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2026

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2027

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Who is travelling?

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From
US $2,260 per person

Essence of the East: Japan & Korea Highlights Tour

11 days
•
From Tokyo to Seoul
4.1 (72 reviews)
From
US $2,260 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Pay only 20% today. The rest is due 60 days before departure. Learn more

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Plan your adventure:
City & Culture
Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Partially Guided
Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Intro

    Introduction

  2. Day 1

    Tokyo

    Tokyo
    Start point
    Tokyo Prefecture, Japan (The hotel in Tokyo's City Center, 00:00 - 23:55)
    Accommodation
    (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa)

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Shinto shrines and temples
    • Visit bustling markets
    • Experience neon-lit streets and neighborhoods
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 2

    Tokyo

    Tokyo
    Accommodation
    (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa)

    Included Activities

    • Guided walking tour of Shibuya with local expert
    • Visit Myth of Tomorrow mural at Shibuya Station
    • Walk across Shibuya Crossing
    • Explore Miyashita Park
    • Discover Nonbei Yokocho traditional bar alley
    • Walk through Shibuya Center Gai
    • Visit Maruyamacho district
    • See Hachiko Statue

    Optional Activities

    • Dine at local bars and restaurants
    • Shop at trendy stores in Shibuya Center Gai
    • Explore live music bars and clubs in Maruyamacho
    Landmarks
    Shibuya Crossing
    Myth of Tomorrow mural
    Miyashita Park
    Nonbei Yokocho
    Shibuya Center Gai
    Maruyamacho
    Hachiko Statue
    Itinerary Image 1
  4. Day 3

    Tokyo to Mt. Fuji - Kawaguchiko Lake

    Tokyo to Mt. Fuji - Kawaguchiko Lake
    Accommodation
    (The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa)

    Included Activities

    • Coach transportation with English/Chinese-speaking tour leader
    • Visit Oishi Park for Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko views
    • Explore Arakurayama Sengen Shrine
    • Stop at Mt. Fuji 5th Station viewing station
    • Visit Oshino Hakkai traditional village

    Optional Activities

    • Lunch at Mt. Fuji, Kawaguchiko, or Gotemba restaurants
    Landmarks
    Oishi Park
    Arakurayama Sengen Shrine
    Mt. Fuji 5th Station
    Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba
    Oshino Hakkai
    Lake Kawaguchiko
  5. Day 4

    Tokyo to Kyoto

    Tokyo to Kyoto
    Accommodation
    (Noku Kyoto )

    Included Activities

    • Shinkansen (bullet train) Tokyo to Kyoto
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  6. Day 5

    Kyoto to Nara and back to Kyoto/Osaka

    Kyoto to Nara and back to Kyoto/Osaka
    Accommodation
    (Noku Kyoto )

    Included Activities

    • Air-conditioned coach transportation
    • Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) with entrance fee
    • Explore Muromachi-era gardens and architecture at Kinkaku-ji
    • Free time in Arashiyama to visit Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge
    • Walk through Senbon Torii (Thousands of Torii Gates) at Fushimi Inari Taisha
    • Free time in Nara Park to explore temples and see deer
    • English-speaking guide

    Optional Activities

    • Shopping at local shops in Arashiyama
    • Entrance fees to temples in Nara (Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, National Museum)
    • Feed the deer in Nara Park
    Landmarks
    Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    Togetsukyo Bridge
    Fushimi Inari Taisha
    Nara Park
    Todai-ji Temple
    Kofuku-ji
    Kasuga Shrine
    Nara National Museum
  7. Day 6

    Kyoto

    Kyoto
    Accommodation
    (Noku Kyoto )

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    • Stroll the Philosopher's Path
    • Explore Gion geisha district
    • Participate in traditional tea ceremony
    • Visit vibrant markets
    • Explore Zen gardens
    • Dine at riverside cafés
    Landmarks
    Kiyomizu-dera
    Philosopher's Path
    Gion
  8. Day 7

    Kyoto to Osaka

    Kyoto to Osaka
    Meals
    Food Samplings (4-5 food samplings including takoyaki, skewers, sushi, wagyu beef, and seasonal bites at Kuromon Market)
    Accommodation
    (The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji )

    Included Activities

    • Shinkansen (bullet train) Kyoto to Osaka
    • Guided walking tour of Kuromon Market with local guide
    • Food samplings: takoyaki, skewers, sushi, wagyu, seasonal bites at Kuromon Market
    • Visit Hozenji Temple
    • Explore Dotonbori district

    Optional Activities

    • Shop for traditional Japanese kitchenware and tableware
    • Additional personal food purchases at market stalls
    Landmarks
    Kuromon Market
    Hozenji Temple
    Dotonbori
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  9. Day 8

    Osaka to Seoul

    Osaka to Seoul
    Accommodation
    (Hotel Gracery Seoul )

    Included Activities

    • Flight from Osaka to Seoul

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll through Myeongdong district
    • Visit bustling markets
    • Explore neighborhoods with K-pop culture
    Landmarks
    Myeongdong
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  10. Day 9

    Seoul to Suwon and Gwangmyeong

    Seoul to Suwon and Gwangmyeong
    Accommodation
    (Hotel Gracery Seoul )

    Included Activities

    • Visit Starfield Library in Suwon
    • Guided tour of Hwaseong Fortress
    • Explore Gwangmyeong Cave
    Landmarks
    Starfield Library
    Hwaseong Fortress
    Gwangmyeong Cave
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  11. Day 10

    Seoul

    Seoul
    Accommodation
    (Hotel Gracery Seoul )

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
    • Explore Bukchon Hanok Village
    • Wander Insadong's art galleries and tea houses
    • Shop and eat at Myeongdong
    • Hike Namsan Mountain for panoramic views
    • Dine on Korean BBQ
    • Relax at artisanal coffee cafés
    Landmarks
    Gyeongbokgung Palace
    Bukchon Hanok Village
    Insadong
    Myeongdong
    Namsan Mountain
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  12. Day 11

    Seoul to Airport

    Seoul to Airport
    End point
    Seoul, South Korea (The hotel in Seoul's city center, 00:00 - 23:55)

    Optional Activities

    • Leisurely breakfast in Seoul
    • Final walks through Seoul's neighborhoods
    • Visit hidden cafés
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3

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What's Not Included

  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Vio Travel

Silver Operator
Rating
4.1 (72 reviews)
Response time
7 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy
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Reviews from other tours by Vio Travel

  • Clara4.0•September 2026
    Good value for money. Hotels were in good locations. Good selection of included activities. The agent was very...
    Show more
  • Nicky5.0•October 2026
    I had an absolutely wonderful experience. The organisation, communication, hotel locations, and attention to detail...
    Show more
  • thomas5.0•September 2026
    Kinoshita Hiroyuki is an excellent tour guide. He is pleasant to talk to and has a great sense of humor. He also has...
    Show more

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Dates & Prices

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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    To Tuesday
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Trip essentials

Good to know

Tour ID: 321536

The practical details for your trip across Japan and South Korea: money, plugs and flexible ways to pay, all in one place.

Have a question? Chat with a travel expert

  • Pay in installments

    Spread the cost in interest-free biweekly installments of $96.

  • Deposit only

    Book now with just a 20% deposit. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure.

  • 2 local currencies

    You’ll encounter Yen in Japan, Won in South Korea.

  • Plug types A, B, C, F

    You’ll need an adapter for these sockets in Japan and South Korea.

  • Currencies

    ¥
    Yen

    Japan

    ₩
    Won

    South Korea

  • Plugs & adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada you will need an adaptor for types C, F. As a traveler from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B, C, F.

    • Type A

      Only used in Japan

    • Type B

      Only used in Japan

    • Type C

      Only used in South Korea

    • Type F

      Only used in South Korea

  • Visa

    Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and how long you stay. We can’t process visas for you, but here’s a quick indication for this trip.

    This is only an indication. Visa rules depend on your passport, trip length and purpose. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate before you travel.

  • Payment information

    Pay now
    A 20% deposit
    Balance due
    60 days before departure
    Installments
    Interest-free, every two weeks
    Currency
    USD
    Booking fee
    None

    Book now with just a 20% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $96 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before December 11th, 2026 will need to be paid in full at checkout.

    Accepted for Vio Travel tours

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    TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.

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From
US $2,260 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select departure month

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Pay only 20% today. The rest is due 60 days before departure. Learn more

Best price guarantee Learn More

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Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec