Japan & Korea Highlights

Upon arrival at the airport, our representative will meet you and assist you to board your transfer to your hotel.

Learn how to purify yourself at the entrance of Meiji-jingu shrine. Stroll down colorful Takeshita street in Harajuku with its youthful fashionable atmosphere and Kawaii culture. You may even run into some cosplayers all decked out as their favourite anime character. Next is the elegant tree lined Omotesando with its high style buildings and one of a kind architecture housing designer luxury boutiques.

The Asakusa traditional district in the northwest section of the city boasts the magnificent Senso-ji temple and its five story pagoda. Here, incense burning worshippers are oblivious to the selfie taking tourists. Let our guide help translate the good fortunes printed on your Omikuji and save as a souvenir of Tokyo. Some shopping time for souvenirs or Japanese rice crackers is in order along Nakamise shopping street which leads to the outer gate of the temple.

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Travel by bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa (~2 hours 30 minutes)

Meet your guide and start the tour. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of Omicho market with its many stalls full of sea creatures fresh out of the Sea of Japan. It has over 170 local shops providing the locals including restaurant chefs with fresh fish, meat, oysters, pickles, produce, sweets, sake, coffee and more.

Proceed to the well preserved historic Higashi Chaya district. The beautiful wooden chayas (tea houses) were the venues where Geishas once entertained nobility and rich merchants. The number of Geishas have dwindled over the years but there remains a few active tea houses here where Geishas still entertain their well off clients on a nightly basis. You will tour the Kaikaro Chaya, a still active tea house which is open to visitors during the non operating daytime hours.

Join a gold leave experience. A gold leaf is made by beating gold into an extremely thin sheet with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.125 millionths of a meter. It is so thin that it will disappear when you rub it with your fingers. The production of gold leaf started in Kanazawa at the end of the 16th century. You will have the opportunity to get hands on and create your own gold leaf masterpiece.

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Travel by bullet train from Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen (~20 minutes).

On arrival at your ryokan, you will be warmly welcomed by the staff. You will experience the deeply rooted Japanese custom of Ometenashi (to whole heartedly look after guests). Your stay here will be a most unique Japanese experience from how you dress, sleep and bathe. Relax and embrace the experience and do as the locals do. 

Travel by bullet train / local train from Kaga to Kyoto (~2 hours).

Upon meeting our guide, you will head to the south of Kyoto to Fushimi Inari Taisha. This shrine dedicated to the Shinto God of rice is famous for its thousands of vermillion colored torii gates leading through the wooded forest to Mount Inari.  Next, you will visit Kiyomizudera (pure water) temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. Make your way up to the wooden stage of the main hall with beautiful views of city of Kyoto and the surrounding mountains.

The tour ends in Gion, the most famous Geisha neighborhood of Kyoto. Here you will see the many well preserved traditional wooden houses (machiya) of old Japan, many of which are tea houses where Geishas entertain their well to do clientele. 

Learn about the history of tea and the formalities of the tea ceremony, then you can try making a cup of tea under an expert tea master’s guidance.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Travel by Bullet train from Kyoto to Hiroshima (~1 hour 45 minutes).

Our guide will meet you and you will board a local train followed by a short ferry ride to Miyajima Island. As the ferry approaches the island, to your right will be the giant floating Torii gate marking the entrance to Itsukushima shrine. The shrine was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996. Following the visit to the shrine, our guide will show you around the island.

Travel by bullet train from Hiroshima to Fukuoka -Hakata  (~1 hour 10 minutes).

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Head to Fukuoka port and take the ferry (around 6h) to Busan in Korea. After arrival at the port, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Embark on a captivating day tour through Busan, to explore its rich cultural heritage, bustling markets, and vibrant neighborhoods. Begin your journey at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a serene Buddhist sanctuary perched on the cliffs overlooking the East Sea. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Jagalchi Market, South Korea’s largest seafood market. Here, you can sample fresh catches and experience the bustling energy of local vendors. Nearby, Gukje Market offers a diverse shopping experience with its array of goods, from traditional Korean items to modern fashion.

Continue your exploration by visiting Yongdusan Park, a historic park that offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. At the park’s peak stands the Busan Tower, providing stunning panoramic views of the city and its bustling port. Conclude your tour with a visit to Gamcheon Culture Village, a vibrant neighborhood known for its colorful houses, artistic murals, and narrow alleys. Often referred to as the “Santorini of Korea,” this village offers a unique blend of art, culture, and history, making it a must-visit destination in Busan. 

Take the train from Busan to Gyeongju (around 40min).

Embark on a captivating journey through Gyeongju, a city steeped in over a millennium of history and culture. Begin your exploration at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exquisite architecture and spiritual significance. Constructed during the Silla Dynasty, the temple houses two National Treasure pagodas and serves as a testament to the zenith of Korean Buddhist artistry . A short distance away lies the Seokguram Grotto, an artificial stone cave temple perched 750 meters above sea level. Inside, a serene seated Buddha gazes toward the East Sea, embodying the pinnacle of Silla Buddhist sculpture.

Continue your historical journey to Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in East Asia, built during Queen Seondeok’s reign in the 7th century. Immerse yourself in traditional Korean life at Gyochon Traditional Village, where well-preserved hanok houses and the historic Choe Jun’s House offer a glimpse into the aristocratic lifestyle of the past.

Take the train from Gyeongju to Seoul (around 2h10).

Embark on a captivating day tour through Seoul, blending rich history, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. Begin your journey at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the grandest of the Five Grand Palaces, where you can witness the ceremonial Changing of the Guard at the main gate. After exploring the palace grounds, take a short walk to Bukchon Hanok Village, a picturesque neighborhood showcasing traditional Korean hanok houses. Stroll through its narrow alleys, where the juxtaposition of ancient architecture and modern cityscape creates a unique atmosphere. 

As the day progresses, head to Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul’s oldest traditional markets, renowned for its vibrant street food scene. Indulge in local delicacies like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap (miniature rice rolls), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), offering a true taste of Korean culinary heritage. Conclude your tour with a visit to N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain. Take the scenic cable car ride up to the tower, enjoying panoramic views of the city. At the top, the observatory provides a 360-degree view.

Today, you will head to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a region that stands as a poignant symbol of the peninsula’s division and the enduring hope for reunification. Your tour commences at Imjingak Park, located approximately 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line. Established in 1972, this park houses several monuments, including the Unification Bridge, which was the last route for prisoners of war returning to South Korea post-Korean War. The park’s Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park area offers a reflective space with its symbolic structures, such as the Freedom Bridge and the Mangbaedan Altar, where separated families perform rituals to honor their ancestors across the border.

Next, delve into the clandestine history of the DMZ with a visit to the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, discovered in 1978. This 1,635-meter-long tunnel, capable of accommodating 30,000 soldiers per hour, was one of several dug by North Korea beneath the DMZ. Visitors can don helmets and descend into the tunnel to witness its construction and understand its strategic significance. Afterward, ascend to the Dora Observatory atop Mount Dora, where telescopes provide views into North Korean territory, including the city of Kaesong and the Kaesong Industrial Complex. For a unique perspective, opt for the cable car ride to Camp Graves, a former U.S. military base located just 15 minutes from the North Korean border. This aerial journey offers a rare vantage point of the DMZ’s landscape. 

Free day at leisure to explore on your own.

Transfer by airport limousine bus from hotel to the airport for your next flight.