Itinerary
- Day 1
Seoul
You'll arrive in Korea and head straight to your hotel to get settled. After you've had time to drop off your luggage and freshen up, there's an information briefing in the afternoon where you'll learn about what's coming up on your tour.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
- Day 2
Seoul to Busan
A five-hour guided tour takes you through Seoul starting with Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring royal palaces set within a large park. From there you'll walk through Bukchon Hanok Village to see traditional houses, then check out the War Memorial museum. Later you head to Gangnam District for shopping and entertainment, with free time at Lotte World Tower (though the tower ascent isn't included). By evening you'll transfer to the station and board a high-speed train to Busan, arriving for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Seoul (approximately five hours)
- Visit Changdeokgung Palace, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village
- Explore War Memorial museum
- Visit Gangnam District
- High-speed train to Busan
Optional Activities
- Ascend Lotte World Tower (admission not included)
- Explore Lotte World Park
- Shop at Lotte World luxury shopping centers
Landmarks Changdeokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village War Memorial of Korea Gangnam District Lotte World Tower 
- Day 3
Busan
Starting early, you'll visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple located right by the sea. After heading back, you'll explore the UN Memorial Cemetery and then visit Korea's largest fish market near Nampo Port. A walk through Yongdusan Park lets you see its 120-meter pagoda, then you head to Songdo Beach to take the marine cable car if weather allows and enjoy bay views. Gamcheon Culture Village comes next with its colorful buildings, art galleries, pottery workshops, and cafes. You'll return to Busan for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Included lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Visit Haedong Yonggung, 14th-century Buddhist temple
- Explore UN Memorial Cemetery
- Visit country's largest fish market at Nampo Port
- Stroll through Yongdusan Park
- Ride marine cable car at Songdo Beach
- Visit Gamcheon Culture Village
Landmarks Haedong Yonggung UN Memorial Cemetery Nampo Port Fish Market Yongdusan Park Songdo Beach Gamcheon Culture Village - Day 4
Busan to Daegu
Departing early, you'll reach Seokguram Buddhist Grotto, an 8th-century site on Tohamsan slopes, then move on to Bulguksa Temple, considered one of Korea's most beautiful. Arriving in Gyeongju, you'll photograph Woljeonggyo Bridge and explore Tumuli Park with its 1,500-year-old royal burial mounds from the Silla Kingdom. Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory, East Asia's oldest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is next. Later you arrive in Daegu, Korea's fourth-largest city, where you'll see Dongsan Cheongna Hill (a historic Christian missionary area) and Dongseong-ro's commercial street before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Included lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Daegu Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Seokguram Buddhist Grotto, 8th-century site
- Visit Bulguksa Temple
- View Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju
- Explore Tumuli Park burial mounds
- Visit tomb within Tumuli Park
- Visit Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- See Dongsan Cheongna Hill
- Stroll Dongseong-ro commercial street
Landmarks Seokguram Buddhist Grotto Bulguksa Temple Woljeonggyo Bridge Tumuli Park Cheomsongdae Astronomical Observatory 
- Day 5
Daegu to Seoul
In Daegu you'll explore the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine and stroll through the surrounding Herbal Medicine Market, which is known for medicinal herbs and high-quality ginseng. From there you head north to Andong and the Village of Hahoe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can wander its streets and visit the Hahoe Mask Museum with its impressive global mask collection. Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, founded in the 16th century by a river, is also on your route. You'll arrive back in Seoul in the late afternoon for an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Explore Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine
- Stroll Herbal Medicine Market
- Visit Village of Hahoe, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore Hahoe Mask Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy
Landmarks Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine Herbal Medicine Market Hahoe Village Hahoe Mask Museum Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy 
- Day 6
Seoul to Tokyo
After breakfast you'll transfer to the airport for your included flight to Tokyo. Once you've arrived and cleared border procedures, an English or Spanish-speaking assistant meets you. A shared shuttle bus takes you to your hotel where you'll have free time to settle in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Flight to Tokyo
- Day 7
Tokyo
A five-hour guided tour shows you Tokyo's blend of vibrant and peaceful areas. You'll visit Zojoji Temple for views of Tokyo Tower and hundreds of Jizo statues, then walk through Shibuya Crossing, the world's busiest intersection, and see Meiji Shrine. Omotesando Avenue and the Imperial Palace gardens come next along with Nijubashi Bridge. Akihabara (the 'Electric City' hub for manga and anime) and Tokyo Skytree for panoramic city views follow. You'll end in Asakusa exploring Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. At 6:30 p.m. you'll meet your guide for a subway ride to Shinjuku's lively district, have dinner at a local restaurant, and return by subway.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant in Shinjuku)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tokyo (approximately five hours)
- Stop at Zojoji Temple
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Stroll along Omotesando Avenue
- Explore Imperial Palace and gardens
- Visit Nijubashi Bridge
- Drive through Akihabara
- Visit Tokyo Skytree
- Explore Sensoji Temple
- Explore Nakamise Street
- Walk through Shinjuku district
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Akihabara Tokyo Skytree Sensoji Temple Nakamise Street Shinjuku - Day 8
Tokyo to Kyoto
An early morning bullet train takes you to Kyoto, covering nearly 500 km in just over two hours. Spending the day in Japan's former capital (794-1868), which avoided WWII bombing and preserved its artistic heritage, you'll visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Kinkakuji Temple with its famous 'Golden Pavilion' and magnificent gardens. Free time in Gion, Kyoto's traditional district celebrated for geishas and lively atmosphere, lets you explore on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel)
Included Activities
- Bullet train travel to Kyoto
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit Imperial Palace
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- Explore Gion traditional district
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Imperial Palace Kinkakuji Temple Gion 
- Day 9
Kyoto to Osaka
You'll head to Nara to see Todaiji, a magnificent Buddhist temple built in 752 that houses a giant Buddha statue, and interact with friendly deer roaming the park. Horyu-ji Buddhist Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the world's oldest wooden pagoda and Japan's oldest Buddhist temple, comes next. Continuing to Osaka arriving in the evening, you'll explore Dotonbori, a lively and colorful district known for its bustling nightlife.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Candeo Osaka Namba)
Included Activities
- Visit Todaiji Temple and giant Buddha statue
- Interact with deer in Todaiji park
- Visit Horyu-ji Buddhist Temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional Activities
- Explore Dotonbori district
Landmarks Todaiji Temple Horyu-ji Temple Dotonbori 
- Day 10
Osaka to Okayama
Departing for Himeji, you'll visit its immense castle complex showcasing Japanese castle architecture, then grab lunch at a local restaurant. From there you head to Okayama to see Korakuen, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens featuring lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. A pedestrian bridge takes you to Okayama Castle, a 16th-century fortification rebuilt in 1966 (interior visit not included). You'll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with over 700,000 inhabitants.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Gran Via Okayama)
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle complex
- Visit Korakuen Garden
Optional Activities
- Visit interior of Okayama Castle (not included)
Landmarks Himeji Castle Korakuen Garden Okayama Castle 
- Day 11
Okayama to Hiroshima
Moving to Kurashiki, you'll stroll through its beautifully preserved historic center where the atmosphere of the past remains alive. Continuing to Hiroshima, marked by the 1945 atomic bombing, you'll visit Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial Museum to learn about the city's history and resilience. A ferry takes you to Itsukushima Island (known as the place where 'men and gods live together') to visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine dedicated to the guardian of the seas and partially built over water. After exploring the shrine and picturesque town center and having lunch, you'll return to your Hiroshima hotel with included dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hiroshima)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Kurashiki historic center
- Visit Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Visit Peace Memorial Museum
- Take ferry to Itsukushima Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- Explore Itsukushima town center
Landmarks Kurashiki Historic Center Peace Memorial Park Atomic Bomb Dome Peace Memorial Museum Itsukushima Shrine 
- Day 12
Hiroshima to Matsuyama
A ferry takes you to Shikoku Island for a pleasant approximately two-and-a-half-hour journey that helps you understand Japan's island-based geography. In Matsuyama you'll ride the cable car to visit the impressive castle and then see Ishiteji, a beautiful Buddhist temple and popular pilgrimage site. Later in the afternoon you'll have admission to Dogo Onsen, a traditional Japanese bathhouse built in the 19th century.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ana Crowne Plaza Matsuyama)
Included Activities
- Ferry journey to Shikoku Island
- Ride cable car to Matsuyama Castle
- Visit Matsuyama Castle
- Visit Ishiteji Buddhist temple
- Visit Dogo Onsen, traditional Japanese bathhouse
Landmarks Matsuyama Castle Ishiteji Temple Dogo Onsen 
- Day 13
Matsuyama to Kobe
Heading to Kotohira, you'll visit a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors built on Mount Zosu (climbing 785 steps to reach it), an important pilgrimage site. Ritsurin in Takamatsu, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, is next on your itinerary. In Naruto you'll stop at an impressive bridge spanning the sea, explore its construction, and walk along its glass floor to observe powerful sea whirlpools from 45 meters above. Scenic bridges connecting islands over the sea follow before you arrive in Kobe for accommodation.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Kotohira Shinto shrine on Mount Zosu
- Visit Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu
- Stop at Naruto Bridge
- Walk glass floor at Naruto Bridge to view sea whirlpools
Landmarks Kotohira Shrine Ritsurin Garden Naruto Bridge 
- Day 14
Kobe to Mount Koya
In Kobe you'll visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum honoring the devastating 1995 earthquake and the city's remarkable reconstruction. Heading to Osaka before continuing to sacred Mount Koya, the most important Shingon Buddhism center in Japan with 120 temples and monasteries, you'll see Okuno Mausoleum (a deeply spiritual cemetery in nature with over 200,000 graves) and Kongobuji Temple originally built in 1593. You'll spend the night in a Buddhist monastery where monks lead you in Zen meditation practice (Ajikan) and serve a vegetarian dinner. You may attend the religious ceremony at the temple before breakfast if desired.
- Meals
- Dinner (Vegetarian meal at the monastery)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Monasterio Hojoin)
Included Activities
- Visit Earthquake Memorial Museum in Kobe
- Visit Okuno Mausoleum on Mount Koya
- Visit Kongobuji Temple
- Zen meditation practice (Ajikan) led by monks
- Overnight stay in Buddhist monastery
Optional Activities
- Attend religious ceremony at temple before breakfast
Landmarks Earthquake Memorial Museum Mount Koya Okuno Mausoleum Kongobuji Temple 
- Day 15
Mount Koya to Kyoto
The day starts with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple. At first light you'll depart for Kyoto where you'll have a full day of free time to explore. Your guide will provide recommendations to help you make the most of your day and visit the city's captivating sights.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel)
Included Activities
- Traditional Japanese breakfast at temple
- Day 16
Kyoto to Tokyo
Traveling through beautiful rural landscapes you'll reach Tsumago, a charming wooden village considered one of Japan's most picturesque, where you'll have free time to stroll around and soak in its traditional atmosphere. Continuing to Matsumoto, a popular tourist city, you'll visit its impressive 16th-century castle known as 'The Crow' due to its black color. After the visit you'll have free time to explore the town, then depart for Tokyo in the afternoon, arriving by the end of the day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant in Tsumago)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Tsumago wooden village
- Visit Matsumoto Castle, 16th-century 'Crow' castle
Optional Activities
- Explore Matsumoto town
Landmarks Tsumago Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 17
Tokyo
After breakfast your journey comes to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories. You'll depart from Tokyo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
