Where did the author's family depart from Busan and arrive in Tsushima for their package tour in early August 2024?

The author's family departed from Busan Port on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 7:50 AM, aboard the Nina operated by Starline. They entered Tsushima via Hitakatsu Port, located in the northern part of Tsushima.

What was the location of Soaru Resort, where the author stayed during the Tsushima package tour, and what services were included?

The author stayed at Soaru Resort, located in Mitsushimamachi. The resort offered courses including a BBQ dinner and hot spring baths, which were reportedly great for relieving the fatigue of a full day of travel.

What additional costs did the author have to pay locally, apart from the Kyowon Tour 'Yeohaeng Easy' Tsushima package product they used?

This product included round-trip ferry, accommodation, meals, travel insurance, private vehicle, and Japan departure tax (3,000 JPY per person). However, guide/driver expenses (~$14 per person) and fuel surcharge (~$17 per person, subject to change by season) had to be paid locally, separate from the package price.

Tsushima Island Package Tour Review 2026: A Family Trip…

Q: What are the characteristics of the Korea Observatory included in the Tsushima package tour?

The Korea Observatory, located at the northernmost tip of Tsushima, was built incorporating ancient Korean architectural styles, modeled after facilities in Tapgol Park in Seoul. It is said that Busan can be seen on clear days.

Hey there, Global Explorers!

Today, I'm excited to share the story of our incredible Tsushima Island package trip, which we took in early August 2026. This was a fantastic family trip with my parents, aunt, brother, and sister-in-law – six of us in total! With such a large group, we leaned towards a package tour from the start rather than planning everything ourselves.

And honestly, after experiencing it, I can confidently say it was absolutely the right decision in so many ways.

1. Our Tsushima Island Itinerary

While the Tsushima package itself was for one night and two days, our ferry departed from Busan Port very early in the morning. So, we actually stayed a night in Busan beforehand, making it feel more like a two-night, three-day adventure.

We sailed on the Ninaho, operated by Starline, departing from Busan Port on Saturday, August 3, 2026, at 7:50 AM. Our destination was Hitakatsu Port, located on the northern side of Tsushima Island.

📍 Hitakatsu International Terminal
958-16 Kamitsushimamachi Hitakatsu, Tsushima, Nagasaki 817-1701 Japan

Tsushima has two main ports: Izuhara in the south and Hitakatsu in the north. We heard that arriving at Hitakatsu shortens the ferry travel time from Busan, making it ideal for shorter trips. Getting up before dawn was a bit tiring, but once we arrived in Tsushima, the packed itinerary that followed made every early morning minute worth it.

Coordinating ferry tickets and accommodations for six people would have been a huge hassle if we'd planned a DIY trip. But with a package tour, all that negotiation and planning was completely handled, which was a massive relief.

For our return, we boarded the Ninaho again from Hitakatsu Port, the same port we arrived at. We grabbed a quick bento box lunch before boarding and then sailed back to Busan.

Our accommodation was the Soaru Resort, conveniently located in Mitsushimamachi, close to both Manzeki Bridge and Eboshitake Observatory, which we visited later.

The resort offers a package that includes a delicious BBQ dinner and access to their relaxing hot springs after check-in. It was the perfect way for us to unwind and shake off the fatigue from a day of travel.

2. Our Family-Friendly Tsushima Itinerary

Since this trip included my parents and aunt, we couldn't plan an overly strenuous itinerary like I might when traveling solo. The beauty of the package tour was that the itinerary seemed perfectly designed with this in mind.

A private vehicle was always ready for us whenever we moved, eliminating any stress about carrying luggage or navigating. Our guide provided clear, advance notice of the next activities, ensuring that even the older members of our family could keep up comfortably. One highlight of the tour was the Korean Observatory, located at the northernmost tip of Tsushima. I later learned from the official Nagasaki Prefecture tourism site that it was built incorporating ancient Korean architectural styles, modeled after facilities in Seoul's Tapgol Park (formerly Pagoda Park). On clear days, they say you can even see Busan from there! I doubt we would have discovered such a unique spot if we hadn't been on a package tour.

Beyond the Korean Observatory, our itinerary also included stunning spots like Nishidomari Beach, known for its crystal-clear waters, and the Izuhara Hachimangu Shrine, with its impressive ancient stone steps and traditional torii gate.

We also visited Nakarai Tosuikan in the same area. It's a small memorial hall dedicated to Nakarai Tosui, a novelist from Tsushima. Inside, there was a charming small garden exhibit with pebbles that really caught my eye. These little hidden gems are hard to discover on your own, but they were seamlessly included in our package tour. This trip really highlighted how crucial a well-planned itinerary is, especially for family trips that include older relatives.

3. Navigating Tsushima's Mountain Roads

Part of our tour involved traversing some mountain roads, and let me tell you, it was more challenging than we expected.

As we wound our way up the steep, curving mountain paths, everyone in the car agreed, "If we had tried to drive this ourselves, it would have been a disaster!" After conquering the mountain roads, we arrived at the breathtaking Eboshitake Observatory.

While Eboshitake and Manzeki aren't exactly the same spot and even belong to different administrative districts, they are both premier scenic viewpoints in central Tsushima, offering stunning vistas of Aso Bay. They're close enough that official tourist routes often group them together.

The next day, on our way back to Hitakatsu from the resort, we also stopped at the nearby Manzeki Bridge. This bridge spans an artificial canal created by the Japanese Navy in 1900 to serve as a fleet passage. Today, it's a vital transportation link connecting the southern and northern parts of Tsushima, and the views of the strait from the bridge were truly impressive.

Exploring the same region from different angles over two days made the experience feel even more comprehensive. Even with our dedicated guide and private vehicle, this section felt quite challenging. If we had attempted this route on a self-guided trip, we probably wouldn't have even tried.

Renting a car and driving unfamiliar mountain roads for the first time would have been stressful, and we likely would have stuck to just the main towns of Tsushima. Thanks to the package tour, we were able to explore not just the city but also these incredible observatories beyond the mountain paths.

Panoramic view from Eboshitake Observatory

4. Tips for Comparing Tsushima Package Tours

The package we chose was the result of comparing several Tsushima Island options on Naver Travel (a popular Korean travel platform). Even for a 1-night, 2-day Tsushima trip, different travel agencies offered varying meal inclusions, accommodation tiers, and itinerary components. It really paid off to compare several options side-by-side rather than just picking based on price.

Our family, in particular, loves hot springs, so whether the accommodation offered an onsen (hot spring bath) was a key factor in our package selection.

While researching for this post, I looked up current 1-night, 2-day Tsushima package deals and have summarized some popular options with their prices and features below. You'll notice a significant price difference depending on the ferry type, accommodation, and whether hot springs and BBQ are included.

*Prices are based on searches as of August 11, 2026, and may vary depending on departure date, day of the week, and room type.

Package Name	Ferry	Accommodation	Key Features	Price (Starting From)
SeaFlower Ferry Confirmed 4-person Departure	SeaFlower Ferry	Izuhara City Hotel or Hitakatsu Hotel	Basic sightseeing focus, Guaranteed departure for 4+ people	~$89
Nova Ferry Toyoko Inn Stay	Nova Ferry	Toyoko Inn Izuhara	Free dinner, optional onboard fishing experience	~$103
Nova Ferry Soaru Resort Package	Nova Ferry	Soaru Resort	Relaxing package including hot springs and BBQ	~$110
SeaFlower Ferry Soaru Resort All-Inclusive	SeaFlower Ferry	Soaru Resort	Includes hot springs, Seafood BBQ, Izuhara city & Tiara Mall sightseeing	~$124
Nova Ferry Toyoko Inn Package	Nova Ferry etc. (assigned by ferry company)	Toyoko Inn Izuhara	Korean guide, private vehicle, attraction entrance fees, meals, travel insurance included	~$144

Looking purely at price, the basic package starting around ~$89 is the most budget-friendly. However, packages that include Soaru Resort accommodation, hot springs, and BBQ typically range from ~$110 to ~$124.

If comfort and hot springs are high on your priority list, a Soaru Resort package would be a perfect fit. If you prefer more flexibility with your meals, then a Toyoko Inn accommodation package might be a better choice.

Our stay at Soaru Resort included both hot springs and BBQ, and I distinctly remember how wonderfully relaxing it was to soak in the onsen after a full day of travel and navigating those mountain roads.

It's important to note that beyond the package price, there are often additional costs that need to be paid locally, such as guide and driver gratuities and fuel surcharges. So, always double-check the final total cost before booking. For example, the Kyowon Tour 'Yeohaeng-iji' series package we used included round-trip ferry, accommodation, meals, travel insurance, a private vehicle, and even the Japan departure tax (~$19 per person). However, guide and driver gratuities (~$14 per person) and fuel surcharges (~$17 per person, subject to seasonal changes) were separate costs paid locally. These additional fees are typically paid to your guide at Busan Port before your departure, so keep that in mind.

Since package inclusions and prices can change frequently based on the season, I highly recommend checking the links below to compare the latest conditions yourself before booking.

▼▼ Check the Latest Tsushima Package Inclusions & Prices Here

Hana Tour: Tsushima International Travel3ha.in

5. Booking Links

We also compared similar packages on MyRealTrip (another popular travel platform), so I'll leave another link here. Comparing conditions from both sites might help you find the best deal.

▼▼ Check and Book Your Tsushima Package Now

Tsushima 2 Days #BusanDeparture #HealingTrip #NovaFerry #EasyHealingIslandTsushima 1N2D #SoaruResortAccommodation #HotSprings #BBQ #HitakatsuRoundTrip3ha.in

By the way, MyRealTrip is currently running an event where you can receive travel coupons by adding their KakaoTalk channel as a friend. You can get weekly travel deals and coupon benefits, so it might be worth adding the channel and checking the exact terms before you book.

For those looking to explore Tsushima thoroughly, including its scenic mountain routes, and especially if you're planning a family trip with parents or older relatives, I highly recommend a package tour. For our group of six, planning a self-guided trip would have been incredibly complicated. The package tour handled everything – ferry tickets, accommodation, transportation, and a guide – allowing us to simply focus on enjoying the trip itself. Check the conditions of the package we used via the link below, and I hope you can book your trip when your schedule aligns!

▼▼ Explore Other Tsushima Package Options Here

Hana Tour: Tsushima International Travel3ha.in