18-Day Tour Package: Beijing, South Korea & Japan

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Beijing

Welcome to Beijing! Upon landing in the capital of China, we'll transfer you from the airport to the hotel for luggage drop-off and some rest. At 6:30 pm, we'll reconvene for an initial tour of the city.

Our first stop will be the renowned Wangfujing Avenue, a vital commercial hub in Beijing. A delightful included dinner will follow a leisurely stroll through the streets lined with stores. Finally, we'll return to the hotel for a good night's rest.

Day 2: Beijing

Excited to explore one of Beijing's must-see attractions? Following breakfast at the hotel, we'll guide you to the Imperial Palace, famously known as the Forbidden City – a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We'll delve into the official residence of the Chinese emperors, ascend to the upper part of Jingshan Park, and visit the expansive Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest, housing the National Grand Theater. Afterwards, we'll delight in a delicious traditional lunch.

In the afternoon, our journey continues to the Summer Palace. We'll enjoy a tricycle tour through Beijing's traditional neighborhoods and the charming hutongs. A visit to a traditional house will offer insight into local life before we return to our accommodation.

Day 3: Beijing

Our exploration of Beijing's iconic attractions continues! Following breakfast, we'll venture towards the Great Wall, an awe-inspiring architectural marvel with over 2,000 years of history and recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Specifically, we'll visit the Mutianyu section, relishing the best views of this monument as we ascend and descend via cable car.

Upon returning to central Beijing, we'll appreciate the urban art murals in the 798th district and explore the Temple of Heaven, the country's largest temple complex. This spiritual journey will include discussions on traditional Chinese medicine. Take the opportunity to unwind with a foot massage and partake in a Tai Chi class.

In the evening, we'll indulge in a dinner featuring Beijing's famous lacquered duck before heading back to the hotel.

Day 4: Beijing - Seoul

After breakfast, we'll make our way to Beijing Airport, ready for a flight to South Korea! We'll embark on an evening stroll through the city upon landing in Seoul. Exploring the South Korean subway, catching glimpses of City Hall's facade, the illuminated Deoksugung Palace, and the bustling Myeong-dong district – the capital's largest shopping area – will be on our agenda.

Dinner will be included at a local restaurant, and to wrap up the day, we'll escort you back to your hotel.

Day 5: Seoul

Have you fueled up with breakfast? Let's kick off a 5-hour exploration of Seoul. Our tour will showcase the city's main icons, including the picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village with its traditional houses, the Korean War Memorial Museum, and the UNESCO-protected Changdeokgung Palace, famous for its historical significance and enchanting gardens.

Lunch at a local restaurant will be followed by a visit to the shops in the Gangnam district and some free time around the Lotte World Tower area before returning to the hotel. Optionally, you can purchase your entrance ticket to this impressive 555-meter-tall (1,820-foot) skyscraper, one of the tallest buildings in the world!

Day 6: Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju

Before bidding farewell to Seoul, we'll admire the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace right after breakfast. Delving into its 600 years of history, we may even witness the changing of the guard if luck is on our side before heading to our next destination: Suwon.

Did you know Suwon was the former capital of South Korea? We'll delve into its past, exploring its ramparts and the Hwaseong Haenggung, the summer palace. Additionally, we'll visit the Samsung Innovation Museum to unravel the secrets of one of the world's most renowned technology companies.

After lunch, our journey continues to Jeonju, where we'll meander through its quaint old town full of art galleries, traditional houses, and charming stores. The night will be spent in a hotel in this captivating city.

Day 7: Jeonju - Haeinsa - Daegu - Busan

After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to Jeonju, making our way to the ancient Haeinsa Temple. This sacred structure, dating back to 802, holds a vast collection of Buddhist texts meticulously engraved on 80,000 wooden blocks!

During our visit, we'll explore the temple and its museum, followed by a journey to Daegu. Here, we'll wander through the traditional medicine market and enjoy a delightful lunch.

Capping off the day, we reach Busan, South Korea's second-largest city. A stroll through the Doosan Haeundae complex, characterized by 3 towering skyscrapers exceeding 250 meters (820 feet), will precede your hotel drop-off.

Day 8: Busan - Haedong Yonggung - Busan Ferry to Shimonoseki

Post-breakfast, we'll depart Busan to explore Haedong Yonggung, a 14th-century Buddhist temple perched by the sea. We'll see sculptures of zodiac signs from Eastern philosophy and various artistic works tied to Buddhism.

Upon our return to Busan, we'll visit the United Nations Memorial and a bustling fish market before having lunch. Reenergized, we'll marvel at the Yongdusan Park pagoda and make our way to the city's port.

Prepare to board a ferry for an overnight journey across the Sea of Japan. It's time to unwind and rest!

Day 9: Shimonoseki - Miyajima - Hiroshima

Konnichiwa, Japan! Morning will find us at the port of Shimonoseki after a restful overnight crossing. A northbound bus journey through the city of Iwakuni awaits us, followed by another boat ride to the enchanting island of Miyajima.

You'll have several hours of free time on the island for lunch and a visit to the Itsukushima Shrine, gracefully perched over the sea. With a bit of luck, you may encounter the numerous deer families that call this area home.

In the afternoon, our journey takes us to Hiroshima, renowned for its poignant history during World War II. We'll pay homage to the lives lost at the Peace Memorial and explore its museum. On this ninth day, dinner is also included.

Day 10: Hiroshima - Matsuyama

Waking up in Hiroshima, we'll have breakfast at the hotel before boarding a ferry bound for Shikoku Island. After a 2.5-hour crossing, we'll arrive in Matsuyama, where a cable car journey awaits to ascend to its castle. This landmark, distinguished by its immaculate white facade, stands as one of Japan's best-preserved fortresses.

Our exploration continues with a visit to the Ishiteji Buddhist temple, followed by an included lunch at a Matsuyama restaurant. Cap off the day by unwinding at the Dogo Onsen, the country's oldest traditional spa, before heading to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Day 11: Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Kobe

Let's kick off the day with a hearty breakfast! Once satisfied, we'll head to the village of Kotohira to explore a Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of sailors. To reach it, a climb of approximately 800 steps up Mount Zosu awaits, but rest assured, the breathtaking views make the effort worthwhile.

Our journey continues to Takamatsu, where we'll marvel at one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, Ritsurin Park. Lunch will be included in this serene setting. Wrapping up the day, we'll stroll across the Naruto Bridge before reaching the hotel in Kobe for a good night's sleep.

Day 12: Kobe - Mount Koya

Post-breakfast, we'll delve into Kobe, potentially visiting the Earthquake Museum and the Sake Museum or enjoying the panoramic views from Kobe Harbor Tower, depending on the season and availability.

Our next destination? Mount Koya! We'll explore this sacred mountain, a vital center for Shingon Buddhism, with its temples and monasteries. Highlights include the Okunoin cemetery, boasting over 200,000 tombs, and the Kongobuji temple. The bedrooms are simple, traditional Japanese style with tatamis, and the bathrooms are shared. The day wraps up with a stay in a temple hotel with a guided meditation and an included dinner

Day 13: Mt. Koya - Kyoto

We'll begin the day with a traditional Japanese breakfast at the temple, setting off by bus to Kyoto. Did you know it served as Japan's capital until 1868? We'll stroll through its historic center, reflecting on the times when it housed the Imperial Court.

The tour unfolds with visits to the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shinto shrine, the Imperial Palace, the Kinkaku-ji temple, and the Gion district, renowned for its geishas. After a day of exploration, we'll return to the hotel.

Day 14: Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto - Nagano

Ready to explore one of Japan's most beautiful villages and see its ancient castle? Today's the day! Following breakfast, we'll immerse ourselves in the rural landscapes as we reach Tsumago, a quaint village full of traditional wooden houses.

Lunch in the village precedes a visit to Matsumoto Castle, a 16th-century fortress. We'll explore its chambers, delve into its history, and uncover why it's dubbed the Castle of the Crows.

As the day winds down, we'll arrive in Nagano to sleep.

Day 15: Nagano - Jigokudani - Kusatsu - Ikaho

After breakfast, we'll pay a visit to the Zenko-ji temple, an important pilgrimage site established before the split of Buddhism in Japan. After immersing ourselves in the sacred aura, we'll venture into the Japanese Alps, entering the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Prepare your cameras to capture hundreds of Japanese macaques in this unique area.

Lunch within the park will be followed by a leisurely stroll through its forests and along the rivers. Later, we'll ascend by bus to 2,172 meters (7,125 feet) to explore the spa town of Kusatsu. Renowned for its hot springs fed by volcanic activity, we'll witness the traditional art of yumomi, unraveling its historical significance. Curious? Just wait until you experience it!

A night's rest awaits in the hot spring town of Ikaho, with dinner included.

Day 16: Ikaho - Nikko - Tokyo

After a satisfying breakfast, we'll head straight to Nikko, where the Nikko-Toshogu temple awaits. Noteworthy for its dragon painting with a peculiar ability to roar or cry—experience it to believe it!

The tour of Nikko includes an impressive mausoleum and a delightful riverside stroll through the Kanmangafuchi abyss. Post-tour, we'll provide some free time in the city for lunch and exploration before making our way to Tokyo. Our night in the Japanese capital marks the beginning of the final stretch of this 18-day tour.

Day 17: Tokyo

In the penultimate leg of our journey, we'll immerse ourselves in the heart of Tokyo, delving into its contrasts. A comprehensive 5-hour tour awaits, showcasing the city's dynamic pace, avant-garde neighborhoods, and serene parks.

From the iconic Zojoji Temple to the legendary Shibuya crossing, the Imperial Palace, Nijubashi Bridge, the exterior of Kokugikan Sumo Stadium, and Nakamise Street, stopping along the way for countless photo opportunities.

We'll then wander through the vibrant Akihabara district, renowned for technology, manga, and anime products. A satisfying lunch is included, and you'll enjoy several hours of free time before regrouping to travel by subway to Shinjuku. We'll have dinner in this lively district, known for its nightlife before we head to the hotel for the night.

Day 18: Tokyo

On our final day, you'll have breakfast at your Tokyo hotel. From this point onward, you're free to continue exploring the city or head to the airport if your return flight is scheduled for the day.

Accommodation

This tour includes 17 nights of accommodation in double rooms at the following hotels. One of the nights, you'll sleep in a double cabin on a ship:

• Beijing (3 nights): Grand Skylight Royal Beijing Hotel 4 stars or similar
• Seoul (2 nights): Courtyard Times Square Hotel 4 stars or similar
• Jeonju (1 night): Best Western Plus Jeonju Hotel 4 stars or similar
• Busan (1 night): Hotel Ramada Encore Busan Station 3 stars or similar
• Ferry from Busan to Shimonoseki or hotel in Fukuoka (1 night)
• Hiroshima (1 night): Hotel Dormy Inn Hiroshima Annex 4 stars or similar
• Matsuyama (1 night): Hotel Ana Crowne Plaza Matsuyama 4 stars or similar
• Kobe (1 night): Hotel Kobe Meriken Park Oriental 4 stars or similar
• Mount Koya (1 night): Hotel Saimonin 3 stars or similar
• Kyoto (1 night): Hilton Garden Kyoto Siho Hotel 4 stars or similar
• Nagano (1 night): Hotel Jal City Nagano 3 stars or similar
• Ikaho (1 night): Hotel Moriaki Ryokan 4 stars or similar
• Tokyo (2 nights): Hotel New Otani Inn Tokyo 3 stars or similar

All accommodations include breakfast, except for on the ferry. Also, in all cases, you'll have private bathrooms, except in the hotel temple of Mount Koya.

Important: Flights

Please note that in order to join the tour on the first day, your flight must arrive before 3 pm at Beijing airport. For the last day, no special departure time is required for your flight, as the tour does not include transport to Tokyo airport—you'll have the day free to go on your own whenever you need to.

Additional Info

Occasionally, due to ship availability, the journey from South Korea to Japan will be by fast ferry. Therefore, we won't sleep on the ship, as the journey will be done in only three hours. If this were to happen, we'd disembark in Fukuoka and stay in a hotel of a similar category to the other accommodations. The next day, we'd go to Iwakuni and continue from there.

On the 8th day, due to the limited capacity of the double cabins on the ferry, on occasion, we'll take the fast ferry which departs from Busan at 3 pm and arrives at Fukuoka (Japan) at around 6:30 pm. Upon arrival, we'll settle into your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Also, please note that macaques in Jigokudani Park are fairly unpredictable creatures, so we can't promise a sighting. The chances of spotting them depend on various natural and weather-related factors. On this day, during the winter months (between November and April), the visit to Kusatsu won't happen.

Please keep in mind...

For reasons of heritage protection and increased visitors' safety, the governing body of the Imperial Palace or Forbidden City has reduced the daily limit of visitors for some time. For this reason, we cannot guarantee that such a visit can take place. If it does not go ahead, it'll be replaced by a visit to the Temple of Confucious and the Temple of the Lama, both of which are also iconic spots known for their history and culture.