Essence of Japan with South Korea

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: UK - In Flight

  Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Tokyo.

• Day 2: Tokyo

  This Japan tour starts with a stay in the Tokyo Bay area in Odaiba, a scenic waterfront resort close to shopping, restaurants, and parks. On arrival, the rest of the day is free to relax, enjoy the fantastic views, or explore the area. Excellent transport links make it easy to reach the heart of Tokyo.

• Day 3: Tokyo

  Prepare for a fantastic day of Tokyo sightseeing as our tour guide helps us to embrace this dazzling city. As we walk out amidst skyscrapers and the world’s tallest self-supporting tower (the Tokyo Skytree), we find Tokyo’s traditional side. Learn the stories behind legendary landmarks like the moated Imperial Palace, Tokyo’s oldest temple - Sensō-ji, and Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine set on a tree-lined avenue.

• Day 4: Mount Fuji - Matsumoto

  It's time for a Mount Fuji visit this morning. Standing out from its surroundings at 3,776m high, Japan’s tallest mountain has inspired countless artists and photographers. Clouds often linger around this active volcano, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed to catch a sight of the iconic snow-capped peak as we travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto. If the weather is clear, you’ll see the volcano’s image reflected on the placid waters of Lake Kawaguchi.

• Day 5: Matsumoto - Takayama

  Known as one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Matsumoto is a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. In the spring, take your time to stroll among the cherry blossoms in the spacious castle gardens. Stop to sample sake (Japanese rice wine) in a traditional brewery, before we take the breathtaking journey through thick pine forests and snow-tipped peaks of the Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. We’ll call in at the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and displays highlighting crafts and ancient traditions.

• Day 6: Takayama

  Meiji-era inns, hillside shrines and a pretty riverside setting - the hamlet of Takayama is traditional Japan at its finest. Soak in the local character on our walking tour, when we’ll see highlights such as the open-air flower and fruit market and government house.

• Day 7: Kanazawa

  Next on our Japan itinerary, we transfer by coach to Kanazawa, visiting the World Heritage Shirakawago Village en route. Kanazawa is a historic castle town, boasting beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts. Our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai (the ‘teahouse district’).

• Day 8: Kanazawa - Hiroshima

  We pack overnight bags whilst our luggage is transferred to Kyoto. We’ll have another sweep of the city, stopping at the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and BukeYashiki (Samurai’s house). Located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle and covering an area of 11.4 hectares, the Kenroku-en Garden was created in the 1620s and opened to the public in 1874. It’s the epitome of a traditional Japanese garden with plum and cherry blossoms, artificial ponds, hills and buildings. From the quaint, quiet streets of Kanazawa, we’ll go full throttle into one of Japan’s other passions. The Shinkansen (bullet train) will hurtle us from Kanazawa to Hiroshima in perfect comfort.

• Day 9: Hiroshima

  Leafy Hiroshima, with its wide boulevards and friendly locals, might not be what you expected. It’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city of peace with a devastating history. Today we’ll catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island to admire the ancient Itsukushima Shrine and its torii gate. We'll spend some time strolling through the park. In autumn, the maples here are ablaze with rich reds and oranges. Back in Hiroshima, we’ll take a walking tour around the Peace Memorial Park and take some time for reflection at the Atomic Bomb Museum.

• Day 10: Nara - Kyoto

  Another bullet train takes us to Osaka, where we’ll board our coach for the onward journey to Nara, a former capital of Japan. The 8th-century Todaiji temple - supposedly the oldest wooden structure in the world - is wondrous, but the real highlight here are the adorable deer roaming through Nara Park. You can buy a packet of crackers to feed them - they’ll even bow to you before you feed them. We arrive in Kyoto this afternoon. With its wealth of shrines and temples, colourful gardens and variety of arts and crafts shops, it's a real highlight of our Japan tour package. We’ll uncover geisha culture with some time in the Gion area - Japan’s most famous geisha district.

• Day 11: Kyoto

  Highlights of this morning’s tour include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple (a Zen temple with a famous rock garden), and the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf. We also visit Nijo, a fortified castle with unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on.

• Day 12: Kyoto - Mishima

  We’ll sit down for a cuppa before leaving Kyoto this morning - it is the birthplace of the traditional tea ceremony, after all. Learn the intricacies of this graceful discipline, considering simple details like holding the bowl so your friends can enjoy the beauty of its decoration. You can read about these rituals in any Japan travel guide, but there's nothing quite like experiencing it first hand. You’ll never drink tea at home the same again! Another bullet train whisks us from Kyoto to Mishima. We’ll check into our hotel and if the weather is kind you’ll have views of Mount Fuji from your room.

• Day 13: Hakone - Tokyo

  We drive to Hakone and embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi for stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. We’ll jump in a cable car all the way up to the Owakudani Valley and Hot Springs, in the crater of Mount Hakone. Later, we’ll head to our airport hotel, ready to jet off for our South Korea tour tomorrow.

• Day 14: Tokyo - Busan

  We transfer to the airport for our flight to Busan, Korea’s second city, ready to begin the next chapter of our adventure. This evening, we’ll be introduced to Korean barbecue - a traditional style of dining that’s been popular here for thousands of years. Expect sizzling meats, aromatic sauces, and heaps of delicious sides and veggies.

• Day 15: Busan

  Today’s guided tour of Busan begins at the cliffside Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a serene Buddhist site especially enchanting during cherry blossom season. Admire city views from Dongbaekseom Island, stroll along the white sands of Haeundae Beach, and glide above the ocean on the Busan Air Cruise cable car.

• Day 16: Gyeongju - Seoul

  This morning, explore the UNESCO-listed Gyeongju Historic Area, home to some of Korea’s finest Buddhist art and architecture. Wander through the hushed halls of 1,500-year-old Bulguksa Temple, visit Asia’s oldest astronomical observatory, and discover the domed tombs of Daereungwon Tomb Complex. After lunch, board the KTX bullet train and speed north to the capital, Seoul.

• Day 17: Seoul

  Seoul fuses cutting-edge innovation with centuries-old tradition. Sleek malls showcase the latest cosmetics and fashion, narrow alleyways hide teahouses and craft workshops, and bustling food markets tempt locals and visitors alike with mandu dumplings and steaming pancakes. On a guided city tour, witness the royal changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace and explore the National Folk Museum. Next, wander the preserved streets of Bukchon Hanok Village for a glimpse of Seoul life hundreds of years ago. Finally, Insadong offers a cultural feast of traditional teahouses, antique stalls, and galleries showcasing local art.

• Day 18: DMZ

  Spend the morning at the DMZ, the strip of land dividing the Korean Peninsula. Learn about the Korean War, hear the stories of affected families, explore one of the infiltration tunnels beneath the border, and reflect at Imjingak Park, home to monuments and statues commemorating those impacted. The afternoon is free to explore Seoul at your own pace. In the evening, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on Korean cooking class. Prepare and cook a traditional Korean meal, then sit down to enjoy your creation.

• Day 19: Seoul - In Flight

  Transfer to the airport for your return flights to the UK.

• Day 20: UK

  Upon arrival your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.