Ancient Kingdoms of Japan and South Korea 

Discover the fascinating history and traditions of Japan and South Korea on a 21-day luxury holiday from Seoul to Osaka. Take part in a tea ceremony, learn how to make traditional meals and ornaments, and share dinner with a maiko or geisha.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Seoul

Welcome to South Korea. Be met on arrival and transferred to your luxurious hotel in Seoul. Tonight, meet your tour director and fellow travellers for a Signature Experience.

Day 2: Seoul

Enjoy a full-day tour of South Korea’s vibrant capital today. Following breakfast, head to Gyeongbok Palace, the country’s largest palace and a former royal residence for five centuries. Witness the colourful changing of the guard ceremony before taking a tour of the palace. After lunch transfer to Bukchon Hanok Village for a tour and a Signature Experience. Later soak in the views at Seoul Tower atop Mount Namsan, where you’ll enjoy dinner overlooking the city.

Day 3: Seoul

Head to the Dongdaemun Gate area today for a soft trekking tour of the grand Seoul Fortress Wall and Naksan Park Course where you can admire panoramic views of Seoul. Return to the hotel with time to refresh before heading out for your choice of dinner.

Day 4: Seoul, Demilitarised Zone, Seoul

Embark on a tour of the fascinating Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) situated on the border with North Korea. See Imjingak Park, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Freedom Bridge, Dorasan Station and Dora Observatory, which offers views into North Korea. Transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before returning to Seoul to enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Day 5: Seoul, Jeonju

Transfer to the station this morning and take a KTX express train in a deluxe seat to Jeonju, a city famous for its food scene, where you’ll take part in a delicious Signature Experience for lunch. Afterwards, head out on a Jeonju Hanok Village Tour, soaking in visits to the Jeonju Fan Culture Centre and Crafts Exhibition Hall, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeondong Cathedral and the Jeonju Traditional Wine Museum, where you’ll get the chance to taste traditional alcohol from the region. Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.

Day 6: Jeonju, Gayasan National Park, Gyeongju

Journey to Gayasan National Park to visit Haeinsa Temple, which is home to the Tripitaka Koreana, a remarkable collection of Buddhist scriptures carved onto more than 80,000 wooden printing blocks. After lunch, transfer to Gayatgo Village for a Signature Experience before moving on to the historic city of Gyeongju. Check in to your new luxury accommodation and indulge in dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 7: Gyeongju

Explore the Bulguksa Temple complex this morning, first visiting the World Heritage-listed Seokguram Grotto, a government-classified National Treasure of South Korea. Enjoy tea time with a monk at Bulguksa Temple before traversing more of Gyeongju’s highlights including visits to the Gyeongju National Museum, Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae Observatory, and a moonlight walking tour of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Dinner is at your hotel this evening.

Day 8: Gyeongju, Ulsan, Busan

After breakfast, head to Ulsan. Discover Daewangam Park and Ulsandaegyo Bridge Observatory, the latter of which offers panoramic views of the Hyundai Shipyard. Continue to Busan to visit Haedong Yonggung Temple, an impressive Buddhist temple built in 1376, and take a short walking tour along the coastline. Enjoy tonight at your leisure.

Day 9: Busan

Embark on an in-depth discovery of Busan today on a full-day city tour. Head to downtown Busan for a walking tour of Gamcheon Culture Village. Marvel at the village’s street art and pastel-coloured houses before taking a cable car to Songdo Island. Savour lunch at a local restaurant and then visit BIFF Square, a bustling movie district, and Jagalchi Fish Market. Enjoy panoramic views from Busan Tower before stopping at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. This evening, indulge in a farewell Korean BBQ dinner with your fellow guests at a local restaurant.

Day 10: Busan, Tokyo

Fly to Tokyo today. Be met on arrival and transferred to your luxurious hotel. Tonight, meet your Japan Tour Director for a welcome reception at the hotel.

Day 11: Tokyo

Following breakfast, meet your guide and head to Roppongi, where you’ll visit the observation deck at Mori Tower, which on a clear day provides outstanding views of Tokyo. Next up is Tokyo’s old town of Asakusa, which is home to the city’s oldest temple, Sensoji. Visit the iconic temple and stroll through the Namikaze shopping street indulging in snacks and souvenir shopping. Following lunch, embark on your exciting Freedom of Choice activity. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at a delightful Japanese restaurant.

Day 12: Tokyo

Visit Meiji Shrine this morning, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirit of Emperor Meiji Following your delectable Signature Experience, visit Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping district. Marvel at the presentation and diversity of food at a local department store before the day’s touring comes to an end. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 13: Tokyo, Hakone

Depart for Hakone following breakfast and catch glimpses of iconic Mount Fuji if it’s a clear day. Your first stop is at Hakone Shrine, a beautiful, historic Shinto shrine nestled in the forest by the shores of Lake Ashi. Board a pirate boat for a cruise on the picturesque lake and arrive at Togendai before taking in the scenery on the way to the volcanic valley of Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway. Follow the walking trails around the bubbling pools and steam vents and perhaps try one of the famous black eggs boiled in the area’s natural hot springs. Head to your luxury hotel, which boasts access to a naturally heated onsen, and enjoy dinner with your fellow guests this evening.

Day 14: Hakone, Matsumoto, Takayama

Set out this morning to Gotemba for a Signature Experience. Following your soba noodle lunch, continue to Matsumoto and visit the spectacular Matsumoto Castle. One of Japan’s most complete original castles, the structure dates back to the 16th century. Tour the castle and its pristine grounds before being transferred to your new hotel in Takayama, where you’ll indulge in dinner tonight.

Day 15: Takayama

Start off the day with a morning visit to the Miyagawa morning market, one of the largest in Japan. All the market’s traders are independent farmers and craftspeople from the region, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try some of the area’s best produce. Enjoy a Signature Experience, then wander along the stunning streets of the city’s old town after lunch on the way to the Festival Floats Museum, where you’ll admire the ornamental floats of the Takayama Festival. For dinner, you’ll have the chance to try the region’s famous Hida beef at a local restaurant.

Day 16: Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa

Today you’ll visit the World Heritage-listed village of Shirakawa-go en route to Kanazawa. Some of the village’s famous gassho-zukuri farmhouses date back more than 250 years, and you’ll stop at Kanda House to gain a deeper insight into the traditional homes before strolling around the peaceful village. Continue to Kanazawa and visit the marvellous Kenroku-en garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Later, visit the Nagamachi Samurai district and the traditional Nomura Samurai House. Enjoy your choice of restaurant for dinner this evening.

Day 17: Kanazawa, Kyoto

Start your day in the Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa’s largest geisha district. Enjoy a special Signature Experience before visiting the authentic Shima teahouse. Following your time in the district, be transferred to the train station to board your first-class train to Kyoto. Upon arrival, walk to your nearby accommodation and settle in before savouring a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 18: Kyoto

An exciting day of sightseeing lies ahead. Set out for Arashiyama this morning, climbing aboard a rickshaw for a ride past the Nonomiya Shrine and the spectacular Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Following your rickshaw experience, visit the World Heritage-listed Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples which was founded in 1339. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the famous Kinkakuji temple, commonly known as the Golden Pavilion for its gold-leaf-covered upper floors. You’ll then visit historic Nijo Castle before returning to your hotel and spending the evening at your leisure.

Day 19: Kyoto

Meet your guide this morning and depart for a special Signature Experience. In the afternoon, head out on your chosen Freedom of Choice activity before returning to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your choice of restaurant.

Day 20: Kyoto, Nara, Kyoto

After breakfast, board a private coach for the nearby town of Nara, once the capital of Japan for 74 years in the eighth century. Visit the incredible Todaiji Temple, one of the world’s largest wooden structures and home to the country’s largest statue of Buddha. Stroll through the fascinating temple before exploring the surrounding Nara Park, which is freely roamed by a large population of friendly deer who will generally bow their heads for a treat. Next, visit Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha, which was established in 768 AD. Return to the hotel and enjoy free time this afternoon before savouring a special Signature Experience for dinner.

Day 21: Kyoto, Depart Osaka

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning with a transfer to Osaka airport.