Itinerary
- Day 1
Seoul
You'll arrive in Seoul and head straight to your hotel to get settled. After checking in, you have the afternoon to yourself. Later, the tour team will give you a briefing about what's coming up on your trip.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
- Day 2
Seoul - DMZ & City
This is an early start heading out to the DMZ in the Cheorwon region. You'll explore the Second Tunnel, Peace Observatory, Woljeong-ri railway station, and the Baek Ma Battle Memorial. After that, you'll stop at a traditional makgeolli producer before driving back to Seoul. In the evening, you'll walk past City Hall, see Deoksugung Palace lit up at night, and check out the Myeongdong shopping district. The metro gets you back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Visit Second Tunnel (DMZ)
- Visit Cheorwon Peace Observatory
- Visit Woljeong-ri railway station
- Visit Baek Ma Battle Memorial
- Visit traditional Makgeolli producer
- View City Hall
- View Deoksugung Palace
- Explore Myeongdong district
- Metro ride to hotel
Landmarks DMZ Second Tunnel Cheorwon Peace Observatory City Hall Deoksugung Palace Myeongdong 
- Day 3
Seoul
You've got a five-hour city tour on the schedule. It covers Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and the War Memorial of Korea. From there, you're heading to Gangnam District for shopping and entertainment, then to Lotte World Tower. You'll have free time to go up the tower if you want (costs extra) or just explore the area and shopping malls instead. Return to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Ambassador Hongdae)
Included Activities
- Five-hour guided tour of Seoul
- Visit Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Bukchon Hanok Village
- Visit War Memorial of Korea
- Explore Gangnam District
- Visit Lotte World Tower area
Optional Activities
- Go up Lotte World Tower (ticket not included)
Landmarks Changdeokgung Palace Bukchon Hanok Village War Memorial of Korea Gangnam District Lotte World Tower - Day 4
Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju
Start the day at Gyeongbokgung Palace where you might catch the ceremonial changing of the guard if the timing works out. Then you're heading south to Suwon to see the impressive UNESCO World Heritage walls and Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace. Continue on to Jeonju where you'll explore the historic Hanok Village with its traditional houses, shops, and art galleries.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Plus Jeonju)
Included Activities
- Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Watch ceremonial changing of the guard (if occurring)
- Visit Suwon fortress walls (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Visit Hwaseong Haenggung summer palace
- Explore Jeonju Hanok Village
Landmarks Gyeongbokgung Palace Suwon Fortress Hwaseong Haenggung Jeonju Hanok Village 
- Day 5
Jeonju - Damyang - Haeinsa - Busan
Begin at Sunchang Gochujang Village learning how to make traditional chili paste. Next, you're going to Damyang to see the scenic Juknokwon Bamboo Forest and the Bamboo Museum. Lunch features rice cooked in bamboo stalks. After lunch, you'll head to Haeinsa, a UNESCO Buddhist temple from 802 with the Tripitaka scriptures carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. By evening, you'll arrive in Busan, Korea's second-largest city.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local specialty: rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ramada Encore Busan Station)
Included Activities
- Hands-on learning to make gochujang (Korean chili paste) in Sunchang Gochujang Village
- Visit Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
- Visit Bamboo Museum
- Visit Haeinsa Buddhist Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Landmarks Sunchang Gochujang Village Juknokwon Bamboo Forest Haeinsa Buddhist Temple 
- Day 6
Busan - Fukuoka
Start with a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa, a 14th-century Buddhist temple right by the sea. You'll pay respects at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, then explore Korea's largest fish market near Nampo Port. Later, you're flying to Fukuoka, Japan, and transferring to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Haedong Yonggungsa temple
- Visit United Nations Memorial Cemetery
- Explore largest fish market in Korea (near Nampo Port)
Landmarks Haedong Yonggungsa United Nations Memorial Cemetery - Day 7
Fukuoka - Iwakuni - Itsukushima - Hiroshima
You're traveling to Iwakuni to see the historic Kintai-kyo Bridge. Then a ferry takes you to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine, a sacred site built out over the water dedicated to the guardian of the seas. You'll have free time to walk around the charming town and grab lunch. After that, continue to Hiroshima to walk through Peace Memorial Park, view the Atomic Bomb Dome, and visit the Peace Memorial Museum. Dinner is included.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Hiroshima)
Included Activities
- Visit Kintai-kyo Bridge in Iwakuni
- Ferry to Miyajima Island
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine
- Explore Miyajima town center
- Walk through Peace Memorial Park
- Visit Atomic Bomb Dome
- Visit Peace Memorial Museum
Landmarks Kintai-kyo Bridge Itsukushima Shrine Peace Memorial Park Atomic Bomb Dome Peace Memorial Museum 
- Day 8
Hiroshima - Matsuyama
You're taking a pleasant 2.5-hour ferry to Shikoku Island to get a sense of Japan's geography. In Matsuyama, ride the cable car up to visit an impressive castle. Stop at Ishiteji, a beautiful Buddhist temple that's a popular pilgrimage site. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then head to Dogo Onsen, a traditional 19th-century Japanese bathhouse that you can actually use.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ana Crowne Plaza Matsuyama)
Included Activities
- Ferry to Shikoku Island
- Cable car ride to Matsuyama Castle
- Visit Matsuyama Castle
- Visit Ishiteji Buddhist temple
- Visit Dogo Onsen bathhouse
Landmarks Matsuyama Castle Ishiteji Dogo Onsen 
- Day 9
Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Naruto - Kobe
Head to Kotohira and climb 785 steps up Mount Zosu to reach a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors, an important pilgrimage destination. In Takamatsu, visit Ritsurin, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens. Then you're checking out Naruto's impressive bridge spanning the sea with a glass floor so you can look down at powerful sea whirlpools from 45 meters up. You'll travel across scenic bridges connecting islands over water. End your day in Kobe.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Kotohira Shinto shrine (785-step climb)
- Visit Ritsurin garden
- Explore Naruto Bridge
- Walk glass floor on Naruto Bridge (observe sea whirlpools)
Landmarks Kotohira Shrine Ritsurin Garden Naruto Bridge 
- Day 10
Kobe - Mount Koya
Start in Kobe visiting the Earthquake Memorial Museum, which honors the 1995 earthquake and shows the city's recovery. Travel to Mount Koya, the spiritual center of Shingon Buddhism with 120 temples and monasteries. Visit Okuno Mausoleum, a large cemetery with 200,000 graves in a natural setting, and Kongobuji Temple built in 1593. You're spending the night in a Buddhist monastery where monks lead Zen meditation practice. A traditional vegetarian dinner is included, and there's an optional pre-breakfast religious ceremony if you're interested.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional vegetarian meal), Breakfast (Traditional Japanese breakfast at temple)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Monasterio Hojoin)
Included Activities
- Visit Earthquake Memorial Museum
- Visit Okuno Mausoleum
- Visit Kongobuji Temple
- Zen meditation practice (Ajikan) led by monks
- Traditional Japanese breakfast at temple
Optional Activities
- Attend religious ceremony at temple before breakfast
- Alternative visit to Sake Museum or Kobe Tower (on certain dates)
Landmarks Earthquake Memorial Museum Okuno Mausoleum Kongobuji Temple 
- Day 11
Mount Koya - Kyoto
Start with traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple. Then you're heading to Kyoto, Japan's capital from 794 to 1868. The city was remarkably spared from WWII bombing and retains extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. You'll visit Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine, the historic Imperial Palace, and Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion) with its beautiful gardens. After that, explore Gion, a bustling traditional district known for its geisha culture, where you'll have free time to soak in the unique atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional Japanese breakfast at temple)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (New Miyako Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit Imperial Palace
- Visit Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- Explore Gion traditional district
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Imperial Palace Kinkaku-ji Temple Gion 
- Day 12
Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto - Nagano
You're traveling through charming countryside to Tsumago, a small village known as one of Japan's prettiest places with its wooden houses. You'll have free time to walk around and explore. Continue to Matsumoto, a lively tourist city, to visit the impressive 16th-century Matsumoto Castle, famously called 'The Crow.' Free time here to explore the bustling city. Then journey on to Nagano for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch included in Tsumago)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Metropolitan Nagano)
Included Activities
- Visit Tsumago village
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks Tsumago Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 13
Nagano - Monkey Park - Kusatsu - Ikaho
Start at Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, a famous pilgrimage site housing Japan's first Buddhist image. You'll participate in the Gomakuyo ceremony, a traditional ritual meant to attract good fortune. Next, venture into the Japanese Alps with majestic mountain scenery to Jigokudani Monkey Park. Walk forested trails and along rivers where Japanese macaques bathe in natural hot springs. Travel through high-mountain landscapes (reaching 2,172 meters) passing semi-active volcanoes. Stroll through Kusatsu, a charming hot-spring town with an open-air onsen in its central square. Continue to Ikaho, another hot-spring town famous for its traditional stone stairways. Spend the night in a ryokan (traditional inn) with traditional Japanese dinner included.
- Meals
- Lunch (Free time for lunch), Dinner (Traditional Japanese dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Moriaki Ryokan)
Included Activities
- Visit Zenko-ji Temple
- Participate in Gomakuyo ceremony
- Walk through Jigokudani Monkey Park
- Stroll through Kusatsu hot-spring town park
- Explore Ikaho historic center and stone stairways
- Stay overnight in Ryokan
- Access to Ryokan hot-spring baths
Optional Activities
- Soak in hot-spring baths at Ryokan
Landmarks Zenko-ji Temple Jigokudani Monkey Park Kusatsu Ikaho 
- Day 14
Ikaho - Nikko - Tokyo
Continue to Nikko, a fantastic town where you'll visit the impressive Nikko-Toshogu Temple, famous for its 'room with the sound of a dragon.' Explore Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, a serene site. Stroll along Kanmangafuchi Abyss lined with hundreds of Jizo statues watching over the riverbanks. You'll have free time to explore the town center before heading back to Tokyo, arriving around 6:30 p.m.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Nikko-Toshogu Temple
- Visit Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum
- Stroll along Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Landmarks Nikko-Toshogu Temple Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum Kanmangafuchi Abyss 
- Day 15
Tokyo
You've got a comprehensive five-hour guided tour of Tokyo. Stop at Zojoji Temple for the most beautiful views of Tokyo Tower, surrounded by hundreds of Jizo statues adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels. See the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the world's busiest intersection. Pay respects at Meiji Shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Take a scenic bus ride along Omotesando Avenue, see parts of the Imperial Palace and gardens, and stop at Nijubashi Bridge. Drive through Akihabara, the Electric City and center of Japanese manga and anime. Visit Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Japan's tallest structure, for panoramic city views. Explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street in Asakusa. At 6:30 p.m., meet your guide to take the subway to Shinjuku district for a walk through this lively area before dinner (included) at a local restaurant, then return by subway.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shinagawa Prince Hotel)
Included Activities
- Five-hour guided city tour
- Visit Zojoji Temple
- View Tokyo Tower
- Visit Shibuya Crossing
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Tour Omotesando Avenue
- View Imperial Palace and gardens
- Visit Nijubashi Bridge
- Drive through Akihabara
- Visit Tokyo Skytree (admission included)
- Visit Sensoji Temple
- Explore Nakamise Street
- Subway ride to Shinjuku
- Walk through Shinjuku district
- Subway return to hotel
Landmarks Zojoji Temple Tokyo Tower Shibuya Crossing Meiji Shrine Omotesando Avenue Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge Akihabara Tokyo Skytree Sensoji Temple Asakusa Shinjuku 
- Day 16
Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko - Tokyo
Journey to the Mount Fuji area through picturesque landscapes. Visit Arakurayama Sengen Park with beautiful pagodas offering the most iconic Mount Fuji views. Continue to charming Kawaguchiko, surrounded by mountains, vibrant flowers, and its namesake lake. Visit Fuji Sengen Shrine, a serene site that marks the traditional pilgrimage start up Mount Fuji. Take a delightful boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko. Ascend Mount Fuji via scenic road to the Fifth Station at 2,305 meters, surrounded by beautiful forests and vistas. Return to Tokyo, arriving by end of day.
Included Activities
- Visit Arakurayama Sengen Park
- Visit Kawaguchiko town
- Visit Fuji Sengen Shrine
- Boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko
- Scenic drive to Mount Fuji Fifth Station (2,305 meters)
Landmarks Arakurayama Sengen Park Kawaguchiko Fuji Sengen Shrine Mount Fuji Mount Fuji Fifth Station 
