Premium Japan Cultural & Scenic Tour – 15 Nights / 16 Days

Arrival in Tokyo (Friday)

• Arrive in Japan and clear customs.
• Transfer to the hotel by shared shuttle bus.
• Free day at leisure.
• Tour briefing in the afternoon.

Tokyo City Tour (Saturday)

• 5-hour guided city tour of Tokyo.
• Stop at Zojoji Temple (view of Tokyo Tower + Jizo statues).
• Visit Shibuya Crossing – the busiest intersection in the world.
• Explore Meiji Shrine (dedicated to Emperor Meiji & Empress).
• Drive along Omotesando Avenue.
• View the Imperial Palace gardens and Nijubashi Bridge.
• Pass Akihabara (Electric Town) and the sumo arena Kokugikan.
• Visit Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street in Asakusa.
• Lunch at a local restaurant (included).
• Evening: Metro trip to Shinjuku with guide.
• Dinner at a local restaurant (included).
• Return to the hotel by metro with the guide.

Tokyo to Kyoto by Bullet Train (Sunday)

• Early morning ride on a Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto (500 km in 2+ hrs).
• Full-day guided tour of Kyoto.
• Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (thousands of vermilion torii gates).
• Explore the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion).
• Stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s traditional geisha district.
• Free time for individual exploration.

Kyoto – Eihei-ji – Dinosaur Museum – Kanazawa (Monday)

• Travel via the scenic lake route; stop at Shirahige Ginra Shrine.
• Visit Eihei-ji Temple-Monastery (Zen Buddhism hub, Zazen practice).
• Arrive in Katsuyama
• Tour the Dinosaur Museum (40+ skeletons, fossil exhibits).
• Visit the Great Buddha of Echizen & 5-storey pagoda with panoramic views.
• Arrive in Kanazawa by evening.

Kanazawa Tour (Tuesday)

• Guided city tour of Kanazawa.
• Visit the castle area and Nagamachi samurai district.
• Explore Kenrokuen – one of Japan’s top 3 gardens (entry included).
• End at Omicho Market – time for lunch.
• Free afternoon to explore Kanazawa.

Kanazawa – Ainokura – Shirakawa – Takayama (Wednesday)

• Scenic journey through the Japanese Alps.
• Visit Ainokura & Shirakawa-go Ogimachi – UNESCO-listed villages with “praying hands” houses.
• Time for lunch in Shirakawa.
• Visit Hida Folk Village Museum in Takayama (30+ Edo-era houses, daily life tools).
• Free time to explore Takayama’s old town.

Takayama – Hida Furukawa – Matsumoto – Tokyo (Thursday)

• Morning stroll in Hida Furukawa’s old town (UNESCO Intangible Heritage).
• Entry to Festival Float Museum.
• Cross the Japanese Alps, passing snow-clad peaks.
• Visit Matsumoto Castle (16th-century “Crow Castle”).
• Free time for lunch and town exploration.
• Return to Tokyo by evening.

Tokyo – Fly to Busan (Friday)

• Transfer to Tokyo airport.
• Flight to Busan (South Korea).
• Arrive in Busan and meet the local assistant.
• Transfer to hotel. Free evening.
• Meet the guide and group joining the Korean segment of the trip.

Busan – Seokguram – Gyeongju – Daegu (Saturday)

• Visit Seokguram Grotto (8th-century Buddhist site on Tohamsan slopes).
• Tour Bulguksa Temple – one of Korea’s finest temples.
• Continue to Gyeongju – ancient capital (992-year reign).
• Photo stop at Woljeonggyo Bridge.
• Visit Tumuli Park (Silla Kingdom royal tombs, 1500+ years old).
• Walk to Cheomsongdae Observatory (oldest in East Asia).
• Arrive in Daegu
• Visit Dongsan Cheongna Hill (Christian missionary homes).
• Stroll Dongseong-ro Street (cafes, shops, nightlife).
• Overnight in Daegu.

Daegu – Andong – Hahoe – Seoul (Sunday)

• Visit Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine.
• Walk herbal medicine market streets (ginseng focus).
• Head to Andong – tour Hahoe Village (UNESCO World Heritage).
• Explore Hahoe Mask Museum (ritual, theatrical, global masks).
• Lunch included.
• Visit Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy (riverside, 16th century).
• Arrive in Seoul by evening.
• Weather permitting: stop at Banpo Bridge to see the rainbow-lit fountain show.

DMZ – Cheorwon Excursion – Seoul Night Tour (Monday)

• Early trip to Cheorwon DMZ region.
• Visit Second Tunnel (secret North Korean invasion tunnel).
• See Cheorwon Peace Observatory (views of North Korea, museum).
• Visit abandoned Woljeong-ri Railway Station & Baek Ma Memorial (French battalion).
• Lunch included.
• Visit a traditional Makgeolli (rice liquor) producer.
• Return to Seoul.
• Visit City Hall (tsunami-shaped architecture).
• Walk to Deoksugung Palace (night-lit elegance).
• Explore Myeongdong District – Seoul’s top shopping street.
  Dinner included.
• Metro return to hotel (ticket included).
• Note: Carry a passport for the DMZ visit; it’s a military zone and subject to unexpected closures.

Seoul City Tour (Tuesday)

• 5-hour guided Seoul tour.
• Visit Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO site, park setting).
• Pass Bukchon Hanok Village (traditional Korean homes).
• Tour the War Memorial of Korea (major conflict museum).
• Lunch included.
• Explore Gangnam District (shopping and entertainment).
• Stop at Lotte World Tower (550 m skyscraper)
• Optional tower entry (ticket not included) or explore the mall & park.
• Return to hotel; free evening.

Seoul – Suwon – Jeonju (Wednesday)

• Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (guard change ceremony if available).
• Drive to Suwon – former capital of Korea.
• Explore Suwon Fortress Walls (UNESCO) and Hwaseong Haenggung (summer palace).
• Lunch included.
• Continue to Jeonju.
• Visit Jeonju Hanok Village – traditional homes, shops, and galleries.

Jeonju – Damyang – Haeinsa – Busan (Thursday)

• Stop at Sunchang Gochujang Village (learn chili paste making).
• Visit Damyang’s Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (meditative paths, bamboo goods).
• Lunch included – taste bamboo-cooked rice.
• Visit Haeinsa Temple (UNESCO site, home of the Tripitaka with 80,000 wooden tablets).
• Arrive in Busan and check in.

Explore Busan (Friday)

• Morning visit to Haedong Yonggung Temple (seaside 14th-century shrine).
• Visit the UN Memorial Cemetery.
• Explore Jagalchi Fish Market near Nampo Port.
• Included lunch.
• Walk through Yongdusan Park (with 120m Busan Tower).
• Visit Songdo Beach – ride the marine cable car (ticket included, weather permitting).
• Explore Gamcheon Culture Village (colourful houses, galleries, cafes).
• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Departure from Busan (Saturday)

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• End of services and farewell.