Glimpse of Japan & South Korea (9 Days)

Day 1: Tokyo Arrival (Japan)

Upon arrival, from there you would be transferred in a private coach to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax after a long flight. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 2: Tokyo – Sightseeing (B)

Transfer to visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and Meiji Jingu Shrine, the place where Emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. You then also roam around the outer grounds of the Imperial Palace, the current residency of the Imperial family. If you looking for a deeper look into the history of Japan then we will pay a visit to the Edo Tokyo Museum. After lunch, free time for shopping at Ginza & Akihabara. Next will be Tokyo Skytree which is the tallest tower in Japan and offers great views of the city from its observatory.

Day 3: Tokyo – Hakone – Fuji – Kyoto (B)

After breakfast, heading to the renown Hakone area. The first stop of the day will be Owakudani Valley for a ride on the Hakone Ropeway. The valley itself is an active volcanic crater and is famous for its black boiled egg that is said to add eight years to your life. If weather permits, enjoy a scenic view of Mt. Fuji as your ride the ropeway down the hill. After that, we will make our way to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station where you will find breathtaking views of the mountain as well as the surrounding scenery. Late afternoon, you will depart for Kyoto by high-speed Bullet train (Shinkansen train). Overnight in Kyoto.

Day 4: Kyoto – Nara – Osaka (B)

After breakfast, enjoy a full day guided sightseeing tour of Kyoto and Nara in a private coach.

Begin your day with a prayer at the Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) established in 778 then visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Continue with a visit to the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), set in an ancient garden on the edge of a lake. Hear the story of how this 14th-century temple was burned to the ground by a young monk and then completely reconstructed. In the afternoon, you will travel to Nara and visit the famed Toda-ji temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. Later, transfer to Osaka and stay overnight there.

Day 5: Osaka – Sightseeing – Flight to Seoul (B) (South Korea)

After breakfast, you will enjoy a half day guided sightseeing tour of Osaka in a private coach. You will visit to the Osaka Castle (photo stop) then be free for shopping at Dotonbori area until transfer to the international Osaka airport for a flight to Seoul. Upon arrival, pick up to hotel for check in.

Day 6: Seoul – Sightseeing & Nanta Show (B, L)

You will have a opportunity to try on a Hanbok – the traditional Korean dress which dates back thousands of years and is worn on special occasions. Next, visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace which is the largest & most famous in Seoul and then watching the Changing of the Royal Guard. After that, you will explore the Bukchon Hanok Village where is home of around 900 hanoks – traditional Korean houses. You then take in incredible panoramic views of the city from the 236-meter N Seoul Tower. In the evening, you will watch the Nanta Show which is an energetic non-verbal comedy that introduces the country’s rich culinary heritage.

Day 7: Excursion to DMZ (B, L)

Transfer to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which acts as the border between North and South. Start with a visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression, which spans over 1,635m and were used to move thousands of soldiers into South Korea for invasion. Then continue to the Dorasan Observatory which overlooks DMZ and Dorasan station. Next stop is the War Memorial of Korea, a museum which preserves artifacts such as weapons and uniforms from the Korean War. After gaining a great insight into the country’s past, you will enjoy a traditional lunch of Bibimbap, a steamed rice dish with beef and vegetables before returning to Seoul.

Day 8: Seoul – Free at Leisure (B)

Today is free for you to continue to explore Seoul at leisure. We recommend a visit to the National Museum of Korea for a journey through the country’s history all the way from the prehistoric period to the Korean Empire period. Other highlights include Bongeun Temple, a Buddhist Temple which houses one of the tallest stone statues in the country, Changdeokgung Palace with its beautiful Secret Garden and the serene Cheonggyecheon Stream, where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll.

Day 9: Seoul Departure (B)

Depending on your departure time, you will have some free time to relax or further explore Seoul on your own before a transfer to airport for your departure flight.