Depart Home for Seoul, South Korea
Arrive in Seoul, South Korea
Airport Transfer - Private Bus
Orientation Walking Tour - The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do incase of an emergency.
Historical & Cultural Tour of Seoul (depending on time of arrival) - Seoul is a dynamic city fearlessly forging a path into the future while faithfully preserving its proud past. Depending on arrival time you will start exploring the city’s landmarks, such as Seoul city hall plaza, Gwanghwamun square, Cheonggyecheon stream etc.
Welcome Dinner at Hanjeongsik Restaurant (Korean Royal Court Cuisine) - The group will be taken for an authentic Korean dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Lunch Break
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Night Tour of Itaewon
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Guard Changing Ceremony
Tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace - The first and largest of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was located at the heart of newly appointed capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang).
National Folklore Museum - Located inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea presents historical artifacts that were used in the daily lives of Korean people in the past. Through the displays, visitors can learn about the domestic and agricultural lifestyles, as well as Korea’s cultural beliefs.
Lunch Break - at Tongin Traditional market including KRW10,000 worth coin to enjoy shopping and street food experience
Women’s University Tour (subject to change)
Free Time
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Transfer to Paju to Join DMZ Tour (approx 50 mins)
DMZ Excursion - Experience the extraordinary Korean Demilitarized Zone on the South Korean side, and learn about the war between the North and South and how the demilitarized strip of land came about. You will become familiar with Imjingak, the Bridge of Freedom, the 3rd infiltration tunnel, the Dora observatory and Dorasan station
Lunch Break
The War Memorial of Korea
Transfer Back to Seoul
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Airport Transfer
Flight to Jeju Island
Dragon Head Rock
Hyeopjae Beach
Trekking Along Suwolbong Geo Trail
Dongmun Traditional Market in the Evening
Transfer to Seongsan Sunrise Peak
Breakfast & Day Briefing Nearby after Sunrise
Seopjikoji Coast - free time on the beach
Women Diving Show
Haenyeo Museum Manjang Lava Cave
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Airport Transfer
Flight to Gwangju
Transfer to Jeonju by Private Coach (approx. 1 hour)
National Intangible Heritage Center
Bibimbap Making Experience - Learn how to make this specialty and prepare your own Korean lunch!
Jeonju Hanok Village with Hanbok
Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jeondong Cathedral - Gyeonggijeon Shrine was built in 1410 and holds the portrait of King Tae-jo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The King and his wife’s mortuary tablets are enshrined here
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Transfer to Namwon (approx. 1 hr)
Visit Gwanghanroo Garden
Visit Namwon City Art Museum of Kim Byeongjong
Lunch Break
Transfer to Holy Land of Korean Traditional Music (approx. 30 mins)
Watch Googak (Korean Traditional Music) Performance - see how to play the instruments
Hands on Activity of Making Googak Instrument - Make your own Googak!
Return to Jeonju
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Transfer to Suwon (approx. 3 hrs)
Visit Hwaseong Fortress
Lunch Break
Transfer to Seoul (approx. 30 mins)
Namsan Park and Seoul Tower - The top of the tower is at almost 480 meters above sea level.
Cheonggyecheon Stream and Museum
Dongdaemun Market in the Evening
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Bukchon Hanok Village - Bukchon Hanok Village contains 900 traditional homes and 600 years of Seoul's history.
Insadong Antique Street
Lunch Break
Join a K-Pop Dance Class
Gangnam and Garosugil Street
Back to Hotel and Free Time
Korea Farewell Dinner at Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly BBQ) restaurant or similar
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Airport Transfer - Private Bus
Flight Seoul to Osaka (approx. 2 hours)
Arrival in Osaka, Japan
Chartered Transfer to Kyoto via Osaka
Historical & Cultural Walking Tour of Osaka - Dotonbori, Takoyaki, Shinsaibashisuji etc..
Osaka Castle - Osaka Castle is an important historic monument that represents the great history of Azuchi-Momoyama period during the sixteenth century.
Continue to Kyoto (approx 1 hr)
Check-In, Relax & Refresh
Orientation Walking Tour
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Fushimi Inari Shrine - Fushimi Inari is a large shrine complex built on the side of Mt. Inari.
Tea Ceremony - Learn about the culture and history of tea in a traditional tea room, watch an authentic tea ceremony and enjoy a traditional sweet.
Make Your Own Tea - After being served a small traditional sweet, you will have the opportunity to make your own bowl of matcha under the careful guidance of your instructor.
Visit Nijo Castle - built during the 17th century, and one of the 17 Historic Sites of Ancient Kyoto. The fortified castle interior was designed to protect the Shogun at all costs.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) - Kinkakuji is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Each floor represents a different style of architecture.
Lunch Break
Japanese Calligraphy Workshop - (also called Shodo) an ancient art said to reflect the writer’s mind as well as their writing skill. A shodo expert will kindly explain the connection between meditation and Japanese calligraphy and teach you how to use the brush to create strokes like the Japanese. You will be able to create your own calligraphy after a few practice attempts and bring your creations home with you.
Free Structured Time & Cultural Immersion - Suggestions: Spend the remaining of the afternoon strolling around the historical geisha district of Gion and the modern shopping precinct of Shijo, before heading back to your hotel.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Walk to Kyoto Station
Bullet Train Transfer to Tokyo (approx. 2 hrs) - (Ordinary class bullet train tickets included / we will provide full instructions in advance). Upon arrival, meet your Tokyo guide at the station, store your luggage at the hotel and continue with your Tokyo Historical & Cultural Tour.
Lunch Break - included (you will eat your own sushi!)
Historical & Cultural Tour of Tokyo - Imperial Palace, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Metropolitan Government Building, Meiji Shinto Shrine and more…
Breakfast & Day Briefing
TeamLab Planets - This is a museum where you walk through water, and a garden where you become one with the flowers. There are four massive exhibition spaces and two gardens. By immersing the entire body with other people in these massive body immersive artworks, the boundary between the body and the artwork dissolves, the boundaries between the self, others, and the world become continuous.
Asakusa Walking Tour
Lunch Break
Senso-ji Shrine - It is the oldest Buddhist temple in the capital, with a five-story pagoda, trails of incense and vast eaves will take you back to a Tokyo of time gone by.
Visit Yanaka - One of the few remaining shitamachi, or old town neighborhoods, which survived the Great Kanto Earthquake of early 1923. It is a rare gem of a place, often disregarded by the regular tourists but highly appreciated by the locals
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Learn How to Make Sushi - This course is a hands-on class for anyone with a love of Japanese food and a big appetite. Learn how to make various types of sushi; nigiri, inari, hosomaki (thin roll), and California roll. You will then enjoy the fruits of your creativity at the end of the class. You will eat them with miso soup at the end. You will eat them with miso soup at the end.
Lunch Break - included (you will eat your own sushi!)
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum - Established in 1926, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is Japan's first public art museum. This museum features colorful thematic exhibitions, as well as special exhibitions that provide encounters with art masterpieces from both Japan and overseas. Each year, to showcase up-and-coming artists and art groups, it sponsors around 280 exhibitions a year. It also holds school education exhibitions to encourage and support student artists.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Free Day in Tokyo - Suggestions: Tokyo is a city with a hip, happening, and vibrant youth culture scene. Young Tokyoites have set trends both in Japan and globally with their avant garde fashion. Explore the perennially trendy neighbourhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku, stopping at Meiji Shrine for a glimpse of the local Shinto traditions, before heading to the ‘Skyscraper District’ of Shinjuku.
Farewell Dinner & Program Closing
Karaoke Night - A trip to Japan is simply not complete without a visit to one of the many karaoke bars or boxes available. It is one of the main social activities of Japanese adults, popular with people from all walks of life. It is a staple form of entertainment.
Modern Japan karaoke chains assign you a private room depending on the size of your party. The rooms have a large table in the middle, a television screen, two microphones, and several remote controls. There is a wide variety of English songs, including classic rock and recent hits.
Breakfast & Day Briefing
Airport Transfer - Private Bus
Depart Tokyo, Japan for Home