Highlights of Korea and Japan

Destinations

Korea (Andong / Gyeongju / Seoul), Japan (Nara / Kyoto / Koka / Hikone / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Tokyo)

Simple itinerary

• Day 1 Arrival in Seoul
• Day 2 Andong – Gyeongju
• Day 3 Gyeongju
• Day 4 Seoul
• Day 5 Seoul
• Day 6 Flight to Osaka
• Day 7 Nara – Uji – Kyoto
• Day 8 Kyoto
• Day 9 Kyoto – Koka – Bullet Train
• Day 10 Hakone – Mt. Fuji – Tokyo
• Day 11 Tokyo
• Day 11 End of the Trip

Trip description

Explore Korea and Japan during the most beautiful time of the year – cherry blossom season.

This is one of the most beautiful places in Asia during the cherry blossom spring. Cherry blossoms are indigenous to many East Asian countries, including Korea and Japan.

This combined Japan and Korea tour offers you the best chance to have a detailed expedition to two beautiful neighboring Asian countries when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. We’ll give you a taste of everything Korea and Japan have to offer, including unique places, must-see tourist attractions, colorful cultural traditions, and delicious restaurants.

In Korea, you will have the opportunity to walk through the imposing Bulguska Temple, visit the DMZ and the 3rd Tunnel, and enjoy the famous show “Cookin” by Nanta. In Japan, you will have the opportunity to experience a traditional green tea ceremony, interact and take photos with an apprentice geisha (maiko), watch a kimono parade, stay at a Japanese ryokan (traditional inn), relax in hot springs (onsen ) hot tub, ride a bullet train, and make sushi, among many other activities. With exclusive access to gardens, temples, shrines, castles, museums, and specialty shops, you’ll have a unique experience and a chance to see why these countries are popular tourist destinations.

Keep in mind:

All prices are per person, based on a double room (double on request) or triple.

International flights are not included in our tours, this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!

We can arrange international flights for US customers, please ask for details if required.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Incheon Airport

Welcome to Korea! An OOT representative will meet you at the arrival gate with a “Only One Travel” sign.

Best Western Kukdo Hotel or similar class

Day 2

Andong (Andong Hahoe Village), Gyeongju (Gyeongju National Museum)

Begin your tour of Korea with a visit to the traditional Andong Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popularly known as the birthplace of Korean Confucianism, the place is being preserved for its thatched-roof houses and villages. This picturesque town is also known for its masked ball. Weather / weather permitting, one can enjoy the traditional performance amidst the picturesque surroundings. Afterwards, we will transfer to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla dynasty for the Gyeongju National Museum. Divided into 3 main rooms and an outdoor garden exhibition area, the museum mainly displays the ancient Korean archeology found in the area. The artifacts range from prehistoric times to the Three Kingdoms Period, as well as objects buried with the royalty in the Cheongmacheon Tombs area.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Gyeongju Kolon or similar class

Day 3

Gyeongju (UNESCO site Bulguksa and Seokkuram Grotto / Cheomseongdae)

This morning, we visit the UNESCO protected site of Bulguksa Temple. Built in 528, the temple’s name literally translates as “Buddha Land Temple” or “Buddha World Temple”. Its aim is to realize the bliss of the Buddhist scriptures where the suffering of the mortal being is being released. The steps leading to the temple called “Blue Cloud Bridge” and “White Cloud Bridge” as well as the decorative elements in the architecture are all symbolic of the temple’s name. This afternoon, visit Seokkuram Grotto, a quaint little temple that houses an elegant yet majestic Buddha statute. Despite its size, the exquisite architecture of the temple suggests that it was being used by royalty and nobility in ancient times. Our last stop for the day is the Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Daegu Grand or similar class

Day 4

Seoul (Gyeongbuk Palace / Pass Drive Drive Presidential Blue House / Presidential Museum / Jogyesa / Insa-Dong Antique Streets)

We return to Seoul in search of the Gyeongbuk Palace, the main and grandest of the five palaces. Construction began in 1300, and in the 1400s its beauty flourished. Unfortunately, some fires destroyed it and it was finally burned down during the Japanese occupation. It has been rebuilt several times since then and has now returned to its former glory. Enjoy your walk on the palace grounds as your guide guides you through the building. Next, we pass the Presidential Blue House, home of the current President of Korea. Please note that photography is not allowed. Next, we visit the Presidential Museum, created in 2010 to coincide with the APEC meeting held in Seoul that same year. The museum encompasses the past, present and future of Seoul, as well as all of Korea. The Jogyesa is considered the “main temple” of the Buddhist temples in Korea. From here, walk through the streets of Insa-Dong, often considered the “Mary Alley of Seoul” or old streets. The traditional buildings and a wide variety of traditional souvenirs are absolutely fascinating.)

Breakfast lunch
Best Western Kukdo Hotel or similar class

Day 5

Seoul (demilitarized zone: Imjinggak – Freedom Bridge – 3rd tunnel – DORA Observatory / Nanta “Cookin” Show / Dongdaemun Market)

Depart for Imjinggak in DMZ, see Freedom Bridge and Mangbaeda which is an altar for Koreans to come to respect their families in North Korea. It is especially crowded during the Lunar New Year and Korean Thanksgiving holidays, as it is the closest that families can get to North Korea. Then, moving to the demilitarized zone, we took a shuttle bus for a walk through the third tunnel and the DORA Observatory. One can see parts of North Korea from the observation deck. The Media Hall offers a glimpse into the disparities between the divided country. Afterwards, transfer for lunch and return to Seoul. Tonight, get ready for a non-verbal comedy on the Nanta ‘Cookin’ Show. Incorporating traditional Korean drumming skills into a modern kitchen scene, this lighthearted comedy coupled with intense drumming will leave you begging for more! Afterwards, we visit the famous Dongdaemun Market, where you can find products of all kinds.

Breakfast lunch
Best Western Kukdo Hotel or similar class

Day 6

Depart Incheon Airport, Arrive Osaka Kansai Airport

After breakfast, free for leisure until your transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport for your flight to Japan. Upon arrival in Osaka, an AJT representative will meet you at the arrivals gate holding an “All Japan Tours” sign.

Breakfast
Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or similar class

NOTE 1: Airport transfer is available at 10:00 a.m. From the hotel to Seoul Incheon Airport, please arrange your flight departing from 2:00 p.m.

Day 7

Nara (Todai-ji Temple / Nara Deer Park), Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Ceremony / Green Tea with Maiko interaction)

This morning you will travel to Nara, the oldest city in Japan, by private bus. We will first visit the Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses one of the largest bronze statues of the Buddha at 16.3 meters tall. Just outside the temple is the Nara Deer Park, filled with over 1,000 Sika deer, where you can greet them and feed them deer crackers. We continue our journey to Kyoto, where we will visit the impressive vermilion-colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, whose 4 km tunnel of scarlet torii gates was featured in the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. This resort surrounds a bamboo wilderness that includes mountains, streams, and ponds, the perfect backdrop for a scenic hike. Finally, you will participate in a traditional green tea ceremony, where you will also have the opportunity to meet a maiko. A maiko is simply an apprentice geisha. There will be photo opportunities and time to interact with the maiko.

Breakfast lunch
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 8

Kyoto (Arashiyama – Tenryuji Temple Zen Garden – Sagano Bamboo Forest / Golden Pavilion / Nishijin Kimono Show / Kiyomizu Temple / Maruyama Park / Gion Geisha District)

Today, we will continue our tour of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan and possibly its largest cultural center. First, you will go to Arashiyama, famous for its natural landscapes and popular during the spring and fall season. Visit the Zen garden of Tenryuji Temple, which ranks first among the five great Zen temples in the city. Then enjoy a pleasant walk through the Sagano Bamboo Forest. Then we will go to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), a two-story temple completely covered with 18-karat gold leaves. Next, you will have a chance to see an elegant kimono fashion show at the Nishijin Textile Center and learn how kimonos are made. Our next attraction is the famous Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its wooden stage that extends from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside below. The stage offers visitors a beautiful view of numerous cherry and maple trees below, as well as a beautiful scene of Kyoto in the distance. From Kiyomizu Temple, we will go to Maruyama Park, which is one of the most popular places to observe cherry blossoms (hanami) in Kyoto. Finally, we will visit Gion, the most famous geisha district in Kyoto. Here you will find many restaurants and ochaya (tea houses), where maiko and geisha entertain.

Breakfast dinner
Grand Prince Hotel Kyoto or similar class

Day 9

Koka (Miho Museum), Hikone (Hikone Castle – Genkyuen Garden), Shinkansen Bullet Train Ride

This morning, we will visit the famous Miho Museum. The Miho Museum is known for its impressive architecture that allows visitors to appreciate the surrounding nature and natural light. It exhibits many works from different ancient civilizations. There is also a tunnel that leads from the museum to a road lined with hundreds of cherry blossoms. It was designed by the famous architect, I. M. Pei, and is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and founder of the museum. The group will continue to Hikone to visit Hikone Castle, an attractive hanami spot during cherry blossom season. Hikone Castle is an original castle, which means that it has survived the post-feudal era without suffering destruction and reconstruction. It is considered a national treasure along with four other castles, the highest designation a cultural property can receive. Next, visit the tranquil Genkyuen Garden, located on the grounds of Hikone Castle. Next, our group will experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km / h. Tonight, you will stay at the Onsen Hotel at Hamanako Kanzaiji Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a hot tub (onsen) and enjoy a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.

Breakfast lunch dinner
Hamanako Royal Hotel or similar class

Day 10

Hakone (Hakone Ropeway / Owakudani), Mt Fuji, Tokyo (Shibuya – Shibuya Crossing – Hachiko Statue)

After enjoying a Japanese breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Hakone and take a 20-minute cable car from Togendai to Owakudani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation since the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can experience hot springs and bubbling pools, where sulfurous fumes and steam vents still linger. Owakudani also has splendid views of Mount Fuji during pleasant weather conditions. From Hakone, we will proceed to Mount Fuji in our private transport. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands to rolling clouds. We will stop at 5th station Mount Fuji (depending on the weather) to admire the world famous peak. In the afternoon, we will travel to Tokyo. Our last stop of the day will be in Shibuya. There, you can see the famous Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd. You can also take photos with the Hachiko statue, a monument dedicated to Japan’s most loyal dog, which continued for nine years after the death of its owner.

Breakfast lunch
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class

Day 11

Tokyo (Asakusa Sensoji Temple / Ueno Park / Sushi Making Experience / Tsukiji Outer Market / Imperial Palace / Tokyo Tower)

Today, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just past the outer gates of the temple. It is a traditional style shopping street with centuries of history. Continue to Ueno Park, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot with over 1,000 cherry trees. Then you can participate in a sushi experience with a professional sushi chef. Whatever you do, you can enjoy lunch! Our group will continue to the Tsukiji Outer Market, which is packed with shops selling fresh produce and other food-related products. We will then head to the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle and the current residence of the Imperial Family of Japan. It is surrounded by moats and stone fortifications, located in the heart of Tokyo. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tokyo Tower, the tallest self-supporting steel tower in the world, standing 333 meters high. You can travel 150 meters to the main observatory and enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo.

Note1: For Sushi Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, have gluten-free diets, have a shellfish allergy, or don’t eat raw fish, contact us for other ingredient options.

Breakfast lunch
Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu or similar class
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo or similar class (NOTE 2 and 3)

NOTE 2: If you want to stay in central Tokyo last night instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu, we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class). In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

NOTE 3: If you are flying from Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay at Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo (or similar class) instead of Narita Excel Hotel Tokyu. In this case, the airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you with full instructions so that you can get to the airport in advance.

Day 12

Tour ends
After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Check out time is at 11am. And you can get to Narita Airport by hotel shuttle service.

NOTE 4: If you want to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodation.