Tokyo

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

IMPORTANT:
- Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at around 03:00 p.m. If you require earlier room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.

- The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Tokyo

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about five hours—through this simply stunning city! Its vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace and tranquility.

We’ll make a short stop at Zojoji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. You’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

We’ll continue our tour by bus along the elegant Omotesando Avenue, explore the most scenic part of the Imperial Palace and its gardens, and stop to visit the famous Nijubashi Bridge.

We’ll drive through Akihabara, the “Electric City,” known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture. Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city.

We’ll end our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore Sensoji Temple and the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel.

6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

Note: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

Tokyo - Mount Fuji - Kawaguchiko

Total distance covered: 191 km
Scenery: Beautiful mountain landscapes, with stunning views on the ascent to Mount Fuji.
Notes: Bring warm clothing, as it can be cold on Mount Fuji. In winter, the route to the mountain is often closed due to snow or weather conditions; during those times, we’ll go as far as we’re permitted.

8:00 a.m. – Departure.
We travel toward the beautiful Mount Fuji area, enjoying the scenic landscapes along our route.

10:00 a.m. – Kawaguchiko – Arrival.
We arrive in this idyllic town of charming houses, flowers, and mountains beside a stunning lake. Upon arrival, we’ll visit Arakurayama Sengen Park, famous for its beautiful pagodas and for offering some of the most iconic and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Fuji Sengen Shrine, a magical place surrounded by tall trees — traditionally the starting point of the pilgrimage up Mount Fuji. We’ll take a moment to give thanks at the shrine for the opportunity to visit such a spiritually rich and enchanting site.

Around 12:30 p.m. – We’ll enjoy a pleasant 30-minute boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko.

2:15 p.m. – After lunch, we’ll begin our ascent toward Mount Fuji via the road that leads to the “Fifth Station.” Driving through spectacular forests and enjoying panoramic views, we’ll reach an altitude of 2,305 meters (7,562 feet). You’ll have time to explore the area, popular among tourists and mountain climbers, stroll around, and visit the small shrine located there.

Note: In winter, the route to the Fifth Station is often closed due to snow or weather conditions; during those times, we’ll go as far as we’re permitted.

4:15 p.m. – Mount Fuji – Departure.
5:00 p.m. – Kawaguchiko – Arrival.
We’ll stay overnight at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), where we recommend enjoying the Onsen (public hot spring bath). The experience in this typical Japanese bath will be unforgettable. Dinner included.

Note: In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are Japanese-style with tatami mats, while others are Western-style. Occasionally, accommodation may be provided in a Western-style hotel instead.

Kawaguchiko - Iyasi no Sato Nenba - Toyota - Kyoto

Total distance covered: 390 km.

Note: Wear comfortable walking shoes for our visit to Shiraito Falls.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Kawaguchiko. We’ll travel along a scenic road bordered by the picturesque Kawaguchi and Saiko Lakes.
09:00 a.m. – Iyashi no Sato Nenba. This charming mountain village, once destroyed by a typhoon in 1966, has been beautifully restored as a traditional open-air museum. Its historic houses now serve as arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and cultural museums, offering a glimpse into Japan’s rural heritage.

10:00 a.m. – Departure from Iyashi no Sato Nenba.
10:45 a.m. – Arrival at Shiraito Falls. We’ll admire these breathtaking waterfalls, considered one of the most beautiful in Japan, with cascades that reach a height of 20 meters.

11:45 a.m. – Departure from Shiraito Falls. Free time at a service for lunch.
03:15 p.m. – Admission included to the Toyota Museum, a must-visit destination for car enthusiasts.

04:45 p.m. – Departure from the Toyota Museum.
07:00 p.m. – Kyoto. Accommodation and free time.

Kyoto

We’ll spend the entire day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to retain its rich artistic heritage. Notably, the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997.

We’ll include a visit to Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. Our tour will begin in Arashiyama, where we’ll admire the Togetsukyo Bridge, or “Bridge over the Moon.” This spot offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding landscape.

We’ll then visit the Tenryuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s “five great Zen temples” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a serene walk through its mystical bamboo forest.

Next, we’ll explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine; the Imperial Palace; and the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” surrounded by its spectacular gardens. (The order of the visits may vary.)

After the tour, you can enjoy some time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s vibrant traditional district, known for its lively atmosphere and geishas.

05:00 p.m. – Afterward, we’ll provide a transfer to Gion, Kyoto’s traditional and lively district, famous for its Geishas. You’ll have time to stroll and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic neighborhood. The return to the hotel will be on your own. We recommend taking a taxi, and your guide will explain how to do so.

Kyoto - Nara - Osaka

Total distance covered: 125 km.

08:00 a.m. - Departure from Kyoto.
09:00 a.m. - Nara. Our visit will take us to Todaiji Temple, a spectacular Buddhist site built in 752. The temple houses a giant Buddha statue and is surrounded by a serene park where you can interact with the friendly deer that roam freely. This will be your chance to take photos and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this historic area.

10:30 a.m. - Departure from Todaiji Temple.
11:15 a.m. - Horyuji Buddhist Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into Japan’s ancient spiritual heritage. Here, you can explore its seminary, monasteries, and temples, including the iconic main pagoda, one of the world’s oldest wooden buildings and the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. Horyuji remains an important place of worship and historical significance.

12:45 p.m. - Departure from Horyuji. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant before we continue to Osaka.
02:30 p.m. - Osaka. Arrival in Japan’s second-largest city, known for its modern skyline and vibrant culture. After check-in, you’ll have free time to explore.

In the evening, we’ll visit Dotonbori, a bustling and colorful district famous for its lively nightlife, neon signs, and excellent dining options. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Osaka - Busan

We’ll provide a transfer to Osaka for the included flight to Busan.

Welcome to Korea! Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to the hotel, and you’ll have some free time to explore. We’re in one of the country’s most vibrant cities, the second largest in South Korea.

Later in the day, the group we’ll be joining will arrive, and we’ll meet our guide for the remainder of this trip.

Busan – Seokguram Buddhist Grotto - Bulguksa Temple – Gyeongju - Daegu

Total distance covered: 225 km
Scenery: We travel through beautiful forest landscapes.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Busan.
10:00 a.m. – Arrival at Seokguram. Visit to this Buddhist Grotto (entrance included), an artificial cave carved into the rock in the 8th century and located on the slopes of Mount Tohamsan. It houses a monumental stone statue of Buddha facing the sea.

11:00 a.m. – Departure from Seokguram.
11:30 a.m. – Arrival at Bulguksa Temple (entrance included). Visit to this temple, considered one of the most beautiful in the country and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The temple houses seven National Treasures of Korea and is a masterpiece from the height of Buddhism during the ancient Silla Kingdom.

12:15 p.m. – Departure from Bulguksa Temple.
01:00 p.m. – Arrival in Gyeongju. Visit to this coastal city, the former capital of the Silla Kingdom, which lasted longer than any other dynasty in Korean history, for a total of 992 years under the rule of 56 kings. We will have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful wooden Woljeonggyo Bridge along the Namcheon River. Lunch included. We then continue to the Tumuli Park, where the tombs of the kings of the ancient Silla Kingdom, more than 1,500 years old, are located. We will visit one of these tombs (entrance included). Walking, we will reach Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

04:00 p.m. – Departure from Gyeongju.
05:30 p.m. – Arrival in Daegu, the fourth-largest city in Korea. Before heading to the hotel, we will visit Dongsan Cheongna Hill, a historic site where Christian missionaries once lived, and Dongseong-ro Shopping Street, the city’s liveliest area, with fashion shops, cafés, and restaurants, as well as the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine (entrance included), famous for its history of medicinal herbs in Eastern medicine.

08:00 p.m. – Approximate arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Daegu – Andong – Hahoe Village - Byeongsan Seowon – Seoul

Total distance covered: 287 km
Scenery: We travel through beautiful forests, valleys, and fields of rice and ginseng.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Daegu.
09:30 a.m. – Arrival in Andong. We will visit the traditional village of Hahoe Village (admission included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the outskirts of the city. Free time to stroll through the streets of this rural village that seems frozen in time. We will also visit the excellent World Mask Museum, featuring masks used for dances, medical practices, religious ceremonies, and theatrical performances. Lunch included at a local restaurant.

01:30 p.m. – Departure from Hahoe Village (Andong).
01:45 p.m. – Arrival at Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy founded in the 16th century. We visit this site, located beside a river in an idyllic setting full of peace and tranquility.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Byeongsan Seowon.
06:30 p.m. – Arrival in Seoul in the late afternoon. Overnight stay.

Note: The order of visits may be modified without affecting the planned content of the itinerary.

Seoul - DMZ - Seoul

Total distance covered: 150 km

Important Note: Please remember to bring your passport; it is mandatory. The DMZ is a military area and may be closed without prior notice. If this happens, an alternative tour will be provided.

08:30 am – Seoul. Departure.

09:30 am – Aegibong Peace Ecological Park (Gimpo)
Arrival at this symbolic space created to bring together peace, ecology, history, and culture, while promoting the values of Korean unification and collective memory. Observatory visit: From this viewpoint, it is possible to see North Korean territory at a very short distance across the river. This is a truly unique experience.

11:30 am – Aegibong Peace Ecological Park (Gimpo). Departure.

12:30 pm – Local restaurant. Arrival. Lunch included.

01:30 pm – Local restaurant. Departure.

02:00 pm – Paju Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang). Arrival at the border area that divides South Korea and North Korea. We will visit the National Memorial and Mangbaedan Altar, the Imjingak Pavilion, a symbol of peace, and take a cable car ride (included) to observe from above the areas near the Military Demarcation Line. Finally, we will visit the Freedom Bridge, a former railway bridge over the Imjin River that, after the war, was used to return prisoners of war to South Korea. Today, it stands as a historic symbol of hope. This site allows us to understand Korean history from a human perspective: family separation, war, the hope for reunification, and the contrast between natural beauty and historical wounds.

04:00 pm – Paju Demilitarized Zone (DMZ Imjingang). Departure.

04:45 pm – Seoul. Arrival.

05:30 pm – Seoul City Hall area. With our guide, we will visit the City Hall building, known for its wave-like (tsunami-shaped) design. Across from City Hall is Deoksugung Palace, where we can appreciate the coexistence of tradition and modernity in Korea. We will then walk to the Myeongdong district, the country’s largest commercial and entertainment area; its name means “bright tunnel.” Dinner included at a local restaurant. Return by Seoul’s modern subway system (ticket included).

09:30 pm – Hotel. Arrival and overnight stay.

Seoul

08:30 am – Today we include an extensive sightseeing tour of approximately five hours in Seoul. We will visit Changdeokgung Palace (entrance included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a palace complex set within a large park. Afterwards, we will stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historic neighborhood of small, well-preserved houses.
We will then visit the War Memorial of Korea (entrance included), an impressive museum that illustrates the conflicts experienced by Korea throughout its history, especially the Korean War, in which soldiers from many countries participated under the United Nations.

01:00 pm – Lunch included at a local restaurant.

12:00 pm – We continue to the Gangnam District, one of the busiest and most vibrant areas of the city, home to numerous shopping malls and entertainment venues. To conclude the day, we stop at LOTTE WORLD TOWER, an impressive 550-meter-tall building, where you will have free time to go up to the tower (admission not included) or to stroll through its park or luxury shopping centers.

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

Important note regarding Bukchon Hanok Village: Due to regulations established to protect the residential environment, our vehicle may only park in designated areas, and we will complete an approximate 900-meter walk to reach this historic neighborhood. For operational reasons, this visit may be replaced by Namsangol Hanok Village, also featuring traditional Korean architecture, ensuring the cultural content of the itinerary is maintained.

Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju

Total distance covered: 227 km
Scenery: Pleasant landscapes, rolling hills, and extensive cultivated areas.

08:30 AM – Hotel. Departure from the hotel.

09:00 AM – Gyeongbokgung Palace (entrance included). Arrival at this impressive palace with over 600 years of history, where we will attend the Changing of the Guard ceremony, if it is taking place.

10:30 AM – Gyeongbokgung Palace. Departure from Seoul heading south toward South Korea.

11:30 AM – Suwon. Arrival in the former capital of Korea, known for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortress walls. We will visit the walls and their fortifications, as well as the Hwaseong Haenggung Summer Palace (entrance included), notable for its traditional architecture. Lunch included at a local restaurant.

01:40 PM – Suwon. Departure.

04:00 PM – Jeonju. Arrival. With our guide, we will explore its fascinating historic center (Hanok Village), with its traditional houses, local shops, and art galleries. After the walk, free time.

Jeonju - Sunchang Gochujang Village - Damyang County – Haeinsa - Busan

Total distance covered: 415 km
Scenery: We travel through high mountains, enjoying especially beautiful landscapes in the Haeinsa area within the National Park.

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

08:00 AM – Jeonju. Departure.

08:40 AM – Sunchang Gochujang Village. Arrival. This traditional village is located at the foot of Amisan Mountain. With its hanok houses and courtyards filled with large earthenware jars known as hang-a-ri, it is home to expert gochujang (Korean chili paste) artisans who use traditional methods. We will enjoy a hands-on experience learning how this traditional sauce is prepared.

09:40 AM – Sunchang Gochujang Village. Departure.

10:00 AM – Damyang. Arrival. Visit to the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (entrance included), whose paths are considered among the most beautiful in the country—ideal for peaceful walks and enjoying the cool breeze. We will find all kinds of bamboo-crafted products, and visit places such as the Bamboo Museum (entrance included), where this plant is studied and revered.
Lunch included, featuring the local specialty of rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk.

12:30 PM – Damyang. Departure.

02:35 PM – Haeinsa Temple (entrance included). Amid impressive forest-covered mountain landscapes, we arrive at Haeinsa, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Korea and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, carved onto 80,000 wooden printing blocks.

04:20 PM – Haeinsa. Departure.

07:00 PM – Busan. Arrival in Korea’s second-largest city, known for its vibrant atmosphere. Overnight stay.

Busan – Haedong Yonggung – Songdo – Gamcheon Culture Village – Busan

Total distance covered: 85 km

Note: We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for the walk to the entrance of Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and for strolling through Gamcheon Cultural Village.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Busan.
09:15 a.m. – Arrival at Haedong Yonggungsa. Visit of this 14th-century Buddhist temple located on the coastal cliffs of Busan. Along the main access path to the temple, there is a row of stone statues representing the twelve figures of the Chinese zodiac, which, according to Eastern philosophy, are considered guardian deities.

10:15 a.m. – Departure from Haedong Yonggungsa.
11:15 a.m. – Arrival in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea, and city tour. We will visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (entrance included), where people from many different countries are buried. We will then head to the largest fish market in the country, located next to Nampo Port. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we walk to Yongdusan Park, home to its impressive 120-meter pagoda.

02:30 p.m. – Departure to Songdo Beach, which features the country’s first maritime cable car (included, subject to weather conditions), offering spectacular views of the bay. We then continue to one of Busan’s most picturesque neighborhoods, Gamcheon Cultural Village, filled with brightly colored buildings, labyrinth-like alleyways, art galleries, pottery workshops, and charming cafés.

06:45 p.m. – Departure from Gamcheon Cultural Village. Return to Busan.
07:15 p.m. – Arrival at the hotel in Busan. Overnight stay.

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