Itinerary
- Day 1
Tokyo
You'll arrive in Tokyo and head to your hotel for an informal welcome meeting at 6:30pm in the lobby. This is where you'll meet your tour leader and get to know the other travelers, plus get briefed on what's ahead for your Japan adventure.
Included Activities
- Group Welcome Meeting
- Day 2
Tokyo
After breakfast, you'll start exploring Tokyo's cultural side with stops at Sensoji Temple, Hama Rikyu Garden, and Meiji Jingu Shrine. Later, you'll walk through the busy Shibuya and Harajuku areas. The afternoon is yours to spend however you'd like, maybe checking out Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hama Rikyu Garden Sightseeing
- Meiji Jingu Sightseeing
- Shibuya & Harajuku Walk
Optional Activities
- Visit Ueno Park
- Visit Tokyo National Museum
- Visit Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Visit Hokasai Museum
- Visit Odaiba Team Labo
Landmarks/POIs Sensoji Temple Hama Rikyu Garden Meiji Jingu Shibuya Harajuku Ueno Park Tokyo National Museum - Day 3
Tokyo to Kawaguchiko
Your bags get forwarded to Kyoto while you travel by train and bus to Kawaguchiko, a peaceful lakeside town. You'll take a boat ride and then head up the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for bird's eye views of the area (weather allowing).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride
- Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fuji Kawaguchiko - Day 4
Kawaguchiko to Kyoto
You'll make your way to Kyoto via Odawara on a scenic mountain train and bus ride. Once there, you'll take a walking tour through the Old Town, including Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and the Gion District, which is the cultural heart of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kyoto Old Town Walking Tour
Landmarks/POIs Gion District Ninenzaka Sannenzaka - Day 5
Kyoto
This day is dedicated to Kyoto's spiritual and cultural sites. You'll visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and check out Tenryu-ji Temple. The tour finishes at Nishiki Market, and then you'll have free time in the afternoon to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Bamboo Grove
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Nishiki Market
Landmarks/POIs Fushimi Inari Shrine Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryu-ji Temple Nishiki Market - Day 6
Kyoto to Hiroshima
Your luggage heads to Osaka this morning while you take an express train to Hiroshima. You'll spend time at Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum learning about the city's 1945 history and its rebuilding. The evening is open for you to wander around Hiroshima at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Peace Museum visit
- Peace Park visit
Landmarks/POIs Peace Memorial Park Peace Memorial Museum - Day 7
Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
You'll take a day trip to Miyajima Island, about an hour from Hiroshima, to see the famous floating Torii Gate and Itsukushima-jinja Shrine with a local guide. After that, a cable car takes you up Mt. Misen for 360-degree views of the inland sea. You'll head back to Hiroshima for the late afternoon and evening to explore freely.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Miyajima Island Ferry & Sightseeing
Optional Activities
- Ropeway
Landmarks/POIs Miyajima Island Torii Gate Itsukushima-jinja Shrine Mt. Misen - Day 8
Hiroshima to Osaka
Early in the day, you'll travel by train to Osaka. Upon arrival, you'll check out Osaka Castle with its surrounding citadels and stone moats, then head to the Dotonbori district to see the neon-lit canals and grab some Japanese street food. The afternoon is free for you to explore however you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Osaka Castle Visit
- Dotonbori Walking Tour
Landmarks/POIs Osaka Castle Dotonbori - Day 9
Osaka
You have the entire day to yourself in Osaka. Walk through old backstreets and markets away from the typical tourist areas, check out the New York-inspired Shinsekai neighborhood, or try local specialties like kushi-katsu and takoyaki at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Shinsekai - Day 10
Osaka to Mount Koya
You'll travel by train and local bus to Mount Koya, where you'll stay at a traditional Shukubo Buddhist temple lodging. Your local guide will take you through more than 100 temples and monasteries, including the sacred Okunoin Cemetery and Kongobuji Temple with its beautiful rock gardens. Dinner is an included Shojin Ryori Buddhist vegetarian meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Shojin Ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine))
Included Activities
- Mount Koya Monastery Sightseeing
- Garan Sacred Area
- Okunoin Cemetery and Kobo Daishi Mausoleum
- Kongobuji Visit
Landmarks/POIs Mount Koya Okunoin Cemetery Kobo Daishi Mausoleum Kongobuji Temple Garan Sacred Area - Day 11
Mount Koya to Osaka
You'll wake early to attend the morning prayer service at your lodge, featuring the Goma Ritual where a priest burns wooden sticks while playing taiko drums and chanting. After that, you'll travel about 2 hours back to Osaka by local bus, cable car, and train. Your afternoon is free to explore backstreets, markets, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning Prayer Ceremony
- Goma Fire Ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Shinsekai Dotonbori - Day 12
Osaka to Seoul
You'll have a final breakfast at the hotel before checking out, then transfer to the airport for your included flight to Seoul. Once you arrive in South Korea, a representative will meet you and drive to your accommodation. You'll have the afternoon to explore the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 13
Seoul
Seoul is completely yours today. Spend the day however you'd like exploring South Korea's capital city, whether that's visiting neighborhoods, trying restaurants, checking out shops, or anything else that appeals to you.
- Day 14
Seoul to Gyeongju
You'll start with a visit to the Blue House, South Korea's presidential residence set against Bugaksan Mountain, then head to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which dates back to 1395 as the main royal palace. In the afternoon, you'll travel to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- The Blue House
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
Landmarks/POIs Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) Bugaksan Mountain Gyeongbokgung Palace - Day 15
Gyeongju
You'll explore UNESCO World Heritage sites Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, then see Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond from the Silla era. Stop by the Gyeongju National Museum to view Silla Dynasty artifacts. Later, you'll head to Daegu and have time in the Dongseongno Shopping District.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Bulguksa Temple
- Seokguram Grotto
- Donggung Palace
- Wolji Pond
Optional Activities
- Visit Gyeongju National Museum
- Explore Dongseongno Shopping District
Landmarks/POIs Bulguksa Temple Seokguram Grotto Donggung Palace Wolji Pond Gyeongju National Museum Dongseongno Shopping District - Day 16
Daegu to Sokcho
You'll experience Korea's countryside at Andong Hahoe Village, a UNESCO site with traditional architecture and preserved heritage buildings. Then you'll continue to Sokcho Daepo Port, a coastal village known for its fishing culture and fresh seafood markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Andong Hahoe Village
- Sokcho Daepo Port
Landmarks/POIs Andong Hahoe Village Sokcho Daepo Port - Day 17
Sokcho to Seoul
You'll head to Mount Seoraksan National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with rare plants and animals. After visiting Sinheungsa Temple and taking a cable car to Gweongeumseong Fortress for mountain views, you'll return to Seoul. Time in Insadong lets you browse antique shops, and then you'll walk through Bukchon Hanok Village with its preserved traditional houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Mount Seorak Region
- Sinheungsa Temple
- Gweongeumseong Fortress
- Bukchon Village
Landmarks/POIs Mount Seoraksan National Park Sinheungsa Temple Gweongeumseong Fortress Insadong Bukchon Hanok Village - Day 18
Seoul - DMZ
You'll take a trip to the Demilitarized Zone northwest of Seoul to see North Korea's 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. On the way back, you'll stop at the Amethyst Center to see beautiful gemstones. If DMZ access is restricted, the tour will go to Imjingak Resort instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- North Korea's 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
- Demilitarised Zone
Landmarks/POIs Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) North Korea's 3rd Infiltration Tunnel Amethyst Center Imjingak Resort - Day 19
Seoul
You'll have a final breakfast with the group before checking out at 10:00am. This is your time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and wrap up the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
