Japan & Korea Private Tour

71 Reviews

12 days 11 nights

fromUSD $6098.00

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Upon arrival, proceed through customs and meet your driver just outside the exit gate, they will be holding an “All Japan Tours” sign for easy visibility. Proceed to your hotel by private car. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be free for leisure.

Hotel Century Southern Tower or similar class

Meet your guide in the morning and traverse through Tokyo’s pristine public transportation system. Firstly, you can visit Asakusa Kannon Temple, an active place of worship where you can see the largest paper lantern in Japan. You can also explore the Nakamise Market, which is located just after the temple's outer gates. This is a traditional-style shopping street with several centuries of history. Afterward, you may visit the Edo Tokyo Museum which exhibits life size replicas as well as miniature models of structures as they were during Japan’s Edo period. You can then enjoy the natural atmosphere of the Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Stroll through the Takeshita district of Harajuku and surround yourself with fascinating shops and the latest fashion trends. Harajuku is especially known for its more eccentric fashions, but cute and conventional items can be purchased here as well. Not in the mood for shopping? Not to worry – Harajuku also is a great place for people watching!

Breakfast

Hotel Century Southern Tower or similar class

Travel with your guide from Tokyo Shinjuku station to Hakone by way of Japan’s famously efficient transit system. You will travel on the Romancecar limited Express. In Hakone, you will have many opportunities to view Mt. Fuji, if the weather is in your favor. Upon arrival, you may board a Lake Ashi Cruise where you can enjoy and appreciate Hakone’s natural scenery. Take a 20-minute ropeway ride from Togendai to Owakudani. Along the ropeway, weather permitting, there will be great views of Mt. Fuji in the distance. While in Owakudani, visitors will have the chance to experience hot springs and sulfurous fumes along the trails of an active volcanic zone. After your tour, you will arrive at your Japanese-style hotel, known as a Ryokan. Here, you can experience a traditional Kaiseki dinner and enjoy the Onsen hot spring bath.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hakone Yunohana Prince Hotel or similar class

Note: We will ship your large luggage from Tokyo to your hotel in Kyoto. Please pack your essentials for 1 night in a small bag to carry with you to Hakone.

From Hakone, make your own way to Odawara station by shuttle bus and board a bullet train to Kyoto. Bullet train tickets will be included and directions will be provided beforehand. Upon arrival at Kyoto station, you will be free for leisure. If you prefer, you may also add items to your itinerary such as a visit to a traditional wooden townhouse to learn about Kimono, Green Tea Ceremony, Origami, Calligraphy, or the art of Ikebana.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and tour the ancient city of Kyoto which served as the capital of Japan for nearly 1,000 years. One popular site is the Golden Pavilion which is covered in 18 carat gold leaf. This three-story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. You can then visit Nijo Castle, a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a perfect architectural example of castles from the feudal era of Japan. Tour Kiyomizu-dera, a famous temple in Japan that is best known for its large wooden stage that overlooks a hillside of natural scenery. End your day in the Gion Geisha District, where the streets are lined with ochaya (teahouses), exclusive establishments where guests are entertained by Geisha and Maiko. As you have the freedom of a private tour, you may choose to add extra activities to your itinerary such as Zen meditation in a temple with local monks or a Kaiseki dinner with a Geisha performance.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

Note: Depending on the number of additions made to the itinerary, extra days may be added to accommodate your wishes.

This morning, you may see Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its trail of thousands of torii gates leading up the mountain. Hop onto the local trains once again with your guide as you make your way to Nara to visit Isuien Garden. This is a traditional Japanese Garden with a scenic view structured using “shakkei” or borrowed scenery, fusing the background with the trees within the area. You can then visit one of Japan’s most famous temples and a landmark of Nara, Todaiji Temple. Just outside the temple, interact with the wild deer of Nara Deer Park. There are special deer crackers available at every corner of the area. You may also want to add a Bamboo Chasen (tea whisk) making experience to this day to further your understanding of traditional Japanese culture and crafts.

Breakfast

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo or similar class

After breakfast, free for leisure until your transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport for your flight to Seoul. Upon arrival Seoul, an AJT representative will meet you at the arrival gate holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.

Breakfast

Tmark Hotel Myeongdong or similar class

Start your tour of Korea with a visit to the traditional Andong Hahoe Village, a UNESCO Heritage site. Popularly known as the birth of Korea's Confucianism, the place is being preserved for it's thatched-roof houses and villages. This picturesque village is also known for it's mask dance. Should time / weather permits, one can enjoy the traditional performance amidst the picturesque surroundings. After, we transfer to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty for the Gyeongju National Museum. Divided into 3 main halls & an outdoor garden exhibit area, the museum showcases mainly ancient Korean Archaeology found in the area. The artifacts range from prehistoric times to the Three Kingdom Period, as well as items buried with the Royalties in the Tombs of Cheongmacheon area.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Gyeongju Kolon or similar class

This morning, we visit the UNESCO preserved site of Bulguksa Temple. Built in year 528, the name of the temple is literally translated as "Temple of Buddha's Land" or "Buddha's World Temple". It aims to realize the blissfulness of the Buddhist scriptures where the mortal being's suffering is being released. The steps leading to the temple being called the "Blue Cloud Bridge" & "White Cloud Bridge" as well as the decorative elements in the architecture are all symbolic of the temple's name. This afternoon, visit the Seokkuram Grotto, a small and quaint temple which houses an elegant but majestic statute of Buddha. Despite it's size, the exquisiteness of the temple's architecture suggest that it was being used by the Royalty and nobilities in ancient time. Our last stop for the day is the Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Gyeongju Kolon or similar class

We head back to Seoul for the Gyeongbuk Palace, the main and and most grand of the five palaces. Construction started in 1300's, and in the 1400's its beauty flourished. Unfortunately, a few fires destroyed it and was eventually burnt down during the Japanese occupation. It was reconstructed several times since and now brought back to its former glory. Enjoy your walk in the palace grounds as your guide brief you through the various building. Next, we drive pass the Presidential Blue House, home to the current President of Korea. Please note that no photography is allowed. Next, we visit the Presidential's Museum, set up in 2010 to co-incide with APEC meeting held in Seoul the same year. The museum encompasses the past, present and the future of Seoul as well as the entire Korea. The Jogyesa is considered the "head temple" of Buddhist temples in Korea. From here, walk the streets of Insa-Dong, often considered the "Mary's Alley of Seoul" or antique streets. The traditional buildings and wide array of traditional souvenirs are absolutely mesmerizing.)

Breakfast / Lunch

Tmark Hotel Myeongdong or similar class

Depart for Imjinggak at DMZ, see the Freedom Bridge and Mangbaeda which is an altar for the Koreans to come pay respect to their families in North Korea. It is especially crowded during the Lunar New Year and Korean Thanksgiving Holidays as this is the closest the families can get to North Korea. After, transferring to the DMZ, we take a shuttle bus for a ride through the 3rd tunnel and DORA Observatory. One can see parts of North Korea from the observation deck. The Media Hall offers an insight of the disparities between the divided country. After, transfer for lunch and journey back to Seoul. This evening, get ready for some non-verbal comedy at the Nanta ‘Cookin’ Show. Embodying traditional Korean drumming skills into a modern kitchen scene, this light hearted comedy married with intense drumming will leave you thumping for more! After, we visit the famous Dongdaemun Market where you can find wares of every kind!

Breakfast / Lunch

Tmark Hotel Myeongdong or similar class

A note regarding the DMZ portion of the tour: Because all DMZ Tours must be operated by the Korean government, AJT tours must wait at the DMZ on that day to join a government-run tour group, which departs at set times and may include people from outside our group. While we hope the wait will be brief, due to the recent influx of tourists to Korea, the wait time for the DMZ tour may be as long as several hours. In the case of an unreasonably long wait time, the DMZ Tour will be changed to a tour of the Odusan Unification Observatory and War Memorial. We appreciate your understanding.

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am, free for leisure until transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport for departure.

Breakfast

NOTE 5: The departure airport transfer is ONLY available on the last day of the tour. If you plan to stay extra nights after the tour, please contact us for the transfer if needed.

NOTE 6: If you would like to stay longer in Korea, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.