Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
Your adventure through Japan and South Korea begins today. You'll start preparing for the journey ahead, getting ready to experience a mix of old traditions and new culture across two countries.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aloft Tokyo Ginza)
- Day 2
Tokyo
You arrive in Tokyo and get your first taste of this energetic city. The contrast between ancient traditions, local art, and modern technology hits you right away, showing why Tokyo feels so alive and unique.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aloft Tokyo Ginza)
- Day 3
Tokyo
After getting comfortable with the subway system, you head to Zojoji Temple sitting right under Tokyo Tower. You'll take in the views from the tower, then spend some free time in the Ginza district before gathering for a welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Aloft Tokyo Ginza)
Included Activities
- Visit Zojoji Temple
- View from Tokyo Tower
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks/POIs Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Nijubashi Bridge - Day 4
Tokyo
This morning takes you to Asakusa for a traditional tea ceremony experience. From there, you walk through Nakamise shopping street on your way to Sensoji Temple, then visit the Tokyo National Museum to learn more about the city's past and cultural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nemu Resort)
Included Activities
- Traditional Japanese tea ceremony
- Explore Nakamise shopping street
- Visit Sensoji Temple
- Tokyo National Museum
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Palace Sensoji Temple Nakamise shopping street Tokyo National Museum - Day 5
Tokyo to Ise
You board the shinkansen bullet train and head out through the Japanese countryside with views of Mt. Fuji along the way. At Ise Shrine, you'll see one of Japan's most important religious sites dedicated to the Shinto sun goddess, then enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner, an artfully prepared and presented, multi-course meal using ingredients at the absolute peak of freshness)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nemu Resort)
Included Activities
- High-speed shinkansen bullet train
- Visit Ise Shrine
- Traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner
Landmarks/POIs Ise Shrine Mt. Fuji 
- Day 6
Ise
The Mikimoto Pearl Museum shows you the history of ama pearl divers and their techniques. Later, you head to Azurihama Beach where you'll have dinner at an ama hut with fresh seafood grilled over charcoal while hearing stories directly from the divers themselves.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dining at ama hut with local seafood grilled in charcoal fire)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ANA Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Mikimoto Pearl Museum
- Watch ama pearl divers
- Dining experience at ama hut with grilled local seafood
Landmarks/POIs Mikimoto Pearl Museum Azurihama Beach - Day 7
Nara to Hiroshima
You travel to Nara Park and Todaiji Temple to see the large bronze Buddha and interact with the famous bowing deer there. After that, the shinkansen takes you to Hiroshima where you'll learn to make okonomiyaki at a local cooking studio and have dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Okonomiyaki cooking class - learn to make savory pancakes, a favorite of Hiroshima residents)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ANA Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Nara Park and Todaiji Temple visit
- See the bronze Buddha statue
- Interact with Nara's famous bowing deer
- Okonomiyaki cooking class and dinner
Landmarks/POIs Nara Park Todaiji Temple 
- Day 8
Hiroshima to Miyajima Island
This day focuses on reflection at Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Dome ruins, followed by time at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. You'll hear personal accounts from someone who lived through the atomic bombing, then take a ferry to Miyajima Island to see the iconic O-torii Gate at Itsukushima Shrine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Monterey)
Included Activities
- Peace Memorial Park visit
- Atomic Dome (UNESCO)
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- Impact Moment - firsthand account from atomic bomb survivor
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Itsukushima Shrine (UNESCO)
Landmarks/POIs Peace Memorial Park Atomic Dome Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Miyajima Island Itsukushima Shrine O-torii Gate - Day 9
Hiroshima to Kyoto
The shinkansen brings you to Kyoto, Japan's former capital. You start at Fushimi Inari Taisha and walk through rows of orange torii gates winding through the forest. In the evening, you explore Gion, the famous geisha district with its narrow cobblestone streets and traditional atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Monterey)
Included Activities
- Shinkansen journey to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Walk through orange torii forest
- Explore Gion geisha district
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Taisha Gion 
- Day 10
Kyoto
After a relaxed morning, you head to the Arashiyama bamboo forest where tall stalks create natural shade along the paths. Next comes Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion covered in gold leaf. Later, you visit the Women's Association of Kyoto in a traditional house to try making Japanese food and folding origami.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Monterey)
Included Activities
- Arashiyama bamboo forest
- Kinkaku-ji Temple (UNESCO) - Golden Pavilion
- Women's Association of Kyoto visit
- Traditional Japanese food preparation
- Origami folding
Landmarks/POIs Arashiyama bamboo forest Kinkaku-ji Temple - Day 11
Kyoto
Your Tour Manager takes you through Nishiki Market to explore the colorful stalls with fresh foods and local items like pickles, dried seafood, and sushi. After that, the rest of the day is yours to wander around Kyoto and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun)
Included Activities
- Nishiki Market visit with Tour Manager
Optional Activities
- Return to Gion district
- Visit temples and shrines
- Shop at traditional shops
- Visit a museum
- Explore Kyoto Imperial Palace park and grounds
Landmarks/POIs Nishiki Market Kyoto Imperial Palace - Day 12
Kyoto to Seoul
You fly to Seoul, South Korea's capital city. This energetic and eclectic place blends modern development with deep cultural roots, offering something for everyone who visits.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun)
- Day 13
DMZ Tour
Today you head to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the 150-mile stretch between North and South Korea that's been sealed off for 68 years. Your exclusive tour includes Imjingak Park, the Bridge of Freedom, DMZ Theater, Dora Observatory, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, and other significant sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun)
Included Activities
- Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tour
- Imjingak Park
- Bridge of Freedom
- DMZ Theater and Exhibition Hall
- Dora Observatory
- 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
Landmarks/POIs Korean Demilitarized Zone Imjingak Park Bridge of Freedom Dora Observatory - Day 14
Seoul
You hear from a North Korean defector during an impact moment about their life in the North, their escape, and how they adjusted to living in the South. Later, you leave the city for a traditional Korean lunch hosted by a local family in their home.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-hosted traditional Korean lunch with a local family)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Courtyard Marriott Namdaemun)
Included Activities
- Impact Moment - Private talk with North Korean defector
- Home-hosted traditional Korean lunch with local family
- Day 15
Seoul
You take the subway to Gyeongbok Palace and watch the changing of the guard ceremony. Insadong Street comes next, where you explore tea shops, boutiques, galleries, and cafes. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring or visit museums, then you finish with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Gyeongbok Palace tour
- Changing of the guard ceremony
- Visit Insadong Street
- Farewell dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Museum of Contemporary History visit
- National Museum of Korea visit
Landmarks/POIs Gyeongbok Palace Insadong Street Museum of Contemporary History National Museum of Korea - Day 16
Departure
You say goodbye to Seoul today and head home, carrying memories from your time across Japan and South Korea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
