Japan & South Korea Explorer

Once you have arrived in Tokyo, make your way to your accommodation to check in and settle in after your journey.

With the rest of the day free, this is a good chance to get your first taste of the city - perhaps a walk through Asakusa to see the Senso-ji Temple and the Nakamise-dori shopping arcade, or simply finding somewhere nearby for dinner.

This morning is free to explore Tokyo independently, perhaps taking in more of the sights around Ginza or Akihabara before the afternoon's activity.

In the afternoon, you join a small-group walking tour of Shibuya, led by a local guide. The tour begins at Shibuya Mark City and takes in the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, with time to cross and capture a photo, before continuing to Miyashita Park, a rooftop park with shopping and skyline views.

From here, the walk continues through Nonbei Yokocho, a narrow alley of traditional bars, and on to Shibuya Center Gai, a lively hub of shops and youth culture, and Maruyamacho, known for its live music bars and local character.

The tour ends at the Hachiko Statue, where you hear the story of Japan's most loyal dog, with free time afterwards to explore further.

Please note: The meeting point for this tour is Shibuya Mark City, 3rd floor.

Today brings a full-day excursion beyond Tokyo to Mount Fuji, Japan's iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Fuji Five Lakes area. You are collected at 7:45 am from a designated meeting point in Shinjuku or central Tokyo, with the coach departing at 8 am for the drive out to the countryside.

The first stop is Oishi Park for around 30 minutes, taking in lakefront views of Mount Fuji across Lake Kawaguchiko, followed by an hour at Arakurayama Sengen Shrine, where a Five-Storied Pagoda offers one of the area's best-known photo spots.

From here, the excursion continues to the Mount Fuji 5th Station for a further hour of panoramic mountain views (or, if closed, Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba as an alternative), before an hour at Oshino Hakkai, a traditional village built around clear spring ponds fed by Mount Fuji's snowmelt.

A tour leader accompanies the coach throughout the day, which returns to Shinjuku by 6 pm.

Please note: The meeting point for this excursion is Shinjuku Nishiguchi (ground floor, Mitsui Sumitomo Bank) or Tokyo Yaesu Bus Terminal, Stop A01. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure, as late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

Please note: There is free time for lunch, at own expense, in the Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko or Gotemba area.

Please note: The itinerary may change due to weather or traffic conditions, and in cases of extreme weather the excursion may be cancelled, with notice given the day before.

Please note: Only one piece of hand luggage is permitted per person; larger bags should be left at the accommodation or stored in lockers.

In the morning, board the reserved bullet train from Tokyo Station to Kyoto, departing at 9:30 am on the Nozomi 21 service and arriving into Kyoto at 11:45 am, a journey of around two hours and fifteen minutes, travelling in economy class with a 20 kg baggage allowance.

Once you have arrived, make your way to your accommodation in Kyoto to check in, with the rest of the day free to start exploring one of Japan's most historic cities.

The day starts early with a full-day coach tour taking in the highlights of Kyoto and neighbouring Nara, departing at 9:10 am from Kyoto VIP Lounge, near AEON Mall, with a guide and air-conditioned coach throughout.

The first stop is Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, where the gold-leaf-covered Zen temple is reflected in Mirror Lake, set within historic Muromachi-era gardens - around 40 minutes is spent here. The tour then continues to Arashiyama for two hours of free time, with the chance to visit the Bamboo Grove, cross the Togetsukyo Bridge and browse local shops.

From here, the group heads to Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto's most visited and spiritual shrine, to walk through the Senbon Torii, the famous thousands of torii gates.

The final stop is Nara Park, with free time to explore Todai-ji Temple and its Great Buddha, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine and the National Museum, as well as see and feed the park's more than 1,300 roaming deer, before returning to Kyoto in the evening.

Please note: The meeting point for this tour is in front of Kyoto VIP Lounge, near AEON Mall.

Please note: Entrance fees in Nara are not included and are payable locally.

You can start the day with a relaxed morning at your accommodation, with the whole of Kyoto free for independent exploration today.

With no set activities planned, this is a good opportunity to revisit a favourite temple, wander through the geisha district of Gion, or explore more of the city's teahouses and imperial residences independently.

A short bullet train journey this morning takes you from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka, departing at 8:10 am on the Nozomi 1 service and arriving just 15 minutes later at 8:25 am, travelling in economy class with a 20 kg baggage allowance.

Once you have arrived, make your way to your accommodation in Osaka, with the rest of the day free to explore the city independently - perhaps taking in the lively Dotonbori district, known for its restaurants, bars and neon-lit atmosphere.

From here, an international flight takes you from Osaka to Seoul, departing Kansai Airport at 9:05 am on Korean Air flight KE722 and arriving into Incheon International Airport at 10:55 am, a direct flight of around one hour and 50 minutes in economy class.

Once you have arrived, make your way to your accommodation in Seoul, with the rest of the day free to explore the city independently.

Please note: This flight is booked in Economy Saver class, with an allowance of one piece of checked baggage per person.

In the morning, head beyond Seoul on a full-day tour to Suwon and Gwangmyeong, with round-trip transport, entrance fees and a guide included throughout. Meet at Myeongdong Subway Station, Exit 9, at 8:50 am, or alternatively at Seoul City Hall Subway Station, Exit 6.

The first stop is Suwon's Starfield Library, a striking architectural space inside the Starfield Suwon mall, with towering bookshelves up to 22 metres high holding around 50,000 volumes across four floors, plus a Vinyl Cafe - around two hours is spent here.

From here, the tour descends into Gwangmyeong Cave, a former 1912 gold mine transformed into a themed underground park, with an hour to explore its Wine Cave tastings, Aqua World, Golden Waterfall and underground lake.

The tour then continues to Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO-listed Joseon Dynasty fortress built by King Jeongjo, encircling the city in a 5.74 km stone-and-brick wall, with around two hours to walk the panoramic walls and discover its secret passages and history.

At the end of the day, you can choose to be dropped back at either Myeongdong, for its shopping street and nearby Myeongdong Cathedral, or Seoul City Hall, close to Deoksugung Palace, the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Namdaemun Market.

Today is free for independent exploration of Seoul, with no activities planned.

This could be a good opportunity to explore the shopping streets of Myeongdong, visit one of the city's royal palaces such as Gyeongbok-gung or Changdeok-gung, or discover more of Seoul's markets and neighbourhoods independently.

On your final morning, check out of your accommodation in Seoul in your own time, ready for your onward journey home.