Highlights
- Wander over bridges to teahouses and ruins in Tokyo's serene Imperial Gardens
- Walk through the 10,000 red gates at Kyoto's famous shrine, Fushimi Inari-taisha
- Learn to make nigiri sushi with an expert chef at a cooking class in Osaka
- Explore the narrow streets and houses of Seoul's historic Bukchon Hanok Village
- See the hexagonal, basalt rock formations of Jusangjeoli Cliff on Jeju Island
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo (Japan), Explore | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Tokyo City Tour with Imperial Gardens, Self-Guided Akihabara Exploration | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi | Tokyo |
| Day 4 | Train to Kyoto, Tea Ceremony & Samurai Museum | Kyoto |
| Day 5 | Kyoto Highlights: Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha & Nishiki Market | Kyoto |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Nara for Temples & Gardens | Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Train to Osaka, Osaka City Tour, Dotonbori Food Experience | Osaka |
| Day 8 | Secrets of Sushi Workshop, Fly to Seoul (South Korea) | Seoul |
| Day 9 | Highlights of Seoul City Tour | Seoul |
| Day 10 | Korean DMZ Tour | Seoul |
| Day 11 | Fly to Jeju Island, Jeju Discovery Tour | Jeju Island |
| Day 12 | Peaks, Tea, Gardens, Cliffs & Waterfalls on Jeju Island | Jeju Island |
| Day 13 | Udo Island Discovery | Jeju Island |
| Day 14 | Depart Jeju Island |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (Japan), Explore
Konnichiwa Japan! After you arrive at Tokyo International Airport, meet your guide in the arrivals lounge and transfer to your hotel via shuttle bus. Settle into your room, then set out to explore glittering Tokyo, where modernity competes with centuries-old culture. Begin your exploration in Shibuya, an area known for its trendy boutiques and home to the famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crosswalk in the world.
Take a stroll to Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the best gardens in which to see cherry blossoms during spring, and continue to one of Tokyo's oldest parks, Shiba, for views of the Tokyo Tower. Then, cross the colorful Rainbow Bridge to the island of Odaiba for futuristic fun in the city. Here, you can visit the Miraikan Museum, meet the resident robots, and experience life on the International Space Station.
Day 2: Tokyo City Tour with Imperial Gardens, Self-Guided Akihabara Exploration
Join your guide this morning for a full day exploring Tokyo's iconic landmarks, starting at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, built in 1920 CE. Step through the towering torii (gate) into the forested grounds and admire the ornate Japanese architecture. Continue your tour to the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, a bustling hub with stalls offering seafood from sushi to grilled scallops. Learn about Japan's culinary culture from your guide and stop at a restaurant to try some fresh seafood for lunch. After the market, you'll head to the Imperial Palace to explore the East Gardens, the only part of the palace open to the public.
Admire the seasonal flowers, green lawns, fountains, teahouses, and the impressive double-arched Nijubashi Bridge as you walk. Next, visit Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples, built in the seventh century. Once inside, stroll along the buzzing street, Nakamise-dori, lined with shops, until you reach the second gate, Hozomon. This gate leads to the temple's main hall and a five-story pagoda where you can pick up an omikuji (a Japanese fortune slip) and get a temple seal stamp. At the end of your tour, return to your hotel and unwind.
Spend your free evening exploring the vibrant Akihabara district, known as "Electric Town," Japan's pop culture capital. Here, you can immerse yourself in the world of manga, animé, and gaming. Stroll through the streets, where you'll see neon-lit ads and enthusiastic cosplayers. Stop at the multistory Animate store to buy official merchandise and test your skills on UFO catchers (and other games) at GiGO Akihabara Building 3.
Day 3: Day Trip to Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi
This morning, meet your driver and guide for a day trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region to see the iconic Mount Fuji, one of Japan's most enduring symbols. After a two-hour drive, you'll arrive at the famous Arakurayama Sengen Park. Ascend to the beautiful Chureito Pagoda perched on the hillside and surrounded by seasonal foliage. Enjoy panoramic views of the snowcapped mountain, then stroll around the eight ponds of Oshino Hakkai, created by snowmelt from the slopes of Mount Fuji itself.
In the afternoon, join your guide for a cruise on the picturesque lake Kawaguchi-ko, with grasslands and forests along its banks. Pass charming lakeside villages, with Mount Fuji as a backdrop reflected on the water. Then, savor the sights on the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Hop off at the observation deck under Mount Tenjo, which provides incredible panoramas of Fuji and the surrounding area, before returning to Tokyo.
Day 4: Train to Kyoto, Tea Ceremony & Samurai Museum
Check out of your Tokyo hotel and catch a 2.5-hour bullet train to Kyoto, Japan's cultural capital. Overflowing with history and more traditional than its Tokyo counterpart, the pace of life is slower here, and the people tend to be more laid-back. This cultural powerhouse is known for its rich historical traditions, geisha entertainers, temples, gardens, and palaces.
Settle into your ryokan (traditional inn), then join your guide for a half-day tour to immerse yourself in the cultural sites of Kyoto. Begin with a traditional tea ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, a historic townhouse in the Gion geisha district. When you arrive, change into a traditional kimono and learn about the Zen aspects of the ceremony, called sado or chanoyu. Sit down on a tatami mat, try some traditional Japanese sweets, and join in the ritual of matcha led by a knowledgeable tea master.
Following the tea ceremony, walk with your guide to the Samurai & Ninja Museum to learn about these legendary warriors of feudal Japan. Dress in full samurai armor and learn how to handle a katana (Japanese samurai sword) as you pose with a replica sword for photos. Then, browse the collection of authentic samurai artifacts to gain insight into the lives of the samurai and ninjas before relaxing in your hotel.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Kyoto Highlights: Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari-taisha & Nishiki Market
Spend today on a guided tour of Kyoto's top UNESCO World Heritage sites. Meet your guide at your hotel and head to Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple with a large golden pavilion. Walk the peaceful grounds here and see the temple's two top floors, entirely covered in gold leaf, reflected in the surrounding ponds. Then, head to the impressive Nijo Castle, built in 1603 CE for the first shogun of the Edo Period. Admire the grand design and beautiful decor and roam the lovely garden with its elegant water features.
Afterward, join your guide for a tour of the famous shrine, Fushimi Inari-taisha, beginning with an enchanting hike through the 10,000 red torii gates, each donated by individuals or businesses and inscribed with their names and wishes. Follow the torii-lined route up to the observation deck for panoramic views of the gates and the surrounding forest. Walk back through the forest, discovering smaller shrines, moss-covered animal statues, and ancient stone tablets.
Having worked up an appetite, head to the 400-year-old Nishiki Ichiba Market. Mingle with the locals doing their food shopping as you wander among the 100 stalls crammed into this bustling, narrow street. Stop along the way to sample some of Kyoto's signature dishes, such as yu dofu (boiled tofu), nishin soba (noodles with dried herring), or delicious soy milk doughnuts.
Day 6: Day Trip to Nara for Temples & Gardens
This morning, you'll take a one-hour train ride to Nara, a quaint city renowned for its picturesque parks, ancient temples, and free-roaming deer. Meet your guide and set off on a full-day tour of the town, starting at Kofuku-ji, a Buddhist temple built in 669 CE. Admire the five-storied pagoda, offering a glimpse into the Nara architectural style, and explore the sprawling temple complex encompassing multiple halls and structures.
Continue to Nara Park to discover another Buddhist temple, Todai-ji. Constructed in 752 CE, this is one of Japan's most historically significant temples, known for the giant bronze Buddha statue sitting in the main hall. Visit the UNESCO-listed Kasuga-Taisha next, an intricately detailed Shinto shrine surrounded by the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. As you walk through the grounds, look out for the playful deer, who bow in exchange for food, then continue to the beautiful Isui-en Gardens. Wander the lovely landscape, stopping at teahouses and an on-site museum before catching the train back to Kyoto.
Day 7: Train to Osaka, Osaka City Tour, Dotonbori Food Experience
Pack your bags this morning and board a 30-minute train ride from Kyoto to the ancient city of Osaka. After you check into your hotel, meet your guide to discover the city's many diverse sights. Start at Osaka Castle, where you'll see a reconstruction of a castle built in the 1500s CE, and walk around the lush grounds. Learn about Osaka's history at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, where exhibits explain the Edo period and other significant points in the city's history.
In the afternoon, head with your guide to the Umeda Sky Building and take the elevator up to Kuchu Teien Observatory for sweeping city views. Back at ground level, explore Shinsaibashi—a shopping area from the Edo period. Today, its 1,698-foot-long (600 m) arcade is filled with tailors, clothing and footwear stores, restaurants, and jewelry boutiques.
Day 8: Secrets of Sushi Workshop, Fly to Seoul (South Korea)
Start your final morning in Japan by delving into another treasured Japanese tradition—sushi! Discover the secrets of this iconic dish in a three-hour nigiri sushi workshop, where you'll learn to mold rice into bite-size shapes and top them with thin slices of fish. The expert instructor will guide you through the process, providing pro tips and sushi history from an insider's perspective. During the class, you'll also sample other types of sushi, such as inari, sushi rice stuffed into deep-fried tofu pockets, or maki, where the classic ingredients are rolled in seaweed.
After you fill up on sushi, meet your driver for a transfer to Osaka's Kansai International Airport, where you'll catch a two-hour flight to Seoul, South Korea's evocative capital city. Following an hour-long transfer from Seoul's airport, Incheon, to the city center, you'll check into your hotel and rest for tomorrow.
Day 9: Highlights of Seoul City Tour
Discover the best of Seoul's culture and history during a full-day immersive city tour. After meeting your private driver, you'll visit the beautiful Gyeongbokgung, a palace dating from the 14th century. Here, you can rent a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) for professional photos, learn about the ancient Joseon Dynasty, and watch the traditional ceremonies, like the Changing of the Royal Guard, that occur daily.
You'll learn more about the Joseon Dynasty from your guide as you stroll through the picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village, with its narrow streets featuring over 900 traditional dynasty hanoks (houses) that now function as guesthouses, tea houses, cultural centers, and museums. Then it's time for lunch. Enjoy authentic Korean street food such as bibimbap (a rice-based dish) or mungbean pancakes at Gwangjang Market before visiting the central Namsan Park, where a cable car ride or hike will bring you to the iconic N Seoul Tower for 360-degree views of the city.
Day 10: Korean DMZ Tour
This morning, join your guide for a full-day tour beginning with a 30-mile (44 km) drive up to the border between South and North Korea, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Delve into the complex history and tensions between the "two Koreas" that characterize the area to this day and highlight the importance of peace. Your tour starts with a shuttle bus trip to the Third Infiltration Tunnel, an invasion tool dug by North Korea and discovered by South Korea in 1978 CE.
Next, you'll visit the Dora Observatory, where you can look through telescopes over North Korea and see sites, including the spooky Propaganda Village, People School, a statue of Kim Il Sung, and Geummamgol, a local cooperative farm. Be aware that clothing and camera regulations exist for this tour. Finally, gain insight into the history of the Korean War at the Imjingak Resort Unification Park, where you'll see the Freedom Bridge and an old, rusted steam train left from the war. Afterward, return with your guide to Seoul and spend the evening relaxing at your hotel.
Day 11: Fly to Jeju Island, Jeju Discovery Tour
In the morning, head to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Jeju Island, a volcanic atoll where you'll spend the next several nights. This island, celebrated for its natural beauty, citrus fruit, ancient cultural traditions, and temperate climate, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After you land, meet your guide and start touring the sights. Begin at Woljeongri Beach, a stretch of white sand near picturesque cafés, where you can enjoy the beautiful view with a cup of tea or hallabong (tangerine) juice.
From there, head to the UNESCO-listed Seongsan Ilchulbong, a large volcanic tuff cone that erupted from the sea over 5,000 years ago. Known as "Sunrise Peak," this rocky outcrop overlooks the island and can be seen from various vantage points around Jeju. Over 100,000 years old, the archetypal tuff cone has a grassy crater at its center, and you can walk along its sheer cliffs for a better perspective on its creation. Also tucked along the cliffside is Seopjikoji, a rugged stretch of coast crowned by canola flowers and a white lighthouse, your last stop of the day.
Day 12: Peaks, Tea, Gardens, Cliffs & Waterfalls on Jeju Island
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll have the entire day to enjoy the beauty of Jeju Island on a guided tour, starting at Hallasan National Park. The tallest peak in the country, Hallasan, is a dormant volcano. Lace up your walking shoes to hike the one-mile (1.3 km) Eoseungsaengak Trail, ending at the Eoseungtaeng Summit observation deck after around 30 minutes. Enjoy unbeatable views of Hallasan, the East China Sea, and sprawling views of the entire island before heading down the mountain.
Following your volcanic adventure, you'll visit the Osulloc Green Tea Plantation. Wander the rows of fragrant tea bushes, admiring Jeju's largest green tea grower, before popping into the Green Tea Museum to taste a piping-hot cup of fresh tea and learn more about the harvesting process. Then, follow your guide on a walk along paths dotted with bonsai trees, waterfalls, and ponds at the Spirited Garden before heading to Jusangjeoli Cliff. These otherworldly hexagonal, basalt rock formations on the island's south coast were created by lava from Hallasan that erupted into the sea.
From here, stroll through a lush, tranquil forest to the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, which means "sky connected with land." See the set of three waterfalls, with the largest one dropping 72 feet (22 m) off a cliff into the pool below. Enjoy the sounds of the cascading water and the peaceful forest, then return to your hotel for the night.
Day 13: Udo Island Discovery
Start your day with an approximately 15-minute boat ride to nearby Udo Island (called "Cow Island" because of its shape). Located off the northeastern coast of Jeju Island, this tiny isle, formed by basaltic lava, offers a wealth of unspoiled natural beauty, fun outdoor activities, and delicious local food. Once you step foot on the island, you can get around by shuttle bus, scooter, or bicycle.
Visit local beaches such as Udo Sanho or Geommeolle, explore the many sea caves, or climb to the island's highest point for views of Sunrise Peak. Keep your eyes peeled while exploring Udo and you might see the famous haenyeo—Jeju's renowned female freedivers. If you don't spot them diving (without oxygen tanks) for shellfish, head for the Dapdanitap Lighthouse, where you'll find a statue dedicated to their fascinating lifestyle.
For lunch, sample local specialties such as sizzling black pork barbecue, haemul ttukbaegi (hotpot seafood stew), peanut ice cream, hallabong juice, and abalone porridge. Stay on Udo Island as long as you like, then return to Jeju Island to enjoy your final night with a stroll around town.
Day 14: Depart Jeju Island
It's time to say goodbye to South Korea! Enjoy a few more hours of Jeju Island's incredible scenery and laid-back atmosphere before heading to the airport by private car. From here, catch your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!
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