Regional guides
Japan, Korea & China Travel Guide for Kiwis
Updated 27 September 2026
This Japan, Korea and China travel guide covers one of the most rewarding regions Kiwis can visit - bullet trains, temples, incredible food and cities that feel a decade ahead. It's also the region where your phone matters most: each country has its own apps, and Google doesn't work the same everywhere.
Here's what to do in each place, the apps worth installing before you go, and how to stay connected across a multi-country trip.
Quick recommendation
Ten days in Japan leaning on maps, trains and translation apps? Start with the 10 GB plan (30 days, $16.99) on the Japan eSIM plans page, and size up if you'll be streaming or hotspotting a laptop.
Where to go in East Asia
Japan
Japan mixes neon cities with ancient temples - Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the Shinkansen between them, and the Alps and hot springs beyond.
Things to do
- Explore Tokyo - Shibuya Crossing, Asakusa's Sensล-ji and day trips to Mt Fuji or Nikko.
- See the temples of Kyoto - Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and the Arashiyama bamboo grove.
- Eat your way around Osaka's Dลtonbori and day-trip to Nara's deer park.
- Soak in an onsen in Hakone or the Japanese Alps.
Good to know
- Get an IC card like Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA - it pays for trains, buses and convenience stores with a tap.
- Tipping isn't done and can cause confusion - good service is simply expected.
South Korea
South Korea packs palaces, mountains, K-food and one of the world's fastest networks into a country you can cross by train in a few hours.
Things to do
- Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Bukchon hanok village in Seoul.
- Hike Seoraksan or Jeju's Hallasan.
- Take the KTX to Busan for Gamcheon Culture Village and the beaches.
Good to know
- Use Naver Map or KakaoMap rather than Google Maps - Google's directions are limited in Korea - and Kakao T for taxis.
- Check whether you need a K-ETA before you fly - South Korea has temporarily exempted a list of countries through 2026, so confirm on the official K-ETA site.
Mainland China
China is vast and fast-changing - the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, the skyline of Shanghai, and the karst landscapes of Guilin and Zhangjiajie.
Things to do
- Walk a restored section of the Great Wall like Mutianyu, and see the Forbidden City.
- See the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an.
- Cruise the Li River through the karst hills of Guilin.
- Take in the Bund and the Pudong skyline in Shanghai.
Good to know
- Set up Alipay (and WeChat Pay as a backup) with your card before you go - mobile payment is how almost everyone pays.
- Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked on local networks. See our China guide for how that works with an eSIM.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is dense, vertical and surprisingly green - harbour views, dim sum and hiking trails an MTR ride from downtown.
Things to do
- Ride the Star Ferry and the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak.
- Hike the Dragon's Back trail.
- Eat dim sum and explore the night markets of Mong Kok.
Good to know
- Get an Octopus card for the MTR, buses, ferries and convenience stores.
Macau
Macao is an hour by ferry from Hong Kong - Portuguese colonial streets, egg tarts and the casinos of the Cotai Strip.
Things to do
- See the Ruins of St Paul's and Senado Square.
- Try Portuguese egg tarts in Taipa Village.
- Take in the Cotai Strip's resorts and shows.
Good to know
- Expect a mid-crossing gap in signal on the ferry from Hong Kong.
Apps worth having before you go
- Japan - Google Maps works well for trains, and a translation app with camera mode helps with menus.
- South Korea - Naver Map or KakaoMap for directions, and Kakao T for taxis.
- China - Alipay or WeChat Pay for payments, set up and linked to your card before you arrive.
- Hong Kong - An Octopus card (physical or in your phone's wallet) for transport and small purchases.
Getting between Japan, Korea and China
Flights between Tokyo or Osaka and Seoul take around two hours, and Seoul to Shanghai or Beijing is a similar hop, so a multi-country trip here doesn't cost you much travel time. There's also a ferry between Busan and Fukuoka if you'd rather cross the Korea Strait by sea and skip another airport altogether. Hong Kong and Macao are about an hour apart by ferry or the bridge bus, so they pair easily.
Each border means different apps and payment habits: IC cards and some cash in Japan, T-money and Kakao in Korea, Alipay or WeChat Pay in mainland China, and an Octopus card in Hong Kong. Set them all up on home Wi-Fi before you go, so you're not installing and verifying apps at an airport after a long flight with a queue behind you.
One eSIM or one per country?
For Japan plus Korea - the most common combo - read Japan & Korea: one eSIM or two?, which prices both options live. Adding mainland China changes the picture, because how your data is routed decides whether Google and WhatsApp work there; our China guide explains what to look for before you buy.
One eSIM or one per country?
If you're visiting more than one of these places, a regional bundle means one eSIM for the whole trip - no new QR code at each border. If you're mostly in one country, its own plan is usually cheaper. Current options:
- Asia ยท 20 countries - covers all 5 of the places in this guide, from $9.99
- Asia ยท 12 countries - covers all 5 of the places in this guide, from $21.99
- Asia ยท 14 countries - covers 4 of 5 of the places in this guide, from $8.99
Single-country plans
Things to know before you go to East Asia
- Entry requirements - Rules differ for each place and change - Korea's K-ETA exemption and China's visa-free and transit policies have both shifted recently - so check SafeTravel before you book.
- Cash - Japan still uses more cash than you'd expect in small restaurants and rural areas, while China is almost entirely mobile payments.
- Plugs - Japan, South Korea, China and Hong Kong all use different plugs from New Zealand - bring a universal adapter.
East Asia FAQs
When is the best time to visit Japan and Korea?
Spring (late March to May) for cherry blossom and autumn (October to November) for colourful leaves are the favourites, with mild weather in both countries. Summer is hot and humid; winter is great for skiing.
Can I use my eSIM for LINE and KakaoTalk?
Yes - they're ordinary messaging apps that work over mobile data. LINE is widely used in Japan and KakaoTalk in Korea, so it's worth installing whichever you'll need before you go.
What's the best order to visit Japan, Korea and China?
Whatever suits your flights - many Kiwis fly into Tokyo or Osaka, hop to Seoul, then finish in Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong. Each leg is a short flight, so the order matters less than how long you spend in each.
Do I need cash in Japan, Korea and China?
Some in Japan, where smaller restaurants and rural spots still prefer cash; less in Korea, where cards are everywhere; and very little in mainland China, where almost everything is paid by Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Will WhatsApp and Google work in China with an eSIM?
It depends on how the eSIM routes your data. Many travel eSIMs connect through Hong Kong, which avoids the mainland's blocks - check the plan page and our China guide before you buy.
Is there one eSIM for Japan, Korea and China?
Yes - there are bundles covering several of these together, listed above with current prices. If you're only visiting one country, its own plan is usually cheaper.
Does Google Maps work in Korea and China?
Not well. In Korea, use Naver Map or KakaoMap. In China, Google services are blocked on local networks - see our China guide for how your eSIM's routing affects that.
How much data do I need for Japan?
Around 1-3GB a week for maps and messaging, more for heavy translation, streaming or hotspotting. See our Japan guide for a full breakdown.
Sources
Information checked 27 September 2026. Entry rules, fees and local details change - confirm anything important with the official source before you travel.
- Prepaid IC Cards: Suica, Pasmo, Icoca - japan-guide.com (japan-guide.com)
- Suica - JR East (jreast.co.jp)
- Naver Map & Kakao Map Guide for Foreigners - Lacha (lacha.co.kr)
- Korea extends K-ETA exemption and introduces digital e-Arrival Card - EXO Travel (exotravel.com)
- Alipay vs WeChat Pay for foreign tourists in China - Trip.com (trip.com)
- Choice of Octopus for tourists - Octopus Hong Kong (octopus.com.hk)
- China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy - gov.cn (english.www.gov.cn)
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