Itinerary
- Day 1
Seoul
You'll arrive in Korea and get transferred to your hotel where you can settle in and relax. In the afternoon, your tour guide will meet with you to go over the itinerary and answer any questions before things get going.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
- Day 2
Seoul
Start at Aegibong Observatory in Gimpo near the North Korea border, then head to the DMZ in Paju where you'll see memorials and temples, plus take a cable car over the Military Demarcation Line. After that, explore Seoul's City Hall, Deoksugung Palace, and walk through Myeongdong shopping district. Dinner's included, and you'll return by subway.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Aegibong Observatory visit in Gimpo
- DMZ Imjingang visit in Paju
- National Memorial visit
- Mangbaedan Altar visit
- Imjingak Pavilion Temple visit
- Cable car ride over Military Demarcation Line areas
- Freedom Bridge stop
- Seoul City Hall exterior viewing
- Deoksugung Palace night viewing
- Myeongdong district walk
- Seoul Metro return journey
Landmarks Aegibong Observatory DMZ Imjingang National Memorial Mangbaedan Altar Imjingak Pavilion Temple Freedom Bridge Seoul City Hall Deoksugung Palace Myeongdong 
- Day 3
Seoul
Spend about five hours exploring Seoul starting with Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO site within a large park, then stroll through the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village. The War Memorial of Korea comes next to learn about the country's conflicts. After lunch, check out the vibrant Gangnam District and visit Lotte World Tower where you have free time to explore or visit the observation deck if you want to pay extra. You'll head back to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Changdeokgung Palace visit
- Bukchon Hanok Village stroll
- War Memorial of Korea visit
Optional Activities
- Lotte World Tower observation deck admission
- Lotte World Tower park stroll
- Lotte World Tower luxury shopping centers
Landmarks Changdeokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village War Memorial of Korea Gangnam District Lotte World Tower 
- Day 4
Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju
Start in the morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace and catch the ceremonial changing of the guard if timing works out. Then depart Seoul heading south to Suwon, the former capital, to see UNESCO-listed fortification walls and the Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace. After lunch, continue to Jeonju where you'll wander through the historic Hanok Village with its traditional houses, shops, and galleries.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Plus Jeonju)
Included Activities
- Gyeongbokgung Palace visit
- Ceremonial changing of the guard viewing (if timing permits)
- Suwon UNESCO World Heritage walls viewing
- Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace visit
- Jeonju Hanok Village historic center exploration
Landmarks Gyeongbokgung Palace Suwon Fortifications Hwaseong Haenggung Jeonju Hanok Village 
- Day 5
Jeonju - Damyang - Haeinsa - Busan
Begin at Sunchang Gochujang Village at the base of Mount Amisan learning hands-on how to make traditional Korean chili paste from master artisans. Continue to Damyang and walk through the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, then visit the Bamboo Museum. Lunch features rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk. Later you'll arrive at Haeinsa, one of Korea's most important Buddhist temples built in 802, which houses the Tripitaka scriptures carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. The day ends in Busan.
- Meals
- Lunch (Rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk, local specialty)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Sunchang Gochujang Village visit
- Gochujang-making hands-on experience
- Juknokwon Bamboo Forest visit
- Bamboo Museum visit
- Haeinsa Buddhist Temple visit
Landmarks Sunchang Gochujang Village Juknokwon Bamboo Forest Bamboo Museum Haeinsa 
- Day 6
Busan
This morning you'll head to Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple situated right along the coast. The setting here is quite special with the sea as a backdrop. From there, you'll make your way back to Busan to visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, which holds significant historical importance. After that, Nampo Fish Market is on your list - it's the country's largest and a good place to see local activity and grab lunch (which is included with this day). In the afternoon, you'll walk through Yongdusan Park where there's a 120-meter pagoda that's worth seeing. Later on, head to Songdo Beach to experience the maritime cable car, which gives you nice views across the bay. Before heading back to your accommodation in Busan for the evening, you'll spend some time in Gamcheon Cultural Village. This area is filled with art galleries and cafes, so there's plenty to look at and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Visit Haedong Yonggung Buddhist Temple
- United Nations Memorial Cemetery entrance
- Nampo Fish Market
- Yongdusan Park and 120-meter pagoda
- Songdo Beach maritime cable car entrance
- Gamcheon Cultural Village
Landmarks Haedong Yonggung Temple United Nations Memorial Cemetery Nampo Fish Market Yongdusan Park Songdo Beach Gamcheon Cultural Village - Day 7
Busan to Tokyo
You'll transfer to the airport and take your included flight to Tokyo. After you land and clear border procedures, meet your assistant (usually Spanish-speaking, sometimes English) who'll take you on a shared shuttle bus to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
- Day 8
Tokyo
Join a five-hour morning guided tour through Tokyo visiting Zojoji Temple for Tokyo Tower views, the famous Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando Avenue, Imperial Palace gardens, Nijubashi Bridge, and Akihabara Electric City. Admission to Tokyo Skytree is included for panoramic views. Later you'll explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street in Asakusa. At 6:30 p.m., meet your guide to take the subway to Shinjuku where you'll walk around this lively district, have dinner (included) at a local restaurant, and return by subway.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant in Shinjuku)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Zojoji Temple visit with Tokyo Tower views
- Shibuya Crossing visit
- Meiji Shrine visit
- Omotesando Avenue visit
- Imperial Palace and gardens visit
- Nijubashi Bridge visit
- Akihabara Electric City tour
- Tokyo Skytree visit (admission included)
- Sensoji Temple visit
- Nakamise Street visit
- Shinjuku district walk
- Subway travel with tickets included
Landmarks Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Akihabara Tokyo Skytree Sensoji Temple Nakamise Street Shinjuku 
- Day 9
Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko
Travel toward the Mount Fuji area passing scenic landscapes. Stop at Arakurayama Sengen Park for iconic Mount Fuji views, then continue to Kawaguchiko town to visit Fuji Sengen Shrine. Take a boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko, and if weather allows, drive up Mount Fuji to the Fifth Station at 2,305 meters (7,546 feet). Return to Kawaguchiko to spend the night at a traditional ryokan with an onsen hot spring bath and included dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fuji View Hotel Kawaguchiko)
Included Activities
- Arakurayama Sengen Park visit with Mount Fuji views
- Fuji Sengen Shrine visit
- Lake Kawaguchiko boat ride
- Mount Fuji Fifth Station drive (up to 2,305 meters)
Landmarks Arakurayama Sengen Park Mount Fuji Fuji Sengen Shrine Lake Kawaguchiko Mount Fuji Fifth Station 
- Day 10
Kawaguchiko - Iyashi No Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto
Follow scenic roads around the lakes to reach Iyashi no Sato Nenba, an open-air museum with traditional houses converted into shops and cultural exhibits. Visit Shiraito Falls, a 20-meter cascade. Later you'll head to Nagoya to see the Toyota Museum (admission included), which is great if you're into cars. After that, continue to Kyoto for your overnight stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel)
Included Activities
- Iyashi no Sato Nenba open-air museum visit
- Shiraito Falls visit
- Toyota Museum visit (admission included)
Landmarks Iyashi no Sato Nenba Shiraito Falls Toyota Museum 
- Day 11
Kyoto
Spend your full day exploring Kyoto, Japan's former capital. Head to Arashiyama to see Togetsukyo Bridge with its panoramic views. Walk through Tenryuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's five great Zen temples, and its serene bamboo forest. Then visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple with its gardens. You'll have free time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto's traditional district.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel)
Included Activities
- Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge visit
- Tenryuji Temple visit (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Arashiyama bamboo forest walk
- Fushimi Inari Shrine visit
- Imperial Palace visit
- Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) visit
Landmarks Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge Tenryuji Temple Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Fushimi Inari Shrine Imperial Palace Kinkakuji Temple Gion 
- Day 12
Kyoto - Nara - Osaka
Depart early for Nara to visit Todaiji, a Buddhist temple built in 752 that houses a giant Buddha statue. You can interact with the friendly deer roaming the surrounding park and take photos. Lunch is included. Visit Horyu-ji Temple next, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the world's oldest wooden structures and Japan's oldest Buddhist temple. Continue to Osaka, arriving in the evening. Check out Dotonbori, a lively and colorful district known for nightlife.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Candeo Osaka Namba)
Included Activities
- Todaiji Buddhist Temple visit with giant Buddha statue
- Nara park deer interaction and photography
- Horyu-ji Temple visit (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Dotonbori nightlife exploration
Landmarks Todaiji Temple Nara Park Horyu-ji Temple Dotonbori 
- Day 13
Osaka
After breakfast, your journey comes to an end. You're heading home with great memories from Korea and Japan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
