12-Day Classic Japan-South Korea Group Tour

Meals: No meal
Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan Ikebukuro or similar

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival at Narita International Airport, met our local representative with a name board at the airport exit and transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you will be free at leisure on your own.

Please note:

1. Hotel check-in time is from 15:00. If you arrive at the hotel in the morning, luggage can be stored at the hotel when you explore the city on your own.
2. We suggest you fly to Tokyo Narita International Airport. If you fly to Tokyo Haneda Airport, it will cause a separate transfer fee. Please advise us in advance.
3. The airport pick-up will be arranged with only driver service.
4. If you are a solo traveler and can not share the transfer service with other tourists, an airport transfer supplement： US$100 per car per way will be charged.

Tokyo City View

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hotel Metropolitan ikebukuro or similar 

Today is your time to explore Tokyo city. After your breakfast at the hotel, our local guide will meet you at the hotel to start a full day to explore Tokyo city through the convenient public transportation system. 

The first stop is Tokyo Tower (approx. 30 mins), from which you could enjoy a panorama of Tokyo from the main observation platform. Then we will move to Meiji Shrine. It takes a fine example of Japanese shrine architecture. It is nestled in a peaceful and picturesque area. Passing by the Akasaka Guest House and National Diet Building, we will go to visit Imperial Palace East Garden and enjoy a pleasant walk through the garden, which is a place of historical interest and scenic beauty. 
 

At noon time, our local driver or guide will advise you of a good place where we will have about 1 hour to enjoy a typical Japanese-style lunch.
 

In the afternoon, your guide will lead you to visit Hama-rikyu Garden, which is a typical daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) garden in the Edo period with a tidal pond. Then we will enjoy a boat ride on the Sumida River from Hinode Pier to Asakusa to see a harmonious blend of old and new Tokyo. In the Asakusa area, we will visit Asakusa Kannon Temple which is a famous temple in the Asakusa district.  

Tokyo city exploring tour will end by sending you back to the hotel by our local guide.

Note: Lunch is on your own arrangement. Your guide will make recommendations for your preference

Meiji Shrine

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hotel The Hamanako or similar (hot spring ) 

After breakfast in your hotel, please check out and meet your guide at the hotel lobby.

you will start the exciting tour to visit Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi. The motor-coach rides for about 150 minutes, and we arrive at Mt. Fuji 5th Station, from which we could enjoy a panoramic view for about half an hour and you will be amazed by the spectacular and breathtaking views from above the clouds. 

After lunch, we will ride the Lake Kawaguchi cruise You can enjoy the magnificent Mt. Fuji and the panoramic 360-degree view. Later drive down and coach to Hamanako (2.5hrs duration) for an overnight stay. 

Mt. Fuji

Meals: Breakfast,
Hotel: Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia or similar

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Kyoto for 2.5 hours and start a full-day Kyoto tour. The 1st stop is to visit Nijo-jo Castle (50 min), once Kyoto imperial castle with stunning Tamami rooms in which there are many beautiful paintings of the Edo period. Then visit Kinkaku-Ji Temple (45 min), the most well-known temple in Japan, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stop is Kyoto Imperial Palace (40 min) before a Japanese-style lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, the guide will escort you to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (30 min), the head shrine of about 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, and Sanjusangen-do Temple (30 min) first. Sanjusangendo is a unique and impressive temple in Kyoto. It dates back to 1164 and is famous for its 1001 golden statues of Kannon, goddess of mercy. Before going back to hotel, we will visit Kiyomizu-Dera Temple (70 min), which is the oldest temple in Kyoto, known for the "stage of the Kiyomizu". It was listed as one of the world's cultural heritage sites in 1994.

Finish the tour and drive to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy your free leisure evening exploring this ancient city. 

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar

Have a leisurely breakfast in the hotel. Today our guide will escort you to explore Nara, which is near Kyoto. Meet at the hotel and take a coach to Nara. The first stop in Nara is the Todaiji Temple through Nara Garden. Kasuga Tasha Shrine is another highlight in Nara, famous for its lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. After a stop at Nara Nagomikan (a gift shop), where tourists could buy some souvenirs for their loved ones. 

After that, drive for half an hour to Osaka and overnight there. 

Note: 
1. Kyoto - Nara: 45km, 45 minutes drive
2. Nara - Osaka: 33km, 34 minutes drive

Nara Park

Hotel: Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower or similar
Meals: Hotel breakfast

Enjoy your free leisure day in Osaka today to explore the city on your own. You may walk around for shopping some souvenirs as gifts for family or friends.

Or you could travel to Hiroshima or enjoy a leisure & happy time at Universal Stadio in Japan (NOT INCLUDED. If you are interested in , please tell your travel advisor to advise the price on private basis).

Osaka Castle
 

Meals: Hotel breakfast
Hotel: Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan or similar

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am. Please check out from the hotel on your own. 

Tourists book the 2023 tour with us: Please make your own arrangement for Osaka Kansai Airport. Your guide or driver will share with you the necessary information about how to get to the airport. 

Tourists book the 2024 tour with us: Our driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer to the airport together as a group. 

Farewell to Japan and start your exploring trip to South Korea. Your local tour guide will be met you at the exit of the airport by holding you’re signboard. You will be transferred to the check-in hotel and free at leisure for the rest of the day. 

Notes for tourists who booked the 2023 tour with us:
1. As each tourist in the group may depart by a flight at a different time. We do not include the transfer service to the Osaka Airport. Please Check out and depart for Osaka Kansai Airport on your own.
2. It is about 50 km from downtown Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport. It will cost about USD110-150 by taxi depending on different times or taxi.
3. There are JR trains from Bentencho Station ( only 3-5 minutes walking distance from Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower) to Shin-Imamiya Station, where to take Limited Express Train to Osaka Kansai Airport.  More detailed information about the transportation to the airport will be offered when the booking is made with us.
4. If you prefer a private transfer, please contact us to double-check the separate airport transfer supplement based on different vehicle types.

Notes for tourists who book the 2024 tour with us:
1. We will arrange a transfer for the whole group together to Osaka Kansai Airport together at a certain time. Generally speaking, the transfer time is at 11:00 in the morning, which might be adjusted when we receive and consider all the tourist flights information
2. If you prefer a private transfer or the time is not suitable for your flight timing, please contact us to double-check the separate airport transfer supplement based on different vehicle types.

Seoul City View

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan or similar

Pick up from the hotel and start our first day of exciting Seoul exploring.  First, we will move to visit Gyeongbok Palace, the largest palace among the Five Grand Palaces built in Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace was once destroyed by Japan in the early 20th century. The palace has been gradually restored since then. (Tuesday: Replaced by Changdeokgung Palace). Then we will visit the National Folklore Museum, which is located on the ground of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The design of the building is based on various historical buildings in Korea. You can see over 98,000 historical objects that were used in everyday life from prehistoric times to the end of the Joseon Dynasty.

We will pass by the Presidential Blue House or Cheong Wa Dae, which has blue tiles as the signature markings. These tiles were baked individually so that they can withstand for hundreds of years. The Blue House is actually a complex of buildings and each is uniquely designed, mainly in Korean architectural style with some elements of modern elements.

Later we will get to Gwanghwamun Plaza. The redesigned Gwanghwamun Square just opened to the public on Aug 1st, 2009, which is located at the center of the 600-Year old historic city of Seoul, where you can see the statue of King Sejong the Great who invented the Korean Alphabet ‘Hangul’ and the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin.

Gyeongbok Palace


In the afternoon, we will go to visit Bukchon Hanok Village, home to hundreds of traditional houses, called Hanok. This hanok is closely packed together, which makes it a great photo spot for you to take. Hanok galleries, Hanok Handicraft Workshops, and Hanok restaurants are also available. However, please note that this is a living place for residents and you need to keep your voice low. Walk around Insadong Antique Street in the heart of the city, which is a unique place where you can see ancient but precious and traditional goods on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys, there are galleries and traditional restaurants, tea houses, and cafes.

The last spot of today is the Cheongyecheon stream, which has 600 years of story to tell. It was once neglected after the Korean War because it was soon filled with trash as many people settled down along the stream. However, it was restored in 2005 and became an example of successful restoration in the megacity.

After the tour, you will be transferred to drop off at your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time for the rest of the day. 

NOTE: Generally speaking, the tour time is between 09:00-18:00 
 

Cheongyecheon Stream

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Gloucester Hotel Jeju or similar

After breakfast, meet with a tour guide at the hotel lobby and start the tour.

In the morning, we start in the Hongdae shopping area, A place that is well-known for its youthful and romantic atmosphere, underground culture, and freedom of self-expression. There are unique cafes, accessory stores, art markets, fashion shops, street performances, and more for you to explore. Then visit Trick Eye Museum & Ice Museum.  You can enter Trick Eye Museum and Ice Museum at once. Unlike most museums, you can touch and interact with displayed exhibits in the Trick Eye Museum. The Ice Museum is located inside the Trick Eye Museum, and it is filled with objects that are fully made out of ice. Be sure to prepare extra clothes to put on. 

 

Trick Eye Museum

In the afternoon, visit Korea House(Seaweed Museum),  established in 2016, Korea House(Seaweed Museum) is a place where you can try Kimchi Making and Hanbok wearing experiences. Move to Seoul N Tower(No tower observatory),  Established as a broadcast tower in 1969, Seoul N Tower has become the representative landmark of Seoul and is renowned for its cityscape. The place becomes more popular at nighttime when the tower lights are turned on. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the cityscape. Enjoy the Hangang River cruise in Yeouido. You can take a break from the busy urban atmosphere and enjoy a relaxing time on the cruise while watching the Han river view. Course route: Yeouido – Dangsan Railway Bridge – Yeouido.

Walk along Myeongdong Fashion Street,  one of Seoul’s popular shopping and tourism districts among young people. Floating populations are estimated to be 2 million per day and it is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world. You can find mid to high-priced brands including Korean cosmetics and enjoy trendy food streets here.

Walk into Namdaemun market near Namdaemun Gate. It is one of the largest and oldest markets in Korea. You can buy a variety of goods such as clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, fishing equipment, carpets, ginseng, flowers, and imported goods.

After the tour, you will be transferred to airport for the flight to Jeju. Upon arrival, your driver will pick you up and drive to hotel for check in. 

NOTE: Generally speaking, the tour time is between 09:00-18:00 

Hangang River Cruise

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Gloucester Hotel Jeju or similar

After breakfast, meet with a tour guide at hotel lobby and start the tour.

O’Sulloc Tea garden/ Innisfree: Here, you can learn about Korea’s traditional tea culture. Interestingly, the entire building takes the shape of a green tea cup. It seeks to harmonize the cultures of the West and East and past traditions with the modern world. You can enjoy unique O’Sulloc teas or views of the nearby green tea fields and the surrounding landscape in the observatory, located on the second floor of the building.

In the afternoon, Mt. Sanbangsan, a trachytic tuff lave dome connected to the sedimentary layer of Dragon coast. It is a bell-shaped thalloid that stands tall in the plains of Southwest Jeju. Then visit Jusangjeoli Cliff [UNESCO GEO Park]. The columnar joints in the Jungmun Tourism Complex were designated as Natural Monument #433 on December 27, 2004. They look like a large folding screen with black hexagon stone pillars. It is a wonder to look at the columnar joints with beautiful ocean waves crashing against them.  

Enjoy a good time at Jeongbang Waterfall, one of three main Jeju waterfalls, along with Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and Cheonjaeyeon Waterfall. It is the only one in Korea which spills directly into the sea. Harmonized with the sea, two 23m-tall columns of the waterfall with a sound like thunder make a magnificent view. 

1,100 Altitude Wetland: Above 1,100m from sea level, the wetland has been designated as one of the national wetland protected areas. You can take a look at the observatory and service area. Also, take a 10-15 min walk through the course and observe diverse species living in the wetlands.

Enjoy your free time for the rest of the day. You may walk with your loved ones on the beach of the island, relaxing.

Mt. Sanbangsan

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan or similar

After breakfast, meet with a tour guide at the hotel lobby and start the tour. The first stop is Dragon-Head Rock or Yongduam, which was created by strong winds and waves over thousands of years. It got its name because the rock formation has the shape of a dragon’s head. There are two different legends about the rock. Many believe that the black dragon symbolizes bravery, hope, and good luck. Then we will go to IlChul Land,  an ecological and cultural attraction where you can enjoy different themes such as replica folk village, and Micheongul Cave as well as convenient facilities. Before lunch, we will visit Seongeup Folk Village, a small town that holds a vast amount of culture. Cultural properties have been handed down from generation to generation and include treasures such as residential houses, Confucian shrines and schools, ancient government offices, stone statues, large millstones (pulled by horses or ox), fortress ruins, and stone monuments.
 

Dragon Head Rock

In the afternoon, walk along the Seopji Coji coast, which is located at the end of the eastern shore of Jeju Island, where you can see a nice view of the ocean from the lighthouse even in winter. The place gets covered with yellow canola fields in the spring and 20-30 min. A stroll along the coast is recommended. The next stop is Sunrise Peak on the eastern end of Jejudo Island, it rose from under the sea in a volcanic eruption over 100,000 years ago. There is a huge crater at the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak. With the 99 sharp rocks surrounding the crater, it looks like a gigantic crown. While the southeast and north sides are cliffs, the northwest side is a verdant grassy hill that is connected to the Seongsan Village. The ridge provides an ideal spot for walks and for horse riding as well.  our tour bus/car will drive along the beautiful coastline of North-Eastern Jeju and you will pass by Hado Beach & Saehwa beach whilst heading to Manjang cave. Plus, Jongdalri Shore Road is known for its hydrangea during Summer.

Enjoy the Sarabong Sunset. Sarabong is shaped like a horse shoe from the sky. This is a perfect place to see the sunset in Jeju. From the top of Sarabong, you can see the panoramic view of the city, Jeju airport, and Jeju harbor, and to the south, Mt. Hallasan. Then take a night flight back to Seoul overnight.
 

Sunrise Peak

Meals: Hotel breakfast

After breakfast, you will meet with a DRIVER ONLY at hotel lobby and transfer to ICN Airport for departure.

Please note: 
1. According to the international common practice, the hotel check out time is 11:00. Check-out after 11:00 will cause a late check-out fee. 
2. The airport transfer service will be arranged on a sharing basis at a suitable time. If you prefer a private transfer or the sharing transfer time can not meet your timing, it will cause a transfer supplement. Please check with us in advance.

Service ends