get ones that are region free (all region). DVDs cannot be played on store-bought DVD players with a different region code. The region code can be changed on computers, but usually only up to 5 times.

Blu-ray system

For Blu-ray, both Japan and South Korea are region A, so Blu-rays bought in South Korea can be played normally in Japan.

Mail

International postage rates to Japan are as follows.

International Postal Fees to Japan

Postcards sent by airmail are W430.
Sealed Letters up to 10g sent by airmail are W570.
Small packages(Airmail) : up to 100g W4,460, up to 200g W4,990, up to 1kg W10,680
International small parcels: W9,900 for up to 1 kg and W15,500 for up to 2 kg by sea. Airmail is W17,000 for up to 500 g, W18,000 for up to 1 kg, W19,500 for up to 1.5 kg, and W21,000 for up to 2 kg
K-Packet: W4,550 for up to 100 g, W5,730 for up to 200 g, and W14,090 for up to 1 kg
EMS non-documents: W23,500 for up to 500 g

A separate postal fee is now required for international airmail. The fee is W40 per 100 g when sending airmail to Japan. You can buy stamps at post offices as well as some stationery shops. It is best to send parcels by EMS (Express Mail Service) or K-Packet from the post office (or from certain department stores and souvenir shops that will ship it for you).

Phone Call

How to phone

Telephoning Japan from South Korea

Ex. When calling (03) 1234-5678 or (090) 1234-5678

STEP1

dial 001 or 002 or 005 or 008 or 00700 (International telephone identification numbers)

STEP2

81 (Country Code, Japan )

STEP3

3 or 90 (Remove the first 0 for area codes and mobile telephone numbers)

STEP4

1234-5678 (Other parties telephone No.)

Telephoning South Korea from Japan

Ex. When calling Seoul (02) 123-4567

STEP1

010 (International Identification No.)

STEP2

82 (Country Code, South Korea)

STEP3

2(Area code, remove first 0)

STEP4

123-45678 (Other parties telephone number)

Pre-registration to World Call is required for NTT DoCoMo.

Holiday / National holiday

South Korean national holidays include those according to the Gregorian calendar and those according to the lunar calendar. Dates of holidays according to the lunar calendar change each year. There are three: the Korean New Year (lunar New Year), Buddha's birthday, and Chuseok (similar to the Bon festival of the lunar calendar in Japan).

2026

January 1: New Year's Day
February 16 to 18: Seollal holidays (Korean New Year; Seollal Day is February 17)
March 1: March First Day (Independence Movement Day); March 2: Substitute holiday
May 5: Children's Day
May 24: Buddha's Birthday
June 6: Memorial Day
August 15: Gwangbokjeol (Liberation Day)
September 24 to 26: Chuseok holidays (including a substitute holiday; Chuseok Day is September 25)
October 3: Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day); October 5 (Substitute holiday)
October 9: Hangeul Proclamation Day
December 25: Christmas Day

Language

The official language is Korean. Hangul, a system of phonetic characters created in the 15th century.

Business hours, etc

Business hours

Banks

Mon. to Fri. 9:00 to 16:00, closed on Sat., Sun., holidays. Money can be exchanged during business hours.

Post Office

Mon. to Fri. 9:00 to 18:00 (Banking services open to 16:30), closed Sat., Sun., holidays. Government offices are also closed on Saturdays.

Shops

Generally open around 10:00 to 20:00. Many buildings devoted to fashion-related shops are open until very late at night. Many shops close on the Chinese New Year and on Chuseok.