Japan & Korea Wonders Tour

Welcome to Seoul, the lively capital of South Korea. Upon arrival, your private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to unwind after the journey or start exploring this fascinating city, where sleek skyscrapers and K-pop culture meet historic palaces, serene temples, and vibrant street markets.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver in the lobby for a full-day private city tour of Seoul.

Your exploration begins with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the first and main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395. Considered the most beautiful and largest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces, it offers a glimpse into Korea’s royal history. Within the palace grounds, you will also find the National Folklore Museum, which showcases historical artifacts from everyday Korean life, illustrating domestic traditions, agricultural practices, and cultural beliefs.

Next, you continue to Insadong Antique Street, a vibrant hub for traditional Korean arts and crafts. Its narrow alleyways are lined with shops offering folk crafts, hand-made pottery, and unique paintings.

The tour then takes you to Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in Korea, where most goods are produced and sold directly by the shop owners.

Your journey continues to Namsangol Hanok Village, a collection of traditional houses representing different social classes from the Joseon dynasty, from peasants to aristocrats. This peaceful village offers a fascinating look at life in historical Korea, away from the pace of the modern city.

Finally, you visit N Seoul Tower, Seoul’s first landmark and a beloved observation point offering a spectacular 360-degree panorama over the city. After taking in the breathtaking views, you return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver in the lobby and head to Imjingak Park, where you will join a shared coach for a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) - a rare opportunity to get very close to the border between North and South Korea.

The DMZ is a narrow strip of land cutting across the Korean Peninsula, serving as a buffer zone between the two nations. During the tour, you will learn about the historical division of Korea and gain insights into current events surrounding inter-Korean relations.

One of the highlights is the Dora Observatory, where you can look across the barbed wire fence along the Military Demarcation Line. On a clear day, you may be able to see North Korean villages and industrial areas in the distance. You will also visit the 3rd Underground Tunnel, an impressive yet unsettling structure built by North Korea with the capacity to move 30,000 soldiers per hour into the South - large enough for tanks to pass through.

After completing the tour, your private driver will take you back to your hotel in Seoul.

Note: This is a full-day tour with an early morning pick-up. Passports are required for participation. Dress code: No torn clothing (including ripped jeans), clothing with profanity or offensive messages, leather pants, or military-style attire.

Following breakfast and check-out, your private driver meets you in the hotel lobby for a transfer to the train station or airport, where you continue your journey.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start discovering Busan at your own pace.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver in the lobby for a full-day private city tour of Busan.

Start with a visit to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, dramatically set along the coastline - a rare and stunning location for a temple. Originally built in 1376 by the Buddhist teacher Naong during the Goryeo Dynasty, it was later reconstructed in 1970.

Continue to Jagalchi Market, Korea’s largest seafood market, where you can browse a vast selection of live and dried fish, and even sample freshly prepared raw seafood on the spot. From there, head to Nampodong Street, the bustling hub of the Busan International Film Festival (PIFF), known for its lively mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Conclude your day with a visit to Busan Tower, an iconic landmark offering sweeping panoramic views over the city and its bustling port. The tower’s design is inspired by the baldaquin of Dabotap Pagoda in Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver in the lobby for a full-day private tour of the Gyeongju Historic Areas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Often called an open-air museum, Gyeongju showcases an extraordinary collection of Korean Buddhist art and architecture. For nearly 1,000 years, the city served as the capital of the Silla dynasty, and its monuments remain as lasting symbols of its cultural brilliance. These sites are of exceptional importance in the history of both Buddhist and secular architecture in Korea.

Your journey begins at Bulguksa Temple, a Silla-era masterpiece and one of Korea’s most revered spiritual treasures. Continue to Seokguram Grotto, an exquisite Buddhist shrine renowned throughout Asia, then explore Royal Tumuli Park, where you will step inside Cheonmachong, one of the few excavated ancient tombs.

Visit Cheomseongdae Observatory, the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia - and possibly the world - before ending with a tranquil walk around Anapji Pond, a serene site reflecting the elegance of Silla-era landscaping.

After the tour, return to Busan for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast and check-out, meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for a comfortable transfer to the port, where you will continue your onward journey.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, your private driver will meet you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or take part in optional activities.

After breakfast, meet your private guide and begin exploring Fukuoka. Start with Yusentei, a serene Japanese-style garden that once served as the villa of the Kuroda feudal family until the mid-19th century. Then, savor a bowl of Nagahama ramen, one of the city’s most beloved local specialties.

In the afternoon, head to the Hakata district to visit Tochoji Temple and Kushida Shrine. At Tochoji, admire the Fukuoka Daibutsu, the largest seated wooden Buddha in Japan. Kushida Shrine, a guardian for Hakata merchants since the 8th century, is known for blessings of prosperity, longevity, and vitality.

After the tour, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at leisure.

After breakfast and check-out, meet your private driver for a transfer to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

Upon arrival in Hiroshima, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring the city at your leisure.

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide for a full-day exploration of Hiroshima. Begin at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, once the city’s political and commercial center before the atomic bombing. Its most notable site, the Peace Memorial Museum, offers a moving account of August 6 and the profound human impact of the bomb, standing as a lasting call for peace.

Continue to the A-Bomb Dome, or Hiroshima Peace Memorial, a former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall that withstood the explosion and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a powerful emblem of the city’s history.

After a lunch break, take a ferry to Miyajima Island, officially called Itsukushima but often referred to as “shrine island.” Here, marvel at the centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic torii gate, which appears to float gracefully at high tide.

At the end of the day, return to your hotel in Hiroshima for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast and check-out, meet your private driver at the hotel for a transfer to the airport or train station for your onward journey.

Upon arrival, your private driver will transfer you to your centrally located hotel for check-in. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax or start exploring the city at your own pace.

After breakfast, meet your private guide for a full-day city tour, traveling by public transportation to experience Osaka like a local. Begin at the Umeda Sky Building, an architectural landmark with two towers joined by the “Floating Garden Observatory” on the 39th floor, offering panoramic views from both enclosed and open-air decks.

Continue to Osaka Castle, first constructed in 1583 under Toyotomi rule as the heart of a unified Japan. Learn about its storied past, including periods of destruction and reconstruction. After a lunch break, head to the Shinsaibashi shopping district, the city’s most famous retail area with nearly 400 years of history. Browse shops, sample local specialties, or relax in one of its many cafes before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast and check-out, your private driver will transfer you to Osaka Airport or the train station for your onward journey.

Welcome to Tokyo, where cutting-edge innovation blends seamlessly with timeless tradition. Upon arrival, your driver will greet you in the arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to unwind after your journey or start exploring this dynamic city at your own pace.

In the morning, meet your private guide and begin your first half-day exploration of Tokyo. Start with an exterior view of the magnificent Imperial Palace, the residence of successive Emperors since 1868, offering a glimpse into Japan’s imperial history. Next, visit the Tokyo Skytree, Japan’s tallest structure, and enjoy panoramic views from its 350-meter (1,148-foot) observation deck.

Continue to Asakusa Temple, the city’s oldest and most celebrated temple, steeped in tradition and legend. Here, you can make a wish for good fortune before returning to your hotel for leisure time.

Start your day with a serene stroll through the beautiful Inokashira Koen Gardens. Depending on the season, you may be greeted by the soft hues of cherry blossoms or the rich colors of autumn leaves. Wander along its peaceful walking paths, take in the calming scenery, and enjoy the charm of the iconic Inokashira Pond. The gardens provide a refreshing escape from the busy city streets, offering a moment of quiet reflection in nature.

Next, make your way to Shinjuku, a district that perfectly blends modern energy with traditional charm. Begin your exploration in Kabukicho, the city’s famous entertainment quarter, where neon lights glow brightly, the streets are alive with activity, and every corner offers something new to discover. Walk through narrow lanes lined with shops, lively bars, and entertainment venues, and take in the striking cityscape of towering skyscrapers above.

In the midst of this vibrant urban scene, step into the peaceful Hanazono Shrine. Tucked away between Shinjuku’s high-rises, this historic Shinto shrine offers a quiet sanctuary where you can pause, take in the spiritual atmosphere, and experience a more traditional side of Tokyo before continuing your adventure.

This morning, meet your private guide or driver in the hotel lobby for your transfer to the train station. From here, you will embark on the next leg of your remarkable journey, carrying with you the memories and impressions of your time in Tokyo.