South Korea + Japan Adventure 26 Day

Welcome to Seoul - Annyeonghaseyo! You’ve landed in South Korea’s buzzing capital, where historic palaces meet futuristic skylines. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, it’s time to meet your travel crew and get excited for the journey ahead!

Today’s all about exploring the traditional heart of Seoul! We’ll start at Gyeongbokgung Palace - one of Korea’s grandest and most iconic. Next up, we’ll stroll through a Hanok village to admire the charm of classic Korean homes. Then it’s over to Insadong Street for a relaxed afternoon of local shopping and tasty street food.

This morning, we’re heading north—right up to the edge of the Korean Peninsula—to the DMZ, the heavily guarded border that separates North and South Korea. You’ll learn the history behind the division and even get a rare look across the line into the mysterious North. Once we’re back in Seoul, we’ll make our way to Gwangjang Market, featured in Netflix’s ‘Street Food Asia’, where you can hunt down some of the show’s foodie stars and dig into their famous dishes.

After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Seoul (for now) and hop on the KTX - Korea’s high-speed train - for a ride down to Jeonju, known for its beautifully preserved Hanok village. You’ll have time to wander the traditional streets, soak in the old-world charm, and maybe sample some local favorites like Korean rice wine and soju. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll whip up and get to try classic dishes like bibimbap.

Today, we’re off to Busan - a stunning coastal city with serious charm! You’ll have the afternoon free to explore cozy cafés and soak up the local vibe, before hopping on the famous Haeundae Sky Capsule for panoramic views of the shoreline. In the evening, get ready for a proper Korean BBQ feast, followed by a taste of Busan’s buzzing nightlife. Karaoke, anyone?

Get ready to stretch and move - today’s all about Taekwondo! Whether you’re already a pro with flying, spinning kicks or a total beginner who’s only seen them on TV, this class will have something for you. You’ll learn the fundamentals of kicks and blocks, and by the end, you’ll get to show off your skills by breaking some wooden boards!

Today offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in the Buddhist way of life. We’ll take a guided tour of the temple, spend the night in traditional accommodations, join the monks for their prayer services, and enjoy the vegan meals they eat for dinner and breakfast. It’s a peaceful break from the busy city pace - a perfect moment to reflect and recharge.

Often called the “Museum without Walls,” Gyeongju served as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for over a millennium and is our last stop before heading back to Seoul. Packed with UNESCO World Heritage sites, we’ll explore the area by bike, visiting tombs, pagodas, bridges, and palace ruins to fully experience its deep historical and cultural roots. To truly immerse ourselves, we’ll spend the night in a traditional Hanok house, sleeping on floor mattresses that are surprisingly comfy - especially with the warm ondol underfloor heating during colder months. For the full cultural touch, we’ll even try on traditional Hanbok attire and step into the past!

It’s time to return to Seoul, but there’s still one last experience to enjoy - K-Pop, the cultural phenomenon that put Korea in the spotlight. Get ready to learn some moves from a professional instructor, then head to Seoul’s HiKR ground where you and your crew can star in your very own dance video and feel like K-Pop superstars. In the evening, we’ll come together for a final dinner in South Korea.

Welcome to Tokyo! Today you’ll hop on a short included flight to one of the world’s most vibrant and innovative cities. After checking in to your hostel, you’ll link up with your new travel crew.

First up is a visit to the Senso-ji Temple; Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, before heading over to the Meiji Shrine. Next up we discover colourful Harajuku as well as the iconic Shibuya Crossing (the world’s busiest intersection!) Later tonight we’ll experience some of Japan’s quirky restaurants and hilariously tiny bars in Shinjuku.

We are starting our day with full bellies, learning the art of sushi rolling by a sushi master. Next up, we’ll be exploring Tokyo with a bit of free time, followed by the futuristic sounds of Akihabara. This ‘Electric City’ is famous for its arcades, maid cafes, Japanese photo booths and game centres.

It’s time to experience the 200mph famous bullet train! We’ll reach Nagano just in time to try out the ancient art of origami, then take a relaxing dip in an Onsen (a volcanic hot spring)! This evening we’ll live like the locals and settle in to our traditional Japanese Ryokan, sleeping on tatami mats and comfy futon bedding.

This morning we’ll dive deeper into Japanese cuisine, by learning to roll our own soba noodles. We’ll then venture out into the mountains, spotting the region’s famous snow monkeys, also known as Japanese Macaques. These red-faced troublemakers play amongst the trees in summer & warm by bathing in the natural hot springs in winter. We’ll then take our time exploring the gorgeous lakes and forests of Shiga Kogen National Park (summer), enjoying the fresh mountain air.

Today we’ll shoot off again by bullet train to the stunning Hakone, a spot famous in Japan for it’s jaw dropping views of Mount Fuji.

We’ll spend the morning exploring the stunning region of Hakone by pirate ship and cable car, where on a clear day you’ll have unrivalled views of Mount Fuji. Next up is Osaka, where we’ll head out for a BBQ dinner on us and fuel up for a night out, Osaka style. Get ready to bust out some karaoke classics!

Spend the morning relaxing or exploring Osaka’s awesome shopping. Later we’ll visit the incredible Osaka Castle, first built over 400 years ago. Here we’ll learn about Japanese history and Japan’s ancient warriors, the Samurai. We’ll finish up by heading over to Dotonburi, Osaka’s famous canal region and home to some of the best food in the country!

We head back to the mountains today for a once in a lifetime experience – staying overnight in a 1000 year old Buddhist temple in the fascinating town of Koyasan. Here we’ll be taught meditation by the monks and served their traditional cuisine. Later we’ll have a night-time stroll through Japan’s largest cemetery.

Today we wake up early for an unforgettable experience – watching the Buddhist monks perform their morning prayer service and fire ceremony. We will be served the traditional breakfast by the monks before travelling to our last destination, Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital. Tonight we get to learn about Japan’s mysterious Geishas with a tour of Gion.

Make sure your phone’s charged today! First up is the Instagram famous Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, perfect for shots surrounded by the towering bamboo. We then head to the beautiful Golden Pavilion. Tonight’s a free evening to hit up a sushi restaurant, find a bar, or challenge your mates to a round of bowling or games in the arcades.

Today the endless Torii gates of Fushimi- Inari await! One of Japan’s most iconic shrines will blow you away as we explore the winding trails of the ancient mountain. In the afternoon, we will be taught how to wield a traditional sword by a Samurai master who’s dedicated their life to the art of the sword. Experience the finesse of these weapons as you channel your inner warrior.

This morning, we’ll wander through the charming neighborhood of Sannenzaka before diving into Japanese culture with a traditional tea ceremony. After enjoying our matcha, we’ll hop on a local train and spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful gardens and temples of Nara. Known for its impressive Buddha statue, Nara is also famous for its friendly, bowing deer. After making some new friends, we’ll head back to Kyoto in the evening to prepare for our next adventure.

Today, we’re heading further south to Hiroshima on the bullet train. Once we get there, we’ll check out the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, along with the Atomic Bomb Dome, which commemorate the tragic bombings of 1945. As we stroll through the park, we’ll stop at memorials dedicated to the victims. While the stories might be tough to hear, they’re an important part of modern history that will deepen our understanding of Japanese society today.

Known as one of Japan's most beautiful spots, we’ll hop on a ferry to Itsukushima, aka Miyajima Island, to check out the iconic floating Torii Gate in the bay. With temples, friendly deer, and lots of hiking trails, we can explore the island at our own pace. Later tonight, let’s dig into Hiroshima’s famous okonomiyaki and maybe hunt down a cozy whiskey bar.

We're heading back to Osaka on the bullet train for some last-minute shopping and sightseeing. Tonight, we're off to explore Shinsekai, the 'New World,' a retro neighborhood in downtown Osaka packed with quirky restaurants and izakayas. We'll raise a glass and 'kanpai' to the epic trip we’ve had together!

Your amazing 26 day adventure comes to an end. You can either check out and make your way back home, stay on longer in Osaka or continue your travels in Japan.