Japan & South Korea in Focus

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. Check-into your Special Stay hotel for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5-star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens. This evening meet for your welcome reception and dinner.

Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’ capsulizing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, paying your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple.

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Given by Taiko Masters, partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums.

After lunch visit the epicentre of Tokyo’s teenage youth as you wander along Takeshita Street Harajuku, known for its colourful street art, youth fashion, quirky vintage clothing and cosplay stores and dessert shops and carts that specialise in sweet crêpes, donuts, and bubble tea.

Freechoice Dining: Choose from dining at a ninja themed restaurant using Horigotatsu style seating or culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director as they show you their favourite places to go. Alternatively dine in at Nobu restaurant.

Begin the day in the beautiful Imperial Palace’s East Gardens, part of the inner palace area and the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defence when the Tokugawa shogun ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867.

Freechoice: Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the often referred to as ‘the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing’ and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya. Alternatively, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens before witnessing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk.

Cruise on Lake Ashinoko on the First-class deck of your pirate ship with Mt Fuji as a backdrop before admiring the stunning scenery during your cable car ride up to the hot springs of the Owakudani geothermal area. Venture deep into the stunning scenery of Kawaguchiko Area. Discover the incredible workmanship involved in creating kimonos during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Enjoy a Special Stay overlooking Lake Ashinoko.

Relax in your Green (Business) Class seats on the Hikari Shinkansen train to the culturally rich city of Kyoto. Later after lunch in Kyoto, visit Nijo castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa leyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period before settling intoyour hotel and a Teppanyaki feast for dinner.

Begin the day gliding through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw before exploring and enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple. Later wander the gardens around the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion because it is completely covered in gold leaf.  Later this evening stroll through the Gion area, Kyoto’s famous Geisha District before dinner.

Freechoice Dining: Enjoy the option of dining at Kyoto Kishin Restaurant, known for its mix of Kyoto cuisine and French dishes or try Japanese Shabu Shabu at Hyoto Restaurant.

Freechoice: Revel in the atmosphere of the ancient preservation districts or visit the Silver Pavilion before strolling along part of the famous Philosopher’s Walk, an approximately two kilometre long, beautiful stone path walk along a canal through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district.

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Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.

This afternoon, enjoy some free time in Nishiki Market, a market renown as Kyoto’s kitchen with over 100 stalls and shops for shopping or relaxation.

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Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Geiko and Maiko who’ll host your meal. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.

Begin your day with an early visit to Fushimi Inari, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in the year 710 as Heijo, the city now known as Nara. Here you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan.  The Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Also see deer in Nara Park before stopping for sake tasting at Matsui brewery and museum.

Ryokan Upgrade - For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight at Hiiragiya Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn has tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, onsen hot spring baths and private facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast.

Kirin is one of Japan's top four beer producers and has been producing beer in Kobe since 1997. Travel to the brewery for lunch and a factory tour to see the technology and automation at play before trying some samples of the produce. After lunch visit Himeji Castle, an original and Japan’s most spectacular castle and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. Afterwards relax on the Shinkansen and then check into your hotel in Okayama for the night.

Begin your day walking around the Kurashiki canal area before visiting the Ohashi House, a former Edo Period merchant house built in 1796. After lunch visit to the 300-year-old Korakuen Garden, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. Travel on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and check into your hotel for two nights. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region.

Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Daisho-in Temple and its famous floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine, also built over the water.

This evening is yours at leisure in Hiroshima.

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Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum, dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack. Move to Orizuru Tower to learn how to create your own special origami crane offering for the Orizuru Wall.

After lunch travel by Shinkansen to Osaka where you will enjoy a two-night Special Stay. This evening catch the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley, where you can have the opportunity to choose your own meal from one of the many traditional food stalls. You are free to make your way back to hotel in your own time or return with your Tour Director.

Drive to the birthplace of the Japanese state and cradle of Japanese culture in Asuka, in Nara Prefecture. Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddy fields, the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge, famous in Japanese folklore and visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan.

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Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Enjoy your Club Floor benefits before transferring to Sky Garden for night-time views of the skyline of Osaka, before settling into your farewell dinner at the Hilton Plaza West.

Bid farewell to Japan and transfer to Kansai airport.

Fly to Busan, South Korea. Upon arrival in Busan, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Today is yours at leisure before meeting your Korean Tour Director and fellow travellers at tonight’s welcome briefing and Bulgogi dinner.

Begin the day with a visit to the Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in Korea.  Then visit BIFF Square, the district where the Busan International Film Festival is held before wandering through the maze of nearby Gukje Market, where you can try some street snacks from local venders. Afterwards partake in a Korean cooking class and create your lunch for the day. This afternoon and evening is your choice.

Freechoice: Visit the Gamcheon Culture Village and Songdo Skywalk, or visit UN War cemetery and Busan Museum. Alternatively, visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and Haeundae Beach.

Freechoice Dining: Enjoy fine Italian cuisine or sample high quality Korean sirloin BBQ.

Admire the views from Busan x the Sky, an observatory located on the 98th to 100th floors of Haeundae LCT The Sharp - Landmark Tower, the tallest building in Busan.  From the sky observatory you can enjoy views of the Busan's famous landmarks and the surrounding mountains and sea.  Then drive north to Tongdosa Temple, the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In 2018 Tongdosa Temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch continue to Ulsan to visit the world’s single largest automobile plant, the Hyundai Car Factory, which is in itself made up 5 different factories. Later arrive in Gyeongju, the ‘museum without walls’ and check into your hotel for a two night stay.

Begin with a visit to the National Museum which houses numerous historical and cultural artifacts of the Silla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935). Later visit Tumuli Park - Daereungwon Tomb Complex, a collection of royal Silla tombs. After lunch, visit World Heritage-listed Bulguksa Temple, built in 774.

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At Bulguksa Temple, enjoy a private teatime and interaction with a monk followed by a performance of the traditional monk dance ‘Seungmu’.

After dinner visit Anapji (Wolji) Pond, a harmonious royal garden, best seen illuminated at night.

Drive to Gayatgo Village, home to the traditional Korean musical instrument Gayageum.

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Enjoy a musical performance followed by a hands-on experience crafting your own mini Gayageum, a zither-like 12 string Korean musical instrument. 

Afterwards drive to Mt.  Gayasan National Park and Haeinsa Temple, famous for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, a Korean collection of the Tripi?aka, carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century. It is the oldest intact version of Buddhist canon in Hanja script. Continue on to Gwangju and check into your hotel for a night.

Drive to Samjinae village, the first Korean place designated as a ‘slow city’ in 2007. Compared with fast moving city life, the village seeks a slow life, highlighting regional cultures and food in natural surroundings. Later visit the historical Jeonju Hanok Village, an old capital with a history spanning 1.300 years. This afternoon relax in your Deluxe Class seats on the KTX high-speed train to Seoul. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a four night Special Stay, located in the very heart of Seoul and walking distance to local attractions. Afterwards enjoy a traditional, local style Korean BBQ Chicken feast for dinner.

Step back in time throughout the day with visits to many historical sites within Seoul. Visit Changdeokgung Palace, a Joseon dynasty palace, including a stroll through the incredible Secret Garden before witnessing the changing of the Royal Guard at the smaller Deoksugung Palace.  Later visit the Korean Furniture Museum, marvelling at the more than 2,000 pieces of traditional Korean wooden furniture placed within a Korean traditional house and garden. Later move to Myeongdong Night Market, one of the oldest and largest traditional markets where dinner will be local street food in the market.

Drive to the De-militarised Zone (DMZ).  Visit the Dora Observatory, offering views across the DMZ towards North Korea, Dorasan Station and Freedom Bridge, where prisoners were exchanged after the war, and go underground into the third infiltration tunnel. As one of four tunnels dug by North Korea as means to invade, this was one was discovered by accident in 1978. Return to Seoul for your choice of touring this afternoon.

Freechoice: Visit the Gwangjang Market, a traditional street market for some shopping, or visit the Korean War Memorial Museum which houses exhibits and memorializes the military history of Korea on the former site of the army headquarters. Alternatively for the more active, walk along the Naksan Park section of Seoul’s ancient city wall, admiring the views over the modern city.

Dinner tonight is a Korean Beef Bulgogi feast.

Drive to the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site and largely intact Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. The fortress was built from 1794 to 1796 by King Jeongjo to honour and house the remains of his father. Upon returning to Seoul enjoy a rickshaw ride around Bukchon Hanok Village, one of the oldest areas of Seoul dating back 600 years to the Joseon Dynasty. 

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Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner in a Hanok, a traditional Korean house. 

Say farewell and transfer to Incheon airport.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.