Discover Japanese & Korean Culture: Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Seoul - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (Japan), Food & Walking Tour in the Yanaka District

Welcome to the vibrant capital of Japan, Tokyo! Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel in the city. After some time to refresh, follow your guide to the Yanaka district on a food and walking tour, starting at Nezu Shrine, a Shinto shrine built in 1705. Enter through the towering torii gates and follow the path lined with colorful azalea bushes to the main hall. Admire the intricate carvings and vibrant colors of the shrine, then explore the sacred grounds full of koi-filled ponds, vermillion bridges, and stone lanterns.

After exploring the shrine and its natural surroundings, continue to a nearby café to rest and enjoy traditional sweets and drinks. You can also try to paint a ceramic maneki-neko (lucky cat), which locals believe can bring happiness and luck. Don't fill up on snacks here, as your next stop is to street food stalls selling mochi, a sweet rice cake typically filled with red bean paste, and dorayaki, red bean pancakes. Break up the sweets with a delicious bowl of soba noodles for lunch to end the half-day tour.

Day 2: Full-Day Tour of Tokyo

Spend a full day exploring Tokyo's iconic landmarks, starting at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, built in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Step through the towering torii gate into the expansive grounds enveloped in a lush forest. Follow the gravel path to the main complex to take in the grandeur of traditional Japanese architecture and witness solemn Shinto ceremonies. Participate in a ritual yourself by praying and leaving an offering at the shrine before continuing to the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, a bustling hub for food enthusiasts.

Navigate the narrow lanes lined with stalls offering a variety of seafood-heavy dishes, such as fresh sushi or grilled scallops. Once you've had your fill, continue to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, the only part of the complex that's open to the public. Stroll along the meandering paths and look out at the traditional tea houses, scenic ponds, and picturesque bridges. Head to Senso-ji, the oldest temple in the city, built in 645 CE. Admire the main hall adorned with sacred artifacts and pick up an omikuji to read your fortune before ending the tour at Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street.

Day 3: Visit the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji

Trade the city for the countryside this morning as you drive 2.5 hours to the UNESCO-listed Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Ascend the grand stone staircase, lined with bronze lanterns, then enter the complex at the Yomeimon Gate, also known as the Gate of the Setting Sun. Admire the elaborate wood carvings, stone mythical creatures, and gold leaf embellishments adorning the structures before continuing to Kegon Falls, one of Japan's highest waterfalls standing at 318 feet (97 m). Enjoy panoramic views of the falls from the observation deck, watching the cascading waters as the cool mist surrounds you.

Head to the nearby Lake Chuzenji, formed over 20,000 years ago by the eruption of Mount Nantai. Stroll along the tranquil lake's shores or embark on a boat cruise across the crystal-clear water. Then, end the tour at the Onihei Edo-dokoro Parking Area, a rest stop dating back to the Edo period. Explore the Edo-style shops, restaurants, and theater for a glimpse into the past. Watch as the streets come alive with performances and interactive exhibits, then pop in and out of the quaint shops to find the perfect souvenirs to take home. In the evening, return to your hotel in Tokyo to relax.

Day 4: Train to Kyoto, Walking Tour of Gion & Geisha Performance

After breakfast, head to the station to catch a 2.5-hour bullet train to Kyoto, the former capital of Japan. Make your way to the hotel, where you can relax until your walking tour in the evening. When it's time, follow your guide through the alleyways of Gion, a historic geisha district full of traditional wooden machiya houses. Stroll past quaint teahouses, traditional high-end ryotei restaurants, and the Torii gate marking the entrance to Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto sanctuary dating back to 656 CE.

Learn about the geisha's traditions and lifestyle, then watch an authentic show displaying the skill and grace of geisha and their apprentices. Sit on the floor atop traditional tatami mats and watch as the women engage in classical music, dance, and tantalizing conversation. Admire their elaborate kimono, intricate hairstyles, and precise movements while they tell a story without words. After the performance, take pictures with the geisha, then ask any questions you may have to gain a deeper insight into their rituals and daily life before returning to your hotel.

Day 6: Train to Hiroshima, Cruise to Itsukushima, Visit the Peace Memorial Park

Say goodbye to Kyoto this morning as you catch a 1.5-hour bullet train to the city of Hiroshima, the target of the world's first atomic bomb in 1945. The city has since rebuilt, and the radiation levels are extremely low, so it's safe to visit. Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel, where you can leave your bags behind and refresh. When it's time, head to the pier and jump on a ferry to Itsukushima, a small island in Hiroshima Bay. Disembark and stroll to Itsukushima-jinja, a torii gate that almost looks like it's floating on the water at high tide. 

Follow the boardwalk to see the shrine up close, dedicated to the three sea goddesses, then explore the complex's intricately designed halls, pagodas, and bridges. In the afternoon, return to Hiroshima by ferry to visit the Peace Memorial Park, located at the epicenter of the atomic bombing. Stroll to the park's centerpiece, the Genbaku Dome, the skeletal remains of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which miraculously survived the blast. End the tour at the Peace Memorial Museum within the park to learn more about the bombing and how it affected the lives of the city's survivors.

Day 7: Fly to Seoul (South Korea), Explore the Capital on Your Own

After just one night in Hiroshima, head to the airport to catch a two-hour flight to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel, where you can stay to relax or venture out to explore on your own. Jump on the metro to Myeongdong Shopping Street, a pedestrian-friendly district full of local and international brands. Browse the trendy boutiques and beauty shops or visit one of the many street food stalls to try local delights, like tteokbokki, sweet and spicy rice cakes, or odeng, fish cake skewers served with a hot broth.

In the evening, the streets of Myeongdong come alive with neon lights and the sounds of K-pop music as performers line the streets, giving you a look into Seoul's vibrant culture. End the night with a sweet treat of bingsu, a shaved ice dessert that comes in a variety of flavors, such as red bean, matcha, or chocolate. But if you're not ready to go back to the hotel just yet, visit a noraebang, a private karaoke room equipped with a vast selection of songs in various languages, including English. Sing and dance the night away under the colorful lights to celebrate your first night in South Korea. 

Day 8: Full-Day Tour of Seoul's Iconic Landmarks

Spend a full day exploring Seoul's highlights, starting at Gyeongbokgung, a palace built in 1395 during the Joseon dynasty. Enter at the imposing Gwanghwamun Gate to discover the intricate architecture, traditional courtyards, and lush gardens. Before you leave, watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the main gate. Continue to the nearby Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighborhood full of well-preserved hanoks, traditional Korean houses. Walk along the narrow, winding alleyways to admire the intricate wooden structures housing cultural centers, art galleries, and traditional tea houses. 

For lunch, head to Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and largest markets in the country. Browse the stalls brimming with handmade goods and Korean street food, like bindaetteok, mung bean pancakes, and bibimbap, rice topped with marinated meat and sautéed vegetables. Once you're full, take a stroll through Namsan Park, sitting at the base of Namsan Mountain. Follow the well-maintained trails up the mountain, or take a cable car to the top to get to N Seoul Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city to end the tour.

Day 9: Full-Day Tour of Seoul, Traditional Stamp-Making Workshop

Enjoy another full day of exploring Seoul's landmarks, beginning at Changdeokgung, the only one of Seoul's five major palaces to receive UNESCO recognition. Stroll through the grounds to admire the palace's wooden structures adorned with vibrant colors and delicate ornamentation. Don't miss the Huwon, the palace's secret garden, full of lotus ponds, intricate pavilions, and ancient trees. Continue to the neighboring Chongmyo Royal Shrine, one of the oldest Confucian royal shrines in the world, as it was constructed in 1395.

Day 10: Depart Seoul 

After 10 days of immersing yourself in Japanese and Korean culture, your journey draws to a close today. Spend your last few hours in Seoul exploring more of the city on your own. Return to Myeongdong Shopping Street to pick up some last-minute souvenirs or enjoy a stroll through Seoul Forest, an expansive public park that blends nature, art, and recreational spaces. Discover the butterfly conservatory, deer enclosure, and botanical gardens within the park before returning to the hotel to grab your bags and transfer to the airport in time for your flight home. Safe travels!

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