18 Day Japan & South Korea Discovery

Upon arrival into Tokyo, please make your own way to the starting point hotel. Take the evening to relax after your flight and prepare for your first full day of touring tomorrow.

Arrival & Check-in information

Haneda International Airport (HND). The easiest and most convenient way to travel from Haneda International Airport (HND) to Tokyo Central is by train or by Monorail. The airport is also serviced by many 'Limousine Bus' services which offer shared shuttle bus service from around 1300Yen per person.

Narita International Airport. The best way to travel from Narita International Airport to Tokyo Central is by the Narita Airport Express. The journey to most Tokyo stations take approximately 1hr and the ticket costs 4070 Yen. The airport is also serviced by many 'Limousine Bus' services which offer shared shuttle busses from around 1300Yen per person.

Hotel Check-in.
Travellers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.

After breakfast this morning your English-speaking guide will meet you to begin your full-day coach tour of Japan’s ultramodern capital – Tokyo. 

Our exploration of Tokyo begins with a visit to Asakusa Sensoji temple–the oldest temple in Tokyo–famous for its huge lantern hung at the Kaminarimon gate (Thunder Gate). Then, we’ll explore the outer grounds of the Imperial Palace, the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Previously home to samurai warriors, it’s a sprawling complex with beautiful 17th-century parks in the heart of the city. Built on the site of the old Edo castle, it is surrounded by a large park, moats and massive stone walls. Come cherry blossom season, it is blanketed in a sea of pink blooms.

Later, we move on to Meiji Jingu Shrine Surrounded by green trees, it’s a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy some peaceful time exploring. Then, we dive into Takeshita Street in Harajuku, the home of quirky youth pop culture before retiring to our hotel for an evening at leisure.

Today is a full free day in Tokyo. There is no end to the spectacular sightseeing and activities available to you, as Tokyo truly has something for everyone. Take as much time as you like to relax at your leisure, explore the city, shop for souvenirs and eat the delectable cuisine. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations on more must-see spots around the city.

After breakfast today we depart Tokyo and travel to Hakone. Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Hakone offers tranquillity among stunning natural scenery. 

Upon arrival at Hakone, enjoy a boat trip across the serene Ashinoko Lake, followed by taking a cable car up the mountains to the sulphur vents of Owakudani. You’ll have spectacular views, and on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji in the distance.

Our journey continues to Takayama, a charming Edo period town located in the Japanese alps. Upon arrival in Takayama, take a walk with your leader who will point out examples of beautiful traditional architecture as you explore the old part of town. During the walk, you will visit a local sake brewery and try different kinds of sake. You also learn how the town’s isolated location caused it to develop a unique culinary scene. The area is particularly famous for Hida beef, which comes from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed that has been raised in the Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Stop off on your tour to sample delicious Hida beef sushi or skewers (own expense).

Before leaving Takayama this morning we'll tour the Miyagawa Open-Air Market. The Gifu region is known for its production of high-altitude vegetables, and local women have been travelling in from the countryside to sell their produce for hundreds of years. Your leader will guide you through the market stalls selling colourful pickles, bags of miso wrapped in leaves, genkotsu ame (soy bean candy), preserved fish, spices, and the delicious marshmallow treat of owara tamaten. 

Then, we travel to Kyoto where the afternoon is at leisure.

We’ll see the sights of ancient Kyoto this morning, starting with Kyoto’s famed Fushimi Inari Shrine – known throughout the world as the ‘Path of the Red Gates.’ Take time to appreciate the quieter corners of the shrine, and if you’re feeling fit, a walk to the halfway point provides stunning city views. 

We’ll continue onto some of Kyoto’s most iconic sites, like Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). This is a Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with two floors covered entirely in thin layers of pure gold, set within a beautiful classical Zen garden.

This afternoon, you have free time to explore the city on your own.

After breakfast this morning, we spend the day travelling to Hiroshima.

Upon arrival in Hiroshima, visit Miyajima, an island known for its forests and ancient temples. Just offshore, there's a 'floating' torii, which becomes partially submerged at high tide. It marks the entrance to the Itsukushima Shrine, which was first built in the 12th century. 

Later, check in your hotel and relax in the evening. You might want to try a local famous dish okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake of egg, cabbage, soba noodles, and meat or seafood.

This morning we'll visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, otherwise known as the Genbaku Dome, or the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. A shell of a building that was one of very few left standing after the United States bombed Hiroshima in 1945. In Hiroshima today, locals have mixed feelings about the UNESCO World Heritage-listed structure: some see it as a reminder of war, while others consider it a tribute to the lost that ensures we'll never forget the tragic events that took place here.

Afterwards, we continue our Japan adventure to Osaka. Upon arrival, you have free time to explore Osaka.

Today we enjoy a coach tour with our guide, beginning at Osaka Castle, which played a major role in the unification of Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the 16th century.

We’ll also enjoy a walking tour of the Dōtonbori area. One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dōtonbori canal and is a hugely popular destination for shopping, street food, bars and entertainment. At night the streets here are illuminated by hundreds of colourful neon lights and mechanised signs, including the famous running Glico Man sign and the Kani Doraku crab sign.

At the appropriate time, make your way to Osaka Kansai Airport for your flight to Seoul. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day sightseeing in Seoul and surrounds. Our first stop is at the Jogyesa Temple, which is the centre of Korean Buddhism. We then continue to Gyeongbokgung Palace to witness the changing of the guard ceremony before a visit to the National Folk Museum. 

After lunch, we travel to the Korean Folk Village on the outskirts of Seoul. Here, you will experience the culture of the late Joseon Dynasty as we wander through the village of over 260 different types of historical houses and buildings.

After breakfast we leave Seoul to travel to Gongju. Here we visit the UNESCO listed Tomb of King Muryeong and the Royal Tombs. Dating back to 500AD, the tomb complex was only re-discovered in 1927 and gives an insight into the Ungjin Period. We then visit the impressive Gongsanseong Fortress before continuing to Buyeo, an ancient capital of the Baekje Dynasty. Stop by Nakhwaam Cliff Observatory. where 3,000 court ladies of Baekje plunged into the river to avoid being captured and dishonored when the enemy breached the castle on the last day of the Kingdom.

We continue to Jeonju where we spend the night at leisure.

After breakfast at our hotel we continue our journey to Gwangju, the leading city of Honam, the region and birthplace of a modern democratic movement in Korea. Here we visit May 18th National Cemetery dedicated to those who participated in the Gwangju Uprising in 1980.

Our journey continues to Suncheon where we will visit Suncheon Bay Garden.  Afterwards, we travel to Yeosu, where we tour the modern port city before checking in to our hotel.

Our first stop today is the Jinjuseong Fortress, historically linked to Japanese invasion in 1592.

We then continue to Busan and visit the Jagalchi-Fishery Market, Busan’s largest seafood market, before seeing Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Park. Our tour continues to the historic coastal city of Gyeongju where we check in to our hotel before an evening at leisure.

Today is a real highlight and our first destination is the Unesco World Heritage-listed Seokguram Grotto. The religious site was constructed between 742 and 765 AD and still serves as a significant site for Korean and international Buddhists for its ceremonial and artistic value. We then visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple before continuing to Andong Hahoe Folk Village, which has preserved the housing architecture and the village structure of the Joseon Dynasty. Moreover, the Village was naturally formed with people who actually live there. It has become world-famous for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Depart

Afterwards we continue to the scenic city of Wonju, framed by Chiaksan Mountain and the Seom River. Serving as the capital of Gangwon Province for 500 years during the Joseon Dynasty, it maintains rich traditions and cultural relics.

Today we visit the venue of 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. We then proceed to Mt. Seorak National Park. Mt. Seorak National Park. The peaks of the Seoraksan Mountains break through the clouds while jade-like water flows through the valleys, creating breathtaking views and making this Korea's most famous national park. Due to the many rare species found here, UNESCO designated this national park a Biosphere Preservation District in 1982. You have the opportunity to take a cable car to the summit (additional expense) before we transfer back to Seoul for our final evening in South Korea.

Your tour concludes after breakfast.  Please make your own way to the airport for your fight home.

We hope you've been inspired.