LEGACY OF THE EAST (KOREA & JAPAN)

Highlights | Sample Itinerary

Highlights

14 DAYS
LEGACY OF THE EAST (KOREA & JAPAN)

Explore Seoul's cultural gems like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village before venturing to the sobering DMZ and Busan's vibrant markets. Journey through Gyeongju's ancient tombs and temples before immersing in Hiroshima's resilience and Kyoto's Zen gardens and Geisha district. Stroll through Kyoto's peaceful bamboo groves and Nara's charming deer park before savoring Nagoya's technological advancements and Tokyo's iconic Imperial Palace and Asakusa Temple. Conclude with breathtaking views of Mount Fuji from Hakone National Park. This tour combines bustling cities with serene landscapes, offering a diverse taste of South Korea and Japan.
 
****This tour doesn't include Seat-In-Coach (SIC) tour(s). 
 


Sample Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SEOUL, KOREA
Meet your local guide at Incheon Airport and transfer to Seoul, the bustling capital city of Korea. Check-in your hotel in Seoul and enjoy the remaining of the day at your leisure. njoy welcome dinner at a local Korean restaurant.

DAY 2: SEOUL
Wake up to a hearty breakfast and prepare for your full-day city tour. Travel to Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the most iconic sights of South Korea. Visit the National Folk Museum where replicas of historical objects are used to illustrate the history of traditional life. Enjoy Palace Guard Changing Ceremony before the journey to Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of Hanok - traditional Korea houses. Visit Insadong - a popular neighborhood where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. Travel to N Seoul Tower, an iconic Seoul landmark that provides bird's-eye views of the city. Lunch is included.

DAY 3: SEOUL UNIQUE DMZ
Fuel up with a good breakfast and meet our guide at the hotel lobby for your DMZ tour.  Enjoy your time at DMZ Theater & Exhibition Hall, where you can watch a video that explains about the history of the division of Korea. Visit the Dora Observatory, Bridge of Freedom, and The Third Tunnel of Aggression. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near DMZ. Return to Seoul city center, The remaining of the day is for shopping and savor street food at Gwangjang Market.

DAY 4: SEOUL - GYEONGJU - BUSAN
Enjoy a tasty breakfast at the hotel before the journey to Busan. Check out the hotel and meet our guide for your transfer to Seoul Station where you take a Train to Sin-Gyeongju. Upon arrival, we will embark on a Gyeongju city tour, travel to Daereungwon Royal King&;s Tomb Complex. Next destination is Cheomseongdae Observatory Tower, the oldest observatory in the East. Visit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, the secondary palace site used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. Enjoy sightseeing at Bulkuksa Temple, the representative temple of Buddhism in Korea. Lunch is included. Transfer to Busan for the overnight stay. 

DAY 5: BUSAN 
This lively port city on the country's southeastern coast is often called “the Summer Capital of South Korea”. Upon arrival, travel to Huinyeoul Culture Village. Sightseeing at Songdo Yonggung Bridge, before enjoying your shopping at Jagalchi Fish Market. Visit Busan Tower and Dongbaeksum with APEC Nurimaru before returning to your stay-in hotel.

DAY 6: BUSAN (KOREA) - FUKUOKA (JAPAN)
After breakfast, meet our guide at the hotel lobby for your transfer to the Ferry Terminal. Embark on JR Beetle Ferry to Fukuoka, Japan. Upon arrival, transfer to your Fukuoka hotel for an overnight stay. 

DAY 7: FUKUOKA - HIROSHIMA
Fuel up with a good breakfast before heading to Hiroshima, a city that recovered from the Atomic Bombing aftermath. Peace Memorial Park and Museum inside the park are major attractions of the city. Prefectural Museum of Art, ShukkeiEn Gardens, Baseball Stadium, and restaurants selling unique okonomiyaki are recommended attractions for your leisure time! 

DAY 8: HIROSHIMA - KYOTO
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel to Kyoto for a full day of sightseeing. We start with the sprawling, breath-taking Nijo Castle, followed by Ryoanji - the UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with a famous rock garden. Afterward, visit Kinkakuji, the shining pavilion completely covered by gold leaf that was originally built as a shogun's summer house. Enjoy the evening freely at leisure to wander around Gion District, where you may catch a glimpse of the Geisha and admire beautifully preserved machiya houses along the side alleys.

DAY 9: KYOTO - SAGANO & ARASHIYAMA
After breakfast at the hotel, Transfer to the outskirts of Kyoto for a gentle walk through Sagano's lush bamboo groove. Head to Tenryuji Temple, which survived centuries maintaining its original design. Then continue to Jojakkoji Temple nestled in the quiet and understated wooded hill. Crossing over the iconic landmark Togetsukyo Bridge for stunning views of the adjacent cherry forest. Return to Kyoto and enjoy the remaining day at leisure.

DAY 10: KYOTO - NARA
Today's morning, you will join in a tea ceremony at the traditional Japanese house. Then travel to Nara for your free afternoon here. The city is second only to Kyoto as the richest collection of cultural sites in Japan. Meet the semi-wild deer at Nara Park, and admire the structure of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine is recommended. 

DAY 11: KYOTO - NAGOYA
Embark on a bullet train to Nagoya. Sightseeing at the impressive Toyota Museum of Industry and Technology, Nagoya Castle - once one of the most important objects of this type in the whole country (rebuilt after the war) and the SCMAGLEV Museum, which presents the development of high-speed railways, including the famous Japanese Shinkansen and "flying train", or magnetic turn.

DAY 12: NAGOYA - TOKYO 
After breakfast, we will travel to Tokyo. Sightseeing courtyard in front of the Imperial Palace, the seat of the ruler of Japan. The palace complex was once known as Edo Castle and was a shogun's residence. Transfer to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's tallest and most distinctive skyscrapers. After sightseeing, join a cooking class and prepare sushi yourself. In the afternoon we will visit the Asakusa temple from the Edo period, one of the most important Shinto facilities, and the Nakamise shopping arcade, where you can shop for souvenirs and enjoy local specialties. 

DAY 13: TOKYO - MT. FUJI
Today will be a full-day discovery of the iconic Mount Fuji! Wake up early and prepare for an adventure day at Hakone National Park. Travel to Mount Fuji – the symbol of Japan all around the world in the masterpiece of Hokusai. En route visit the Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station, which offers a commanding view of the Fuji Five Lakes. Cruise on Lake Ashinoko with a replica pirate ship. Embark on a ropeway ride to enjoy the view of active sulfuric hot springs and many other scenic landscapes. Tonight, enjoy a comfortable stay in the hotel/ryokan. 

DAY 14: TOKYO DEPARTURE
Today you will transfer to Narita airport and board your flight home.

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