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Monday, July 7, 2025

Your Guide to a Smooth Journey from Incheon Airport to Seoul by Limousine Bus

How to go from Incheon Airport to Seoul ( By Limousine Bus🚍; YouTube link)


Bus 6009 Offers Direct Access to Central Gangnam — Sinsa, Gangnam, Yangjae & More (link)

Traveling from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Seoul by express bus is a popular and convenient option. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:


1. Find Your Bus Route:

Determine your destination in Seoul. Limousine buses serve various areas, including major tourist spots and business districts like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Gangnam, Seoul Station, Hongdae, etc.

Look for specific bus numbers that go to your desired area. Some common routes include:

  • 6001: Dongdaemun, Myeongdong Station, Seoul Station, Yongsan
  • 6002: Hongdae, Cheongnyangni
  • 6006: COEX, Apgujeong
  • 6015: Myeongdong, City Hall
  • 6703: Gangnam, COEX

You can find a comprehensive list of routes and their stops on the Incheon Airport website or K Airport Limousine website.


2. Purchase Your Ticket:

On-site at the Airport:

  • Ticket Booths: At Terminal 1, look for ticket booths on the 1st floor near exits 4 and 9 (inside) or near exits 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, and 13 (outside). At Terminal 2, ticket booths are located on the basement level.
  • Payment: You can usually pay with cash, credit cards, or a T-Money card.

Online Booking (Optional): Some routes and third-party platforms allow online booking in advance, which might offer a QR voucher to exchange for a physical ticket at the airport.

T-Money Card: It's highly recommended to purchase a T-Money card at the airport (available at convenience stores or vending machines) and top it up. This card can be used for buses, subways, and even some taxis and convenience stores throughout Seoul, making your travel much easier.

Terminal 2 Transportation Center (B1 Level) Layout — Serving Korean Air, Delta, and More (link)

3. Find Your Bus Stop:

International travelers do arrive at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport (ICN) — but which terminal you arrive at depends on the airline you're flying with.

  • Terminal 1: Limousine bus stops are typically on the 1st floor (arrivals level) outside the terminal. Look for the designated platform number for your bus route.
  • Terminal 2: Limousine buses usually depart from the Transportation Center (B1) at Terminal 2.

Refer to signs and maps: Incheon Airport has clear signage in English to guide you to the bus stops. You can also use the airport's official website or information desks for assistance.

Bus Ticket Overview: Bus No., Platform, Seat Info, etc.


4. Board the Bus:

  • Wait at the designated platform.
  • Present your ticket to the driver or scan your T-Money card.
  • Store your luggage: There's usually a dedicated luggage compartment under the bus, and drivers are generally helpful with loading and unloading bags.


5. Enjoy the Ride:

  • The journey from Incheon Airport to Seoul typically takes 70–90 minutes, depending on traffic and the specific route.
  • Announcements: Bus stops are announced in English and Korean, and a list of stops is often displayed onboard, making it easy to track your destination.
  • Buses are generally comfortable and offer a relaxing way to get to your accommodation. Some even have Wi-Fi.

By following these steps, you should have a smooth and easy journey from Incheon Airport to Seoul by limousine bus!


Bonus Tips

At Seoul Station

  • Connect to Subway Lines 1 or 4 for destinations like Yeouido.
  • Transfer to KTX (bullet train) for other cities like Busan (<3 hours).
  • Choose from 15 exits to reach your destination; signs indicate directions (e.g., Exits 1–9 or 9–14).

Hotel Shuttles
  • Some hotels offer shuttle services. Check with your hotel and follow signs to the designated pickup area.
Late-Night Buses
  • Limited options available to areas like Gangnam; check signage for details.
Options for Connectivity
  • Home Phone Plan: Check with your provider for international roaming rates and availability.
  • Local SIM Card: Purchase at airport stands for a local phone number and data. Pre-booking is recommended for convenience.
  • Wi-Fi Egg: A portable Wi-Fi device for constant internet access.
  • Public Wi-Fi: South Korea is highly connected, with free Wi-Fi available in many public areas.

Approximate Bus Fares (as of 2025):

  • Adults: ₩17,000 - ₩18,000 KRW
  • Children (ages 6-12): ₩12,000 KRW

Money and Currency Exchange

  • Avoid Airport Currency Exchange: Rates are less favorable. Exchange only a small amount if necessary and exchange more in Seoul’s city center for better rates (USD offers the best rates).
  • Global ATMs: Use ATMs in the airport to withdraw Korean Won (KRW). Notify your bank beforehand to avoid card issues due to suspected fraud.
  • Credit Cards: Widely accepted in South Korea, but having some cash (KRW) is recommended for smaller vendors or public transport.
  • T-Money Card: A must-have for public transportation (buses, subways, and some taxis). Costs 3,000–5,000 KRW to purchase, plus additional funds (20,000–50,000 KRW recommended to start). Available at convenience stores (e.g., CU in the airport basement) or ticket machines near the airport railroad. Cash-only for purchasing at some locations.
Check the latest schedules
  • Bus schedules and stops can change due to road conditions, traffic, or other factors. Always check the official Incheon Airport website or the specific bus company's website for the most up-to-date information before your travel.
NEW Korea Entry Requirements 2025 (YouTube link)

Korea's e-Arrival Card Will Make Your Immigration Process Faster and Easier! (YouTube link)

See Also

  1. Public Transportation (Incheon Airport)
  2. Korea Electronic Arrival Card (official site)
    • Eligibility for Priority Fast Lanes: Diplomats, crew members, individuals with mobility impairments, children under 7 years old, seniors aged 70 and above, pregnant women, and holders of the Korea Priority Card are eligible to use the priority fast lanes.
  3. Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)
    • Optional Application: Travelers aged 65 or older may still choose to apply for a K-ETA if they want benefits like bypassing the arrival card requirement at immigration. In this case, they must pay the 10,000 KRW fee, and no refunds are provided for voluntary applications
  4. e-Arrival Card (Electronic Arrival Card)
    • Mandatory for: Individuals who are required to complete the e-Arrival Card are the same individuals who must fill out the paper entry card. As a general rule, all foreign nationals are obligated to complete one.
    • Exceptions: However, registered foreign nationals, holders of a valid Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), and airline crew members are not required to submit the card.)
  5. Ministry of Justice—Korea Immigration Service

Friday, July 4, 2025

Discover Shirakawa-go's Serene Past, Away from the Crowds

Discover Shirakawa-go's Serene Past, Away from the Crowds

Escape the bustling crowds of Shirakawa-go's Old Town and step back in time at the Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en ⭐合掌造り民家園, an open-air museum in Japan's Gifu Prefecture. This serene village offers a more intimate experience of the region's iconic thatched-roof farmhouses, known as gassho-zukuri, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.  Here’s why it’s worth visiting:

  • Unique Architecture: The gassho-zukuri houses, with their steep, triangular roofs resembling hands in prayer, are designed to withstand heavy snowfall. Their construction, using no nails, highlights ingenious carpentry techniques adapted to the region’s harsh climate.
  • Cultural Heritage: As part of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the museum preserves Japan’s rural history. You can explore authentic homes, some over 250 years old, and learn about the lifestyle, farming, and sericulture (silk production) of the region’s past inhabitants.
  • Scenic Beauty: Nestled in the Japanese Alps, the museum is surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes, especially vibrant in spring with cherry blossoms or winter when snow blankets the roofs, creating a picturesque scene.
  • Historical Insight: Exhibits inside the houses display tools, household items, and stories of daily life, offering a glimpse into Japan’s pre-modern rural society.
Hidden Harmony: Exploring Shirakawa-go’s Quiet Corners (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery



Traditional Japanese Gassho house with an open fire pit fireplace in the floor

Gassho-Zukuri: Ingenious Nail-Free Architecture of Shirakawa-go



Miorine-no-taki 水織音の潼





Hatogaya Hachiman Shrine 鳩谷八幡神社


Tearoom Baikoan 茶室 梅香庵


Watermill 水車小屋


Sunday, June 29, 2025

Kosanji Temple's Underground World: The Cave of 1,000 Buddhas and Jigoku Gorge

Mount Fuji Lava Crafts the Walls of Kosanji’s Senbutsu Cave

Beneath the vibrant temple grounds of Kosanji lies a remarkable and profound journey: the 千佛洞地獄峡 ⭐, often referred to as the Cave of 1,000 Buddhas. This ambitious underground project, nine years in the making, began in 1955 and was finally completed in 1964.

The entrance to this subterranean world is subtly placed next to the elegant Shishinden Hall 至心殿, on the west side of the main temple building. From there, visitors descend about 15 meters underground into a winding tunnel, stretching an impressive 350 meters. The very walls of this unique cave are a testament to human ingenuity and artistic vision: they were meticulously formed using hardened lava from Japan's iconic Mount Fuji and burnt stones from Mount Asama, all reinforced with concrete to create naturalistic rock formations.

Beyond the serene Buddhas, vivid plaques line the cave walls, portraying scenes of Buddhist hell and paradise. These powerful images bring teachings of karma, consequence, and rebirth to life, inviting quiet reflection on the journey of the soul.

Underground World: The Cave of 1,000 Buddhas and Jigoku Gorge (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery


As you navigate the cool, dim passages, you'll discover three vast caverns, each roughly 10 meters high and spanning several tens of square meters. These expansive spaces are not merely structural; they serve as a canvas for the cave's spiritual purpose. Inside, a thousand serene stone Buddha statues stand enshrined, their presence adding to the sacred atmosphere. There's even a subterranean waterfall, its gentle rush echoing through the depths. 

The photographs taken on December 3, 2024, beautifully capture this essence, serving as a visual testament to the cave's religious allure.

Shishinden Hall 至心殿: Gateway to Kosanji’s Subterranean Senbutsu Cave 千佛洞





Eight Hells: Vivid Plaques Depict Buddhist Hell on Kosanji’s Cave Walls

Fiery Hell-Bound Car Carries Sinners in Kosanji’s Cave Depictions

Subterranean Waterfall: Its Gentle Rush Echoes in Kosanji’s Cave Depths






Kosanji’s Cave Exit Lies Beside the Great Savior Kannon Statue

Kosanji Temple’s Vibrant Autumn Hues Contrast Paradise and Cave’s Depicted Hells

Map of Kosanji Temple Grounds (in Japanese)

Friday, June 27, 2025

The Hill Of Hope: A Marble Oasis of Art and Eternity

Framing the Future: "The Tower of Hope" from a Marble Vantage

The Hill Of Hope ⭐(Miraishin-no-Oka  / 未来心の丘) is perhaps the most striking and unusual attraction. Atop the Kousanji Temple's grounds, a breathtaking sight unfolds: the Hill of the Future Spirit (Miraishin-no-Oka). This sprawling 5,000-square-meter garden, crafted in pristine white marble, was brought to life by renowned sculptor Itto Kuetani.

Itto, whose studio is located in Carrara, Italy, personally sourced the luminous marble from that region. With great respect for the material and its natural surroundings, he meticulously shaped each monument and pathway. Every curve and angle reflects a dialogue between the artist, the stone, and the landscape, carefully considering the whisper of the wind, the play of light, and the sweeping scenery. The result is an immersive space that invites visitors not only to observe but also to engage with their surroundings, sparking imagination and fostering a playful harmony with nature.

White Marble Wonder: The Hill of Hope (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery


Located at the Kousanji Temple's summit, this expansive artistic space is made entirely of white Italian marble. It features abstract sculptures, including the Tower of Light, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. There's even a Cafe Cuore also made of marble. This area is distinctly different from the traditional temple grounds and offers a contrasting artistic experience.  

The photographs taken on December 3, 2024, beautifully capture this essence, serving as a visual testament to the park's natural allure.

Where White Marble Meets Warm Hues: Kousanji Temple in Autumn











Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Tokensan Park: Where Nature Paints in Pink, Blue, and Green

Pink, Blue, Green – A Spectrum of Serenity

Tokensan Park in Obama Onsen is a peaceful retreat blending natural beauty with cultural reverence. Every spring, cherry blossoms transform the landscape, inviting hanami enthusiasts to gather. At its summit, the Ikime Hachiman Shrine 生目八幡神社, dedicated to the "god of eyes," offers a quiet, spiritual sanctuary.

Tokensan Park: Where Nature Paints in Pink, Blue, and Green #japan #travel #cherry #blossom (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery


As spring arrived, the park transformed into a dreamscape. Cherry blossoms unfurled in a riot of delicate pink, their petals drifting softly onto the winding paths like a gentle snowfall. Hanami enthusiasts flocked to the park, their laughter and murmurs mingling with the breeze as they gathered beneath the flowering branches, toasting to the fleeting beauty of the season.

The photographs taken on April 5, 2025, beautifully capture this essence, serving as a visual testament to the park's natural allure.


Overlooking Rooftops and the Sparkling Expanse of Tachibana Bay


Ikime Hachiman Shrine: Where the "God of Eyes" Holds Quiet Sway