Highlights Of Korea and Japan

Welcome to Korea! You’ll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll receive information about the start of your tour.

Enjoy your breakfast and later leave for a tour of the city of Seoul, visit the Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in GIMPO, arriving at this symbolic destination dedicated to peace, ecology, history, and cultural harmony. The park stands as a meaningful reminder of Korean unification and shared heritage. Enjoy an observatory visit, where you can witness rare views of North Korean territory just across the river—an experience that is both unique and deeply moving. Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant (included). Transfer to the Paju Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang). We will see the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar, the Imjingak Pavilion Temple, a symbol of peace, and take a cable car ride (included) to observe from above the areas near the Military Demarcation Line. Finally, we will stop at the Freedom Bridge, a symbol of hope and reunion. Later, with our guide, we will go to the square where City Hall is located to see this building from the outside, notable for its wave-like (tsunami-shaped) design. In front of the City Hall, we will also see the Deoksugung Palace, which is lit up at night and allows us to appreciate the tradition and modernity of this country together. On foot, we will go from here to the district of Myeongdong, one of Korea's largest and busiest shopping area. Its name means ‘bright tunnel’. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Return by Seoul’s modern subway system (ticket included).
Overnight in Seoul

Important Note: Please remember to bring your passport; it is mandatory. The DMZ is a military area and may be closed without prior notice. If this occurs, an alternative tour will be provided

Enjoy your breakfast and later leave for a tour of the city of Seoul, lasting five hours. See Changdeokgung Palace (entrance included). This is a World Heritage Site formed by a group of palaces inside a large park. After the visit, discover Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historical neighborhood with tiny houses. Afterward, we will visit the War Memorial (entrance included), an impressive war museum that tells of the different conflicts suffered by Korea during its history, particularly the Korean War with the United Nations in which soldiers from many other countries took part. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. We continue to the Gangnam District, one of the city's busiest areas, with numerous shopping and leisure centers. To finish, we stop at LOTTE WORLD TOWER, an impressive 550 m building where there will be time to climb the tower (entrance not included) or stroll in the park or around the luxury shopping centers. Return to the center and free time.

Overnight in Seoul

Important note regarding Bukchon Hanok Village: Due to regulations established to protect the residential environment, our vehicle may only park in designated areas, and we will complete an approximate 900 meter walk to reach this neighbourhood. For operational reasons, this visit may be replaced by Namsangol Hanok Village, also featuring traditional Korean architecture, ensuring the cultural content of the itinerary is maintained. 

After breakfast, leave for the Gyeongbokgung Palace (entrance included), an impressive palace that is 600 years old, where we will see the Changing of the Guard ceremony (if scheduled). Our next stop is the city of SUWON, the former capital of Korea, a World Heritage Site famous for its walls and Heritage of Mankind. We will see the impressive wall with its fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace (entrance included), notable for its traditional architecture. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. We continue to JEONJU, where we will see its fascinating old town (Hanok Village), its tiny houses, traditional shops, and art galleries.

Overnight in Jeonju

Post a wholesome breakfast, we will depart toward the SUNCHANG GOCHUJANG VILLAGE, located at the base of Mount Amisan, with its hanok houses and courtyards filled with clay pots called hang-a-ri. This village is home to master artisans who craft gochujang (Korean chili paste) using traditional methods. We will enjoy a hands-on experience learning how to make this famous sauce. Continue to DAMYANG to visit the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (entrance included), where the paths are considered some of the most beautiful in the country, perfect for meditation and enjoying the fresh breeze. We will also find a variety of bamboo products, and visit places like the Bamboo Museum (entrance included). Lunch will be included, and we will taste a local specialty: rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk. Later proceed to HAEINSA, one of Korea’s most important Buddhist temples (entrance included) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures, carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. We will move towards BUSAN, the second largest city in Korea, known for its vibrant atmosphere.
Overnight in Busan

Note: we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for the walk to the entrance of Haeinsa Temple.

After breakfast, we depart from Busan to visit HAEDONG YONGGUNGSA, a 14th-century Buddhist temple located by the sea. Return to Busan. We will visit the memorial to the United Nations with its cemetery (entrance included), where people from numerous countries are buried. We approach the largest fish market in the country, which is alongside Nampo Port. Lunch included at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the airport to board the flight (included) from Busan to FUKUOKA, Japan. Upon Arrival you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight in Fukuoka.

Note: we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for the walk to the entrance of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

This morning after breakfast at hotel, we will depart for IWAKUNI, a small city where we will stop to admire the beautiful historic Kintai-Kyo Bridge. We then continue to Miyajimaguchi, where we take a ferry to Miyajima, the island “where men and Gods live together in peace,” with its Itsukushima shrine dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partly over the sea. Here we have time to visit the temple, stroll through its attractive center and have lunch (at your own expense). Then we continue to HIROSHIMA, sadly famous as the site where the atomic bomb fell in 1945, which destroyed the whole city. We will visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic bomb dome, and the impressive Peace Memorial Museum. Dinner included.

Overnight in Hiroshima.

Please Note: For groups of nine travelers or fewer, the journey from Fukuoka to Hiroshima may be arranged via high-speed train. In such cases, the stop in Iwakuni will be omitted (details will be specified in your travel voucher), and the tour will commence in Hiroshima before continuing to Miyajima.

Today once you have breakfast, we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island, on a pleasant crossing that lasts two hours and a half, and see the many islands that makeup Japan. (If there are no schedule changes then our ferry will depart at 9:20 am (departure from hotel at 8 am). We will take the cable car to its impressive castle in MATSUYAMA. Afterward, we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Lunch included. In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.

Overnight in Matsuyama

Note: Please be aware some Onsen facilities may deny entry to individuals with Tattoo.

We depart for KOTOHIRA after breakfast. Visit a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zozu and is reached by climbing 785 steps. For those who prefer not to climb, the base of the mountain offers a lively tourist area and a small sake museum (Japan’s traditional distilled beverage). Afterward, in TAKAMATSU, we will visit RITSURIN, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Then, in NARUTO, we cross an impressive bridge over the sea, stopping to admire the construction and walking on its glass floor with the sea 45 meters below us. Our road is surrounded by beautiful scenery and then crosses long bridges between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE, accommodation.
Overnight in Kobe.

Have breakfast at the hotel and visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place to remind the tragic seism that devastated the city in 1995 and its perfect reconstruction. Note: On some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be changed for the Sake Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower. We will then continue to OSAKA, before heading to the sacred Mount Koya, one of Japan’s sacred mountains and Japan’s main center of Shingon Buddhism. There are 120 shrines and monasteries on this mountain, a magical pilgrimage place. We will visit Okuno Mausoleum, a spiritual place and an immense cemetery in the wilderness that has more than 200,000 graves. We will visit the Kongobuji temple, built in 1593. We will spend this night at a Buddhist monastery. The monks will offer us a Zen meditation session (Ajikan). Dinner will be included (vegetarian food). There is a religious ceremony at the temple early in the morning before breakfast if you wish to attend it. 

Overnight in Mount Koya
 
Note: We consider the sojourn at the monastery as an experience of great existential value. The rooms at this place are modest, without private bathrooms and follow the traditional Japanese style with tatamis. Bathrooms are communal.  We cannot guarantee the meditation practice during peak tourist dates. Since accommodation capacity in the temples on Mount Koya is limited, in some cases, we may accommodate groups in nearby hotels (with half board included).

We will start the day with traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple. Then we leave early for KYOTO, to spend the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to some of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. You will be transferred to Gion. Explore Gion, a bustling traditional district renowned for its Geisha culture. Here, you will have additional free time to soak in the unique atmosphere. The return to the hotel will not be accompanied, we recommend taking a taxi, and the guide will provide instructions on to do so.

Overnight in Kyoto

Note: If you have already visited Kyoto as part of your tour, our guide will offer you information and advice on visiting the other parts of the city unaccompanied.

After breakfast, transfer to the station to take the BULLET TRAIN to Tokyo. Arrival in Tokyo after almost 500 km in just over two hours. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the city at your leisure.

Overnight in Tokyo

In the morning, we take a 7-hour trip with our guide to see this fantastic city, with its hustle and bustle and extremely modern districts that coexist with quiet, peaceful areas. Brief stop at the Zojoji Temple to take a beautiful photograph of the Tokyo Tower. Please pay attention to the hundred of Jizos, stone traditional protecting deities who guide us on our travels, give power to those who are weak (such as children) and those in dangerous places, and who are dressed, including hats, robes, and windmills. Then we head to the junction of Shibuya, which is said to be the most crowded in the world. The Meiji Temple is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, his wife, and their spirits.  Ascend to the iconic Tokyo Skytree (admission included up to Tembo Deck at 350 meters), Japan’s tallest structure, and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis. We will end our tour in Asakusa, where you’ll visit the historic Senso-ji Temple and stroll along the lively Nakamise Street, lined with traditional shops and local delights. En route back to the hotel, pass through Akihabara, the vibrant “Electric City” known for its anime and manga culture, and the upscale Ginza district. In the evening, meet your guide and head to the bustling Shinjuku area by subway(tickets included). Soak in the energy of this lively district with a walk, followed by a delightful dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel by subway after an enriching day in Tokyo.

Overnight in Kyoto

Please Note: The itinerary sequence may be adjusted based on Tokyo Skytree entry timings. In case of bad weather disruptions or exceptional circumstances, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be arranged. During winter, groups with fewer than five passengers may experience the tour via a “Hop-On Hop-Off” bus, offering the flexibility to explore key attractions at their own pace.

Enjoy breakfast; make your own way to the airport to catch your onward flight.