Download a detailed PDF brochure and unlock an exclusive discount for this tour
Do you need help from our trip consultants?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Our travel experts are ready to help.
Why Book with Bookmundi
in travelcreditsYou will earn USD 0 in travel credits when you complete this tour. Credits are automatically added to your account on your tour start date and can be used towards any future Bookmundi booking.
Best price guaranteed.
No credit card or booking fees.
100% financial protection.Bookmundi is a member of the Danish Travel Fund which guarantees for any payment made via us. Our guarantee covers all travelers, irrespective of nationality.
Carbon neutral tours.Algorithms and machine learning enables Bookmundi to calculate the carbon footprint for each tour. We then subsequently offset carbon emissions for all tour bookings on Bookmundi via investments in carbon reduction projects to help combat climate change.
25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Essential Japan & South Korea - 25 days
BM-48507Share this tour link.
Best price guaranteed
No booking fees
E-ticket/Mobile-voucher
Carbon neutral
CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
4.67/5
Excellent based on 846 customer reviews from
Anonymous
Guillia put a great self-drive tour together for us and Susana looked after us as we travelled.
(Even when we got lost)
The car and accommodation was good and the guides patient and informative.
Only issue we had was parking in small villages, garages, and cities.
Apart from the parking we had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, thank you.
1 week ago
25 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants
17 peopleMaximum group size
18 - 55 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Moderate
Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.
Starts
Ends
Tokyo, Japan
Seoul, South Korea
Availability
Loading availability...
Customer Reviews
This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.
Tokyo - Visit historic Senso-ji Temple, the Akihabara anime district, the Imperial Palace and iconic Shibuya Crossing
Kamakura - Hike to the giant bronze Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple and Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine
Hakone - Cruise Lake Ashi aboard a pirate ship and ride the Hakone Ropeway cable car for amazing views of Mount Fuji, then relax in a traditional onsen
Kyoto - Ride a bullet train to the former imperial capital, visit the iconic Kiyomizu Temple and the beautiful Fushimi Inari Shrine, and enjoy a cycle tour of the city
Hiroshima - Take in the sobering Peace Memorial Museum, see the A-Bomb Dome and pay your respects to victims of the atomic bomb at the Children's Peace Monument
Osaka - Explore fascinating Osaka Castle and enjoy a night out in the neon paradise of Dotonbori
Miyajima Island - Visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and take the Miyajima Ropeway for spectacular views of the island
Seoul - Explore South Korea's enigmatic capital to see the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the iconic Blue House
DMZ - Peek into the reclusive state of North Korea, explore the Third Tunnel of Aggression and meet a North Korean defector
Jjimjilbang - Opt to spend an afternoon at a traditional Korean bath house in Busan, where you can relax in the sauna or an onsen hot bath
Seoraksan National Park - Hike to Ulsanbawi Rock and visit the North Korean refugee village of Abai by cable pulley boat
Gyeongju - Take a bicycle tour to highlights of the city including the Cheonmachong Ancient Tombs and Gyerim Forest
Golgulsa Temple - Stay at a traditional Buddhist temple in Gyeongju where you can practice martial arts, meditate and enjoy tea with a Buddhist monk
Busan - Visit the 14th century Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and enjoy free time to hit the beach or indulge in the city's thriving nightlife
Jeju - Admire cascading Jeongbang Waterfall and hike to Sunrise Peak, a cylindrical hill that is Jeju's most famous landmark
Osaka - Explore fascinating Osaka Castle and enjoy a night out in the neon paradise of Dotonbori
Miyajima Island - Visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and take the Miyajima Ropeway for spectacular views of the island
Seoul - Explore South Korea's enigmatic capital to see the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the iconic Blue House
DMZ - Peek into the reclusive state of North Korea, explore the Third Tunnel of Aggression and meet a North Korean defector
Jjimjilbang - Opt to spend an afternoon at a traditional Korean bath house in Busan, where you can relax in the sauna or an onsen hot bath
Seoraksan National Park - Hike to Ulsanbawi Rock and visit the North Korean refugee village of Abai by cable pulley boat
Gyeongju - Take a bicycle tour to highlights of the city including the Cheonmachong Ancient Tombs and Gyerim Forest
Golgulsa Temple - Stay at a traditional Buddhist temple in Gyeongju where you can practice martial arts, meditate and enjoy tea with a Buddhist monk
Busan - Visit the 14th century Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and enjoy free time to hit the beach or indulge in the city's thriving nightlife
Jeju - Admire cascading Jeongbang Waterfall and hike to Sunrise Peak, a cylindrical hill that is Jeju's most famous landmark
22 nights in a hostel stay, 1 night temple stay and 1 night in Ryokan
Meals
1 breakfast, 1 lunch & 2 dinners including a farewell Jeju Black Pork BBQ dinnerGroup welcome dinnerDinner at the Fish MarketFarewell Black Pork BBQ dinner
Transport
All transportation on public transport
Guide
Escorted by a local English/bilingual adventure tour leader in Japan and separate adventure leader in South Korea
Others
One way flight from Osaka - Seoul, Busan - Jeju (flight luggage allowance - 15kg checked-in and 10kg hand luggage)Japan - Sightseeing in Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Osaka, as per itinerarySushi-making classTokyo Metropolitan Government Building visitWelcome drinksTsujiki Outer MarketSensoji TempleMeiji ShrineShibuya Crossing visitFujikawaguchiko day excursionCalligraphy class at a local templeOld Tokaido hikeSightseeing cruise on Lake AshiHakone Ropeway to OwakudaniJapanese onsen visitSaké soirée – tasting partyHigashi Hongan-ji TempleFushimi Inari ShrineKiyomizu-dera TempleGion walking tourTodaiji TempleNara Park excursionCycle tour of KyotoMeditation class at Daisen-in TempleHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum tourMiyajima Island day tripGuided exploration of OsakaTaekwondo classNamsan Mountain cable carGyeongbokgung PalaceDMZ day tripK-pop dance classSeoraksan National Park visit & hikeAbai village visitTraditional group liquor tastingGolgulsa Temple stayGyeongju cycle tour, with visits to Cheonmachong Ancient Tombs and Cheomseongdae ObservatoryHalf-day city tour of Busan, including Gamcheon Culture Village and the Songdo marine cable carHaedong Yonggungsa Temple visitJeju Island nature hike, visiting Jjeongbang Waterfall, Oedolgae Rock & Seongsan IlchulbongYacht sailing tour
What's Excluded
Itinerary
Curious about the treasures of East Asia? The "Essential Japan & South Korea - 25 Days" tour offers an immersive journey through two vibrant nations, designed for experienced travelers and seniors seeking a moderately active trip. Begin in Tokyo, exploring the Imperial Palace and bustling Shibuya Crossing, then hike to Kamakura’s giant Buddha and unwind in Hakone’s soothing onsen baths. Cycle through Kyoto’s historic streets, reflect at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial, and admire Miyajima’s iconic torii gate.
Transition into South Korea to discover Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, engage with a North Korean defector at the DMZ, and journey through Busan and Seoraksan National Park. Experience a unique temple stay and cap off your adventure with a beach BBQ on Jeju Island. This tour’s distinctive feature is its balanced mix of cultural immersion, outdoor activities, and meaningful local interactions. For those who crave both discovery and connection, this trip promises a richly rewarding exploration of Japan and South Korea.
day 1Welcome to Tokyo
This afternoon we meet the group and your Adventure Leader for a welcome briefing covering the next two weeks, local etiquette, and safety. We then roll up our sleeves for our first included activity - a hands-on sushi-making class - and enjoy our creations for dinner. Afterwards we head up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for sweeping skyline views. Later, you can choose to join the group at a local bar to relax and get to know your fellow travellers.
