한 탈북민의 첫 가족 4박5일 오사카 해외여행
There is a family here. They are a close-knit family of four, consisting of two couples and their teenage daughters, the older one and the younger one, Yoon. What makes this special is that this trip is their first overseas travel in their lives. Especially, Yooni’s mother is a defector who escaped from North Korea 14 years ago and settled in South Korea, possessing both outstanding beauty and the strength to overcome adversity. For her, and for all family members, the first step in a foreign land will be an unforgettable experience. The first overseas travel destination they chose is Osaka, Japan, following the recommendation of a friend who lived in Japan for 10 years. A short but intense 4-night, 5-day journey; let’s follow their family trip to Osaka from now on. The start of an overseas trip always comes with excitement and a bit of nervousness. On the first day, the flight departing from Gimpo Airport finally arrived at Kansai International Airport a little over an hour later. Amid the lively atmosphere of the unfamiliar airport, the family felt a mix of anticipation for the trip and excitement about the new environment. As soon as the family arrived at the airport, they purchased the essential items for an efficient trip: the ‘Kansai Thru Pass’ and the ‘ICOCA Card’. The Kansai Thru Pass was perfect for this family, allowing them to freely use the main public transportation in the Kansai region, as they planned to visit several cities, and the ICOCA Card enabled convenient travel with its rechargeable features. The pre-prepared transportation cards added convenience to the trip, especially for the children who were not used to using public transport. Next, the family headed to the ‘Rinku Premium Outlet’ located near the airport. What surprised them at first was the fact that vehicles were driving in the opposite direction. Unlike Korea, vehicles in Japan drive on the left side of the road. I momentarily forgot the fatigue of flying and enjoyed the pleasure of shopping while browsing the charming little shops. Yoon’s mom bought a Nike short-sleeve t-shirt, and dad got a pair of shorts. I lost track of time while looking at products from various brands and admiring the uniquely Japanese design sensibility of the items. The exotic atmosphere of the outlet sparked great curiosity in the children who were visiting abroad for the first time. In particular, at the Seria store, the kids enjoyed looking at exciting items for an hour and a half. After having a great time, we took the Nankai Airport Line train to Namba Station, a representative bustling area of Osaka. The scenery of Japan passing by outside the window was fascinating and a whole new world for the children. The family that got off at Namba Station headed to their pre-booked accommodation, ‘Stay and Go Shinsaibashi Hotel’, by taxi. After arriving at the neat and cozy hotel, checking in, and taking a short break, they moved on to ‘Dotonbori’, the symbol of Osaka and a vibrant street. The dazzling neon signs, unique sculptures, and the lively music echoing from all around Dotonbori captivated the family’s attention. In particular, we took a family photo in front of ‘Glico Man’, one of Osaka’s landmarks, capturing the memories of our first overseas trip vividly in the picture. We had dinner at the famous restaurant ‘Aatchichi Honpo’ in Dotonbori. After waiting in a long line, the warm ‘takoyaki’ and generous ‘okonomiyaki’ we finally tasted truly allowed us to experience the flavors of Osaka, and they were so delicious that they made us forget the fatigue of our travels. After the meal, we stopped by ‘Don Quijote’, a representative shopping spot in Japan. We spent a delightful time browsing various souvenirs and snacks. The first day’s journey concluded with an exciting start, leaving unforgettable memories for the whole family amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Osaka. On the second day, the family took a taxi from the accommodation early in the morning to head to ‘Universal Studios Japan (USJ)’. USJ is a dreamlike place for children and an enchanting theme park that evokes childhood memories for adults. The fantastic scenery that unfolds before us as soon as we enter excited the whole family. Feeling overheated from waiting in line for a long time in the sweltering weather, Yoon’s mom went into a nearby tea house to cool off for a while. While exploring various themed areas such as ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ and ‘Super Nintendo World’, both children and couples had a wonderful time. In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, we enjoyed the feeling of being wizards as we strolled through Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade, which perfectly recreated scenes from the movies. In particular, butterbeer was very popular among the children. At Super Nintendo World, I had an exciting time experiencing a world that felt like it was brought to life from games like Mario Kart. The family enjoyed themselves so much riding attractions and taking photos with their favorite characters that they lost track of time and left USJ late in the afternoon. The next destination was ‘Yodobashi Camera’, located near Umeda Station. It was to find the rare figures that the children had always wanted. In the massive store filled with electronics and toys, the children couldn’t hide their excitement as they saw countless types of figures, and in the end, they were able to get the figures they liked. It was a valuable experience that went beyond simple shopping to help the children find their dreams. After finishing shopping, I headed to the nearby ‘Hankyu Department Store’ basement food corner. My eyes were delighted by the colorful fruits and neatly packaged snacks, but the prices were so high that I had to settle for window shopping. Instead, I stopped by a supermarket near my accommodation that a friend had texted me about, where I bought fresh fruits and a variety of snacks. I was able to feel the atmosphere of a local supermarket in Japan and find affordable yet fresh groceries. For dinner, we cooked in our hotel accommodation where cooking was allowed, enjoying a simple and cozy time together. The time spent cooking and dining together as a family became another joy of the trip and a cherished memory. The second day was filled with the laughter of children, a day filled with dreams and adventures. On the third day, the family headed to ‘Osaka Castle’, where they could experience the history and culture of Osaka. Osaka Castle is an important heritage site symbolizing Japan’s history, and its grand appearance left a deep impression on the family. Especially from ‘Tenshukaku’, I was amazed as I looked down at the city of Osaka. The wide view of the cityscape, along with the distant buildings and rivers, created a magnificent scene. After finishing my visit to Osaka Castle, I took a taxi to Hankyu Umeda Station. The next destination was not Osaka, but the neighboring city of Kobe. I took the Hankyu Kobe Line train from Hankyu Umeda Station to ‘Kobe Sannomiya Station’. During the short journey of about 30 minutes, I enjoyed the scenery outside the window and heightened my anticipation for the next travel destination. Kobe is a port city with a different charm compared to Osaka. The family that arrived at Sannomiya Station had lunch at the famous restaurant ‘Red Rock’. This place is especially known for its steak rice bowl, and they replenished their energy with a hearty and delicious meal. It was a small restaurant, but since it was lunchtime, we quickly left right after eating, pushed by Dad who felt sorry for the people waiting outside. After that, I explored ‘Kitano-cho Ijinkan-gai’, where I could feel the exotic atmosphere of Kobe. Walking through the streets lined with Western-style buildings that were established as a foreign settlement in the late 19th century, I felt as if I had stepped into a small European city. The beautiful buildings and charming shops made the family stop in their tracks. Next, I enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of Kobe while exploring the traditional market ‘Motomachi Shopping Street’. Traditional shops and modern stores harmoniously coexist, providing a variety of sights. Next, we visited ‘Kobe Harborland Park’, ‘Mosaic Garden’, and ‘Dongguri Republic’. The beautiful harbor scenery of Harborland combined with charming shops created a picturesque landscape. In particular, the Mosaic Garden was decorated with various flowers and plants, making it a great place for taking photos. In Dongguri Republic, we had a great time exploring various character merchandise from Studio Ghibli. In particular, we enjoyed the fantastic night view of Kobe while riding the ‘Mosaic Ferris Wheel.’ The night sea of Kobe, illuminated by lights, provided unforgettable beautiful memories for the whole family, and the night view from the Ferris wheel was the highlight of our trip to Kobe. The third day was a rich experience of Kobe’s diverse attractions, blending culture and nature. On the fourth day, the family headed to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. After moving from Shinsaibashi Station to Umeda Station, they took the limited express train to Kawaramachi in Kyoto from Hankyu Umeda Station. Among the stations in Japan, Hankyu Umeda Station, which has twenty ticket gates, has the second highest daily foot traffic after Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station, and especially during rush hour, it was quite a sight. After a pleasant journey of about 40 minutes, I arrived at Kawaramachi Station. Kyoto is a city that fully preserves Japan’s traditions and history. The atmosphere of Kyoto, which has a different charm from modern Osaka, left a deep impression on the family. The family first explored ‘Yasaka Shrine’ and ‘Hokanji Temple’, experiencing the serene atmosphere of traditional Japanese temples. Yasaka Shrine was impressive with its beautiful architecture and spacious grounds, while Hokanji Temple’s ancient pagoda stood out from afar, creating a mysterious ambiance. Next, I strolled along Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, experiencing the unique beauty of Kyoto’s alleyways. The streets lined with traditional houses and charming shops gave me the feeling of having traveled back in time. The teahouses and souvenir shops along the road captivated the attention of tourists. At the end of the two streets, there was ‘Kiyomizu-dera’, a representative temple of Kyoto. The magnificent architecture of Kiyomizu-dera and the harmony with the surrounding natural scenery were breathtaking. In particular, the ‘Otowa Waterfall’ in front of the main hall is said to have three streams of water, each of which is effective for longevity, academic success, and love. Many tourists could be seen lining up to drink from the waterfall. The view of Kyoto city from Kiyomizu-dera was also spectacular. The next destination after Kiyomizu-dera is ‘Ginkaku-ji’ and ‘Kinkaku-ji’. The children were exhausted from the heat, so we took many breaks, which delayed our schedule, and we skipped Ginkaku-ji. Initially, we planned to go to Kinkaku-ji by bus, but considering the closing time of Kinkaku-ji, we took a taxi to Kinkaku-ji on the recommendation of a friend. I was surprised that the taxi fare was much higher than expected compared to the street. Kinkaku-ji is one of Japan’s representative architectural structures, and its golden appearance harmonized beautifully with its reflection in the pond, resembling a painting. In particular, the shimmering view of Kinkaku-ji under the sunlight provided an unforgettable spectacle for the whole family. The splendor of Kinkaku-ji and the tranquility of the surrounding garden created a unique beauty in contrast. After finishing their visit to Kinkaku-ji, the family returned to Hankyu Umeda Station using the bus and subway. They had dinner at a popular restaurant near Umeda Station. The fourth day, where I felt both the elegant atmosphere of Kyoto and the splendor of Kinkaku-ji, was a meaningful day to experience the depth of Japanese culture. It was a time when I could fully appreciate the charm of Japan, where tradition and modernity coexist. On the last day, leaving behind the regrets, the family completed their checkout and entrusted their luggage to a coin locker at Nankai Electric Railway Namba Station, heading to their final destination of their first family trip abroad, ‘Nara’. The city is famous for its deer. As soon as we arrived at Nara Park, numerous deer greeted our family. The children had a great time feeding the deer. The special experience of interacting with gentle deer brought great joy not only to the children but also to the adults. After strolling through the park with the deer and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, we headed to the grand Todai-ji Temple. Todai-ji Temple is one of the largest wooden structures in the world, and its grandeur overwhelmed the entire family. The massive Buddha enshrined inside, in particular, evoked a sense of awe. After finishing the tour of Dongdaesa, we moved to the Gintec Nara Station. It’s time to head back to the airport. I arrived at Kansai Airport Station after taking the express train to Kansai Airport Station via Namba Station from Kintetsu Nara Station. This short but intense 4-night, 5-day first family trip abroad has come to an end. For Mom Yoon, who lived in the impoverished and freedomless North Korea for over twenty years before defecting and settling in South Korea, it was a new experience in a foreign land, and for the whole family, it was a precious time with the special meaning of their first overseas trip. The vibrant city atmosphere of Osaka, the exotic beauty of Kobe, the historic charm of Kyoto, and the nature-friendly ambiance of Nara all contributed to creating precious memories that the family will cherish for a lifetime while experiencing the diverse attractions of the Kansai region in Japan. This trip was not just about visiting a foreign country, but it became a valuable opportunity to strengthen family bonds and broaden perspectives towards a new world. With the successful conclusion of their first overseas trip, the family is also looking forward to their next journey. If you found today’s video helpful and entertaining, please don’t forget to subscribe and like! I would also appreciate it if you could turn on notifications! Then, let’s meet again in the next video with more valuable travel information!
여기 한 가족이 있습니다.
그들은 두 부부와 10대인 큰딸과 작은딸 윤이로 이루어진 단란한 4인 가족입니다.
특별한 점이 있다면, 이 가족에게는 이번 여행이 생애 첫 해외여행이라는 것입니다.
특히 윤이의 엄마는 14년전 북한을 탈출해 대한민국에 정착한 탈북민으로,
뛰어난 미모와 함께 역경을 이겨낸 강인함을 지니고 있습니다.
그녀에게도, 그리고 가족 구성원 모두에게도 낯선 땅에서의 첫 발걸음은
잊을 수 없는 경험으로 기억될 것입니다.
그들이 선택한 첫 해외여행지는 일본에 10년 살았던 지인의
권유에 따라 일본 오사카입니다. 짧지만 강렬한 4박 5일간의 여정,
지금부터 그들의 오사카 가족 여행기를 따라가 보겠습니다.
자유가 없고 궁핍한 북한에서 이십여년 살다가 탈북하여 대한민국에
정착한 윤이 엄마에게는 낯선 땅에서의 새로운 경험이었고, 온 가족에게는 첫
해외여행이라는 특별한 의미가 더해진 소중한 시간이었습니다.
오사카의 활기찬 도시 분위기, 고베의 이국적인 아름다움, 교토의 고풍스러운 정취,
그리고 나라의 자연 친화적인 분위기까지, 일본 간사이 지역의 다채로운
매력을 경험하며 가족은 평생 잊지 못할 소중한 추억을 만들었습니다.
이번 여행은 단순히 해외를 방문하는 것을 넘어, 가족의 유대를 더욱 굳건히 하고
새로운 세상을 향한 시야를 넓히는 귀중한 기회가 되었을 것입니다.
