Japan & Korea Highlights with One Asia Pass

12 days - A fantastic holiday package to both Japan and South Korea including all the must-see locations ...

• Tokyo: city tour (3 nights)
• Nikko or Kamakura tour (optional)
• Mt Fuji tour
• Hakone - Lake Ashi
• Bullet Train
• Kyoto: city tour (3 nights)
• Nara (optional)
• Osaka - Osaka Castle (1 night)
• Seoul: city tour, DMZ tour (3 nights)
• Guaranteed departure
• One Asia Pass Discounts & Coupons

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1
Depart from your preferred airport for a scheduled flight to Tokyo. Meals on board.

Day 2 Tokyo
Arrive at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by your tour assistant and transferred to your hotel for a 3 night stay. The rest of the day is at your leisure to adjust to the 9 hours time difference.

Day 3 Tokyo
Morning city tour of Tokyo visiting a number of the main highlights of this magnificent City. The tour includes a visit to the Tokyo Tower where you can enjoy panoramic views across the city from the observation tower. We proceed to the peaceful picturesque setting of the Meiji Shrine, set in thick woodland and considered to be one of the finest examples of Shinto Architecture. Next we drive by the 'Akasaka Guest House' for a photo opportunity. The Guest House is a magnificent 'Western Style Palace' built in the Baroque Architectural style. We then drive alongside the imposing National Diet Building, which is home to the Japanese House of Parliament.

Our tour continues across Tokyo to the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Enjoy a pleasant walk in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, which is filled with scenic and historic beauty. (Alternatively for tours on Monday & Friday & when the garden is closed, we will visit the Imperial Palace plaza and famous Double bridge instead). Our tour will continue with a drive and stroll along Ginza high street, the famous shopping area of Tokyo. The tour disbands in Ginza, giving you a great opportunity for shopping. We highly recommend you visit the Sony Centre building to see the futuristic electronics on display. Ginza is also convenient for the subway to explore further areas of Tokyo.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Tokyo city tour. The optional tour includes visiting the beautiful Hama-Rikyu garden, enjoying our Sumida River Cruise and visiting the Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamise shopping street. We then drive through Kappabashi, Ueno and Akihabara districts of Tokyo before finishing the tour. Ask for details at time of booking.

Day 4 Tokyo - (Nikko or Kamakura optional tour)
Free day to explore Tokyo at your leisure or purchase an optional full day tour to either Nikko, or Kamakura and Yokohama.

The optional professionally guided tour to Nikko involves taking a Deluxe motor coach to Nikko National park, a designated World Cultural Heritage site. Nikko is a gem of natural beauty and home to some of the most spectacular examples of ancient architecture in Japan. The tour includes a visit to the magnificent Toshogu shrine, which houses the Mausoleum of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. We also visit the stunning Tamozawa Imperial Villa, constructed in 1899 and which served as the Tokyo residence of the Tokugawa family and later a summer retreat for the Imperial Family. Afterwards we visit the spectacular Kirifuri waterfall. Japanese style Lunch included. The tour disbands on arrival in Ginza & Shinjuku at around 7-8pm, where you will have ample restaurants and bars to choose from for your evening meal and entertainment. If you prefer, you can return to your hotel and our tour guide will be happy to provide you with information on return transportation/directions. Overnight in Tokyo.

Day 5 Tokyo - MT Fuji - Hakone - Kyoto (Includes Lunch)
You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to Mount Fuji. Along the way you will enjoy the scenery of rural Japan, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountainous peaks. From our vantage point on the 5th station on MT Fuji, we will enjoy spectacular views (weather permitting).

Lunch will be provided at a Hotel/Restaurant in Hakone. In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley where you will see ancient volcanic craters with sulphurous fumes and clouds of steam spiralling from crevasses across the mountain side giving a truly mystical image. We then proceed with our tour for a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, which is set in serene natural beauty, where weather permitting spectacular views of Mount Fuji can be seen silhouetted in the lake. Proceed to Odawara and take the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto. Our Standard accommodation is the New Miyako hotel or similar (includes: Lunch).

Day 6 Kyoto
Morning sight seeing tour of Kyoto including a visit to Nijo Castle, former residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603. Nijo Castle is noted for its Ornate interior and 'nightingale floor' designed to sing when stepped upon to warn of Ninja assassins. Next we visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) centred around one of the best examples of a Japanese Zen gardens in the world. We then travel to Kyoto Imperial Palace, the impressive former residence of the Imperial family. Tour ends around 1:00pm.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional tour to Nara. The optional tour includes visiting Nara Deer Park and the Todaiji temple housing the Great Buddha in the worlds largest wooden building. Next we visit the Kasuga Taisha Shinto Shrine which features 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Finally enjoy Nara Nagomikan before retuning to Kyoto. (Optional tour includes buffet lunch). Enquire at time of booking to include the Nara tour in your itinerary)

Day 7 Kyoto
Day free at Leisure to explore the fascinating city of Kyoto, or purchase our optional Kyoto afternoon tour.

The option tour includes visiting the colourful Heian Jingu Shrine and inner garden and ponds. Next we explore Sanjusangendo Hall, a renowned long wooden hall housing all of 1,001 statues that date back to the 13th century. Finally we visit the magnificent Kiyomizu Temple with spectacular views across the entire city. (This highly recommended afternoon tour can be included at time of booking).

Optional overnight stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan is available (inc Breakfast & Evening Dinner) - Contact us for details.

Day 8 Kyoto - Osaka
Check out of your hotel in the morning and leave your luggage with the bellboy. You are then free to further explore Kyoto before taking the train to Osaka (train tickets provide). The JR train from Kyoto to Osaka, is a regular local train service and does not require reserved seats. Therefore you can take the train whenever you like. Upon arrival at Osaka, check in to your hotel.

Our standard hotel is the New Hankyu Hotel, which is very conveniently located just minutes walk from the JR Osaka station, therefore making your transfer very easy. Typical of many hotels in Osaka, room sizes are small and basic at 20sqm. If you prefer a larger room, we can arrange upgrades.

We recommend arriving early afternoon so that you still have free time to explore Osaka city, which is easily navigated using the underground subways. A must-see sight in Osaka is the magnificent Osaka Castle located in the city centre. Then explore Dotonbori which is one of the most popular streets in Osaka and runs adjacent to a canal of the same name. Nearby Domi domi shopping and eating areas are one of the most exciting districts in Japan. Shinsaibashi is probably the best shopping area and certainly the most frantic. If you want to explore more historic culture, then visit the beautiful and peaceful Shitennoji Buddhist temple. Shitennoji is the oldest officially administered temple in Japan built by Prince Shotoku (574-622 A.D)

Day 9 Osaka - Seoul
You will be transferred to the Airport in Osaka for your flight to Seoul. Upon arrival at airport in Seoul, you are met and transferred to your Hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 10 - Seoul (breakfast inc)
Morning city tour of seoul provides a facinating insight into ancient and modern Seoul. The tour includes Passing by the Blue House (Presidential residence), visiting Gyeongbok palace (built in 1395 by the first King of the Joseon Kingdom), Folklore Museum and Jogyesa Temple.

Day 11 - Seoul - Korean folk village or DMZ tour (optional) (breakfast inc)
Full day to explore the exciting city of Seoul or take one of the following optional excursions:

Option 1: After breakfast your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for your tour to a traditional Korean folk village. The Korean Folk Village is a living museum where you can enjoy live performances where highlights the traditional customs and culture of 19th century Chosun Dynasty Korea. The hand crafted reconstructed village provides an unique glimse into the diverse architectural structures of the wealthy aristocrats and the humble dwelling of the farmers.

Option 2: Full day Panmunjeom + Demilitarised zone (DMZ) tour. Panmunjeom is the historic location where the armistice was signed in 1953 ending the 3 year Korean War. Literally on the border between the democratic South and communist North, you will be able to look across the Border into the world's most sealed-off society, North Korea.

Note: All visitors to the DMZ must conform to the stict dress code, access may be denied to visitors wearing jeans, sandals, shorts, miniskirt, evealing clothes or military style outfits. You must also have your passport on hand. In any circumstance that Panmunjeom tour is not available due to military operation or meetings, the tour will be substituted with the Demilitarises zone tour (DMZ tour). The DMZ tour has the following itinerary: 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Station, Unification Village on the way to Imjinkak Pavilion & Freedom Bridge.

Day 12 - Seoul - UK (breakfast inc)
Our Driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Incheon airport for your departure flight to the UK.

2017 Departure Dates & Prices from

Ref	Every Saturday	Standard Hotels Land Only (twin share)
JKH	Jan & Feb	£2050
JKH	March to May	£2099
JKH	June to Sept	£2050
JKH	Oct to Dec	£2099

** The peak season to Japan is cherry blossoms viewing (late March & early April), and autumn leave changing (October & early November). The first day of blooming (Kaika) in Tokyo usually comes at the end of March, with the trees reaching full bloom about one week later.

The prices shown above are 'per person' based upon twin share. Single rooms occupancy and hotel upgrades can be provide, please contact us for details. The price may be different around festivals period in Japan.

Price Includes

• Airport/hotel transfers.
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• All entrance fees whilst on guided tours.
• All Train tickets as specified in the itinerary.
• Selections of quality accommodation in well furnished hotel rooms with private facilities.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Guaranteed departure

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights & flights from Japan to South Korea: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
• Optional overland Luggage transfer Tokyo-Kyoto.
• Optional tours & Ryokan stay.
• Travel Insurance.

Optional Tours & Ryokan Experience
A stay at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese style Inn) is a highly recommended experience, with excellent standards of service. We can arrange a 1 night Ryokan stay on your last day in Kyoto. The supplement starts from £160 per person for 1 night with Japanese breakfast & Dinner included.

Optional Overland luggage transfer service can be arranged from hotel to hotel. This safe and affordable service carries your luggage by van between hotels to enable your transfer by bullet train to be more relaxed and enjoyable. Contact us for prices & details at time of booking.

FAQ and further Tour information
This tour is suitable for travellers of all ages, who are reasonably fit and healthy. Add on tours and city extensions are available, for details visit our optional tours page.

One Asia Pass
This tour is enables our customers to use the One Asia Pass, which provide great discounts on many products, services and places to visit whilst on your tour. Please click Welcomeasia webpage for further information regarding whats on offer...

Additional Tour Notes:

Budget accommodation in Kyoto may requires guests to make their own travel arrangements to the nearest tour pickup point, which departs from the lobby of our standard hotel. Details will be provided for your assistance.

Nijo Castle (Kyoto) is closed (every Tuesday in Jan, July, Aug & Dec), therefore if your tour falls on these dates, we will visit Ryoanji Temple instead. Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed at weekends and on national holidays, we will visit Kitano Tenmangu instead. Hiroshima & Miyajima optional tour usually operates Mon - Wed, Frid -Sunday.

Our itinerary is designed according to the most up to date information available at the time. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. In regards to expected transfer times and train times these may vary as they are subject to schedules and availability controlled by the various railway companies. It is extremely rare that itineraries ever need changes and we will always act in your best interest to handle any amendments if this did occur. However we reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary if required, for example occasionally the tour sequence and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.