Essential Japan & South Korea

This afternoon we meet the group and your Adventure Leader for a welcome briefing covering the next two weeks, local etiquette, and safety.

We then roll up our sleeves for our first included activity - a hands-on sushi-making class - and enjoy our creations for dinner.

Afterwards we head up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for sweeping skyline views. Later, you can choose to join the group at a local bar to relax and get to know your fellow travellers.

We start at the Tsukiji Outer Market, famed for its fresh seafood. Wander the stalls and try sashimi as we go.

Next we visit Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple - Tokyo’s oldest temple - and stroll Nakamise-dori for classic street snacks.

You then have free time in Asakusa. You could:

join an optional sumo experience with ex-wrestlers and a chanko nabe lunch

take in city views from TOKYO SKYTREE

cruise the Sumida River for a different perspective

visit the Samurai Museum

We regroup in Akihabara, Japan’s Electric Town, known for anime, manga, and arcades. While here, you can opt to visit a themed maid café.

The rest of the day is yours. For shopping, try Ginza’s boutiques and luxury brands. For a slice of local life, you could hit the batting cages or unwind at a Japanese bathhouse.

We rise early for the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, set in peaceful forested grounds.

We continue to Harajuku, Tokyo’s trend epicentre, then on to the famous Shibuya Crossing.

Your afternoon is free. You could:

go Kartoon Karting on city streets

explore the immersive art of teamLab Planets

take a slower wander around the Imperial Palace gardens

We take a full-day trip to Fujikawaguchiko for close-up views of Mount Fuji. Highlights include:

Arakurayama Sengen Park for the classic Fuji-and-pagoda vista

a short hike to Tenku no Torii for photo-ready Fuji views on clear days

a gentle hike to Haha no Shirataki waterfall

We return to Tokyo for our final night in the city. You can opt for a quiet evening or join the group for farewell drinks.

Tokyo - Kamakura. This morning we swap city streets for seaside Kamakura, arriving around lunchtime. After you grab lunch, we enjoy an included calligraphy class inside a local temple.

The rest of the day is yours. Consider:

Kotoku-in’s Great Buddha

Hokokuji Temple and its bamboo grove

time on the beach for a sunset over the ocean

Kamakura - Hakone. We travel to Hakone, arriving before midday, then walk part of the old Tokaido route and stop for lunch near Moto-Hakone.

We board a Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise aboard a replica pirate ship, then ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani, an active volcanic valley. Try the local black eggs - said to add seven years to your life.

This evening you can soak in a traditional onsen. We then change into yukata and enjoy a guided sake tasting with the group.

Hakone - Kyoto. We change trains in Odawara mid-morning and you have a couple of hours free to explore before taking the bullet train to Kyoto.

On arrival, we take a short orientation walk along the Kamo River. The afternoon is yours. You could:

visit Higashi Hongan-ji

stroll Shosei-en Garden

see the 1,001 Kannon statues at Sanjusangendo

browse Mandarake for collectibles

In the evening, you can opt to join the group for karaoke.

We start early at Higashi Hongan-ji, one of the world’s largest wooden structures, before the crowds.

Next is Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for thousands of vermilion torii. Hike to the viewpoint or return to sample street food.

In the early afternoon we visit Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO site, then explore the Gion area with your Adventure Leader. Your evening is free. You might:

wander Pontocho Alley

see a show at Gion Corner

visit Yasaka Shrine when it is beautifully lit

We take a train to Nara for a half-day visit, including Todaiji Temple - home to a giant bronze Buddha - and a stroll in Nara Park with its friendly deer.

After lunch in Nara we return to Kyoto. Your afternoon is free. You could:

experience a tea ceremony with a geisha

explore Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, and the monkey park

rent a kimono for photos

visit the Pokémon Center or the Manga Museum

Kyoto - Hiroshima. We hop on bikes for a half-day city ride, including a Zen temple meditation with a Buddhist monk and a traditional tea ceremony.

After lunch we visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and pass the Imperial Palace before catching the bullet train to Hiroshima.

You can opt to join the group for dinner at Okonomiyaki Village, where meals are cooked on the teppan in front of you.

This morning we visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

We then ferry to Miyajima Island, known for Itsukushima Shrine’s giant torii gate that appears to float at high tide.

After lunch we ride the Miyajima Ropeway for coastal views, then return to Hiroshima. The evening is yours to explore.

Hiroshima - Osaka. We take an early train to Osaka. After arrival, your Adventure Leader leads a short city walk that finishes in lively Shinsaibashi - a good spot for lunch.

Free time follows. You might:

explore Osaka Castle and its city views

shop around Umeda

visit the National Museum of Art

In the evening we regroup in Shinsekai for a farewell dinner and a photo stop by Tsutenkaku Tower. Later, you can return to Shinsaibashi for a final drink.

Osaka - Seoul. Today we transfer to the airport for your flight to Seoul. After checking in at your accommodation, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and explore at your own pace.

Meet your new group and Adventure Leader this afternoon for a welcome briefing with handy Korean phrases.

We then enjoy an included Taekwondo session before heading to Myeongdong for a special welcome dinner.

After dinner we take the cable car up Namsan Mountain for night views and the ‘padlocks of love’ at N Seoul Tower. If you want an even higher view, you can head up the tower. We return by cable car and stroll back through Myeongdong.

We visit Gyeongbokgung Palace this morning in time for the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. If you wish, you can rent hanbok before exploring the palace.

Your afternoon is free. Consider:

Bukchon Hanok Village

Insadong Art Street

Gangnam’s shopping streets

cycling by the Han River

HiKR Ground for K-culture fans

Or join an optional class to make makgeolli. In the evening, you can opt for dinner and drinks with the group.

Today we visit the DMZ. After a brief stop at Imjingak we continue to Dora Observatory to view North Korea, then descend into the Third Tunnel, which reaches to within about 170 metres of the border.

On the return journey, we hear from a North Korean defector. Back in Seoul, you can try a K-pop dance class and later enjoy a night out in Hongdae.

Seoul - Sokcho. We travel to Seoraksan National Park for a hike to Ulsanbawi Rock with panoramic views. For a gentler option, follow the waterfall trail and ride the cable car to a scenic peak. After lunch, we continue to Sokcho and cross by gatbae to Abai Village, founded by refugees from the north.

In the evening your Adventure Leader leads a food market walk before we dine in the fish markets or a local favourite such as Manseok. We round off the night with a traditional liquor tasting.

Sokcho - Gyeongju. We transfer to Gyeongju with a quick stop at the BTS bus stop for photos. We then check in for an overnight temple stay at Golgulsa.

Included this afternoon and evening: orientation, meditation, communal work, Sunmudo training, and a Buddhist vegetarian dinner.

We start with chanting and meditation, followed by an early breakfast, then return to Gyeongju. Your free time options include:

Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO site with several national treasures

a traditional tea-house

the Gyeongju National Museum

Later we take a guided cycle tour to the Cheonmachong Ancient Tombs in Daereungwon Tumuli Park and Cheomseongdae Observatory.

In the evening you can try a traditional Korean set meal at a hanok. We then visit Anapji (Wolji Pond), beautifully lit after dark.

Gyeongju - Busan. We transfer to Busan and board a private bus to explore:

Gamcheon Culture Village

Songdo Beach and its marine cable car

BIFF Square for shopping and street eats

Your evening is free. Seafood fans could seek out Busan’s famed snow crab.

This morning we visit Haedong Yonggungsa, one of Korea’s few seaside temples.

Your afternoon is free. For rest and reset, try a jjimjilbang, a traditional bathhouse.

In the evening, you can opt for a harbour boat trip for views of Haeundae and the LED-lit Gwangan Bridge, then round things off with karaoke.

Busan - Jeju Islands. You have a free day before our late-afternoon flight to Jeju. You could:

enjoy a beach breakfast and a swim or volleyball

join an optional morning cooking class

ride the coastal monorail at Haeundae Blueline Park

wander Huinnyeoul Culture Village

We fly to Jeju in the evening. Settle in or head out for a first wander.

We walk a stretch of the Jeju Olle Trail for classic coastal views, then visit Jeongbang Waterfall, which drops straight into the sea.

Next we hike Seongsan Ilchulbong, a UNESCO-listed tuff cone formed over 5,000 years ago. You can opt for lunch nearby or catch the Haenyeo performance at 13:30, showcasing Jeju’s free-diving women - recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

We return to the hotel early afternoon. Your time is then your own. You could:

relax on Jungmun Beach

visit Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

explore the Maritime Park and Saeyeongyo Bridgeend the day with a sunset drink at The Cliff

This morning we visit the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs, striking hexagonal lava columns shaped by nature, followed by a yacht sailing tour.

The afternoon is free for final exploring or relaxation. In the evening we gather for a farewell barbecue featuring Jeju black pork and a sunset send-off by the sea.

Your Japanese and South Korean adventure ends today. Say your goodbyes and depart for home or continue your travels independently.