Essence of Japan with South Korea
Essence of Japan with South Korea
Essence of Japan with South Korea
19 Days
From:
$9772 (USD) including Flights from the UKNB: Prices correct on 20-May-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
Combine two incredible Asian destinations for an experience-rich trip you’ll never forget. To start, we’ll follow the route of our bestselling Essence of Japan tour. Tokyo’s skyscrapers, Kyoto’s teahouses, snow-tipped mountains, steamy hot springs - we’ll see them all as we journey between cities, hill towns and riverside hamlets by coach and bullet train. Then, it’s time for South Korea. Visit Seoul and Busan, explore palaces and shrines, browse antique stores and art galleries, and tour the DMZ separating north and south. We’ll also tap into Korea’s foodie heritage with a cooking masterclass and a traditional barbecue. Our Japan and South Korea tours depart in spring and autumn, to make the most of the cherry blossom and leaf-peeping seasons in both countries.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Tokyo.
Day 2
On our Japan tours, we stay in Shinjuku, the futuristic, neon-lit neighbourhood in the heart of Tokyo. On arrival the rest of the day is free.
Day 3
Prepare for a fantastic day of Tokyo sightseeing as our tour guide helps us to embrace this dazzling city. As we walk out amidst skyscrapers and the world’s tallest self-supporting tower (the Tokyo Skytree), we find Tokyo’s traditional side. Learn the stories behind legendary landmarks like the moated Imperial Palace, Tokyo’s oldest temple - Sensō-ji, and Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine set on a tree-lined avenue.
Day 4
It's time for a Mount Fuji visit this morning. Standing out from its surroundings at 3,776m high, Japan’s tallest mountain has inspired countless artists and photographers. Clouds often linger around this active volcano, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed to catch a sight of the iconic snow-capped peak as we travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto. If the weather is clear, you’ll see the volcano’s image reflected on the placid waters of Lake Jawaguchi.
Day 5
Known as one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Matsumoto is a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. In the spring, take your time to stroll among the cherry blossoms in the spacious castle gardens.
Stop to sample sake (Japanese rice wine) in a traditional brewery, before we take the breathtaking journey through thick pine forests and snow-tipped peaks of the Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. We’ll call in at the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and displays highlighting crafts and ancient traditions.
Day 6
Meiji-era inns, hillside shrines and a pretty riverside setting - the hamlet of Takayama is traditional Japan at its finest. Soak in the local character on our walking tour, when we’ll see highlights such as the open-air flower and fruit market and government house.
Day 7
Next on our Japan itinerary, we transfer by coach to Kanazawa, visiting the World Heritage Shirakawago Village en route. Kanazawa is a historic castle town, boasting beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts. Our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai (the ‘teahouse district’).
Day 8
We pack overnight bags whilst our luggage is transferred to Kyoto. We’ll have another sweep of the city, stopping at the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and BukeYashiki (Samurai’s house).
Located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle and covering an area of 11.4 hectares, the Kenroku-en Garden was created in the 1620s and opened to the public in 1874. It’s the epitome of a traditional Japanese garden with plum and cherry blossoms, artificial ponds, hills and buildings.
From the quaint, quiet streets of Kanazawa, we’ll go full throttle into one of Japan’s other passions. The Shinkansen (bullet train) will hurtle us from Kanazawa to Hiroshima in perfect comfort.
Day 9
Leafy Hiroshima, with its wide boulevards and friendly locals, might not be what you expected. It’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city of peace with a devastating history. Today we’ll catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island to admire the ancient Itsukushima Shrine and its torii gate. We'll spend some time strolling through the park. In autumn, the maples here are ablaze with rich reds and oranges.
Back in Hiroshima, we’ll take a walking tour around the Peace Memorial Park and take some time for reflection at the Atomic Bomb Museum.
Day 10
Another bullet train takes us to Osaka, where we’ll board our coach for the onward journey to Nara, a former capital of Japan. The 8th-century Todaiji temple - supposedly the oldest wooden structure in the world - is wondrous, but the real highlight here are the adorable deer roaming through Nara Park. You can buy a packet of crackers to feed them - they’ll even bow to you before you feed them.
We arrive in Kyoto this afternoon. With its wealth of shrines and temples, colourful gardens and variety of arts and crafts shops, it's a real highlight of our Japan tour package. We’ll uncover geisha culture with some time in the Gion area - Japan’s most famous geisha district.
Day 11
Highlights of this morning’s tour include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple (a Zen temple with a famous rock garden), and the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf.
We also visit Nijo, a fortified castle with unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on.
Day 12
We’ll sit down for a cuppa before leaving Kyoto this morning - it is the birthplace of the traditional tea ceremony, after all. Learn the intricacies of this graceful discipline, considering simple details like holding the bowl so your friends can enjoy the beauty of its decoration. You can read about these rituals in any Japan travel guide, but there's nothing quite like experiencing it first hand. You’ll never drink tea at home the same again!
Another bullet train whisks us from Kyoto to Mishima. We’ll check into our hotel and if the weather is kind you’ll have views of Mount Fuji from your room.
Day 13
We drive to Hakone and embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi for stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. We’ll jump in a cable car all the way up to the Owakudani Valley and Hot Springs, in the crater of Mount Hakone. Later, we’ll head to our airport hotel, ready to jet off for our South Korea tour tomorrow.
Day 14
We transfer to the airport for our flight to Busan, Korea’s second city, ready to begin the next chapter of our adventure. This evening, we’ll be introduced to Korean barbecue - a traditional style of dining that’s been popular here for thousands of years. Expect sizzling meats, aromatic sauces, and heaps of delicious sides and veggies.
Day 15
Today’s guided tour of Busan will start at the cliffside Buddhist temple of Haedong Yongungsa, a place particularly lovely during the springtime, thanks to the surrounding cherry blossom trees. We’ll also take in the city views from Dongbaekson Island, see the white sands of Haeundae Beach, and soar above the ocean on the Busan Air Cruise cable car.
Day 16
This morning, we’ll explore some of the sites of Gyeongju Historic Area, noted by UNESCO for its incredible display of Korean Buddhist art and architecture. Wander through the hushed halls of 1,500-year-old Bulguksa Temple, see the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia, and learn more about the domed tombs of Daereungwon Tomb Complex. After lunch, we’ll board the KTX - South Korea’s bullet train - and speed north to the capital, Seoul.
Day 17
Seoul is an incredible fusion of cutting-edge and traditional. Sleek malls sell the latest skin care, cosmetics and fast fashion, narrow alleyways hide teahouses and craft workshops, and food markets thrum with activity as locals fill up on mandu dumplings and steaming hot pancakes.
Our guided tour of Seoul ticks off all the highlights, from the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace (where we’ll watch the royal changing of guards ceremony and pay a visit to the National Folk Museum) to the lost-in-time village of Bukchon Hanok, preserved to offer a glimpse of life in Seoul hundreds of years ago. A visit to Insadong takes us to Seoul’s cultural heart. We’ll see traditional wooden teahouses, stalls selling antiques, and numerous galleries displaying works from local artists.
In the evening, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a Korean cooking class. Prepare to get hands-on as we learn how to prepare and cook a traditional Korean meal - we’ll get to tuck into our creations for dinner.
Day 18
We’ll spend the morning at the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the strip of land which divides the Korean peninsula in two. Learn more about the Korean War and the families affected by the division, step inside one of the infiltration tunnels which run underneath the border, and reflect at Imjingak Park, dotted with statues and monuments remembering those affected. Your afternoon is at leisure back in Seoul.
Day 19
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
-
17 nights in hotels and 1 in flight
-
International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Korean Air from London Heathrow (outbound via Seoul).
-
Titan tour manager and local guide
-
21 meals: 17 breakfasts 2 lunches 2 dinnersundefined excursions and visits
-
City tours of Tokyo, Kanazawa (including Kenroku-en Garden), Kyoto, Busan and Seoul
-
Mount Fuji Visitor Centre
-
Visits to Matsumoto Castle, Shirakawago Village, Miyajima Island and Nara (including Todaiji Temple and Nara Park)
-
Sake tasting at a traditional brewery
-
Walking tours of Takayama and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
-
Three journeys on the bullet train
Check out our Q&As
-
Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
Reviews of this operator
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Saturday
Mar 18, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Apr 08, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Tuesday - Saturday
Apr 15, 2025 - May 03, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
Trusted Agent
Multi award-winning agency with almost 50 years experience.
Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot – the highest-rated high-street travel agent.
We look after you every step of the way.