The phrase "hokansu" is a hot topic of conversation. The term was coined by combining the words "hotel" and "vacation," and is said to refer to the idea of enjoying the facilities and services offered by a hotel instead of going sightseeing on a trip.
Paradise City," located in neighboring South Korea, is a large resort facility that is perfect for such a hokansu. So, while our editorial staff, who prioritize sightseeing when traveling and cannot stay in the same place, stayed at one of the facilities to experience a "hokansu" (a vacation), this time.
The three days and two nights of 120% were a complete success, easily overturning the expectations of those who thought they would get bored with the trip.
Photo_Yu Nagai
Edit_Naoya Tsuneshige
5 minutes from Incheon International Airport! Now it's time to go to the nearest paradise from Japan.
It takes about two and a half hours from Narita Airport. Most people traveling to Korea use either Gimpo Airport or Incheon International Airport, but the team used Incheon International Airport for this report.
This is because our destination, "Paradise City," is just a stone's throw from Incheon International Airport.
It only takes about 5 minutes by shuttle bus (when departing from the nearest terminal) to get there. You can even see it from the airport.
Even if the weather is bad there, you will be able to arrive at the facility without getting wet. In other words, you do not need an umbrella at Narita Airport. This might be quite nice, don't you think?
Paradise City" is "the nearest integrated resort from Japan.
As it claims, the hotel offers a luxurious hotel with upscale, spacious guest rooms, art pieces by world-class artists scattered throughout the facility, opulent indoor and outdoor pools, Michelin-starred restaurants that use only the finest ingredients, and hotel dining with premium buffets, The hotel also features a spa, nightclub, amusement park, and casino.
The site area is a whopping 330,000 m2. This is surprising because it is the equivalent of about seven Tokyo Domes. However, as mentioned above, it houses all kinds of facilities that go to the limit of extravagance, so perhaps its size is not surprising.
How much can you really experience in 3 days and 2 nights...? Starting from the next heading, we will introduce what we experienced in each category.
A variety of Korea's leading restaurants are available.
Samgyeopsal, takkangmari, kangjangkejang... The Korean gourmet boom in Japan has gained momentum over the past few years. Japanese people love Korean gourmet food! I am one of them.
Many people travel to Korea for the purpose of dining. However, as a matter of course, not all the best restaurants are located next to each other, and if you want to enjoy more than one Korean gourmet meal, you will have to make a considerable amount of travel. Good news. Here in Paradise City, you will find a large concentration of the best restaurants representing Korea.
The editorial staff wanted to conquer all of the more than 40 restaurants, from cutting-edge Korean gourmet restaurants to long-established, well-known eateries, but we had limited time and stomachs, so we had to give up in tears. However, we had limited time and stomachs, so we had to give up in tears.
This is SERASÉ, a restaurant offering a new trend in "modern Korean dining" that transcends the boundaries of Korean cuisine.
The atmosphere in the restaurant is outstanding, and the varied seating layout is attractive for both groups and couples. The key dishes are as you can see.
You can enjoy small portions of tapas that can be eaten lightly, and the lineup is as beautiful to look at as it is to taste.
The healthy, low-calorie menu, which makes the most of the ingredients' natural flavors and nutritional content, is the main selling point, but it is also perfectly satisfying after you have finished eating.
This is On the Plate, which we visited for breakfast. The restaurant is spacious, with 260 seats including terrace seats.
Here you can enjoy a premium buffet that reflects the latest trends from Europe, New York, and Shanghai. From light salads to hearty meat dishes, you will find a wide variety of elaborate and freshly prepared dishes. Be careful not to overeat.
While in Korea, I was able to enjoy international cuisine, sweets, fruits, and a wide variety of juices to my heart's content. The freshly grilled meat dishes at the grill station are a must-try.
Next is "Ovaltan," a restaurant specializing in grilled hormone, which is extremely popular in Korea. Many people may be familiar with this restaurant in Japan, as it has branches in Shin-Okubo and Ueno.
Samgyeopsal is the most famous Korean barbeque, but Hormone Yaki is no less famous. The interior of the restaurant is so clean that it is hard to believe that it is a yakiniku restaurant, allowing diners to enjoy their meal in a relaxed atmosphere.
And this is Imperial Treasure. This Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant offers Cantonese-style Chinese cuisine in Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, London, Paris, and other cities around the world, and Paradise City is the only place in Korea where you can enjoy it.
Slippery-floor machuka is fine, but sometimes such luxury is just as good. In addition to premium seafood dishes and seasonal menus, you can also enjoy high-end Cantonese cuisine such as Peking duck and dim sum, which you could only enjoy at overseas branches.
For the ultimate in relaxation.
Korea is known for its jjimjilbang, which is similar to a sauna or bedrock bath in Japan. In the case of jjimjilbangs, in addition to a hot bath or bath, it is common to stay for a long time while eating and taking a nap.
Here in "Paradise City" is a large facility that combines a spa, swimming pool, and restaurants. It is here.
CIMER" is large enough to be a business in itself. Of course, it is located on the grounds of "Paradise City" and can be seen within a 5-minute walk from the lodging building.
What do you think of this luxurious indoor swimming pool? It is said to be inspired by Piazza San Marco in Italy, so you can enjoy an exotic atmosphere all year round.
It is divided into various areas, including a DJ booth, an area surrounded by LED panels, and even a private area for couples to enjoy. Incidentally, it is possible to enjoy "CIMER" alone without staying at the hotel. On the day of the interview, CIMER was crowded with local young people.
And here is the Jjimjilbang area. There are also tickets for this area only, so those who are not fond of swimming pools need not worry.
The eight jjimjilbang rooms in total, which consist of various themes, each have a temperature display in front of the room so that guests can choose according to their mood and preferences for the day. The rooms were spacious and impressive, with decorations and lighting in line with each theme.
In addition, there is a massage chair room, a training room, and of course a food and beverage area, making it the perfect place to relax all day long. I forgot about this report and stayed there for a long time.
Incidentally, the room I stayed in for this interview looked like this.
This is also an extremely relaxing space.
The 45-square-meter room is well appointed, and the interior design is well thought out down to the smallest detail. By the way, all amenities are provided by BYREDO. This is a nice touch.
The more expensive Deluxe Pool Villas, with their own private pools, are 457m² in size and are the epitome of luxury.
If you have some money in your pocket, please consider this option as well!
The goal is the casino! Paradise City also offers a wide range of entertainment.
The word "casino" is the first word that comes up when searching for "Paradise City. Yes, this "Paradise City" is also known as one of the closest casinos from Japan.
The casino at Paradise City is clean. The bright, clean, and neat interior overturns the image of conventional casinos.
In addition, Japanese-language services are also available, so even beginners can enjoy themselves with peace of mind.
Since the actual casino is not to be photographed, we decided to make a special trip to the VIP room to experience and photograph the casino.
I experienced the casino staples, baccarat and roulette. You can only experience this kind of thrill in a casino. Missing the right moment to attack, misjudging the right moment to pull out.... I was thinking how deep the casino is, and all the chips I received from the casino disappeared like hot water. To borrow a phrase from a rare eccentric, "But that's the way it should be.
The actual casino area is more than the size of two soccer courts, with a total of 462 table games and slot machines, in addition to large, small, and roulette. Some people stay at the same table all day long, while others move from one table to the next. Beginners are welcome, and the environment is friendly to newcomers.
Next, we will introduce this building with a unique structure.
Inside is an amusement park!
This indoor amusement park is named "WONDER BOX" and is an area filled with attractions and events based on the concept of an "amusement park at night.
Although it may seem small, it is surprisingly lined with a variety of full-scale attractions that can be enjoyed by everyone from adults to children.
Next, here is the music lounge RUBIK.
Guests can enjoy luxurious cocktails prepared by mixologists and a European-style dining menu, while listening to live performances by top jazz musicians from Japan and abroad.
Even if you have lost a lot of money at the casino, visiting this space may heal your wounds...?
Finally, here is CHROMA, Asia's premier party space and nightclub.
Unfortunately, it was closed on the day of our visit, so we were not able to enter, but next time we visit, we would like to spend the night in the oversized box, which can accommodate approximately 3,000 people.
Numerous artworks are scattered throughout the facility.
Paradise City" is a 330,000-square-meter site that houses approximately 3,000 works of art by masters from around the world.
The museum features a wide variety of artworks by artists ranging from well-known Japanese artists such as KAWS and Yayoi Kusama to independent artists working in Korea.
The entire expansive site is like a museum, where one's senses are continually stimulated even just by walking around aimlessly. This is probably the only facility of its kind in the world.
In addition, an art space has been established. Divided into a permanent exhibition room with a diverse collection and a special exhibition room where special exhibitions featuring trends in the art world are held, visitors can immerse themselves in art from a different angle than the 3,000 artworks scattered throughout the facility.
These were the three days our editorial staff spent in "Paradise City. It pains us to not be able to introduce everything, but if you are at all interested, please visit the place in person and enjoy the superb, extraordinary space.
Paradise City
Address: 186, 321-gil, Yeongjongbaenam-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City
(5 minutes by shuttle bus from Incheon International Airport Terminal 1)
Instagram:@paradisecity_japan
