From Seoul's Wonders to Tokyo's Charm - 16 Days

Welcome to Korea – on arrival in Seoul, we’ll meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you’ll have free time to rest or start getting a feel for the neighbourhood at your own pace. In the afternoon, we’ll hold a brief orientation to share key details about the itinerary, meeting points and timings, and to answer any questions so you’re set for the days ahead.

This morning we head to Aegibong Observatory in Gimpo, close to the border with North Korea, where we can clearly see across into North Korean territory. We then continue to the Paju Demilitarised Zone at Imjingang, with lunch included. Here we visit the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar, and the Imjingak Pavilion Temple, a symbol of peace, before taking the included cable car for elevated views towards the Military Demarcation Line. We finish at the Freedom Bridge, long associated with hope and reunion. Please bring your passport – it is mandatory. The DMZ is an active military area and may close without notice; if so, an alternative tour will be provided.

Later, with our guide, we go to the square by City Hall to view its striking building with an undulating design. Opposite stands Deoksugung Palace, particularly atmospheric when illuminated at night. We then walk to Myeongdong, the city’s largest commercial and entertainment district. Dinner is included at a local restaurant, and we return by Seoul’s modern subway – ticket included. Overnight stay.

We set out on an in-depth tour of Seoul – around five hours – starting at Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage complex set within expansive gardens, with entrance included. We then stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village to see its lanes of traditional wooden houses. Next, we visit the War Memorial of Korea – entrance included – whose exhibits explain the nation’s conflicts, especially the Korean War. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we continue to the Gangnam district, one of the city’s busiest areas for shopping and entertainment, before finishing at Lotte World Tower, which rises 550 metres above the city. You can use your free time here to go up to the observation deck – admission not included – or wander the surrounding park and luxury shopping centres. We return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.

This morning in Seoul, we visit Gyeongbokgung Palace – admission included – a landmark with over 600 years of history. If timings allow, we’ll watch the ceremonial changing of the guard. We then leave the city and head south to Suwon, a former capital renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage fortress walls. We’ll view these impressive defences and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace – entrance included. Lunch is included.

Afterwards, we continue to Jeonju to explore its historic centre – Hanok Village – with its small traditional houses, shops and art galleries.

We depart Jeonju for Sunchang Gochujang Village at the foot of Mount Amisan – a hanok community where courtyards are lined with clay jars known as hangari. Here, master artisans make gochujang using traditional methods, and we take part in a practical session to learn how this famous chilli paste is prepared. We then continue to Damyang to walk the serene trails of the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest – entrance included – and visit the Bamboo Museum – entrance included – to see local bamboo craftsmanship. Lunch is included, featuring a regional speciality of rice steamed and served inside a bamboo stalk. Travelling through mountain and forest scenery, we arrive at Haeinsa Temple – entrance included – one of Korea’s most important Buddhist sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in 802 and home to the Tripitaka, a major collection of Buddhist scriptures carved on 80,000 wooden tablets. We continue to Busan, Korea’s second largest city, for the night.

In the morning, we leave Busan to visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple set by the sea and founded in the 14th century. Back in the city, we visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (entrance included), which honours service members from many nations, then continue to the country’s largest fish market beside Nampo Port. Lunch is included. Afterwards, we transfer to the airport for our included flight from Busan to Fukuoka, Japan – on arrival, we transfer to the hotel.

We travel to the small city of Iwakuni to see the beautiful, historic Kintai-kyo Bridge, then continue to Miyajima, crossing by ferry to the island known as the place where men and gods coexist. We visit the Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas and built partially over the water. You’ll have time to explore the shrine and the town centre at your own pace and to have lunch. Later we continue to Hiroshima – a city sadly known for the 1945 atomic bombing that destroyed it – where we walk through the Peace Memorial Park, see the Atomic Bomb Dome and visit the Peace Memorial Museum. Dinner is included.

We travel by ferry from Hiroshima to Shikoku – a pleasant crossing of around two and a half hours. On arrival in Matsuyama, we ride the cable car to visit its impressive castle, then continue to Ishiteji, a beautiful Buddhist temple and popular pilgrimage site. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon, we include admission to Dogo Onsen – a traditional Japanese bathhouse dating from the 19th century.

From Matsuyama we travel to Kotohira to visit the Shinto shrine dedicated to the protection of sailors, an important pilgrimage site on Mount Zōzu reached by climbing 785 steps. We then continue to Takamatsu to explore Ritsurin, considered one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Later in Naruto we stop at the impressive sea bridge, where we learn about its construction and walk along the section with a glass floor to view the powerful whirlpools from 45 metres above the water. We follow a scenic route across bridges linking the islands and arrive in Kobe for the night.

This morning in Kobe we visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum – a thoughtful tribute to the 1995 disaster and the city’s remarkable recovery. We then continue via Osaka to Mount Koya, the spiritual centre of Shingon Buddhism with around 120 temples and monasteries. Here we visit the Okuno Mausoleum – a vast, forested cemetery with over 200,000 graves – and the historic Kongobuji Temple, founded in 1593.

We stay overnight in a Buddhist monastery, where the monks lead a Zen meditation session known as Ajikan. A vegetarian dinner is included. If you wish, you can attend the temple’s religious ceremony before breakfast.

Please note – on certain dates the Earthquake Memorial Museum visit may be replaced by the Sake Museum or an ascent of Kobe Tower. Monastery stays are simple in traditional tatami rooms without private bathrooms – facilities are shared. Meditation may not be available at peak times. Due to limited capacity on Mount Koya, accommodation may instead be arranged in nearby hotels with half board.

We start with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple, then depart early for Kyoto – Japan’s imperial capital from 794 to 1868 and the venue for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Spared from wartime bombing, the city preserves an exceptional cultural and artistic heritage.

On arrival we tour key sights: Fushimi Inari Shrine with its long avenues of vermilion torii; the historic Imperial Palace; and Kinkakuji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, mirrored by its elegant gardens. You’ll have free time to explore before we continue to Gion, the traditional district known for its geisha culture, where you’ll have additional time at leisure to soak up the atmosphere.

Note: If you have already visited Kyoto as part of your tour, our guide will provide tips and recommendations so you can discover other areas independently.

We leave Kyoto and travel through countryside scenery to Tsumago, a small village renowned for its wooden houses and considered one of the prettiest places in Japan. You will have free time to explore – and lunch is included. We then continue to Matsumoto to visit its impressive 16th century castle, known as The Crow. Afterwards, you will have free time to discover the city at your own pace before we continue to Nagano for the night.

In Nagano we visit Zenko-ji Temple – a major pilgrimage site that houses Japan’s first Buddhist image – and take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony, a traditional ritual intended to attract good fortune. We then head into the Japanese Alps to Jigokudani Monkey Park and walk along forest trails by rivers and hot springs to see the Japanese macaques that live and bathe there.

We continue through striking high mountain scenery – reaching 2,172 metres and passing semi active volcanoes – to Kusatsu, a renowned hot-spring town with a lively central square. We take a gentle stroll through the town park, which features open air onsen, and you have free time for lunch.

Our journey ends in Ikaho, another characterful hot-spring town, where we wander its old centre known for traditional stone stairways. We stay overnight in a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – and you can enjoy the hot-spring baths. Traditional Japanese dinner included.

Please note that in autumn the movement of the monkeys can be unpredictable and the park may close if they do not descend. The visit to Kusatsu may also be cancelled due to weather conditions from November to April.

From Ikaho we continue to Nikko, where we visit the impressive Nikko Toshogu Temple – famed for its room with the sound of a dragon. We also explore the Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, then stroll along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where hundreds of Jizo statues watch over the riverbanks. You’ll have free time to wander the town centre before we return to Tokyo, arriving at around 18:30.

This morning we take a seven-hour guided tour of Tokyo – a city where cutting-edge districts sit alongside tranquil historic areas. We begin at Zojoji Temple for one of the best views of Tokyo Tower and to see the rows of Jizo statues – guardians of children – dressed with knitted hats, bibs and pinwheels. From there we view the famous Shibuya Crossing from the bus before visiting Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. We then head to Tokyo Skytree, with admission included to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres for sweeping city views. We finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and stroll Nakamise Street, then return to the hotel via Akihabara – the Electric City and centre of manga and anime culture – and Ginza.

At 6.30 pm we meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway – tickets included – to Shinjuku. We’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before dinner at a local restaurant – included. We return to the hotel by subway with our guide.

Please note – the order of visits may vary depending on our timed entry to Tokyo Skytree. In the event of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to the Skytree may be limited – if so, we will visit another iconic city viewpoint instead.

After breakfast, we conclude our journey in Tokyo – we hope you leave with lasting memories.