Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Seoul
You'll get transferred to your hotel where you can settle in and get comfortable. During the afternoon, the tour organizers will give you information about how everything works and what's coming up next.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
- Day 2
DMZ Cheorwon and Seoul Evening
Early departure takes you to the DMZ in Cheorwon where you'll check out the Second Tunnel, visit Cheorwon Peace Observatory for views into North Korea, see the abandoned Woljeong-ri railway station, and explore the Baek Ma Battle Memorial. Before heading back to Seoul, you'll stop at a local Makgeolli producer to learn about traditional rice wine. Later that evening, the tour covers City Hall, Deoksugung Palace, and the Myeongdong shopping district where you'll have dinner at a local restaurant. Getting back to your hotel is easy using the metro.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Visit Second Tunnel in DMZ
- Explore Cheorwon Peace Observatory with panoramic views of DMZ and North Korea
- Visit abandoned Woljeong-ri railway station
- Visit Baek Ma Battle Memorial
- Visit local Makgeolli producer
- Tour City Hall
- See Deoksugung Palace (night illumination)
- Walk through Myeongdong district
- Metro transfer to hotel (ticket included)
Landmarks Second Tunnel Cheorwon Peace Observatory Woljeong-ri Railway Station Baek Ma Battle Memorial City Hall Deoksugung Palace Myeongdong 
- Day 3
Seoul Extended City Tour
You'll spend a full five hours on a guided tour of Seoul. This includes Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then walks through Bukchon Hanok Village with its traditional homes. The tour also takes you to the War Memorial of Korea to learn about the country's conflicts. After that, you head to Gangnam District for shopping and entertainment, then visit the 550-meter Lotte World Tower where you can go up if you buy a ticket or just explore the surrounding park and luxury malls. You'll have free time back at the hotel to rest.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Changdeokgung Palace tour (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Bukchon Hanok Village exploration
- War Memorial of Korea visit
- Gangnam District visit
Optional Activities
- Lotte World Tower entrance ticket (not included)
Landmarks Changdeokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village War Memorial of Korea Gangnam District Lotte World Tower - Day 4
Seoul to Jeonju
Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace to catch the ceremonial changing of the guard if it's scheduled that day. Then head south to Suwon where you'll explore UNESCO World Heritage walls and visit Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace. From there, continue to Jeonju to discover the historic Hanok Village with traditional houses, shops, and art galleries throughout the area.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Plus Jeonju), Hotel (Gloucester)
Included Activities
- Gyeongbokgung Palace visit with ceremonial changing of the guard (if scheduled)
- Suwon UNESCO World Heritage walls tour
- Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace visit
- Jeonju Hanok Village exploration
Landmarks Gyeongbokgung Palace Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Hwaseong Haenggung Jeonju Hanok Village 
- Day 5
Sunchang to Damyang to Haeinsa to Busan
You'll visit Sunchang Gochujang Village at the base of Mount Amisan to try making Korean chili paste using traditional methods. Next, it's on to Damyang where you'll walk through Juknokwon Bamboo Forest with its meditation paths and visit the Bamboo Museum. Lunch includes rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk. After that, you head to Haeinsa, an important UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temple from 802 that houses 80,000 wooden tablets of Tripitaka scriptures. You'll arrive in Busan in the evening to settle in.
- Meals
- Lunch (Rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crown Harbor), Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Sunchang Gochujang Village hands-on experience making Korean chili paste
- Juknokwon Bamboo Forest walk
- Bamboo Museum visit
- Haeinsa Buddhist Temple visit (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Landmarks Sunchang Gochujang Village Mount Amisan Juknokwon Bamboo Forest Bamboo Museum Haeinsa Buddhist Temple 
- Day 6
Busan Coastal and Cultural Tour
Early start takes you to Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple located right by the sea. You'll return to Busan to visit the UN Memorial Cemetery, then head to Nampo Port to see the country's largest fish market where lunch is included. Later you'll walk through Yongdusan Park and its 120-meter pagoda. At Songdo Beach, you can ride the marine cable car (ticket included if weather allows) with views across the bay. The afternoon wraps up exploring Gamcheon Culture Village with its colorful buildings, alleyways, art galleries, pottery workshops, and cafes before returning to Busan for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crown Harbor), Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Haedong Yonggung Buddhist Temple visit
- UN Memorial Cemetery visit
- Fish market at Nampo Port visit
- Yongdusan Park and pagoda visit
- Songdo Beach marine cable car ride (weather permitting)
- Gamcheon Culture Village exploration
Landmarks Haedong Yonggung Temple UN Memorial Cemetery Nampo Port Fish Market Yongdusan Park Songdo Beach Gamcheon Culture Village - Day 7
Gyeongju and Daegu
Depart early for Seokguram Buddhist Grotto, an 8th-century site on Tohamsan's slopes, and Bulguksa Temple, one of the country's famous temples. You'll arrive in Gyeongju, Korea's longest-reigning capital under 56 kings for 992 years, to photograph Woljeonggyo Bridge. Tumuli Park shows 1,500-year-old burial mounds of Silla Kingdom kings with one open for touring. Then it's to Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, head to Daegu, Korea's fourth-largest city, where you'll see Dongsan Cheongna Hill and the lively Dongseong-ro commercial street before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Daegu Prince Hotel), Hotel (Susung Daegu)
Included Activities
- Seokguram Buddhist Grotto visit
- Bulguksa Temple visit
- Woljeonggyo Bridge photography
- Tumuli Park visit with tomb entrance
- Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory visit (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Dongsan Cheongna Hill viewing
- Dongseong-ro commercial street walk
Landmarks Seokguram Buddhist Grotto Bulguksa Temple Woljeonggyo Bridge Tumuli Park Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory Dongsan Cheongna Hill Dongseong-ro 
- Day 8
Daegu to Andong to Seoul
Start with a Daegu city tour visiting Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine and the surrounding Herbal Medicine Market famous for herbal shops and ginseng products. Head north to Andong to explore Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels like stepping back in time. Visit the Hahoe Mask Museum with masks from around the world, then see Byeongsan Seowon, a 16th-century Confucian Academy along a peaceful river. You'll arrive in Seoul in the evening. If weather allows, stop at Banpo Bridge over the Han River, well-known for its rainbow fountain and nighttime lighting.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine visit
- Herbal Medicine Market stroll
- Hahoe Village exploration (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Hahoe Mask Museum visit
- Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy visit
Optional Activities
- Banpo Bridge fountain stop (weather permitting)
Landmarks Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine Herbal Medicine Market Hahoe Village Hahoe Mask Museum Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy Banpo Bridge 
- Day 9
Seoul to Tokyo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Tokyo. Once you land in Japan and clear border procedures, someone will meet you at arrival. A shared shuttle bus takes you to the hotel. You'll have free time to walk around and explore the area on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel), Hotel (Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho), Hotel (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba)
- Day 10
Tokyo Guided City Tour and Evening in Shinjuku
A five-hour guided tour covers Tokyo's highlights starting at Zojoji Temple for that classic view of Tokyo Tower with its colorful Jizo statues. You'll visit the famous Shibuya Crossing, one of the world's busiest intersections, then head to Meiji Shrine. The tour includes a drive along elegant Omotesando Avenue, views of the Imperial Palace and gardens, and the Nijubashi Bridge. You'll pass through Akihabara for manga and anime culture and the Kokugikan sumo arena. It finishes in Asakusa at Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street. Lunch is at a local restaurant. After returning to your hotel, at 6:30 p.m. you'll take the metro (tickets included) to Shinjuku for included dinner at a local restaurant, then head back to the hotel by metro with your guide.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant in Shinjuku)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel), Hotel (Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho), Hotel (Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba)
Included Activities
- Zojoji Temple visit with Tokyo Tower view
- Shibuya Crossing visit
- Meiji Shrine visit
- Omotesando Avenue drive
- Imperial Palace and gardens visit
- Nijubashi Bridge viewing
- Akihabara district drive-through
- Kokugikan sumo wrestling arena viewing
- Sensoji Temple visit
- Nakamise Street exploration
- Shinjuku district stroll
- Metro tickets (Shinjuku evening)
Landmarks Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Akihabara Kokugikan Sensoji Temple Nakamise Street Shinjuku 
- Day 11
Tokyo to Kyoto by Bullet Train
Early morning bullet train departs, covering nearly 500 km to Kyoto in just over two hours. You'll spend the whole day exploring Kyoto, Japan's former capital from 794 to 1868, which avoided WWII bombing. Stops include Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion) surrounded by beautiful gardens. Then explore Gion, Kyoto's vibrant traditional district celebrated for its geisha culture and lively energy. You'll have free time to wander around on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel), Hotel (Miyako Kioto Hachijyo)
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey Tokyo to Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Shrine visit
- Imperial Palace visit
- Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) visit
- Gion district exploration
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Kyoto Imperial Palace Kinkakuji Temple Gion 
- Day 12
Kyoto to Nara to Osaka
Head to Nara to visit Todaiji, a Buddhist temple from 752 with a giant Buddha statue where you can take photos and see the friendly deer roaming the park. Next is Horyu-ji Buddhist Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a seminary and monasteries. Its central pagoda stands as one of the oldest wooden structures in the world and Japan's oldest Buddhist temple. Later you'll arrive in Osaka, Japan's second-largest city, in the evening. Then explore Dotonbori, a lively colorful district known for its bustling nightlife.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Candeo Osaka Namba), Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre - Midosuji), Hotel (Mystays Midosuji Honmachi)
Included Activities
- Todaiji Buddhist Temple visit
- Deer park interaction
- Horyu-ji Buddhist Temple visit (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Dotonbori district exploration
Landmarks Todai-ji Temple Horyu-ji Temple Dotonbori 
- Day 13
Himeji and Okayama
Depart for Himeji to explore its large castle complex showing traditional Japanese castle architecture with admission included. You'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Okayama to visit Korakuen, one of Japan's beautiful gardens featuring lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. Cross a pedestrian bridge to see Okayama Castle, a 16th-century fortress rebuilt in 1966 after WWII bombing (interior not included). You'll have free time to explore this active provincial capital with over 700,000 residents.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Gran Via Okayama), Hotel (Ana Crowne Plaza Okayama)
Included Activities
- Himeji Castle complex visit with admission
- Korakuen Garden visit
Optional Activities
- Okayama Castle interior visit (not included)
Landmarks Himeji Castle Korakuen Okayama Castle 
- Day 14
Kurashiki, Hiroshima and Itsukushima
Head to Kurashiki, known for its well-preserved historic center, and take a leisurely walk through charming streets where history feels present. Continue to Hiroshima, forever changed by the 1945 atomic bomb. You'll visit Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial Museum. Taking a ferry to Itsukushima (Miyajima), the island where 'men and gods live together,' you'll visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine dedicated to the guardian of the seas. Explore the town center and have lunch before returning to Hiroshima for dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at hotel restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hiroshima), Hotel (Ana Crowne Plaza Hiroshima)
Included Activities
- Kurashiki historic center stroll
- Peace Memorial Park visit
- Atomic Bomb Dome visit
- Peace Memorial Museum visit
- Ferry to Itsukushima
- Itsukushima Shrine visit
- Itsukushima town exploration
Landmarks Kurashiki Peace Memorial Park Atomic Bomb Dome Peace Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine 
- Day 15
Departure
After breakfast, your tour ends here, leaving you with wonderful memories from your journey through Korea and Japan.
- Meals
- Breakfast
