19Days Grand Japan & South Korea
Tokyo - Mt. Fuji – Hakone- Kyoto - Nara – Kyoto- Hiroshima – Osaka- Seoul – Gongju – Daejeon - Jeonju – Jinan – Gwangju - Boseong – Suncheon –Yeosu– Jinju – Busan- Ulsan – Gyeongju – Daegu– Andong – Wonju – Pyeongchang- Gangneung – Mt. Seorak- Seoul
Price from: $17,599 per peron on Twin sharing basis
Day 1: Arrive Tokyo
Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda airport, exit through the arrivals hall and look out for your name on a board that the assistant will be holding. You will be assisted to board an airport bus for your transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: Tokyo Morning Tour (B)
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel to join Tokyo Morning Tour. Enjoy the panoramic view of Tokyo from the main observation platform at Tokyo Tower, visit Meiji Shrine, drive past Akasaka House which is one of the two State Guesthouses of the Government of Japan. See the National Diet Building and visit Imperial Palace East Garden (or Imperial Palace Plaza & Double Bridge, Monday, Friday and when the garden is closed) and drive through Ginza shopping district. Tour ends in Ginza approx. 1 pm. The tour guide will inform you how to go back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day 3: Tokyo – Mt. Fuji – Hakone (B/L)
Your main suitcase will be transferred directly from Tokyo to Kyoto. Please leave your main suitcase with the porter/bell desk by 7:30 am. Please keep an overnight bag with you for the night in Hakone. After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to join a day tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. Visit Mt. Fuji 5th station in the morning. After lunch, Ropeway in Hakone and take a cruise on Lake Ashi. After the tour, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hakone by taxi.
Day 4: Hakone – Kyoto (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Odawara or Atami station by private car (Japanese speaking driver only). Take the bullet train to Kyoto (travel time 150min). You will be met by an English speaking assistant at Kyoto station upon arrival. Transfer to your hotel with the assistant. In the afternoon, you will join Kyoto Afternoon Tour on foot (Approx. 3.5 km walking including over steep terrain). You will meet an English speaking guide at Kyoto Station. Take public bus from the station to Higashiyama area and visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodai-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine and Gion district, one of the famous Geisha quarters. Tour ends in Gion approx. 6 pm.
Day 5: Nara – Kyoto (B)
Today, following breakfast, you will join Nara Morning Walking Tour (Approx. 4.5km walking). You will meet your English speaking guide at Kyoto station. Take a Kintetsu Express Train to Nara, the imperial capital of Japan in the 8th century. You will visit Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha), Nara Park, where over 1,200 wild shika deer freely roam around the park and Kofuku-ji Temple. Return to Kyoto by train. Tour ends at Kyoto station approx. 1 pm. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6: Kyoto – Hiroshima (B)
You will leave Kyoto for Hiroshima today. Make your own way to Kyoto station and take the bullet train to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, walk to your accommodation. Your hotel has a direct access from the station. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day 7: Hiroshima – Osaka (B)
Today, you will join Hiroshima and Miyajima.. After breakfast, make your own way to an assembly point at your hotel. You will take a short ferry ride to Miyajima and visit Itsukushima Shrine. Enjoy lunch on your own, for example, try Hiroshima-fu Okonomiyaki, Hiroshima style Japanese savory pancake. Back to Hiroshima city by a ferry and visit Hiroshima peace and Memorial Park and Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome. The tour ends at Hiroshima Station, approx. 6 pm. Take the bullet train to Osaka for your overnight stay.
Day 8: Osaka (B)
Today, you will join Osaka 1-day Walking Tour. You will visit Osaka’s famous sightseeing spots and learn about the city’s history and about Osaka. Enjoy a grand view from Aerial Garden Observatory, or Floating Garden Observatory, located on the 39th and 40th floor of two buildings of the Umeda Sky Building. After lunch time, take a train to visit Osaka Castle, built in 1583. Enjoy the scenery of the city, also known as “Aqua Metropolis Osaka” from boat, Aqua Liner. Return to Osaka station, where the tour ends, approx. 4:30 pm.
Day 9: Osaka – Seoul (B)
Transfer to Kansai International Airport by shuttle bus. Fly to Seoul. Upon arrival, you will be transferred in a private minivan to your hotel. Check-in to your hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 10: Seoul – Gongju – Daejeon (B/L/D)
Our guide will greet you at your hotel lobby in Seoul with “Discover Korea Tour” sign. Leave for Gongju, the ancient capital of Baekje Kingdom. You will visit Magoksa Temple, Gongsanseong Fortress and Tomb of Muryeong King where you will experience a tea ceremony with a Buddhist monk. Leave for Daejeon, one of the 5 major cities in Korea and check-in to your hotel after dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11: Daejeon – Jeonju – Jinan – Gwangju (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel you will leave for Jeonju, home of Korean Culture and tradition. Visit Jeonju Hanok (Korean Traditional House) Village. After Jeonju Bibimbap lunch at local restaurant, depart to Jinan and visit Tapsa Temple at Mt. Maisan and leave for Gwangju afterwards. Check-in to your hotel after dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 12: Gwangju – Boseong – Suncheon –Yeosu (B/L/D)
Sightseeing of the day will be Green Tea Plantation in Boseong, Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheonman Bay Ecological Park with Reeds Marshes, Yongsan Observatory and Eco-Museum in Suncheon. Transfer to Yeosu.
Day 13: Yeosu – Jinju – Busan (B/L/D)
Take a cruise ship to enjoy beautiful scenery around Odongdo Island in Yeosu. Transfer to Jinju and visit Jinjuseong Fortress. Transfer to Busan, the largest port city in Korea. Visit Nurimaru APEC House located at Dongbaekseom. Then visit Centum City Shopping Mall which has the largest department store in the world. Lunch and dinner will be served en route at local restaurants.
Day 14: Busan – Ulsan – Gyeongju – Daegu (B/L/D)
Leave for Ulsan after hotel breakfast and upon arrival, visit Ulgi Park which is a seaside park standing at the east coast. Transfer to Gyeongju and visit Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju National Museum, Anapji Pond and Tumuli Park. Transfer to Daegu hotel and check in after dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 15: Daegu – Andong – Wonju – Pyeongchang (B/L/D)
Leave for Andong and visit Hahoe Village upon arrival. After lunch at local restaurant, transfer to Wonju, Hanji Theme Park and experience of making Hanji (traditional Korean paper) is on the agenda for Wonju. Transfer to Pyeongchang for hotel check in. Lunch and dinner will be served at local restaurants.
Day 16: Pyeongchang – Gangneung – Mt. Seorak (B/L/D)
Leave for Gangreung and visit Jumunjin Fish Market. Transfer to Yangyang for a short hike at Jujeongol of Mt. Seoraksan enjoying the nature. Lunch at a local restaurant. Meet your private tour guide (driving guide) and drive to Daepohang Port. Overnight in Sokcho near Mt.Seorak.
Day 17: Demilitarised Zone Tour (B/L)
A day tour to DMZ. This is one of the most unusual tourist destinations in the world. This visit is a real eye-opening experience and it will leave with you a dramatic sense of the tremendous tragedy of separated families, the division of the peninsula and the hopes for reunification.
Day 18: Seoul (B)
Enjoy a city tour visiting Changyeong Palace & Chongmyo, Gyeongbok Palace, National Folk Museum and some interesting markets.
Day 19: Departure (B)
Return transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Included: Transfers and transport, Luggage transfer service in Japan ( Tokyo-Kyoto), Hotel accommodation based on twin share, English speaking guides and assistants, Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), Entrance fees to the sites listed, Seoul to Tokyo flight in economy, Japan Information Pack
Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.
Prices quoted are valid from 01 March - 30 September 2022. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.