Korean and Japanese Cultural Wonder Odyssey
Embark on a captivating 19-day adventure starting in Seoul, South Korea, and culminating in Sapporo, Japan. This tour offers a diverse mix of experiences: delve into Korea's tumultuous history with a visit to the DMZ, savour the traditional Korean flavours in Jeonju, and soak in the vibrant aura of Busan. Take a scenic flight to dynamic Tokyo, where you'll explore iconic landmarks and the serene Mount Fuji region. Discover Kyoto's rich heritage before journeying through Japan's stunning countryside, featuring charming villages, bustling markets, and peaceful temples. With memorable stops like Nikko and the Monkey Park, this tour promises an enchanting mix of culture, nature, and unforgettable scenery.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
19 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
SeoulEnds
SapporoMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in South Korea that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Countries
South Korea, JapanTour Style
Group Size
Up to 65 travellers
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Travel Style
Worldwide Touring
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
Partially Guided
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
These ratings are a general guide and may vary from tour to tour.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPassengers
R 127 075,00
R 5 000,00
Free eSIM included
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Places You'll See
Seoul
Suwon
Jeonju
Damyang
Haeinsa
Busan
Tokyo
Mount Fuji
Kawaguchiko
Iyashi No Sato Nenba
Toyota
Kyoto
Tsumago
Matsumoto
Nagano
Monkey Park
Kusatsu
Ikaho
Nikko
Sendai
Matsushima
Hiraizumi
Morioka
Hirosaki
Aomori
Hakodate
Onuma
Noboribetsu
Sapporo
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Seoul
Welcome to Korea and its capital, Seoul. We arrange your transfer to the hotel and, once checked in, you have free time. In the afternoon we share practical details for the tour’s start.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Seoul
We travel to the Aegibong Observatory in Gimpo for wide views towards North Korea, then continue to the Paju Demilitarised Zone (DMZ Imjingang), where lunch is included. We visit the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar, see Imjingak Pavilion – a symbol of peace – and ride the cable car (included) for an aerial look towards the Military Demarcation Line. We end at the Freedom Bridge, a moving emblem of hope and reunion. Important: Please bring your passport – it is mandatory. The DMZ is a military area and may close without notice; if so, we provide an alternative visit. Later, with our guide, we head to the square by City Hall to admire its wave–like façade from outside. Opposite stands Deoksugung Palace, beautifully illuminated in the evening. We walk on to Myeongdong, the country’s largest shopping and entertainment district. Dinner is included at a local restaurant, and we return by Seoul’s modern subway – ticket included.
Day 3 - Seoul
We include a comprehensive five–hour tour of Seoul. We visit Changdeokgung Palace (entrance included), a UNESCO World Heritage complex with expansive gardens, and stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village with its well–preserved traditional homes. We continue to the War Memorial of Korea (entrance included), a powerful museum focused on the nation’s conflicts, especially the Korean War. Lunch is included. We then head to vibrant Gangnam before stopping at Lotte World Tower – you can ascend to the observation deck (admission not included) or enjoy the park and luxury malls. We return to the hotel and you have free time.
Day 4 - Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju
In the morning we visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (entrance included) – with luck we may witness the changing of the guard. We then leave Seoul for Suwon, a former capital famed for its UNESCO–listed city walls. We view the fortifications and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace (entrance included). Lunch is included. We continue to Jeonju to explore its atmospheric Hanok Village of traditional houses, craft shops and galleries.
Day 5 - Jeonju - Damyang - Haeinsa - Busan
We travel to Sunchang Gochujang Village at the foot of Mount Amisan, a hanok community whose courtyards are lined with clay hang–a–ri jars. Here master artisans make gochujang using time–honoured methods and we enjoy a hands–on session learning to prepare this celebrated chilli paste. We continue to Damyang to wander the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (entrance included) and visit the Bamboo Museum (entrance included). Lunch is included, featuring a local speciality – rice steamed and served in bamboo. Amid beautiful mountain scenery we arrive at Haeinsa, one of Korea’s foremost Buddhist temples (entrance included) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the Tripitaka carved on 80,000 wooden blocks. We then continue to Busan for the night.
Day 6 - Busan
In the morning we visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th–century seaside Buddhist temple. Back in Busan we visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (entrance included) and the country’s largest fish market by Nampo port. Lunch is included. We walk to Yongdusan Park, crowned by its 120–metre tower, then continue to Songdo Beach for a ride on the nation’s first maritime cable car (included – subject to weather) with superb views of the bay. We explore Gamcheon Cultural Village, known for its brightly painted houses, winding lanes, galleries, pottery studios and cafés. We return to our hotel in Busan.
Day 7 - Busan - Tokyo
We provide your transfer to the airport for the included flight to Tokyo. On arrival and after formalities, an assistant – usually Spanish–speaking, sometimes English–speaking – will meet you, and you transfer by shared shuttle bus to the hotel. You have free time.
Day 8 - Tokyo
In the morning we set out on a guided tour of about seven hours through this extraordinary city, where cutting–edge districts sit alongside serene sanctuaries. We pause at Zojoji Temple for a classic view of Tokyo Tower and to see rows of Jizo statues with knitted hats, bibs and pinwheels. From the bus we observe the famous Shibuya Crossing, then visit Meiji Shrine. We ascend Tokyo Skytree (admission included to the Tembo Deck at 350 metres) for sweeping views. We finish in Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street, returning via Akihabara – the Electric City – and Ginza. At 6:30 pm we meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to Shinjuku for a stroll before dinner at a local restaurant (included). We return to the hotel by subway with our guide. Note: The order of visits may vary depending on Skytree admission time. In case of bad weather or exceptional circumstances, access may be limited and an alternative viewpoint will be offered.
Day 9 - Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko
We travel to the Mount Fuji area, enjoying the scenery en route. Our first stop is Arakurayama Sengen Park, loved for its pagodas and iconic views of Fuji. We continue to Kawaguchiko, a charming lakeside town, and visit Fuji Sengen Shrine, traditionally the starting point for pilgrimages up the mountain. We take a relaxing boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko, then drive up towards Mount Fuji along the road to the Fifth Station, reaching 2,305 metres. Note: In winter the road often closes due to snow – we will go as high as permitted. We return to Kawaguchiko to stay in a ryokan where you can unwind in the onsen. Dinner is included. Note: Rooms may be Japanese–style with tatami or Western–style; occasionally accommodation may be in a Western–style hotel.
Day 10 - Kawaguchiko - Iyashi No Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto
Following a lakeside scenic route, we visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba, rebuilt as an open–air museum after a 1966 typhoon, where traditional houses host craft studios, eateries and cultural exhibits. We continue to the beautiful Shiraito Falls, where water fans out over a 20–metre drop. From there we head to Nagoya to visit the Toyota Museum (admission included), then continue to Kyoto for the night.
Day 11 - Kyoto
We devote the day to Kyoto, imperial capital from 794 to 1868 and remarkably preserved – the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was signed here. We begin in Arashiyama, admiring Togetsukyo – the Bridge over the Moon – and its glorious setting. We visit Tenryuji, one of the five great Zen temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a tranquil walk through the bamboo grove. We continue to Fushimi Inari Shrine, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji – the Golden Pavilion – set in exquisite gardens. The order may vary. After the tour you can enjoy time in Gion, the traditional district famed for its atmosphere and geishas.
Day 12 - Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto - Nagano
We depart for Tsumago through gentle rural scenery. This lovely wooden village is considered one of Japan’s prettiest – you have free time to wander – and lunch is included. We continue to Matsumoto to visit its imposing 16th–century castle, nicknamed The Crow, then you have time to explore at your own pace. We then travel on to Nagano for the night.
Day 13 - Nagano - Monkey Park - Kusatsu - Ikaho
In Nagano we visit Zenko–ji, a revered pilgrimage temple said to house Japan’s first Buddhist image, and we take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony to invite good fortune. We then travel into the Japanese Alps to Jigokudani Monkey Park, walking forested paths to the rivers and hot springs where Japanese macaques bathe. We continue across high–mountain scenery – reaching 2,172 metres and passing semi–active volcanoes – to Kusatsu, a delightful hot–spring town whose central square is full of life. We stroll through the city park with its open–air onsen. Free time for lunch. Our journey continues to Ikaho, another characterful hot–spring town, where we wander the old centre famed for its stone stairways. We stay in a ryokan – we recommend enjoying the baths. Traditional Japanese dinner is included. Note: In autumn the monkeys’ movements can be unpredictable; if they do not descend, the park may close. The visit to Kusatsu may be cancelled due to weather from November to April.
Day 14 - Ikaho - Nikko - Sendai
We travel to Nikko to visit the splendid Toshogu Shrine, famed for its artistry and the hall renowned for the dragon’s echo, and the serene Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum. We enjoy a stroll along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, where hundreds of Jizo statues watch over the river. You then have free time in the town centre before we continue to Sendai, a vibrant modern city of over a million residents, where you can explore and dine in the lively centre.
Day 15 - Sendai - Matsushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka
We depart for Matsushima on the Pacific’s Thousand Islands Bay, considered one of Japan’s loveliest sights. We visit an elegant tea house overlooking the sea to enjoy a traditional brew as our guide shares insights, then take a 50–minute cruise with lunch on board. We continue to Hiraizumi to explore its historic temples, beginning with the UNESCO–listed Takkoku no Iwaya, carved into the rock in 801. We then visit the Buddhist temple complex of Chusonji and find a moment of calm in the gardens of Motsuji, where passengers can join a Zen ceremony (admission included). We end the day in Morioka, capital of Iwate, and you have free time after checking in.
Day 16 - Morioka - Hirosaki - Aomori - Hakodate
We travel through beautiful scenery to Hirosaki to view its castle from outside, set within a park where more than 2,500 cherry trees bloom in spring. We continue to Aomori on Mutsu Bay to visit the Nebuta Museum and learn about the vibrant festival with its illuminated floats. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. We then board the ferry for the three–and–a–half–hour crossing to Hokkaido. On arrival in Hakodate you have free time to explore the atmospheric historic quarter with its varied cultural influences, including the Russian Orthodox and other Christian churches.
Day 17 - Hakodate - Onuma - Noboribetsu - Sapporo
In the morning we visit the lively fish market, then ascend Goryokaku Tower for panoramic views of the star–shaped fortress. You have free time around the castle area before we continue to Onuma. In this lovely landscape of islets you have free time to take a boat trip or follow the walking trails. Lunch is included. In the afternoon we follow the coast to Noboribetsu’s dramatic volcanic terrain and walk among the steam vents of Jigokudani – Hell Valley – before admiring the steaming waters of Lake Oyunuma. We then continue to Sapporo, arriving in the evening.
Day 18 - Sapporo
We tour Sapporo, stopping at the Clock Tower and Odori Koen, the broad park–lined avenue dominated by the Sapporo TV Tower. We visit Hokkaido Jingu Shinto shrine to take part in a Kito – a ceremonial prayer of thanks for our journey. On the city’s outskirts we visit the Hill of Buddha, an avant–garde 2015 complex crowned by a vast Buddha set within lavender–clad earthworks, and see replicas of the Easter Island Moai. We continue to Otaru, a charming town with a European feel, historic canal and quaint museums. Lunch is included. We return to Sapporo around 3:30 pm, and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.
Day 19 - Sapporo
After breakfast our journey ends – we hope you take home wonderful memories.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Sapporo
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Seoul
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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