Day Trip to Tsushima Island from Busan

While scrolling through maps, I accidentally discovered Tsushima—a small island between South Korea and Japan. Since I was already visiting Busan, I decided to add a quick trip there, and it turned out to be such a fun experience! The island is only 50km from Busan, with a 2-hour ferry ride to get there—but it belongs to Japan 🇯🇵. This was also my first time crossing a border by ferry, which made the trip even more unique! ⚓️ Key Ports on Tsushima Island Tsushima has two main ports: Hiratacho Port (north of the island) Izuhara Port (south of the island) After researching, I found that Izuhara Port has more nearby attractions, and the airport is also closer to it. However, due to my limited time, I ended up choosing a day trip via Hiratacho Port (more on that below!). 🚢 Travel Prep: Ferry & Logistics Ferry Booking: Since time was tight and island transportation is inconvenient (not great for non-drivers), I opted for a same-day round trip from Busan to Hiratacho Port. I booked tickets in advance on the Panstar official website—round-trip fares cost around 1,000 RMB. Keep an eye out for occasional discount promotions, which can bring the price down! Check-In Reminder: ❗️If you’re taking the ferry from Busan, arrive at Busan Port at least 1 hour early to pick up your tickets and go through check-in. I almost missed the check-in because I cut it too close—total panic momentㅠㅠ Sea Sickness Tip: The waves at sea are super rough, so sea sickness is common. Take sea sickness medicine before boarding—otherwise, you might feel dizzy or even throw up 😵‍💫🤮. 🍲 Food & Leisure Near Hiratacho Port With limited time, I only explored the area around Hiratacho Port. There weren’t many tourists, and the buildings had a strong Japanese style. Here are my picks: Restaurant: Chinguya I tried their single-serve sukiyaki, which cost around 100+ . The taste was amazing, though the two Japanese grandpas running the shop were a bit slow with serving. Cafés & Souvenirs: There are a few cozy cafés near the port—perfect for a quick break. Across from the port, there are also shops where you can buy Japanese souvenirs. 📝 Important Travel Notes Tourist Demographic: Most tourists on the island are Korean; I barely met any Chinese travelers. Languages: The main languages used on the island are Japanese and Korean (signs, menus, etc.). Visa Requirements: To travel from Busan to Tsushima, you’ll need a Japanese visa and a multiple-entry Korean visa (or a valid Korean visa that allows re-entry). I did a lot of research on Tsushima before the trip—if you have any questions, feel free to ask! Hope this helps with your future travels 🥰. #TsushimaIsland #PANSTAR #GhostOfTsushima #JapanTravel #JapanTrip