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 seven 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, that we will see from the bus. It is known as the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.
Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included up to Tembo Deck at 350 meters high), 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 passing by Akihabara district, the "Electric City", known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture; and Ginza district.

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 - Kyoto

Total distance covered by bullet train: 430 km.

07:00 a.m. - Departure from the hotel. We’ll transfer to Tokyo Station to board a high-speed bullet train. The journey will take approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.

Note: You’ll be accompanied to the station, but during the train journey, a guide will not travel with you if the group for this section of the trip has fewer than 15 people. Upon your arrival at Kyoto Station, our guide will be waiting to continue the tour.

10:30 a.m. - Kyoto. We’ll meet our main guide and begin exploring this historic city, which served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and hosted the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to preserve its extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. Kyoto is also known as the site where the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was signed, a treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

Kyoto- Fukuoka

Transfer to the train station to board the high-speed train, scheduled to depart around 9:30 a.m. In less than three hours, we’ll cover more than 600 kilometers (373 miles) as we travel toward the island of Kyushu. Connected to Japan’s main island by bridges, Kyushu is the third-largest island in Japan. Known for its mild climate, volcanic landscapes, and hot springs, it offers a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation.
Fukuoka – Arrival. We’ll arrive in the most populated city on the island. Our first stop will be Canal City Hakata, a modern and expansive shopping and entertainment complex built around an artificial canal that creates a relaxed urban atmosphere, featuring fountain shows every 30 minutes. You’ll have free time to stroll around and enjoy lunch.

Afterwards, we’ll visit Tocho-ji Temple, founded in 806, renowned for its five-story pagoda, large statue of Buddha, and the image of Senju Kannon, the thousand-armed female goddess of mercy. Free time at the end of the visit.

Note: The train journey will not be accompanied by a Europamundo guide. Your guide will provide your train tickets in advance, and another guide — who will accompany you throughout your tour of Kyushu — will be waiting to meet you upon arrival in Fukuoka.

Fukuoka- Dazaifu Tenmangu- Nagasaki

Total distance covered: 166 km
Scenery: Urban and rural landscapes of northern Kyushu, featuring green hills, farming areas, and historic towns.

8:00 a.m. – Fukuoka – Departure.
We head toward one of Japan’s most important spiritual centers.

9:15 a.m. – Dazaifu Tenmangu – Arrival. This emblematic Shinto shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship. Surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and ponds, the site is famous for its over 6,000 plum trees, whose blossoms attract many visitors in late winter. The shrine is especially popular among students, who come to pray for academic success.

10:45 a.m. – Dazaifu Tenmangu – Departure toward Nagasaki.
1:00 p.m. – Nagasaki – Arrival. We arrive in this historic city, sadly known for being destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. We’ll begin by visiting Ōura Church, Japan’s oldest Christian church, dedicated to the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki. This church, which blends Gothic architecture with local design elements, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as part of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region". Free time for lunch in Chukagai, Japan’s most vibrant Chinatown, with its colorful pedestrian street filled with restaurants and food stalls.
After lunch, we’ll visit the Atomic Bomb Museum (admission included), offering a powerful reflection on the horrors of war. Next, we’ll head to the Peace Park, where we’ll admire moving sculptures donated by countries around the world as symbols of hope.

Finally, we’ll visit the Dejima area, a former artificial island that, for centuries, served as Japan’s only gateway for international trade. We’ll explore its historical reconstruction (admission included).

Nagasaki- Unzen Jigoku- Shimabara- Kumamoto

Total distance covered: 119 km.
Scenery: a journey through volcanic and coastal regions of the island of Kyushu. We will pass through mountainous areas, geothermal fields, views of the Ariake Sea, and evolving urban landscapes.

Note: we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for the visit to Unzen Jigoku.

07:30 a.m. – Nagasaki – Departure toward the Shimabara Peninsula, a volcanic region dominated by Mount Unzen.

08:45 a.m. – Unzen Jigoku – Arrival at this geothermal area with steam vents, bubbling pools of boiling mud, and a distinctive sulfur smell. We will walk “through the hells,” as this area is popularly known, which in the 17th century was the setting of Christian persecution, during which many were martyred through torture using volcanic steam.

09:45 a.m. – Unzen Jigoku – Departure for the port of Shimabara.

11:05 a.m. – Shimabara – Ferry departure for a crossing of approximately 45 minutes across the Ariake Sea (scheduled time, subject to change).

12:00 p.m. – Shimabara (scheduled time, subject to change) – Ferry departure toward Kumamoto.

01:45 p.m. – Kumamoto – Arrival. Free time in the shopping area near the castle to stroll and have lunch. Afterwards, we will visit Kumamoto Castle (admission included), considered one of the three great castles of Japan, famous for its black towers and massive stone walls, some of which are still undergoing reconstruction following the 2016 earthquake.
We will then visit Suizenji Jojuen (admission included), a landscaped garden from the Edo period that recreates mountains, lakes, and other elements of the Japanese landscape in miniature. Free time at the end of the visit in this modern city.

Kumamoto- Mount Aso- Yufuin- Beppu

Total distance covered: 156 km
Scenery: impressive volcanic panoramas, lava fields, fertile valleys, rice paddies, and mountain routes with lush vegetation.

Note: we recommend wearing suitable walking shoes for this stage of the journey.

07:30 a.m. – Kumamoto – Departure toward one of Japan’s most impressive natural wonders.

09:00 a.m. – Mount Aso – Arrival at one of the country’s most active and spectacular volcanoes. We will take a shuttle from the base of the volcano up to the crater. Its caldera, one of the largest in the world, measures approximately 25 km in diameter. Inside the caldera rise several volcanic peaks, the most active being Mount Nakadake, from which we can admire an impressive steaming sulfur lake surrounded by a dramatic volcanic landscape. Free time.

Very important note: at times, for safety reasons related to volcanic activity, access to Mount Nakadake may be restricted.

10:30 a.m. – Mount Aso – Departure for Yufuin.

12:30 p.m. – Yufuin – Arrival in this charming onsen town, set in a peaceful valley surrounded by rice fields. Free time to enjoy a coffee and stroll through its picturesque streets.

02:30 p.m. – Yufuin Onsen – Departure for Beppu.

03:30 p.m. – Beppu – Arrival in this city famous for its intense geothermal activity, with more than 3,000 hot springs. We will visit the well-known “Hells of Beppu” (admission included), starting with Umi Jigoku, renowned for its vivid blue water and beautifully landscaped gardens, and continuing to Kamado Jigoku, very popular with families for its ponds of varying colors and temperatures, decorated with demon figures.
After the visit, transfer to the hotel and free time.

Beppu- Usa Jingu- Fukuoka- Busan

Total distance covered: 177 km
Scenery: Mountain routes, farmland, and Shinto shrines surrounded by nature. Green landscapes with the traditional charm of northern Kyushu.

08:00 a.m. – Beppu: Departure toward northern Kyushu to visit a sacred Shinto site.
09:00 a.m. – Usa Jingu: Arrival at one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and the main one dedicated to the god Hachiman, protector of the nation. This shrine serves as the head of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan. Founded in the 8th century, it combines traditional architecture with expansive gardens surrounded by nature. We’ll walk across its distinctive red bridge and visit the main pavilions, in a photogenic and deeply spiritual setting.

11:00 a.m. – Usa Jingu: Departure for Fukuoka.
1:15 p.m. – Fukuoka: Arrival around lunchtime. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Korea.

Arrival in Busan, Korea’s second-largest city — a modern and energetic metropolis. Transfer to the hotel and free time to relax or explore at your own pace.

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

Total distance traveled: 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.

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

Total distance traveled: 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 (admission 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: 387 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.

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