South Korea & Japan: a taste of two cultures

Seoul

Day 1: Welcome to South Korea

Touch down in Seoul, South Korea's capital, and let the adventure begin! Your private car and driver will whisk you from the airport straight to your downtown hotel.

Once you've settled in, the rest of the day is yours. Simply relax or dive right in and start exploring the beating heart of Seoul, a city where centuries-old palaces sit shoulder to shoulder with buzzing fashion districts and neon-lit streets.

However you choose to ease into it, this is your first taste of a place that effortlessly blends tradition and trendsetting cool.

Seoul

Day 2: Seoul: where old meets new

Kick off your Seoul adventure at Gyeongbokgung Palace where centuries of royal history and stunning traditional architecture set the tone. Step inside to the National Folk Museum for a glimpse into Korea's customs and everyday life. Next, wander the charming lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village, lined with beautifully preserved hanok houses.

As afternoon rolls in, glide up by cable car (or hike, if you're feeling up to it) to Namsan Tower for jaw-dropping panoramic city views. Cap the day at buzzing Gwangjang Market, sampling authentic Korean street food elbow-to-elbow with the locals.

Want to feel the part? Rent a hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, on-site.

Seoul

Day 3: A day of cultural immersion

In the morning, explore Tongin Market with a local guide. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere and get to know the original dosirak (lunchbox) concept while exchanging traditional tokens for a variety of local specialties from different stalls to create your own feast. This is an immersive experience right into the heart of Korean cuisine.

In the afternoon, go on a selfguided exploration of Gilsangsa Temple, a former private residence. Today, this Buddhist temple exudes an intimate, discreet atmosphere perfect for meditation and quiet walks.

Seongsu, Seouls creative, trendy district, is a vibrant neighborhood and cultural space inviting you to experience the city's contemporary artistic scene.

Finally, Insadong's charming alleys, galleries, shops, and tea houses give an authentic glimpse into Korean culture.

Seoul - Busan

Day 4: High-speed train to Busan

Take a taxi or metro to the railway station on your own for the KTX train to Busan. Ater three hours, you'll arrive at your destination. Find your way to your hotel in Busan on your own and enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

Busan

Day 5: Busan's temples, blooms & bright streets

Start your Busan day where the mountains meet the waves at Haedongyonggungsa, a rare seaside temple dating back to 1376. Wander scenic Dalmaji Road (pure magic when the cherry blossoms bloom), then feel the sand between your toes at Haeundae Beach, a sun-soaked stretch loved by swimmers and surfers.

In the afternoon, lose yourself in Gamcheon Culture Village where candy-colored houses stretch down the hillside like a living painting. Climb Hwangnyeongsan for jaw-dropping views (and more spring blossoms), catch the glittering Gwangan Bridge from afar, and cap it all off at Jagalchi, Korea's biggest seafood market.

Busan - Osaka - Kyoto

Day 6: From Seoul to sacred Kyoto

Say your goodbyes to South Korea as your private car whisks you to the airport where you'll board a flight bound for Japan.

Just two hours later, you touch down in Osaka. Your driver will greet you, ready for the scenic two-hour journey inland to Kyoto. Once the imperial capital, this is the timeless spiritual heart of Japan, a city of ancient temples, tranquil gardens, and centuries of tradition waiting to unfold. Settle in and let the magic begin.

Kyoto

Day 7: Enjoy a traditional kimono tea ceremony

In the morning, meet your guide and set out to discover Kyoto's most iconic landmarks and traditions. Begin with a visit to Nijo Castle, built during the Edo Period as the residence of the first shogun. This castle complex showcases the elegance of palace architecture and provides a glimpse into Japan's feudal history.

Continue to Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), officially named Rokuon-ji. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its shimmering goldleaf top floors. Enjoy the Muromachi-period garden design with reflective ponds, moss, and stone arrangements.

Next, explore the hillside Kiyomizu-dera Temple to enjoy breathtaking views of Kyoto.

Finally, look forward to an immersive kimono tea ceremony, guided by a tea master, in a traditional machiya, a a protected historic townhouse. Choose your kimono while women also enjoy traditional hairstyling.

Kyoto

Day 8: Explore Kyoto at leisure

Spend the day at your leisure and explore places such as Arashiyama whose bamboo grove and Tenryū-ji temple are both impressive and poetic.

Alternatively, venture into Nara Park to see holy shika deer. These animals are used to people and easy to approach, making this the perfect outing for animal lovers of all ages.

If food is your true love, head to Nishiki Market to sample local delicacies such as fresh seafood, pickles, and sweets as well s kitchen utensils.

Kyoto - Tokyo

Day 9: From Kyoto to Tokyo

Today, enjoy a free day to spend as you wish.in the morning, you can visit the famous Fushimi Inari shrine with more than 30,000 red tori leading the way over 5 km.

The district of Gion is also a good choice: stroll the small streets past preserved wooden houses, and you may catch a glimpse of a Geisha or Maiko.

In the afternoon, board the Shinkansen train to Tokyo and check in to your hotel.

In the evening, head to the Shibuya District. From bold fashion and themed cafés to towering screens and the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, this district is always on the move. And don't miss the Hachiko statue, honoring an Akita dog renowned for waiting at the station every day for nearly 10 years after his owner died.

Tokyo

Day 10: Tokyo's timeless side

Step back through the centuries in a city that wears its history beautifully. Start at the serene Meiji Shrine, built in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, then wander the east gardens of the Imperial Palace where the seasons paint the grounds in ever-changing color.

Next, meet Asakusa's showstopper: the Kaminarimon gate at Sensoji Temple, its giant red lantern towering nearly 4 meters overhead.

Browse the centuries-old Nakamise shopping street for dazzling souvenirs and irresistible street snacks. When the tour wraps, we'll whisk you back to your hotel or drop you in buzzing Shinjuku or elegant Ginza to shop, sip, and savor a few more local flavors.

Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Tokyo

Day 11: Fuji: springs, shrines & sacred views

Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Mount Fuji rises like a postcard come to life. Start at Oshino Hakkai where crystal-clear spring water pools beside thatched-roof houses straight out of a folktale.

Then climb to Arakurayama Sengen Shrine, and on a clear day, keep going to the Chureito Pagoda for that iconic shot: a five-story pagoda framed by snowcapped Fuji.

Wrap up at Lake Kawaguchi, one of Fuji's five lakes, where the mountain mirrors itself across glassy water in a view you won't soon forget.

tokyo

Day 12: Farewell, Japan

Your last morning in Tokyo is yours to savor. Sleep in, chase one more bowl of ramen, hunt down souvenirs, or simply wander a favorite neighborhood one final time.

When the time comes, settle in for a private transfer that whisks you straight from your hotel to the airport, no train maps or luggage juggling required. Kick back, watch the city slip past the window, and let the memories settle in as you begin your journey home.