Essence of Japan with South Korea
Essence of Japan with South Korea
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Essence of Japan with South Korea
20 Days Starting in Tokyo, Japan and ending in Seoul, South Korea
Visiting: United Kingdom, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Matsumoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Hakone, Busan, Gyeongju, Seoul
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTJAK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Essence of Japan with South Korea" tour, exploring the rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty of two fascinating countries. Begin in the vibrant city of Tokyo, with guided tours of iconic landmarks and a visit to the Mount Fuji Visitor Centre. Discover the historic charm of Matsumoto Castle, the traditional village of Shirakawago, and the serene temples of Kyoto. Experience the thrill of Japan's bullet trains and a traditional tea ceremony. In South Korea, delve into the bustling city of Busan, the historic sites of Gyeongju, and the dynamic capital, Seoul. Enjoy unique experiences like a Korean cooking class and a visit to the DMZ. This 17-night adventure includes comfortable hotel stays, international flights, and the expertise of a Titan tour manager and local guides.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: United Kingdom
Accommodation Name: Flight
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Tokyo.
Day 2
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Shinjuku
On our Japan tours, we stay in Shinjuku, the futuristic, neon-lit neighbourhood in the heart of Tokyo. On arrival the rest of the day is free.
Day 3
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Shinjuku
Prepare for a fantastic day of Tokyo sightseeing as our tour guide helps us to embrace this dazzling city. As we walk out amidst skyscrapers and the world’s tallest self-supporting tower (the Tokyo Skytree), we find Tokyo’s traditional side. Learn the stories behind legendary landmarks like the moated Imperial Palace, Tokyo’s oldest temple - Sensō-ji, and Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine set on a tree-lined avenue.
Day 4
Location: Mount Fuji
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Matsumoto
It's time for a Mount Fuji visit this morning. Standing out from its surroundings at 3,776m high, Japan’s tallest mountain has inspired countless artists and photographers. Clouds often linger around this active volcano, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed to catch a sight of the iconic snow-capped peak as we travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto. If the weather is clear, you’ll see the volcano’s image reflected on the placid waters of Lake Jawaguchi.
Day 5
Location: Matsumoto
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Takayama
Known as one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Matsumoto is a striking timber and stone structure with a unique moon-viewing turret. In the spring, take your time to stroll among the cherry blossoms in the spacious castle gardens.
Stop to sample sake (Japanese rice wine) in a traditional brewery, before we take the breathtaking journey through thick pine forests and snow-tipped peaks of the Japanese Alps to the hill town of Takayama. We’ll call in at the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum with a collection of antique houses from the region and displays highlighting crafts and ancient traditions.
Day 6
Location: Takayama
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Takayama
Meiji-era inns, hillside shrines and a pretty riverside setting - the hamlet of Takayama is traditional Japan at its finest. Soak in the local character on our walking tour, when we’ll see highlights such as the open-air flower and fruit market and government house.
Day 7
Location: Kanazawa
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Kanazawa
Next on our Japan itinerary, we transfer by coach to Kanazawa, visiting the World Heritage Shirakawago Village en route. Kanazawa is a historic castle town, boasting beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts. Our sightseeing tour includes Omicho market and Higashi Chayagai (the ‘teahouse district’).
Day 8
Location: Kanazawa
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Hiroshima
We pack overnight bags whilst our luggage is transferred to Kyoto. We’ll have another sweep of the city, stopping at the gorgeous Kenroku-en Garden and BukeYashiki (Samurai’s house).
Located outside the gates of Kanazawa Castle and covering an area of 11.4 hectares, the Kenroku-en Garden was created in the 1620s and opened to the public in 1874. It’s the epitome of a traditional Japanese garden with plum and cherry blossoms, artificial ponds, hills and buildings.
From the quaint, quiet streets of Kanazawa, we’ll go full throttle into one of Japan’s other passions. The Shinkansen (bullet train) will hurtle us from Kanazawa to Hiroshima in perfect comfort.
Day 9
Location: Hiroshima
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Hiroshima
Leafy Hiroshima, with its wide boulevards and friendly locals, might not be what you expected. It’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city of peace with a devastating history. Today we’ll catch a ferry over to Miyajima Island to admire the ancient Itsukushima Shrine and its torii gate. We'll spend some time strolling through the park. In autumn, the maples here are ablaze with rich reds and oranges.
Back in Hiroshima, we’ll take a walking tour around the Peace Memorial Park and take some time for reflection at the Atomic Bomb Museum.
Day 10
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Kyoto
Another bullet train takes us to Osaka, where we’ll board our coach for the onward journey to Nara, a former capital of Japan. The 8th-century Todaiji temple - supposedly the oldest wooden structure in the world - is wondrous, but the real highlight here are the adorable deer roaming through Nara Park. You can buy a packet of crackers to feed them - they’ll even bow to you before you feed them.
We arrive in Kyoto this afternoon. With its wealth of shrines and temples, colourful gardens and variety of arts and crafts shops, it's a real highlight of our Japan tour package. We’ll uncover geisha culture with some time in the Gion area - Japan’s most famous geisha district.
Day 11
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Kyoto
Highlights of this morning’s tour include the wonderful Ryoanji Temple (a Zen temple with a famous rock garden), and the beautiful Kinkakuji Temple, or ‘Golden Pavilion’, whose top two floors are completely bedecked in gold leaf.
We also visit Nijo, a fortified castle with unique ‘nightingale’ floors designed to replicate the sound of the nightingale song when stepped on.
Day 12
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Mishima
We’ll sit down for a cuppa before leaving Kyoto this morning - it is the birthplace of the traditional tea ceremony, after all. Learn the intricacies of this graceful discipline, considering simple details like holding the bowl so your friends can enjoy the beauty of its decoration. You can read about these rituals in any Japan travel guide, but there's nothing quite like experiencing it first hand. You’ll never drink tea at home the same again!
Another bullet train whisks us from Kyoto to Mishima. We’ll check into our hotel and if the weather is kind you’ll have views of Mount Fuji from your room.
Day 13
Location: Hakone
Accommodation Name: Airport Hotel
We drive to Hakone and embark on a cruise on Lake Ashi for stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. We’ll jump in a cable car all the way up to the Owakudani Valley and Hot Springs, in the crater of Mount Hakone. Later, we’ll head to our airport hotel, ready to jet off for our South Korea tour tomorrow.
Day 14
Location: Busan
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Busan
Meals Included: Dinner
We transfer to the airport for our flight to Busan, Korea’s second city, ready to begin the next chapter of our adventure. This evening, we’ll be introduced to Korean barbecue - a traditional style of dining that’s been popular here for thousands of years. Expect sizzling meats, aromatic sauces, and heaps of delicious sides and veggies.
Day 15
Location: Busan
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Busan
Today’s guided tour of Busan will start at the cliffside Buddhist temple of Haedong Yongungsa, a place particularly lovely during the springtime, thanks to the surrounding cherry blossom trees. We’ll also take in the city views from Dongbaekson Island, see the white sands of Haeundae Beach, and soar above the ocean on the Busan Air Cruise cable car.
Day 16
Location: Gyeongju
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Seoul
Meals Included: Lunch
This morning, we’ll explore some of the sites of Gyeongju Historic Area, noted by UNESCO for its incredible display of Korean Buddhist art and architecture. Wander through the hushed halls of 1,500-year-old Bulguksa Temple, see the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia, and learn more about the domed tombs of Daereungwon Tomb Complex. After lunch, we’ll board the KTX - South Korea’s bullet train - and speed north to the capital, Seoul.
Day 17
Location: Seoul
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Seoul
Meals Included: Dinner
Seoul is an incredible fusion of cutting-edge and traditional. Sleek malls sell the latest skin care, cosmetics and fast fashion, narrow alleyways hide teahouses and craft workshops, and food markets thrum with activity as locals fill up on mandu dumplings and steaming hot pancakes.
Our guided tour of Seoul ticks off all the highlights, from the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace (where we’ll watch the royal changing of guards ceremony and pay a visit to the National Folk Museum) to the lost-in-time village of Bukchon Hanok, preserved to offer a glimpse of life in Seoul hundreds of years ago. A visit to Insadong takes us to Seoul’s cultural heart. We’ll see traditional wooden teahouses, stalls selling antiques, and numerous galleries displaying works from local artists.
In the evening, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a Korean cooking class. Prepare to get hands-on as we learn how to prepare and cook a traditional Korean meal - we’ll get to tuck into our creations for dinner.
Day 18
Location: Seoul
Accommodation Name: Hotel in Seoul
We’ll spend the morning at the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the strip of land which divides the Korean peninsula in two. Learn more about the Korean War and the families affected by the division, step inside one of the infiltration tunnels which run underneath the border, and reflect at Imjingak Park, dotted with statues and monuments remembering those affected. Your afternoon is at leisure back in Seoul.
Day 19
Location: Seoul
Accommodation Name: Flight
Transfer to the airport for your return flights to the UK.
Day 20
Location: United Kingdom
Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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17 nights in hotels and 2 in flight
Accommodation for 17 nights in hotels and 2 nights in flight.
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International flights
Prices are based on return flights with Emirates from London Gatwick via Dubai.
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Titan tour manager and local guide
Services of a Titan tour manager and local guide throughout the tour.
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21 meals
Includes 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.
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City tours
City tours of Tokyo, Kanazawa (including Kenroku-en Garden), Kyoto, Busan, and Seoul.
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Mount Fuji Visitor Centre
Visit to the Mount Fuji Visitor Centre.
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Visits to various attractions
Visits to Matsumoto Castle, Shirakawago Village, Miyajima Island, and Nara (including Todaiji Temple and Nara Park).
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Sake tasting
Sake tasting at a traditional brewery.
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Walking tours
Walking tours of Takayama and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
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Bullet train journeys
Three journeys on the bullet train.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Optional excursions
Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
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Visa fees
Visa fees for entry into Japan and South Korea.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Mode of Transport
Travel includes international flights with Emirates from London Gatwick via Dubai, three journeys on the bullet train in Japan, and a KTX bullet train journey in South Korea. Local travel is by coach.
Accommodation
Enjoy 17 nights in comfortable hotels across Japan and South Korea, with 2 additional nights spent in flight.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 17 nights in comfortable hotels across Japan and South Korea, with 2 additional nights spent in flight.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 21 meals: 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Travel includes international flights with Emirates from London Gatwick via Dubai, three journeys on the bullet train in Japan, and a KTX bullet train journey in South Korea. Local travel is by coach.
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Are there any special activities included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a traditional tea ceremony, sake tasting at a traditional brewery, a Lake Ashi cruise, a cable car ride to the Owakudani Valley and hot springs, and a Korean cooking class.
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What are some of the key attractions visited during the tour?
Key attractions include Matsumoto Castle, Shirakawago Village, Miyajima Island, Nara (including Todaiji Temple and Nara Park), Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the DMZ in South Korea.
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Is there a tour guide provided throughout the trip?
Yes, the services of a Titan tour manager and local guide are provided throughout the tour.
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Are there any additional services included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes a portable audio headset system on excursions, Titan's VIP door-to-door travel service, and porterage services.
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What is not included in the tour package?
The tour package does not include personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks, travel insurance, optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary, visa fees for entry into Japan and South Korea, and gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
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What kind of experiences can I expect in South Korea?
In South Korea, you can expect a guided tour of Busan, visits to the Gyeongju Historic Area, a journey on the KTX bullet train, a guided tour of Seoul including Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village, and a visit to the DMZ.
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
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Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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