No trip to eastern Asia is complete without indulging in a traditional massage. This was an activity that we didn’t plan, we were just handed a pamphlet and thought ‘Hey, why not?’. It was relatively cheap in comparison to western massage prices. With room to negotiate we ended up spending about ₩70,000 ($77AUD) for both of us to get a foot rub, full body massage, and a facial.
Our Experience
We were brough into an office building where the parlor worked out of within the Myeongdong Night Market district. Which looked identical to a normal office space but with massage tables instead of desks.
We began by putting on some very baggy clothes, and then the pampering began. The massage was a typical relaxing service. The facial was nothing out of the ordinary, it was a shame they didn’t use some better facial products, seeing as South Korea is the capital for skincare!
Overall the experience was fun, a massage that caliber in Australia would cost well over $200. Really, the office decor didn’t really matter once you were face down on the table.
We are unsure if this was something that many tourists do, as most other customers were Korean businessmen. Emphasis on the men, because I (Mikayla) was the only girl customer there. We did want to get another massage near the end of the trip. But the parlor we walked into was above a noodle house, and we thought the smell of wok oil may impede on our relaxation.
If you have the opportunity it is a great way to relax during a holiday. Whether it is directly after a flight or during many walking adventures. Getting a massage in a local business will always be more of an experience than getting one from within a hotel, it is also significantly cheaper. Look on Maps to see if there are any in your area.
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