1920 Bukchon Hanok Village, Korea
780 x 550 Bukchon Hanok Village, Korea

Discover South Korea & Japan

  • Duration13 Nights
  • StylePrivate Tour
  • When to GoMar - May & Sep - Nov
  • Price Guide:
    From £9,806 pp
    Price includes all accommodation, experiences, guided tours and transfers. Price is based on traveling off-peak and may increase if travelling over peak season dates. Price excludes international flights but these can be arranged on request.
This private two week journey explores the compelling contrasts of South Korea and Japan, designed for those who value context as much as comfort. From the energy of Seoul and Tokyo to the historic legacies of Gyeongju and Kyoto, this itinerary reveals how each country balances past and present in its own way. Handpicked hotels and curated experiences offer deeper cultural relevance to the traditions and rhythms that define both countries.

At a Glance

  • Days 1-3
    • Seoul

      • Private transfer from Seoul Incheon Airport to your Seoul Hotel
      • Full-day guided tour of Seoul your way
      • Evening small group brewery tour with food pairings
      • Day trip to the DMZ OR hike in Bukhansan National Park
  • Days 4
    • Gyeongju

      • High-Speed Train to Gyeongju
      • Half-day tour of Gyeongju's "museum without walls"
  • Days 5-6
    • Busan

      • Further half-day tour of Gyeongju
      • Private transfer to Busan
      • Half-day tour of Busan's culture village, Sky Capsule, and markets
      • Bibimbap & korean pancakes cooking class
  • Days 7-9
    • Kyoto

      • Fly to Osaka & onward to Kyoto
      • Evening geisha walk
      • Arashiyama backroads tour
      • Private tea ceremony
      • Full-day tour of Kyoto
  • Day 10
    • Fuji Five Lakes

      • Bullet Train to Mishima & private transfer to Lake Kawaguchi
      • Optional activities around Lake Kawaguchi
      • Overnight stay at Japan's first luxury glamping resort with dinner
  • Days 11-14
    • Tokyo

      • Train from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo
      • Evening Tokyo street food Tour
      • Full-day guided Tokyo your way
      • Guided day trip to Kamakura
      • Private Transfer to Tokyo Haneda or Narita Airport
  • Meet Our Expert

    Luke Stapylton-Smith profile picture

    Luke Stapylton-Smith

    Asia Specialist

    I am totally captivated by Asia. Having lived in Singapore, Nepal, South Korea and Hong Kong, travelled extensively across all of our destinations in Asia, and worked in luxury travel for many years, curating exceptional trips comes naturally to me.

    CALL US ON: +44 208 004 2345
    Request a Quote

    What's Included

    • 11 nights in 4- and 5-star hotels including daily breakfast
    • 1 night in 4-star hanok including breakfast
    • 1 night luxury glamping including breakfast and dinner
    • 1 lunch and 2 dinners as part of mentioned activities
    • Private transfers as mentioned in comfortable chauffeur-driven vehicles
    • Train tickets as mentioned in First Class
    • Small group rice wine brewery food and drink tour
    • Small group bibimbap cooking class
    • All other tours and activities are private with English-speaking guides, using private vehicles in Korea and both private and public transport in Japan
    • Regional flight from Busan to Osaka in economy class
    • All entrance fees and local permits
    • Flexible, personalized itinerary based on your interests

    What's not Included

    • International flights from your country of origin
    • Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, hotel staff
    • Any meals, tours, or activities other than those specifically mentioned in itinerary
    • Visas for South Korea and Japan. Your consultant will advise of any required visas and how to obtain them

    Day by Day Itinerary

    • Day 1

      Seoul: Hello, Seoul

      Seoul: Hello, SeoulSeoul: Hello, Seoul image 2

      Welcome to Seoul! After arriving at Incheon International Airport, an English-speaking assistant will greet you and guide you to your private transfer, which will whisk you away to your chic and central hotel. The evening is yours: will you wander bustling shopping and street-food districts or simply enjoy a moment to rest before tomorrow’s adventures?

      Accommodation Options:

      • Hotel28 Myeongdong

        Hotel28 Myeongdong

      • Four Seasons Seoul 420x280

        Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

      • RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott

        RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott

    • Day 2

      Seoul: Discover your Seoul & Traditional Liquor

      Seoul: Discover your Seoul & Traditional LiquorSeoul: Discover your Seoul & Traditional Liquor image 2

      After breakfast, meet your private guide and vehicle for a day discovering your Seoul. You may choose to immerse yourself in royal heritage, witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace before exploring the alleys and folk galleries of Bukchon Hanok Village. Alternatively, pivot to Seoul’s modern pulse, navigating the indie boutiques and creative street fashion of Hongdae, or the polished galleries and upscale flagships of Gangnam.

      Late afternoon, join a small-group experience focused on Korean traditional rice wine. Begin with a signature cocktail and a guided look at traditional fermentation methods. Explore hanok-inspired spaces before tasting two rice-based liquors paired with seasonal dishes, finishing with a digestif.

    • Day 3

      Seoul: Borders or Peaks

      Seoul: Borders or PeaksSeoul: Borders or Peaks image 2

      Meet your guide and tailor your day to your interests with two distinct perspectives. Visit the DMZ to engage with Korea’s complex history of separation. Or, head to Bukhansan for a guided hike through historic mountain trails, embracing the Korean belief that physical longevity is connected to the spirit of the land. Will you choose the weight of history or a path toward well-being?

    • Day 4

      Gyeongju: High-Speed to Gyeongju

      Gyeongju: High-Speed to GyeongjuGyeongju: High-Speed to Gyeongju image 2

      After breakfast, your driver will take you to Seoul Station, where the KTX train will speed you past cityscapes and rice paddies. In Gyeongju, your driver-guide will welcome you for a guided afternoon exploring royal tombs at Tumuli Park and masterpieces in the National Museum of Gyeongju. As twilight settles, stroll through the lantern-lit pathways of Donggung Palace and the tranquil reflections of Wolji Pond and Woljeonggyo Bridge.

      Accommodation Options:

      • Heritage Yuwa, Gyeongju

        Heritage Yuwa, Gyeongju

    • Day 5

      Busan: Temples, Markets, and the Coastal South

      Busan: Temples, Markets, and the Coastal SouthBusan: Temples, Markets, and the Coastal South image 2

      This morning, you’re invited to trace the spiritual roots of Korea at Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, both UNESCO treasures tucked amid lush hills. By midday, set off for Busan, where pastel houses weave through Gamcheon Culture Village. Plunge into the sensory rush of Jagalchi Fish Market and Gukje Market before retreating to your hotel, just steps from the sea.

      • Grand Josun Busan

        Grand Josun Busan

      • Park Hyatt Busan 420x280

        Park Hyatt Busan

    • Day 6

      Busan: Flavors of Busan & optional evening bathhouse

      Busan: Flavors of Busan & optional evening bathhouseBusan: Flavors of Busan & optional evening bathhouse image 2

      Roll up your sleeves, it’s time to cook! In a welcoming small-group setting, a local chef will introduce you to the flavors of Korea’s home kitchens. Learn to prepare classic Korean dishes such as bibimbap, savoury pancakes and miyeokguk, while gaining insight into everyday food culture. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy the meal, with recipes provided to recreate the dishes at home. Afterward, catch coastal breezes on the scenic Sky Capsule and stroll above the waves on the Cheongsapo Daritdol Skywalk.

      This evening, you may choose to visit a jjimjilbang (payable locally) to experience a cornerstone of local wellness. These bathhouses are communal sanctuaries where friends and families gather to reset, often for hours at a time, combining restorative rituals of thermal baths and saunas with a social atmosphere.

    • Day 7

      Kyoto: Fly to Osaka & Evening Geisha Walk in Kyoto

      Kyoto: Fly to Osaka & Evening Geisha Walk in KyotoKyoto: Fly to Osaka & Evening Geisha Walk in Kyoto image 2

      Savor a final Korean breakfast, then meet your private driver for a smooth transfer to Gimhae International Airport for a flight across the Sea of Japan to Osaka. On arrival, you’ll be whisked away by private vehicle to your hotel in Kyoto. 

      As evening falls and lanterns begin to glow, you will join an expert guide for a walk through Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district. You’ll learn about the lives of geisha and maiko as you wander past traditional teahouses and perhaps even spot one on her way to an appointment.

      • The Thousand Kyoto Exterior

        The Thousand Kyoto

      • Six Senses Kyoto

        Six Senses Kyoto

    • Day 8

      Kyoto: Temples & Torii Gates

      Kyoto: Temples & Torii GatesKyoto: Temples & Torii Gates image 2

      Spend a full day discovering Kyoto’s cultural treasures with your private guide. Begin at Fushimi Inari Taisha to walk the thousands of vermilion torii gates before visiting Kiyomizu-dera, an architectural marvel overlooking the city. Descend through the preserved lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, find quiet along the Philosopher’s Path, and navigate the vibrant stalls and fresh flavors of Nishiki Market.

    • Day 9

      Kyoto: Kyoto: Arashiyama's Backroads & Tea Ceremony

      Kyoto: Kyoto: Arashiyama's Backroads & Tea CeremonyKyoto: Kyoto: Arashiyama's Backroads & Tea Ceremony image 2

      Today you’ll explore the quieter side of Arashiyama on a four-hour walking tour, visiting highlights such as the unique Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple with its 1,200 stone statues, and the lesser-known bamboo grove at Adashino Nenbutsuji. Later, you’ll experience one of Japan’s most treasured arts in a private tea ceremony. A tea master will welcome you into their home and guide you through the history and rituals of preparing and serving matcha.

    • Day 10

      Lake Kawaguchi: Iconic Views & Optional Activities

      Lake Kawaguchi: Iconic Views & Optional ActivitiesLake Kawaguchi: Iconic Views & Optional Activities image 2

      Board the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Mishima, where a private transfer whisks you to the minimalist wilderness of Hoshinoya Fuji. Choose from curated glamping activities (payable locally), such as early morning paddling across Lake Kawaguchi or wood-chopping on the Cloud Terrace. You may also visit the iconic Chureito Pagoda for quintessential views of Mount Fuji. Conclude the day with an included “Gastronomic Wild” dinner, featuring seasonal local flavors prepared over an open flame.

      • Hoshinoya Fuji

        Hoshinoya Fuji

    • Day 11

      Tokyo: Train to Tokyo & Evening at Leisure

      Tokyo: Train to Tokyo & Evening at LeisureTokyo: Train to Tokyo & Evening at Leisure image 2

      Waking to sunrise views of Mount Fuji from your cabin, enjoy a final morning at leisure. You might choose to sip coffee among the trees or fit in one last activity before your afternoon private transfer to Kawaguchiko Station. Board the express train for the scenic journey into the heart of the metropolis. Upon arrival in Tokyo, a private transfer will deliver you to your hotel, leaving the rest of the day free to rest or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

      Accommodation Options:

      • 420 x 280 The Prince Gallery Tokyo

        The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel

      • Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

        Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi

      • Shibuya Stream Hotel Tokyo

        Shibuya Stream Hotel, Tokyo

    • Day 12

      Tokyo: Tokyo's Sights & Hidden Gems

      Tokyo: Tokyo's Sights & Hidden GemsTokyo: Tokyo's Sights & Hidden Gems image 2

      Meet your private guide for a full day shaped entirely by your interests, navigating Tokyo’s distinct neighborhoods via its world-class rail network. You may choose a classic route starting at the forested Meiji Jingu shrine, before exploring the street fashion of Harajuku, the boutiques of Omotesando, and the ancient Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.

      Alternatively, deviate to Tokyo’s unique pockets. Step back in time among the traditional craft shops and old-world charm of Yanaka, visit the historic Nezu Shrine with its towering ginkgo trees, browse the specialized blades of Kappabashi Kitchen Town, or dive into the neon-lit electronics and themed cafes of Akihabara.

    • Day 13

      Tokyo: Kamakura's Coastal Charms

      Tokyo: Kamakura's Coastal CharmsTokyo: Kamakura's Coastal Charms image 2

      Meet your private guide for a full day exploring Kamakura, located just an hour from Tokyo by train. Here, ancient history meets a relaxed coastal vibe. Journey on the charming Enoden railway along the Pacific to reach the iconic Great Buddha and the hilltop gardens of Hase-dera Temple. Stroll the bustling Komachi-dori shopping street for local crafts before ending the day by the beach, where you can watch the local surf culture, before the return journey to the capital.

    • Day 14

      Tokyo: Departure from Tokyo

      Tokyo: Departure from TokyoTokyo: Departure from Tokyo image 2

      Enjoy a final breakfast before your private transfer to Tokyo’s Haneda or Narita Airport, departing with lasting memories of South Korea and Japan’s serene temples, vibrant cities, and exceptional hospitality.

    Let’s make this itinerary yours.

    Speak to our experienced Destinations Experts about designing this itinerary around your budget and needs

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