Lights of Japan and Korea

Welcome to Korea! You’ll be transferred to your hotel and have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll receive information about the start of your tour.

Total distance covered: 250 km.

Important note: Please remember to bring your passport, as it is required. The DMZ is a military zone and could be closed unexpectedly without prior notice. If this happens, an alternative route will be provided.

07:30 a.m. – Early departure to the Cheorwon region and its section of the DMZ, the Demilitarized Zone marking the separation between the two Koreas.
09:30 a.m. – Arrival in Cheorwon. We’ll explore the Second Tunnel, secretly dug by the North Korean army and discovered in 1975. Next, we’ll head to the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, which offers panoramic views of the DMZ and the first villages of North Korea. Inside, there is a small museum detailing the Korean War. Our route will continue with a visit to the disused Woljeong-ri train station. We’ll also visit the Baek Ma Battle Memorial, commemorating the intervention of a French UN battalion during the fighting. Lunch included. Lastly, we’ll visit a local distillery that produces Korea’s traditional rice liquor, Makgeolli.

03:00 p.m. – Departure from Cheorwon. Return to Seoul.

06:00 p.m. – With our guide, we go to City Hall, to see this impressive tsunami-looking building. Across from City Hall, we’ll see Deoksugung Palace, beautifully lit at night, allowing us to appreciate the blend of tradition and modernity in this country. From there, we’ll walk to the Myeongdong district, South Korea’s largest shopping and entertainment area, whose name means “bright town.” Dinner will be included at a local restaurant. To return to hotel we’ll take the modern and efficient metro (ticket included). Overnight accommodation.

08:30 a.m. – Today, we’ll include a comprehensive five-hour tour of Seoul. We’ll explore Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a complex of palaces set within a large park. Afterward, we’ll stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighborhood with traditional small homes. Next, we’ll visit the War Memorial, an impressive museum that illustrates the conflicts experienced in Korea throughout its history, especially the Korean War, in which soldiers from numerous countries participated with the United Nations.

01:00 p.m. – Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

02:00 p.m. – We’ll continue to the Gangnam District, one of the busiest areas in the city, home to numerous shopping and entertainment centers. Finally, we’ll stop at Lotte World Tower, an impressive 550-meter-tall building, where you’ll have free time to either go up the tower (ticket not included) or stroll through its park or luxury shopping malls.

04:30 p.m. – Return to the hotel and free time.

Total distance covered: 227 km.

Scenery: Pleasant landscapes, rolling hills, and vast cultivated areas.

08:00 a.m. – Today, we’ll visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, an impressive palace with 600 years of history, where we’ll witness the changing of the guard ceremony, if it takes place.
10:00 a.m. – We’ll depart from Seoul and head south through Korea.

11:00 a.m. – Arrival in Suwon, the former capital of Korea, known for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage walls.
12:15 p.m. – Before leaving the city, we’ll take a scenic drive along the city walls and their fortifications, and visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace.

01:30 p.m. – Lunch will be included.

02:30 p.m. – Departure for Jeonju.
04:30 p.m. – Arrival in Jeonju. With our guide, we’ll explore the fascinating historic center (Hanok Village), filled with little houses, traditional shops, and art galleries. After the tour, you’ll have free time.

Total distance covered: 415 km.

Scenery: We’ll travel through high mountains, with beautiful landscapes around Haeinsa in the National Park.

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for the walk to Haeinsa Temple.

08:30 a.m. - Departure from Jeonju.
09:40 a.m. - Sunchang Gochujang Village. Nestled at the foot of Mount Amisan, where you’ll find traditional hanok houses and courtyards filled with clay jars called hang-a-ri, this town is home to master artisans who make gochujang (Korean chili paste) using traditional methods. We’ll get a chance to see how this iconic sauce is made.

10:20 a.m. - Departure from Sunchang Gochujang Village.
10:40 a.m. - Damyang. We’ll explore the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest, with scenic trails that are perfect for peaceful walks and meditation. You’ll also find various products made from bamboo, which are honored and studied in centers such as the Bamboo Museum. Lunch will be included, featuring a local dish of rice steamed inside a bamboo stalk.

01:50 p.m. - Departure from Damyang.
04:00 p.m. - Arrival at Haeinsa. Surrounded by breathtaking forested mountains, we’ll visit one of the country’s most important Buddhist temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka, the most comprehensive collection of Buddhist scriptures, carved on 80,000 wooden blocks.

05:00 p.m. - Departure from Haeinsa.
07:45 p.m. - Busan. We’ll arrive in Korea’s second-largest city, famous for its lively atmosphere. Overnight stay.

Note: The journey from Busan to Shimonoseki is planned as an overnight ferry crossing, but due to high demand and limited cabin availability, the trip may be as follows:

1. High-speed ferry from Busan to Fukuoka (approximately three hours).
2. Flight from Busan to Fukuoka (approximately one hour).

08:30 a.m. - We’ll depart from Busan to visit Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple by the sea. After returning to Busan, we’ll include a city tour, starting with the United Nations Memorial, home to a cemetery where people from numerous countries are buried. Next, we’ll explore the Jagalchi Fish Market, the country’s largest fish market, located near Nampo Port. Lunch will be included. After, we’ll take a walk to Yongdusan Park, home to a towering 120-meter pagoda.

04:00/04:30 p.m. - Transfer to the port for check-in procedures (check-in deadline is 05:30 p.m.). Be sure to have your passport handy and remove all luggage from the bus. The ferry is scheduled to depart at 09:00 p.m. We’ll spend the night aboard the ferry, crossing the Sea of Japan. Accommodation will be in double cabins with private bathrooms. Some cabins may be in the traditional Japanese tatami style, offering a chance to experience local culture.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If one of the alternative routes is taken (high-speed ferry crossing or flight from Busan to Fukuoka), the visit to Haedong Yonggung Temple will take place the previous afternoon (Thursday).

For this day, the itinerary will be as follows:

08:30 a.m. - We’ll include a city tour, starting with the United Nations Memorial, where people from numerous countries are buried. Afterward, we’ll visit the Jagalchi Fish Market, the country’s largest fish market located near Nampo Port, and take a stroll to Yongdusan Park to see its towering 120-meter pagoda. Lunch will be included.

02:00 p.m. - Departure for the port to board the JR Beetle Ferry to Japan or transfer to the airport for a flight from Busan to Fukuoka.

06:30/07:00 p.m. - Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel. Enjoy some free time in Fukuoka, the largest city on Kyushu Island.

Total distance covered: 190 km.

07:45 a.m. – Arrival at Shimonoseki Port for the border crossing (breakfast not included). Welcome to Japan!
11:30 a.m. – Iwakuni. We’ll visit the beautiful and historic Kintai-Kyo Bridge.

12:15 p.m. – We’ll take a ferry to Miyajima, the island known as the place “where gods and humans coexist.” It is home to the Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas and partially built over the water. There will be time to explore the temple, stroll through the charming town center, and enjoy lunch.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Miyajima. We’ll embark and continue our route.
04:45 p.m. – Hiroshima - the city sadly known for the atomic bombing of 1945, which completely devastated the area. We’ll walk through the Peace Memorial, see the atomic bomb dome, and visit the impressive Peace Museum.
Dinner will be included.

Note: If the number of travelers is nine or fewer, the journey from Shimonoseki (or Fukuoka) to Hiroshima may be taken by high-speed train. In this case, the stop in Iwakuni will be skipped (you’ll be informed on your travel voucher), and the visit will start in Hiroshima before heading to Miyajima.

Total distance covered: This stage will be completed by ferry, covering approximately 50 km.

Scenery: Fascinating views onboard as we pass by a multitude of islands.

Note: We recommend enjoying the journey from the deck; bring warm clothing.

Today, we’ll board a ferry to Shikoku Island, a pleasant journey of just over two and a half hours that offers insight into Japan, a nation composed of many islands. If there are no schedule changes, our ferry will depart at 09:20 a.m. (departure from the hotel at 08:00 a.m.).

12:00 p.m. – Matsuyama – arrival. We’ll take a cable car or chairlift to visit its impressive castle. Afterward, we’ll visit Ishiteji, a stunning Buddhist temple and important pilgrimage site. Lunch will be included.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll include admission to Dogo Onsen, a traditional Japanese bathhouse built in the 19th century.

Note: We highly recommend experiencing Japan’s Onsen culture. There are specific customs that will be explained to you, such as gender-separated baths and the requirement to thoroughly clean yourself before entering the hot water naked. Please be aware that some Onsen facilities may deny entry to individuals with tattoos.

Total distance covered: 345 km

Scenery: Pleasant mountainous landscapes in some areas. Passage over large suspension bridges across the sea.

Note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.

07:30 a.m. – Departure from Matsuyama.
10:00 a.m. – Kotohira. We’ll visit a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors, a pilgrimage site located on Mount Zozu, accessible by climbing 785 steps. For those who prefer not to climb, the base of the mountain offers a lively tourist area and a small sake museum (Japan’s traditional distilled beverage).

12:00 p.m. – Departure from Kotohira.
01:00 p.m. – Takamatsu. We’ll visit Ritsurin, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

03:00 p.m. – Departure from Takamatsu.
04:15 p.m. – Naruto. We’ll stop at an impressive bridge that crosses the sea. Here, we’ll explore its fascinating construction and walk on its glass floor to admire the stunning sea whirlpools (visible depending on the schedule and tides) from 45 meters above.

05:15 p.m. – Departure from Naruto. Enjoy beautiful scenery as we cross large suspension bridges.
07:00 p.m. – Kobe. A modern city by the sea, where you’ll have the chance to stroll through its lively downtown area.

Total distance covered: 140 km.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a site dedicated to remembering the tragic earthquake that struck the city in 1995 and showcasing its remarkable reconstruction.

10:30 a.m. - Departure from Kobe and continuation toward Osaka.
11:15 a.m. – Osaka, Japan´s second-largest city. We’ll make a brief technical stop in Osaka only if required for the start or end of a tour for any passenger.

11:30 p.m. - Departure from the city toward the sacred mountain of Koya, the most important center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. We’ll stop for lunch along the way. This magical pilgrimage site is home to 120 temples and monasteries. We’ll visit the Okuno Mausoleum, a deeply spiritual place and vast cemetery set in nature, with over 200,000 graves. We’ll also visit the Kongobuji Temple, built in 1593.

We will spend the night in a Buddhist monastery. The monks will guide us through a Zen meditation practice (Ajikan). Dinner will be included (vegetarian meal). If you wish, you can attend the early morning religious ceremony at the temple.

Notes:
-On certain dates, the visit to the Earthquake Museum may be replaced by a visit to the Sake Museum or a trip up Kobe Tower.
-Staying at the monastery is considered a highly valuable experience. The rooms are simple, without private bathrooms, and follow traditional Japanese style with tatami mats. Bathrooms are shared.
-We cannot guarantee the meditation practice during peak tourist dates. Since accommodation capacity in the temples on Mount Koya is limited, in some cases, we may accommodate groups in nearby hotels (with half board included).

Total distance covered: 130 km.

We’ll begin the day with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple.

07:15 a.m. - Departure for Kyoto.
10:30 a.m. - Kyoto. We’ll spend the entire day exploring this historic city, which served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and was the seat of the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to retain its incredible artistic and cultural heritage. The famous Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions was signed here in 1997.

Our tour will cover some of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, including the Kinkakuji Temple—commonly known as the "Golden Pavilion"—surrounded by its stunning gardens and the Imperial Palace. Free time for lunch. Afterwards, visit the breathtaking Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari. Transfer to Gion will be included. This lively, traditional district is renowned for its Geisha culture and offers a glimpse into Kyoto’s historic charm. Enjoy free time to explore. The return to the hotel will not be accompanied; we recommend taking a taxi, and the guide will provide instructions on how to do so.
Note: If you have already visited Kyoto as part of your circuit, our guide will offer personalized advice and information for exploring other parts of the city on your own.

Total distance covered: 320 km.

Scenery: Beautiful countryside views.

07:30 a.m. - Departure from Kyoto. We’ll set out for Tsumago, passing through picturesque rural landscapes.
11:15 a.m. - Tsumago. This charming village, renowned for its traditional wooden houses, is one of the most beautiful places in Japan. You’ll have free time to explore, and lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

01:30 p.m. - Departure from Tsumago.
02:45 p.m. - Matsumoto. Arrival in this vibrant city, where we’ll visit the stunning 16th-century castle, known as the “The Crow.” Afterward, enjoy free time to discover this bustling tourist hub.

05:15 p.m. - Departure from Matsumoto.
06:30 p.m. - Nagano.

Total distance covered: 160 km.

Scenery: Today, our journey will take us through the stunning Japanese Alps, showcasing breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Note: Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the Monkey Park.

Early in the morning, in Nagano, we’ll visit the Zenkoji Temple, a significant pilgrimage site housing the first Buddhist image brought to Japan. Guests will have the unique opportunity to participate in the Gomakuyo ceremony, believed to bring good luck.

10:30 a.m. - Departure from Nagano. We’ll travel through the high mountains.
11:30 a.m. - Monkey Park. Here, you’ll enjoy a delightful walk through lush forests with rivers and thermal springs, home to colonies of Japanese monkeys that bathe in the natural hot springs. Lunch will be included.

01:45 p.m. - Departure from the park. Our journey will continue through spectacular mountain scenery, reaching altitudes of up to 2,172 meters and passing by semi-active volcanoes.
03:00 p.m. - Kusatsu. This charming spa city features a vibrant main square and a beautiful city park with outdoor onsen. Enjoy some time to stroll and immerse yourself in the relaxing atmosphere.

05:45 p.m. - Departure from Kusatsu.
07:15 p.m. - Ikaho. Arrival in this picturesque spa town, known for its historic center with charming staircase streets. We’ll stay at a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style hotel, where you can continue enjoying the soothing baths. A traditional Japanese dinner will be included.

Notes:
-During the autumn, the movement of the monkeys can be unpredictable due to the availability of fruit in the mountains. If the macaques do not descend to the park, it may be closed.
-Visits to Kusatsu may be canceled from November to April due to weather conditions.
-On certain dates, accommodation may be provided in nearby towns such as Takasaki or Maebashi, in a Western-style hotel.

Total distance covered: 310 km.

07:45 a.m. - Departure from Ikaho Onsen.
10:00 a.m. - Nikko. This enchanting town is home to remarkable cultural and historical treasures. We’ll visit the magnificent Nikko Toshogu Shrine, famous for its elaborate architecture, and the Hall of the Crying Dragon, known for its acoustic marvels. Next, we’ll explore the peaceful Taiyuinbyo Mausoleum, nestled in a serene setting. Later, you can enjoy a tranquil walk along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, a riverside path guarded by hundreds of Jizo statues. You’ll have free time to enjoy lunch and explore the city center.

03:30 p.m. - Departure to Tokyo.
06:30 p.m. - Tokyo.

In the morning, we’ll enjoy an extensive guided tour of this truly mesmerizing city, lasting approximately five hours. Tokyo’s vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist beautifully with its tranquil, serene spaces.

We’ll begin with a brief stop at Zojoji Temple, where you’ll capture one of the most iconic views of the Tokyo Tower. The temple grounds are adorned with hundreds of Jizo statues, intricately carved stone figures believed to be protectors of children, dressed in colorful knit caps, bibs, and windmills.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, often hailed as the busiest intersection in the world, followed by a visit to the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

Our journey will continue by bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue. We’ll then see the most picturesque parts of the Imperial Palace and its gardens and stop to admire the iconic Nijubashi Bridge.

As we proceed, we’ll pass through the vibrant Akihabara district, also known as the “Electric Town,” a hub for Japanese manga and anime culture. We’ll also drive past the Kokugikan, Japan’s renowned sumo wrestling arena.

We’ll conclude our tour in Asakusa, visiting the historic Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street.

Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel.

At 6:30 p.m., we’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the metro (tickets included) to the lively Shinjuku district. Here, we’ll enjoy a stroll through its bustling streets, renowned for their vibrant nightlife, as we head to a local restaurant for dinner (included). Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel by metro, accompanied by our guide.

Important Note: For groups with fewer than five passengers, the city tour will be conducted using a “Hop-On Hop-Off” tourist bus. These buses follow routes covering Tokyo’s most iconic attractions, allowing you to disembark, explore points of interest, and reboard the next bus at your convenience.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.