View allThe tour was very well-managed and moved like clockwork.
Donald, traveled in October
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- Silver Operator
- Madventure
- Active
- Thrilling adventures designed to keep you moving
- Group Tour
- Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Partially Guided
- Independent travel, featuring selected guided excursions
- Guided in English
- Group Size 10 - 24
- Age range 18 to 80
Places You’ll See
Highlights
- Explore Seoul's royal palaces and vibrant nightlife
- Hike in Seoraksan National Park's stunning landscapes
- Discover Gyeongju, the museum without walls
- Visit Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Museum
- End the tour in Tokyo's dazzling Shinjuku district
Itinerary
- Introduction
- Days 1 - 3 SEOUL - GANGNAM - ROYAL PALACES - BUKHANSAN NP - BUKCHON HANOK - DMZ
- Days 4 - 5 SOKCHO - SEORAKSAN NP
- Days 6 - 8 GYEONGJU - MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS
- Days 9 - 10 BUSAN - GAMCHEON VILLAGE - SEAFOOD MARKET
- Days 11 - 12 FUKUOKA - BUDDHIST TEMPLES - RAMEN RESTAURANTS
- Days 13 - 14 HIROSHIMA - PEACE MEMORIAL PARK & MUSEUM
- Days 15 - 16 OSAKA - NARA ANCIENT TOWN - GREAT BUDDHA
- Days 17 - 19 KYOTO - ZEN GARDENS - HISTORIC STREETS - TEMPURA
- Days 20 - 21 TAKAYAMA - HIDA FOLK VILLAGE - JAPANESE ALPS
- Day 22 MATSUMOTO - JAPAN'S OLDEST WOODEN CASTLE
- Day 23 YUDANAKA ONSEN - JIGOKUDANI SNOW MONKEY PARK
- Days 24 - 27 TOKYO - SHINJUKU - GOLDEN GAI - MT. FUJI DAY TRIP
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Guide
- Meals
- Additional Services
- Transport
- Free eSIMTourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional
- Additional Services
Customer Photos
Operated by
Madventure
Number of tours
18
Age Range
18 to 80 years old
Response time
11 hours
Response rate
100%
Affordable group travel & epic overland tours suitable for all ages, gap year...
Read moreCustomer Reviews
- Overall RatingExcellent
- ItineraryExcellent
- GuideExcellent
- TransportExcellent
- AccommodationExcellent
- FoodExcellent
- diane· September 4th, 2024This was my first group tour ever. I was traveling alone. I enjoyed it very much. i would certainly book another tour. The accommodations were better than expected and the breakfasts provided were unbelievably great. I got to see many cities and sites in both South Korea and Japan. I could have not done better by myself. I also need to mention the friendly tourmates made my trip extra special.Show more
Madventure commented on this reviewHi Diane, Thanks you so much for your review. I'm so pleased to hear your first group tour was such a hit! It can be quite an adjustment going from solo travel to group travel, but the wonders of South Korea and Japan definitely helped with this, as did... Show moreTrip date: June 2024 - GGeorge· August 30th, 2024Madventure. I've been fortunate to travel on 2 recent madventure tours. The first an overland tour Rio to Rio via the Guyanas. The second a small group tour to South Korea and Japan. Both very different types of trips, one using a converted truck and camping or staying in hostels, guests houses and hotels as you go. While the second used public transport where available and a variety of hired vehicles when necessary, staying mainly in Hotels, but depending on the places we were, could be apartments or guest houses. Despite the differences I found both trips were well worth the value for the money paid. Both leaders listened to the passengers requirements and requests and met them with a smile. The itineraries where as flexible as possible given the requirement to cross borders and meet timetables. I also knew what to expect on each trip after reading all the information supplied, while also getting excellent feedback on any queries I made to the office. As a single traveller it would have taken much more planning and stress to get to the destinations I wanted to go. I look forward to travelling to Africa next year with Madventure.Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi George, Thank you so much for your review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed both styles of tour - and yes, they are completely different in every way. You had wonderful leaders on both tours as well, both Sam and Rhona had a great time leading the... Show moreTrip date: August 2024
- MMichelleReilly· August 30th, 2024Had a fantastic tour with Madventure on the South Korea & Japan tour. There are so many amazing things to see, experience and eat!! Tour guide was brilliant, so it all run smoothly as lots of buses, trains and a ferry to get us around which gives you the opportunity to meet the locals and see the countryside. Hotels were great and clean, information given daily about each destination with the must do things to visit, the history, food specialities, etc. Traveling with Madventure also gives you the opportunity to do your own thing ay each place. This tour is made for adventurers at heart who don't want to have 100% of their day organised .... its made so you can experience each destination at your own pace and own way. Great trip, highly recommend.Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi Michelle, Thank you so much for your review, I'm so pleased to hear you had such a wonderful tour. South Korea & Japan are both such wonderfully unique and quirky places, so I'm pleased you enjoyed them as much as your tour leader Rhona did - I loved... Show moreTrip date: July 2024
- Michael· October 18th, 2023Joining a well known overland company like Madventure on a more traditional trip to South Korea and Japan was a bit of a gamble. But it was a great experience. Very well organized trip with accommodation above expectation, well coordinated transportation through out the trip and a great cultural experience. Departure in the summer period was strenuous and took some adaptation. All in all a trip I would highly recommend.Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi Michael, Thanks so much for the great review - We are so pleased you enjoyed the tour, I was very envious I couldn't be out there with you guys! Chloe is an absolute star, her management and organisational skills are first class. Hope to see you... Show moreTrip date: July 2023
- Donald· October 13th, 2023The tour was very well-managed and moved like clockwork. Chloe was always available to help and answer questions.Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi Don, Thanks for your review, and thanks for all your help too! Chloe is an absolute superstar!!!!! She loved taking your group around South Korea and Japan - I was very envious that I wasn't there myself!!! Thanks and hope to see you again soon! LeanneTrip date: August 2023
- AAnn· October 12th, 2023Madventure provided a comprehensive itinerary,...Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi Ann, Thanks so much for your kind words - This has made Chloe's day! She absolutely loved travelling with you and your group, and sharing be beautiful sights of South Korea and Japan with you. See you on another tour soon :D Take care, LeanneTrip date: July 2023
- Debbie· October 2nd, 2023Fantastic trip. There was so much to see....Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi Debbie, Thanks so much for the lovely review, we are so pleased you enjoyed the tour so much. I was very envious seeing your groups pictures, whilst sitting in the office ;) For our first tour, we also feel that it was as smooth as it could have... Show more
Trip date: August 2023 - JFJames· September 26th, 2023A superb tour brilliantly led by Chloe. We...Show moreMadventure commented on this reviewHi James, Thanks so much for your review. I know Chloe really loved leading your group - you were a lovely bunch!! We are pleased you enjoyed your tour so much, it sounds like it was wonderful - I just wish I could have been there too!! See you for Rio... Show moreTrip date: July 2023
Dates & Availability
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- From Wednesday16 Jul, 2025To Monday11 Aug, 2025EnglishFilling FastFrom:NZ $9,056
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Thursday16 Oct, 2025To Tuesday11 Nov, 2025EnglishFrom:NZ $10,201
- Instant ConfirmationFrom Friday3 Apr, 2026To Wednesday29 Apr, 2026EnglishFrom:NZ $11,211
What our customers ask about this tour
The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.- C
Cody
Asked on March 20th, 2025How can I connect with the tour operator?
MadventureOperator•Written March 2025You can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for any inquiries.
- U
Ursula
Asked on December 9th, 2024What language will the tour leader speak?
- MadventureOperator•Written December 2024
The tour leader will typically speak English, and most travelers will also communicate in English.
- S
Sharon
Asked on November 15th, 2024What should I know about the accommodation?
- MadventureOperator•Written November 2024
Accommodation is typically based on twin share, and single supplements are available if preferred.
- J
Jean-Michel
Asked on October 13th, 2024Is there a same-sex sharing option available?
- MadventureOperator•Written October 2024
Generally, same-sex sharing arrangements can be made, but it depends on the group structure.
- S
Santiago
Asked on May 31st, 2024When will I receive joining information?
- MadventureOperator•Written June 2024
Joining details will be sent after the tour is confirmed, including information about the airport transfer.
- J
Jasmine
Asked on May 14th, 2024Are there any later dates available for this tour, for example in October?
- MadventureOperator•Written May 2024
At this stage we only have 1 departure per year, in July. We may be adding some different dates in the future though, for different parts of the year, but at the moment we just have the one departure.
- MadventureOperator•Written February 2025
We have now added multiple tours throughout the year, including Summer and Autumn! We have also just reduced the prices on our summer and autumn tours!
1 more answer - F
Fiona
Asked on May 7th, 2024Do you have this tour around September or October 2024?
- MadventureOperator•Written May 2024
At this stage, we only have 1 tour per year, starting in July. If you're flexible on dates, you're welcome to join us, but please note that we only have 1 place remaining, so you'd need to book fairly quickly.
- F
Fiona
Traveler•Written May 2024I am disappointed that there is only one date for that tour. For me I prefer to travel to Asia either March-April or Oct- Nov. I might have to take 2 separate tours.
- MadventureOperator•Written May 2024
The reason we only have 1 tour per year is because 'South Korea and Japan' actually forms the end of our Istanbul to Tokyo tour, which we run once per year.
F2 more answers - B
Brett
Asked on March 7th, 2024Looking at te costs : those are two divisions, the second being "local costs" What are those?
- MadventureOperator•Written October 2023
The price does not include flights. You can book whatever flights suit your needs. We recommend arriving a few days early if you'd like to see the sights of Seoul at a more leisurely pace, and to get over any jetlag. We send you the joining details closer to the time of departure, and this includes instructions on how to get from the airport to the hotel.
- B
Brett
Traveler•Written December 2023Did already travelers sign in? How sure is it that the trip will take place?
- MadventureOperator•Written December 2023
So far there are 4 booked on and 3 more very keen to book in the early New Year (but they haven't actually booked as yet). We need a minimum of 10 to run the tour so, although it is not confirmed 'yet', it is extremely likely to run as planned as last year's trip sold out.
- B
Brett
Traveler•Written March 2024I think it is necessary to take our flight to Seoul a bit earlier, so we will need to book an extra night in the hotel preferably the hotel you will already book for the group. Same in Tokyo, we probably should extend with one night. Can you arrange that or if not I will need to have the name of the hotels of course.
- MadventureOperator•Written March 2024
The local payment is just a way of getting cash out to the tour leader to cover some of the costs along the way that need to be paid in cash (transport, accommodation, and other fees that we might come across along the way). The tour payment is paid in advance, and the local payment is paid on the first day of the tour in USD cash, when the group meets.
- MadventureOperator•Written March 2024
We book the accommodation a little closer to the time, when we know how many people will be doing the tour, but I'll be able to give you those hotel names at a later date, and if you would like to book yourself in, you're welcome to do so.
B5 more answers - S
Sandy
Asked on January 3rd, 2024Would you be able to provide examples of locations we would stay in? Also, what usually is the vibe of your groups? Are there restrictions on luggage size?
- MadventureOperator•Written January 2024
Generally, the standard of hotels in South Korea and Japan are very good - rooms are on a twin share basis, and can be mixed male and female, but there is a single supplement available if you'd rather just have a room to yourself for the duration of the tour. As an example, last years joining hotel was Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro in Seoul. We take all ages, so this means group vibes are a little bit of everything. Regarding luggage, this is a public transport trip, so you'd need to ensure your luggage is a small enough size to be able to carry or pull between subway stations/bus stations and hotels, maybe walking for 15 minutes with it.
- S
Sandy
Traveler•Written January 2024I would probably be traveling alone since it's so many days so I'm not sure how I feel about mixed accommodations since I'm female. What does the pricing mean when is says a certain amount is local payment? Is that in addition to the tour cost? Are we assigned one tour guide for the whole time?
- MadventureOperator•Written January 2024
Most of the time we'd be able to put you in a same sex room, but it may not always be possible, as it would depend on the structure of the group. Regarding the Local Payment, over the years, we have found that lots of costs can only be paid in cash, during a tour, so we split the overall cost of the tour into 'Tour Payment' and 'Local Payment'. The local payment is just a way of getting cash out to the tour leader to cover some of the costs along the way that need to be paid in cash. The tour payment is paid in advance, and the local payment is paid on the first day of the tour in USD cash. You would have one tour 'leader' (not a guide). So your tour leader is in charge of trip logistics and to ensure the smooth running of things, but they aren't there as a guide, explaining the histories of sights. Your free time is your own, so it's up to you what you'd like to do in that time.
S2 more answers - S
Sandra
Asked on November 19th, 2023Can I extend my stay before or after the tour?
- MadventureOperator•Written November 2023
Yes, if travelers wish to add extra nights before or after the tour, they can book additional accommodation directly.
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Good to Know
Tour ID: 209074
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