From Seoul to Kyoto

From Seoul to Kyoto

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From Seoul to Kyoto

11 Days Starting in Seoul, South Korea and ending in Kyoto, Japan

Visiting: Seoul, Busan, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kobe, Mount Koya, Kyoto

Tour operator:

Europamundo

Tour code:

29735

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

36 - 72

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

3-85

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey from Seoul to Kyoto, exploring the rich cultural tapestry of South Korea and Japan. Begin in Seoul, where you'll marvel at the illuminated Deoksugung Palace and the historic Changdeokgung Palace. Wander through the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village and the fortified walls of Suwon. Discover the ancient Tripitaka at Haeinsa Temple before crossing to Japan. In Hiroshima, reflect at the Peace Memorial Park and visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. Experience the serenity of a Zen meditation session at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya. Conclude your adventure in Kyoto, exploring its preserved artistic heritage, including the stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine and the golden Kinkakuji Temple. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and special experiences, all while traveling conveniently with group transport and ferry crossings. This tour promises an unforgettable exploration of history, spirituality, and breathtaking landscapes.

Highlights

  • See the Deoksugung Palace lit up at night in Seoul.

  • Visit Changdeokgung Palace, a World Heritage Site in Seoul.

  • Explore Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historical neighborhood in Seoul.

  • Admire the impressive walls and fortifications of Suwon, a World Heritage Site.

  • Discover the Tripitaka at Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple built in 802.

  • Visit the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

  • Take a ferry to Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima shrine.

  • Experience a Zen meditation session at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Seoul

Location: Seoul

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Welcome to Korea! Transfer to hotel in group transport. Meeting with your guide. At the end of the afternoon, we are going to enter this fascinating country and with our guide we will go on the modern and efficient underground (we will be taught to use this public transport) to City Hall to see this building shaped like a tsunami. In front of the City Hall, we will also see the Deoksugung Palace, which is lit up at night and which allows us to appreciate the tradition and modernity of this country together. On foot, we will then go from here to the district of Myeongdong, the largest and busiest shopping area in Korea. Its name means “brilliant tunnel”. Dinner included in a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 2 : Seoul

Location: Seoul

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Lunch

Today we include a tour of the city of Seoul lasting five hours. We will see Changdeokgung Palace. This is a World Heritage Site formed by a group of palaces inside a large park. After the visit, we will go to Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historical neighbourhood with tiny houses. Afterwards we will visit the War Memorial, an impressive war museum that tells of the different conflicts suffered by Korea during its history, particular the Korean War with the United Nations in which soldiers from many different countries took part. We continue to the Gangnam District, one of the busiest areas of the city, where there are numerous shopping and leisure centres. To finish, we stop at LOTTE WORLD TOWER, an impressive 550 m building where there will be time to climb the tower (entrance not included) or stroll in the park or around the luxury shopping centres. Lunch included in a local restaurant. Return to the centre and free time.

Day 3 : Seoul, Suwon, Jeonju

Location: Seoul

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Lunch

Today we include in Seoul the Gyeongbokgung Palace, an impressive palace that is 600 years old, where we will see the Changing of the Guard ceremony (if scheduled). Our next stop is the city of SUWON, former capital of Korea, a World Heritage Site famous for its walls Heritage of Mankind. We will see the impressive wall with its fortifications and will visit Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace. Lunch included in a local restaurant. We continue to JEONJU, where we will see its fascinating old town (Hanok Village), with its tiny houses, traditional shops and art galleries.

Day 4 : Jeonju, Haeinsa, Daegu, Busan

Location: Busan

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Lunch

Amidst impressive mountain forest scenery, we come to HAEINSA, a Buddhist temple built in the year 802 where we discover the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts engraved on 80,000 blocks of wood. We will visit the temple and the museum on the Tripitaka. We go on to DAEGU where we see the market of traditional medicines with its different herbs, and especially ginseng, and the Museum of Oriental medicine. Lunch included. We come to BUSAN. We are in the second largest city in Korea, full of life, where is the fantastic Doosan Haeundae complex with its more than 300 m skyscraper and its sports marina. Accommodation.

Day 5 : Busan, Busan - Shimonoseki Ferry

Location: Busan

Accommodation Name: ferry

Meals Included: Lunch

Day in BUSAN. We are going out to the city of Busan to visit HAEDONG YONGGUNG, 14th century Buddhist temple located by the sea. Return to Busan. We see the memorial to the United Nations with its cemetery were people from numerous countries are buried. We approach the largest fish market in the country, which is alongside Nampo port. Lunch included. Then we walk from there to Yongdusan park with its immense 120 m pagoda. Afternoon free. Night on a ferry, expected departure at 21.00hrs, crossing the sea of Japan in double cabins with bathroom.Note: Due to the ferry´s limited capacity in double cabins, we will sometimes take a fast ferry leaving Busan at 15:00 hrs. and arriving in FUKUOKA at 18:30 hrs. (border crossing, free time in Fukuoka and hotel accommodation).

Day 6 : Busan - Shimonoseki Ferry, Shimonoseki, Iwakuni, Itsukushima, Hiroshima

Location: Hiroshima

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

We dock at the port of Shimonoseki at 08.00hrs (breakfast not included) and cross the border. We then depart for IWAKUNI, a small city where we will stop to admire the beautiful historic Kintai-Kyo Bridge. We then continue to Miyajimaguchi where we take a ferry to Miyajima, the island “where men and Gods live together in peace”, with its Itsukushima shrine dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partly over the sea. Here we have time to visit the temple, stroll through its attractive centre and have lunch. Then we continue to HIROSHIMA, sadly famous as the site where the atomic bomb fell in 1945, which destroyed the whole city. We will visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic bomb dome and the impressive Peace Memorial Museum. Dinner included.

Day 7 : Hiroshima, Matsuyama

Location: Matsuyama

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Lunch

Today we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island, on a pleasant crossing that lasts two hours and a half and see the many islands that make up Japan. In MATSUYAMA we will take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards, we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Lunch included. In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.

Day 8 : Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Naruto, Kobe

Location: Kobe

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Lunch

We depart for KOTOHIRA, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by climbing 785 steps. Afterwards in TAKAMATSU we will visit RITSURIN, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch included. Then, in NARUTO, we cross an impressive bridge over the sea, stopping on the way to admire the construction and walk on its glass floor with the sea 45 metres below us. Our road is surrounded by beautiful scenery and then crosses long bridges between islands over the sea. Arrival in KOBE, accommodation.

Day 9 : Kobe, Osaka, Mount Koya

Location: Mount Koya

Accommodation Name: Buddhist monastery

Meals Included: Dinner

In Kobe we visited the Earthquake Memorial Museum, a place to remind the tragic seism that devastated the city in 1995 and its perfect reconstruction. Note: On some dates, the Earthquake Museum may be changed for the Sake Museum or a climb up Kobe Tower. We go on to Osaka. We will depart from this city to visit, MOUNT KOYA, one of Japan’s sacred mountains and Japan’s main centre of Shingon Buddhism. There are 120 shrines and monasteries on this mountain which is a magical place of pilgrimage. We will visit Okuno Mausoleum, a spiritual place and an immense cemetery in the wilderness that has more than 200,000 graves. We will visit Kongobuji temple, built in 1593. We will spend this night at a Buddhist monastery. The monks will offer us a Zen meditation session (Ajikan). Dinner included (vegetarian food). There is religious ceremony at the temple early in the morning if you wish to attend it. Note: We consider the sojourn at the monastery as an experience of great existential value. The rooms at this place are modest, without bathrooms, in the traditional Japanese style with tatamis. Bathrooms are communal.

Day 10 : Mount Koya, Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Japanese breakfast at the temple. Then we leave early for KYOTO, to spend the whole day in the city, which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens. Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha. Free time. Note: If you already visited Kyoto on your circuit, our guide will offer you information and advice on visiting the other parts of the city unaccompanied.

Day 11 : Kyoto

Location: Kyoto

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, end of our services.

What's Included

  • Group Transport

    Transfer to hotel in group transport on arrival in Seoul.

  • Guided Tour

    Meeting with your guide and guided tours in various locations including Seoul, Suwon, Jeonju, Haeinsa, Daegu, Busan, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Naruto, Kobe, Osaka, Mount Koya, and Kyoto.

  • Ferry Rides

    Ferry rides included from Busan to Shimonoseki and from Hiroshima to Shikoku Island.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to various attractions such as Changdeokgung Palace, War Memorial, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hwaseong Haenggung, Haeinsa Temple, Peace Memorial Park, and Dogo Onsen.

  • Special Experiences

    Special experiences such as a night at a Buddhist monastery with Zen meditation session and traditional Japanese bath facility visit.

What's Not Included

  • Lotte World Tower Entrance

    Entrance to Lotte World Tower is not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.

  • International Flights

    International flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel conveniently with group transport in Seoul, ferry crossings between Busan and Shimonoseki, and various local transports including underground, cable cars, and buses to explore the cities and scenic spots.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable accommodations throughout the tour, including stays in Seoul, Busan, and Kyoto, with a unique night at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya, offering a traditional Japanese experience with communal bathrooms.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    You will enjoy comfortable accommodations throughout the tour, including stays in Seoul, Busan, and Kyoto. Additionally, there is a unique night at a Buddhist monastery on Mount Koya, offering a traditional Japanese experience with communal bathrooms.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, lunch and dinner are included on various days throughout the tour.

  • What kind of transport is used during the tour?

    The tour includes group transport in Seoul, ferry crossings between Busan and Shimonoseki, and various local transports such as underground, cable cars, and buses to explore the cities and scenic spots.

  • Will there be any guided tours during the trip?

    Yes, there will be guided tours in various locations including Seoul, Suwon, Jeonju, Haeinsa, Daegu, Busan, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Kotohira, Takamatsu, Naruto, Kobe, Osaka, Mount Koya, and Kyoto.

  • Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour?

    Yes, entrance fees to various attractions such as Changdeokgung Palace, War Memorial, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hwaseong Haenggung, Haeinsa Temple, Peace Memorial Park, and Dogo Onsen are included.

  • What special experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes special experiences such as a night at a Buddhist monastery with a Zen meditation session and a visit to a traditional Japanese bath facility.

  • Is travel insurance included in the tour package?

    No, travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.

  • Are international flights included in the tour package?

    No, international flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.

Reviews of this operator

Mauro Grasso García (Google Reviewer)  

I have taken a trip...

02-Apr-2024

I have taken a trip with them through Spain and Portugal and everything was very organized. Professional guides and wonderful places. Without a doubt, I will return.

alejandra gonzalez (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic trip...

27-Jun-2023

We had a fantastic trip with EuropaMundo. We visited France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco and Spain. Gonzalo our guide was incredibly knowledgable and friendly, gave us a fantastic tour throughout the whole trip. We learned about history, art, culture and much more. He kept us entertained, was happy to answer all of our questions, also offered recommendations of things to do, see and places to eat during the tour. Also want to thank our drivers Narciso and Olivier both did a fantastic job driving us safe. Money and time well invested. Highly recommended.

Nimar Sekhon (Google Reviewer)  

I want to let you...

16-Jul-2024

I want to let you guys know your tour guides were excellent Frey, Julie and Alba was very professional. Also hotels in Spain quite clean. Only think you guys need to improve on giving accurate times guides bus because told 8:30 am because told I would little more accurate timings of the tour. I was wondering if guys tours in Greece or Israel plan another vacation next year asking if guys have any tours available in Greece or Israel.

Paul Quan (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished a 3 week...

22-Oct-2023

Just finished a 3 week tour not do long ago. Most of it was great, I couldn't ask for a better experience. Except for 1 tour guide (Maria). First of she and the driver was over an hour late to our hotel to pick every one up, which is fair enough, unexpected things happen. Then I thought that everyone was punished due to them being late. We were rushed everywhere we went. She made us pay for a toilet only to walk us down to the city centre to only allow us 45 minutes to find a restaurant to have so called lunch at around 3:00pm. Then we drove for at least 6 hours with very little breaks, not even to allow everyone to have toilet breaks. I would recommend eurpomando but not Maria as a tour guide. Every other tour guide we had were fantastic.

Julia Macapagal (Google Reviewer)  

We are three from the...

20-Aug-2024

We are three from the Philippines and were set to tour the Czech Republic (June 10). Overall, the tour was satisfactory except we would like to suggest giving more time to the highlights of each city. For instance, we were able to see the exterior of Versailles - but even if we wanted to get in to see more of its beauty, we could not as we were pressured by time to be at the meeting place at a certain point. That is exactly what happened to us during our Eiffel Tower experience as well. The Louvre museum was optional but we finished the cruise at 3:00 PM and the museum would close at 5:00 PM. This schedule was literally just like a tick the box list. Another important thing I would like to say is regarding William or Guillermo. He was our tour guide on June 12 from Pilsen to Germany. We understand that this is a group tour and that time is a big factor such that our punctuality is required. But it is also inevitable that sometimes you get late, you can get lost, but that was not intentional. That is exactly what happened to us, we got lost in Rothenburg and caused us to be late, meters away from the bus, he was yelling at us at the peak of his lungs. Very discourteous and very unethical! He was unlike other guides. Not to mention that he is not so knowledgeable in the topics he was discussing, again, unlike the other tour guides. To think that he has been doing his job for several years “with passion”, it was such a disappointment. His attitude did not show any passion for his work.

Glenn (Google Reviewer)  

We had an incredible time...

12-Dec-2023

We had an incredible time visiting Switzerland and Paris, and there was no need to worry about anything. The organization was perfect, and the hotels were booked and all this was at a resonable cost. But an issue arose with an extremely rude and unpleasant driver(Andres) for one of the days, who abruptly slammed the brakes on a high-speed bus because he was angry at kids talking. This could have been very dangerous for the passengers also. Would have given 5 stars if it wasbt for the driver

Talia Rodriguez (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible agency, total scammers. Booked...

08-Oct-2024

Terrible agency, total scammers. Booked a trip to Europe and didn’t received what was promised. We didn’t have free time (10-30 min in most cases) the whole trip felt rushed, we ate at every gas stations in Europe, not restaurants , we had to drag mas suitcases, couldn’t watch a show/performance because we had to book it advance and according to them this was included until we got to the places and they said “we couldn’t book the show” money was returned. This is false advertisement. Hotels were pure garbage, at some point we found bugs in our bed. To many lies, to many scams, I hated the whole thing. Our group was a gem, they handpicked the most annoying people ever and had to be together from 6 am until 12 pm in the mornings, we couldn’t visit or watch anything in Europe because we were busy 12 h on a bus crossing borders, so what they put in the paper example: “The alps” was literally the view of the alps from a bus, never visited anything that was stated in the world. We were to supposed to visit Switzerland, one of the bests countries and most beautiful places on earth but we were there 1 h, San Sebastián Spain 10 min, what the hell is that? Tourist guides are terrible, while on the bus they won’t tell you the history. We visited France and stayed ij burdeaux (for some reason burdeaux was included but never saw it. Nasty hotels in the middle of nowhere , felt like I was working the whole trip

Pete F (Google Reviewer)  

Poorly organized tours - no...

19-May-2024

Poorly organized tours - no continuity or directions to people on tours. Drivers and guides are often late and, while nice people, are also very disorganized with little support from the home office. We are missing our Versailles tour because the bus driver did not show up. One hotel had no water for the entire hotel. The company is about churning as many people through their tours than providing quality experiences. I plan to report them through our travel agent to prevent more people from using them.

Pedro Rascon (Google Reviewer)  

I had travelled with Europamundo...

24-Jul-2024

I had travelled with Europamundo twice back in 2013 and 2014. This year I decided to repeat a trip with them (Prague-Budapest-Vienna-Innsbruck). In the last 10 years I’ve done about 10 trips to Europe, but this time I decided to go back with them so I could worry less about transportation, hotels, guided tours, etc. I regret so much going with them. After spending about $20K on this trip my vacation got totally ruined by Europamundo. I am never traveling with Europamundo ever again. Rest of my review in screenshots attached...

Arielle Nicole (Google Reviewer)  

The absolute worst. They do...

02-Sep-2023

The absolute worst. They do not follow the itinerary provided. When we arrived in Versailles, tickets are sold out since instead of morning, they changed it to 3-4pm where all the tickets are sold out. Whole day wasted. Most of the museums/sights they state in their itinerary, they will just bring you there, entrance fee is not included. They will only bring you to free places, so just be aware that you will not be getting your money’s worth. Bus is ALWAYS late, today our meetup time is 7:45am, the bus arrived 8:25am, since they had to pick up other guest from a totally different hotel. They frequently change buses, it is a hit or miss. There are times where the airconditioner is good, leg space is acceptable. There are also times, they would rent a bus from a different company, where it is very cramped. Guide: they know the basics but not the nitty gritty details. For example they would just point you “Oh this is blah building, without any further explanation.” Hotels are mostly 4 star hotels with really shitty customer service. Once I had a room (cant remember the hotel in Lyon, France) assigned to me where the room has not been cleaned up. GROSS. One of the other hotel (Dormero Hotel, Zurich), did not have a reception staff at night, so when we were a defective bath tub, we had no one to complain to.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Europamundo requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of europamundo charges.

    Up to 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.

    At 10 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 2 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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