UWF- South Korea & Japan 2023

DAY 1 – DEPARTURE – Saturday, July 8

Depart Home for Seoul, South Korea

DAY 2 – SEOUL – Sunday, July 9

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 – 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 – The group will be taken for an authentic Korean dinner with a wide variety of menu options to cater all diets. 

DAY 3 – SEOUL – Monday, July 10

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

The War Memorial of Korea

Transfer back to Seoul

DAY 4 – SEOUL – Tuesday, July 11

Breakfast & Day Briefing

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 – Tongin Traditional market to enjoy shopping and street food experience

Visit Cheongwadae Sarangchae  

Visit Seodaemun Prison History Hall

DAY 5 – SEOUL – Wednesday, July 12

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Insadong Antique Street

Bukchon Hanok Village – Bukchon Hanok Village contains 900 traditional homes and 600 years of Seoul’s history.

Lunch Break

Namsan Park and Seoul Tower – The top of the tower is at almost 480 meters above sea level.

Dongdaemun Market 

Cheonggyecheon stream and Museum 

DAY 6 – JEONJU – Thursday, July 13

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Transfer by coach to Jeonju (approx. 2.5 hrs)

Jeonju Hanok Village – Jeonju Hanok Village has over 800 traditional Korean houses. While the rest of city has been industrialized, Hanok Village retains its historical charms and traditions.

Lunch Break

Gyeonggijeon Shrine & 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 at Jogyeong Shrine.

National Intangible Heritage Center

DAY 7 – NAMWON/JEONJU – Friday, July 14

Breakfast & Day Briefing
Transfer to Namwon (approx. 30 mins)
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

DAY 8 – SEOUL – Saturday, July 15

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Suwon (approx. 3 hrs)

Visit Hwaseong Fortress

Lunch Break

Transfer to Seoul (approx. 30 mins)

Hotel Check-in and Orientation Walking Tour

Free Structured Time

Join a K-Pop Dance Class 

DAY 9 – SEOUL/OSAKA/KYOTO – Sunday, July 16

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 

DAY 10 – KYOTO – Monday, July 17

Breakfast & Day Briefing

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. Fushimi Inari Shrine – Fushimi Inari is a large shrine complex built on the side of Mt. Inari. 

DAY 11 – KYOTO – Tuesday, July 18

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  – 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. 

DAY 12 – KYOTO/ TOKYO – Wednesday, July 19

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Walk to Kyoto station

Bullet Train Transfer to Tokyo (approx. 2 hrs)
Historical & Cultural Tour of Tokyo – Imperial Palace, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Metropolitan Government Building, Meiji Shinto Shrine and more…

Structured Free Time & Cultural Immersion – Spend the afternoon exploring the historic and culturally significant areas of the metropolis and see some of Tokyo’s most recognisable sights. From the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, Sensoji, to Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most upscale and famous districts, unravel the mysteries of the past and see how it blends seamlessly with the present day. 

DAY 13 – TOKYO – Thursday, July 20

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Free Day in Tokyo – 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.

DAY 14 – RETURN – Friday, July 21

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Airport Transfer – Private Bus

Depart Tokyo, Japan for Home