A Cultural Discovery of South Korea and Japan

14 Day trip, from $18,120 PP

Destinations

Days 1–4

Kyoto

Discover both South Korea and Japan on this privately guided journey of their highlights. Experience ancient history, ultra-modern metropolises, time-honoured traditions, zen gardens with thronging markets. Begin your two-weeks in the city of Seoul before venturing south to seaside Busan, then hopping across the sea of Japan to the bright lights of Tokyo. Explore Kanazawa – and stay in a traditional ryokan – before a final few days in Kyoto, the former Imperial capital of Japan.

Trip highlights

Enjoy street art, street food and eclectic museums in Seoul
Discover Busan, Seoul’s buzzing second city
Delve into ancient history at Gyeongju, the museum without walls
Experience a tea ceremony, one of Japan’s famous cultural practices
Explore the ancient Higashiyama Geisha District
Tour beautiful temples and ornate shrines in Tokyo and Kyoto

Old and new in the city of Seoul

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, South Korea.

The seaside town of Busan

Delicious cuisine in Tokyo

Geisha culture in the Higashiyama district

Temple explorations in Kyoto

Our bespoke trips include

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

Luxury accommodation throughout
Privately guided tours
Private transfers
Meticulously selected experiences
Expertise and support from your Concierge

Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance

Days 1–4

Three nights in capital Seoul

South Korea’s capital and by far its largest city with a metropolitan area home to over half the country’s entire population, Seoul is one of East Asia’s major centres of culture and commerce. A contrasting mix of bleeding edge technology and tradition, an incredible work ethic and serene Buddhist temples, utterly unique youth subcultures and conformity, it is a truly fascinating city.

Be shown around fabulous palaces and historic villages, try incredible street food, ascend the iconic N Seoul Tower and visit some eclectic museums, getting a sense of the capital’s storied past and exciting present.

Seoul City Skyline, The best view of South Korea

Days 4–6

Two nights in South Korea’s second city

Busan is South Korea’s second-most populous city after Seoul, and is the economic and cultural centre of southeastern Korea. Its port is among the world’s busiest and this energy can be found on its streets where gleaming high-rises fill the gaps between green mountains and the beach while elegant bridges span across the sea. Enjoy the energetic restaurant and nightlife scene, thronging fish markets and the rainbow houses of Gamcheon, and take a day trip to Gyeongju to see its 8th century temples and tombs.

Gamcheon Cultural Village at Busan, South Korea

Days 6–9

Three nights in the sci-fi cityscape of Tokyo

Enjoy your time exploring the incredible metropolis of Tokyo, a city with an infectious energy like no other, where neon light futuristic architecture sits backed by the iconic Mount Fuji. A private English-speaking guide will accompany you around some favourite sights including shrines, Edo era streets, famous temples and for a traditional tea ceremony.

Bullet train to Kanazawa

Board a bullet train across Honshu Island to Kanazawa, where you will be met by your private English speaking guide at the station. Explore the city’s incredibly well-preserved old centre; Omicho Market, which local people regard as the “Kitchen of all Kanazawa”; the magnificent Kenrokuen Garden; and the ancient Samurai district of Nagamachi, before a visit to Nomurake, a former Samurai House.

Days 9–11

Two nights of tradition in Yamashiro and Yamanaka

For more than a thousand years, Japanese holiday makers have been coming to Yamashiro and Yamanaka to sooth body and mind in their warm therapeutic waters. Two of the most celebrated hot spring resorts on the Kaga onsen circuit, the towns lie next to each other between the mountains and the sea in pretty countryside locales. You’ll stay in a ‘ryokan’, a type of traditional Japanese inn.

Kaga Onsen, Japan at the Yamashiro Onsen

Days 11–14

Three nights in cultural Kyoto

Kyoto is where you’ll find ancient and contemporary Japan collide in a fascinating cultural hub. As the country’s seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people, it’s put on a thoroughly modern face, but the former imperial capital was spared much of the destruction of World War II and the city is unique for its abundance of prewar buildings including grand palaces, traditional ‘machiya’ townhouses and ornate, ancient shrines. As well as seeing the best of these, be shown around the Geisha District and visit nearby the beautiful old city Nara to meets its famous deer.

Two geishas wearing traditional japanese kimono among at Yasaka Pagoda and Sannen Zaka Street in Kyoto, Japan.

Day trip to Nara

Explore the ancient capital with an expert guide. Begin at Nara Park, commonly known as “Deer Park,” home to hundreds of freely roaming deers, regarded as messengers of the gods and symbol of the city.

Visit Kasugataisha Shrine, established in 768AD as the shrine of the powerful Fujiwara Family, with a magnificent interior with numerous bronze hanging lanterns, as well as stone lanterns that lead up to the shrine. Then, the gigantic Todaiji temple, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world and surrounded by the giant statue of Buddha Virocana.

Finish in Naramachi, the former merchant district that features traditional warehouses, homes, boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Ready to start your adventure?

Whatever you want your luxury private tour or safari itinerary to include, we’ll create something fully bespoke for you… and only you.