Experience Japan’s perfect harmony of ancient tradition and a modern way of life on this 12-day Premium adventure through the cultural heart of the country. You’ll start among Tokyo’s soaring skyscrapers, making your way to Hakone’s mountainous hot springs and find the meaning of relaxation in a cloud of fragrant steam. Then, head to Takayama, which delights with its Edo-era beauty. Shirakawa-go immerses you in charming countryside life before you discover the intriguing cultural diversity of Kyoto. Find a passion for peace in Hiroshima, take a sushi-making class with an expert, soak away your worries in an onsen and travel with a local leader who will share the rich variety of their country as you visit temples, castles, shrines and holy mountains.
Loved it all. The usual mix of guided tours and free time, with excellent hotels and a good crowd on the bus. Of course in any country there is so much to see and one tour cannot see it all but this was certainly a great effort at experiencing as much as possible within my time and budget constraints.
Truly unforgettable experience, and I can totally see why so many people on the tour had used G Adventures before. I will certainly be booking another one!
Your journey begins in Seoul, wherein you will visit Deoksugung Palace, sitting along the western-styled buildings showcasing a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Explore Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village; and Gyeongbokgung Palace, a 1395 palace located in the heart of Seoul. The journey continues to Jeonju through Suwon, wherein you will visit the intriguing Samsung Innovation Museum. Walk around the fascinating Old Town of Jeonju with tiny houses, and the next day leave for Busan. On the way to Busan, visit Haeinsa temple, which is one of the most significant Buddhist temples in South Korea. In Busan, visit a 14th-century Buddhist temple- Haedong Yonggung Temple, and take a walk in Yongdusan Park. Your tour in South Korea ends here as you leave for Shimonoseki in Japan with an overnight ferry. On reaching Shimonoseki, you depart for Iwakuni and visit its unique Kintai-Kyo Bridge, later continuing your journey to Hiroshima. In Hiroshima, tour the Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum, telling stories of the horrifying nuclear attack. The next day, you will travel to Matsuyama on Shikoku Island and take a cable car ride up to a 400-year-old Matsuyama castle. Continue your journey to Kobe, and on the way, experience walking on the glass floor of the Great Naruto Bridge. The following day brings you the most memorable experience of this trip. You leave for Osaka, followed by reaching Mount Koya, wherein you will spend a night in the monastery experiencing a Zen meditation session and experiencing the monk way of life for a night. Finally, travel to Kyoto and go on a city tour to visit the Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace, and the Kinkakuji temple before one of our best Japan tours comes to an end.
