Japan & South Korea Adventure

This route to Japan and South Korea, two of Asia’s most economically developed countries while retaining many World Heritage sites and traditional cultures, will satisfy your desire to explore East Asia in depth once and for all. Let’s start in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. No matter what time your flight lands at the Tokyo Airport, you will be warmly greeted by our English-speaking assistant, who will take you to our well-prepared shared car transferring you directly to the hotel in the downtown.

Free Time Suggestions:
If you arrive early and are not tired, just walk around by yourself. Our handpicked hotel boasts a prime location in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most bustling areas, with many interesting places and things to do within a 10-minute walk. You can:
1. Stroll in the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden to enjoy the natural scenery, especially during the cherry blossom time or red-leaf season.
2. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observation deck.
3. Check out Kabukicho, the legendary red-light district full of stories.
4. Have a drink in a Showa-era izakaya, at Omoide Yokocho alleyway.

Important Advice: Our seasoned travel experts, having extensively explored Japan, strongly advise you to wear a pair of comfortable hiking boots or sneakers, given the considerable walking distances you’ll encounter. High heels are not recommended, particularly on the cobblestone paths surrounding many attractions, where they could be quite uncomfortable.

Accommodation: Hotel Century Southern Tower (4 stars) in Tokyo

After breakfast, meet our guide waiting for you in the hotel lobby. First, we’ll go to the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor of Japan. Walk the grounds and gardens outside the core office area, and you will find a rare huge green space in the city center where people run or relax. Take a photo at the iconic Nijubashi Bridge before heading to the next stop, the Tsukiji Outer Market. Although the once largest tuna market here was a thing of the past, the outer market remains, keeping many famous sushi and seafood shops, giving you a glimpse to the place that closely touches the stomachs of the locals.

Next, we will head to Akihabara, the base of Japan’s electronics trade, anime, game industry, and otaku culture. Here, you can find the cutting-edge electronics, comics, game consoles, gadgets, anime toys, and perhaps the opportunities to catch fashion exhibitions and buskers. Later, let’s explore the exact opposite side of the city, the historic Senso-ji Temple. Passing through the Kaminarimon Gate hung with a giant red lantern, you will be drawn to the bustling Nakamise-dori Street, the other end of which leads to the Senso-ji Temple. Feel the strong contrast of people’s devout worship of Kannon in the extreme hustle and bustle, and wish you a good luck in drawing an Omikuji fortune slip. Then, follow the guide to the nearby riverbank, take a Sumida River Cruise south, along the way to enjoy the landmarks and natural scenery on both sides, and take a picture on the deck with the Tokyo Skytree as the background. Finally, the guide will escort you back to the hotel.

► Optional: Sumo Wrestling Match (at your own expense)
If you are visiting Tokyo in January, May, or September, contact us in advance to book tickets for seeing a sumo tournament if you are interested. Visit the Sumo Museum’s collection of exhibits and memorabilia, and watch a match in a traditional arena, which is one of Japan’s most popular cultural events.

Accommodation: Hotel Century Southern Tower (4 stars) in Tokyo

Although Mt. Fuji is a little far from downtown Tokyo, we have arranged an efficient way for you to visit it. In the morning, your guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby, and then we’ll take a 1.5-hour bullet train ride to Odawara Station. 

When taking the local mountain train up the Hakone Mountains, our sightseeing officially begins. After arriving at Owakudani Valley by ropeway, join your guide to marvel at its volcanic landforms and try black eggs if you’d like. You can also enjoy a clear view of Mt. Fuji here if the weather is good. Next, continue our journey to Lake Ashi, and hop on a sightseeing boat for a 20-minute cruise, where you’ll get to see Mt. Fuji’s reflection on a clear day. At the end of the tour, your guide will accompany you on an express train back to Tokyo.

Accommodation: Hotel Century Southern Tower (4 stars) in Tokyo

► Today would be the end of the Japanese leg of your East Asia tour. After breakfast, please pack up and check out and make your own way to the Tokyo Narita International Airport:

It is recommended that you leave 3.5 hours before your flight departure time. Walk 8 minutes north to Shinjuku Station to take the Narita Express Line running directly to the airport. It takes 1.5 hours and cost USD 24 per person.

Take a 2.5-hour flight from Tokyo to Busan, South Korea (tickets reserved and included). Upon arrival, our local guide will meet you at the airport.

★ Vehicle Upgrade: We will arrange a private car with driver for your South Korea tour, except for the DMZ border tour, which only allows guests to join a group by shared bus, due to its sensitive location and special management.

First, enjoy a 1-hour escorted car ride to the east coast of Busan to visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Admire not only its ingeniously designed and beautifully carved Buddhist architecture dating back to the 14th century, but also its sweeping sea views, for it occupies an advantaged location as the only temple in South Korea by the sea. Next, head to the Haeundae Beach to enjoy the magnificent view on the soft white sand, and then if time permits, we’ll visit the Nurimaru APEC House on the Dongbaek Island and look at the Gwangan Bridge in the distance before going to the hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Haeundae (4 stars)

In the morning, the guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel and first lead you to the Oryukdo Skywalk on the southern coast. Put on the free shoe covers, restrain the trembling of your legs when walking onto the U-shaped transparent glass walkway that juts out to the sea and on the 37-meter (121-foot) high cliff, and your heart will race as you get a clear view of the cliff, huge reefs, and the roaring waves under your feet. Appreciate the Oryukdo Islets on the sea and the Haeundae coastline in the distance. Next, climb the Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park and enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire city from the circular observation deck on the top of the 120-meter (394-foot) high tower. Afterwards, we’ll spend some time on the BIFF Square, in which BIFF stands for Busan International Film Festival. Every year, the bronze plates engraved with the handprints of the award-winning directors and actors are embedded on the ground of the square. Immerse in the lively casual atmosphere and film culture here.

In the afternoon, follow the guide to venture into the Jagalchi Market, South Korea’s largest fish market, where you'll get a deep sense of how dependent Korea, like Japan, is on the sea and marine products. Marvel at all kinds of live and dried fish, seaweed and shellfish, especially the female vendors known as ‘Jagalchi Ajumma’. Outgoing with loud voices and crisp movements, these middle-aged women are the biggest highlights of the market, showing how energetically Busan's ordinary people work and live. Finally, transfer to the Gamcheon Culture Village featuring colorful houses and murals. Visit ancient Korean buildings, participate in cultural activities such as trying on Hanbok, enjoying traditional music, and learning folk handicrafts, and you’ll feel the charm of traditional Korean culture. Before dark, our guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Haeundae (4 stars)

After breakfast, our guide and the driver will escort you on a 1-hour car ride to Gyeongju, a city with more than 2,000 years of history that was once the capital of an ancient Korean Kingdom Silla (57 BC – 935 AD). As we approach Gyeongju, let’s first visit the Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking into this grand ancient temple built on the mountainside, you will find the historical traces of its construction since the 6th century AD. Be amazed by its traditional palaces and Buddhist statues, and also discover its difference - the asymmetrical two stone pagodas in front of the Mahavira Hall, the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas.

Later, we will head to downtown Gyeongju, check into the hotel for a short rest, and in the afternoon admire the monuments in the Gyeongju Historic Areas. First, visit the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, containing 23 huge ancient tombs visible from a distance and 200 underground, which are the tombs of kings and nobles in the Silla era. Take a closer look at the Cheonmachong Tomb, the only burial mound in the grand cemetery to open its interior as a museum, to see the notable artifacts including a saddle flap painting and a restored gold crown. Next, see the Cheomseongdae Observatory built with stone between 632 and 646 AD, and marvel at such a great invention at such an early time, which can observe the clouds and constellations in the sky, and determine the orientation and 24 solar terms. Afterwards, head to the Woljeonggyo Bridge to appreciate the antiquity of the oldest wooden covered bridge in South Korea, which once served as the entrance and exit of the royal palace Wolseong (Half Moon Fortress). Finally, we’ll take a leisurely walk around the Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, admiring the beautiful reflection of the palace in the pond.

Accommodation: The Suites Hotel Gyeongju (4 stars)

Today, we will drive 2.5 hours northwest to Andong Hahoe Folk Village, a historic Korean village and World Heritage site. It was the hometown of the Ryu clan of Pungsan in the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1894 AD), and cultivated several famous scholars. The visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 and former US President George H. Bush in 2005 made it even more famous. Witness the peculiar layout of the traditional hanok in the village - all the houses are built in different directions on the hills surrounded by the S-shaped river. Follow the guide to visit the well-preserved large stone tiled house of the Ryu family in the center of the village, as well as the surrounding attractions established during the Silla era. The tranquility and seclusion here will allow you to find inner peace. If time permits, we’ll visit the Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy before starting the 2.5-hour drive to Seoul.

► Tip: The salted mackerel, Andong jjimdak, funerary food, and Andong Soju wine are worth trying for lunch.

Upon arrival in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, our guide will escort you to the hotel for check-in, and the rest time is up to you.

► Recommended Evening Activities:
1. Relax in A Jjimjilbang with hot tubs, showers, traditional Korean kiln saunas, heated floor and a snack bar.
2. Hangang River Night Cruise: Enjoy the night view along the river, Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, music performance and dinner onboard.

Accommodation: Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul (4 star)

Today, we will arrange for you a special join-in tour to the mysterious DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone), taking you deep into the Korean border to learn about the wars, conflicts and kinship between the two countries divided on the Korean Peninsula.

► Note: The reason why it is a join-in tour is because this place is sensitive. Visitors can only enter in guided groups, and individuals are not allowed to enter by private car.

In the morning, our guide and the driver will take you to the designated gathering point in a private car. Then the guide will accompany you on the bus shared with other travelers. After entering the DMZ, the guide will lead you individually to visit the attractions as follows.

1. Imjingak Park: Located 7 km (4.3 mi) from the Military Demarcation Line, the three-story Imjingak Tower was built in 1972 in hopes of a future reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
2. Freedom Bridge: In front of Imjingak Square, the bridge is a symbolic legacy of the Korean War, through which 12,733 Korean prisoners of war returned to freedom in 1953.
3. The Third Tunnel: In the 1970s, South Korea discovered three tunnels along the border that were said to be secret passages North Korea intended to use to enter the South.
4. DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall: Watch a video about the Korean conflict and learn how the DMZ was created through artifacts and materials.
5. Dora Observatory: From this observatory on the northernmost tip of South Korea, you can get a glimpse of the mysterious North.
6. Dorasan Station: See the empty waiting hall at South Korea’s northernmost train station, where the abandoned railway line once ran straight into North Korea.
7. Pass by Unification Village and end the tour.

Rest assured that the tour is safe, but be sure to follow our guide closely and don’t move around on your own, as some areas are forbidden while some might be dangerous. Finally, take the bus out of the DMZ and our driver will wait for you in a private car to take you back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul (4 star)

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel to tour the essence of downtown Seoul. First, walk through the Gwanghwamun Square to reach the Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace and political center of the Joseon Dynasty, the last unified dynasty in the Korean Peninsula. Built in 1395 AD, this 600-year-old grand palace is like a scaled-down version of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. It was built according to the standard of the prince palace of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) of China, then suzerainty of Joseon. Its tan-blue buildings stand on unadorned land, looking simple and stately. The guards and tourists dressed in traditional Korean costumes would make you feel like you have traveled back in time.

► Tip: If you come on a Tuesday when the palace is closed, visit the nearby Changdeokgung Palace instead.

Next, we will visit the Bukchon Hanok Village, which is filled with historical residences of the ruling class officials and aristocrats during the Joseon era, leaving many traditional houses, which are still inhabited today, and some of them have been transformed into galleries, traditional workshops, or Hanok restaurants. Next, drive past the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae), the former executive office and residence of the South Korean presidents, to Insadong Antique Alley for an immersive tour of the lively cultural district. Wander through the intersecting alleys, and be amazed by the abundance of antiques, Hanbok, ceramics, handicrafts, and souvenirs here. Later, spend some leisure time at the Cheonggyecheon Stream, taking photos along the canal that runs through Seoul. Finally, the guide will take you to the N Seoul Tower, a famous 237-meter (778-foot) tall landmark. It would be impressive when you see the modern illumination to make the pattern of ‘Flowers of Seoul’ in the sky. Let’s take the Namsan cable car to the top of the tower, and enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul to round off this trip. Our guide and driver will then escort you back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul (4 star)

Our guide and the driver will provide you with a private car transfer to the airport. We hope you will be satisfied with our service.

► Tip: If you have a night flight and would like to take an extra half-day or one-day guided tour in Seoul, our travel consultants would be happy to help you with the arrangements.