Guide

You will have a crew of 1 Madventure tour leader on this small group tour. Our well trained tour leaders are passionate about travel and will ensure your journey is both safe and enjoyable. Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader will arrange local guides to give you the history of the important historic sites that we visit along the way. Please bear in mind that your tour tour leader is not a guide and will not be giving you the history of the sites we visit. Historic sites require the specialist knowledge of a local guide. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media. Tipping your tour leader at the end of the tour is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. We recommend you tip your tour leader a minimum of $100 at the end of this tour, thank you.

Transport

In South Korea we use comfortable local buses to travel around during daylight with most journeys being just a few hours long. From South Korea to Japan we take a fast ferry. In Japan we use a mixture of bullet trains, direct local trains and the odd local bus service to get around the country at a leisurely pace during daylight hours. Local transport in Japan is always very comfortable.

Accommodation

We mostly stay at 3 & 4 star hotels and local guest houses during this tour to ensure you are comfortable at all times. Please note that Korean and Japanese hotel rooms are usually smaller than western hotel rooms but are generally very modern and comfortable. In Japan we also spend at least one night in a traditional ryokan (Japanese Inn) with sliding doors, tatami mats and futon beds to give you a taste of authentic Japan. Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis so if you are travelling alone be prepared to share your room with another member of the tour, of any gender. Your tour leader will always strive to put you in a room with a suitable partner. Couples can request a room with a double bed. There is a single supplement fee of £1300 if you are a solo traveller and prefer to have a private room just for yourself.

Meals

We provide an average of one meal per day on this tour, usually breakfast at the hotels we stay at, so 26 breakfasts in total. Lunch and evening meals at your own expense. Local food is generally quite cheap so if you are on a budget eat what the locals eat and you will be sure to get a real flavour of the country at a cheap price.

Others

Services of your Madventure tour leader Local guides where required All transport costs including bullet trains, buses and ferries 26 breakfasts All accommodation costs in 3 & 4 star hotels, local guest houses and traditional ryokans Seoul half day tour DMZ half day tour Gyeongju full day tour by hop on hop off bus Busan half day walking tour Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum guided tour Nara Ancient Town half day walking tour Kyoto half day walking tour Hida Folk Village Matsumoto Castle Jigokudani Monkey Park entry Mt. Fuji day tour Tokyo half day walking tour

Not included:

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. SOUTH KOREA Seoraksan NP £3 JAPAN Fukuoka Tower £6 Shinjuku robot restaurant £60

Flights

No flights are included or expected during this tour.

Others

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour) Airport transfers Personal travel insurance Personal spending money ($1250 recommended) Visas (free for most nationalities) Lunch and evening meals Snacks Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees and local guides at optional sites Any optional activities and excursions Tips for tour leader ($100 per person recommended)

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. As this is a relatively short tour you may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it may be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, http://www.campbellirvine.com/Madventure Campbell Irvine is familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Seoul - Gangnam - Royal Palaces - Bukhansan Np - Bukchon Hanok - Dmz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Seoul - Gangnam - Royal Palaces - Bukhansan Np - Bukchon Hanok - Dmz

This tour starts in South Korea’s capital Seoul where we will have 3 days to explore this vibrant city’s highlights. By day you can visit the city’s 5 Palaces and witness the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, wander the alleys of the 600 year old Bukchon Hanok Village and explore the trails of Bukhansan National Park. By night you can feast on a traditional Korean BBQ, indulge in a few cocktails unique to Korea and then head to the bright lights of Gangnam where you will find the country’s best nightclubs!

From Seoul we will also take a half day trip to the DMZ where you can enjoy a view over North Korea from the viewing platform in South Korea.
Day 2 Sokcho - Seoraksan Np
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sokcho - Seoraksan Np

A few hours away on the east coast we reach the waterfront city of Sokcho which is well-known for its fresh seafood restaurants. From here you also have a full day to explore the iconic Seoraksan National Park, probably the most beautiful park on the Korean peninsula, not only famous for its awesome peaks but also for its 2 stately Buddhist temples.
Day 3 Gyeongju - Museum Without Walls
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Gyeongju - Museum Without Walls

TTravelling south we reach the historic town of Gyeongju known locally as ‘the museum without walls’. Here we have 2 full days to explore a Korean gem packed with traditional architecture, tombs, temples, rock carvings and crumbling palaces.
Day 4 Busan - Gamcheon Village - Seafood Market
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Busan - Gamcheon Village - Seafood Market

Our final destination is Busan, a bustling port city home to the country’s largest seafood market, scenic coastal walkways, magnificent inner-city temples and the colourful Gamcheon Cultural Village.

From Busan we now take a ferry to Japan.
Day 5 Fukuoka - Buddhist Temples - Ramen Restaurants
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fukuoka - Buddhist Temples - Ramen Restaurants

We arrive in Japan by ferry from South Korea and our first couple of nights are spent in Fukuoka, a welcoming city boasting the 234m tall Fukuoka Tower, Buddhist temples, castle ruins and art galleries, but the absolute must-do here is to enjoy a meal at one of the city’s ramen (noodle) restaurants for a taste sensation like no other!
Day 6 Hiroshima - Peace Memorial Park & Museum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hiroshima - Peace Memorial Park & Museum

We continue to Hiroshima, the target of the world’s first atomic bomb. Far from being a depressing place, present-day Hiroshima is a vibrant city and the Peace Memorial Park and Museum will definitely move you with its powerful message of peace.
Day 7 Osaka - Nara Ancient Town - Great Buddha
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Osaka - Nara Ancient Town - Great Buddha

Osaka is a modern city of dazzling neon billboards, craft beer pubs, sushi restaurants and izakayas (informal pub eateries) but for a step back in time we also visit the nearby ancient town of Nara, Japan’s first capital crammed full of Buddhist temples, shrines and museums with the highlight being the awe-inspiring Daibutsu, an 8th century statue of the Great Buddha made from 437 tonnes of bronze and 130 kg of gold!
Day 8 Kyoto - Zen Gardens - Historic Streets - Tempura
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kyoto - Zen Gardens - Historic Streets - Tempura

Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan, home to great masterpieces of religious architecture where robed monks still wander through Zen gardens and prayer chants float through air heavy with incense. Take the time to visit a traditional teahouse, wander the historic streets filled with artisans stores and be sure to try the delicate tempura as this is a town of culture and cuisine.
Day 9 Takayama - Hida Folk Village - Japanese Alps
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Takayama - Hida Folk Village - Japanese Alps

Takayama is a delightful 17th century town perched high in the Japanese Alps best explored on foot to appreciate the fine wooden architecture and friendly feel of the centre. The nearby Hida Folk Village is worth a few hours to see what rural Japanese life was like centuries ago and a drink at the atmospheric Desolation Row rock bar is a good way to end the day.
Day 10 Matsumoto - Japan’S Oldest Wooden Castle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Matsumoto - Japan’S Oldest Wooden Castle

Matsumoto is a cosmopolitan town with great views of the Alps and pretty streets filled with cafes and galleries but the highlight here is Matsumoto-jo, Japan’s oldest wooden castle dating back to 1595. The castle is a designated National Treasure so be sure to visit and climb the steep stairs all the way up to the top floor for great views of the surrounding area.
Day 11 Yudanaka Onsen - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Yudanaka Onsen - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Yudanaka Onsen is a hot spring resort which we visit not only to soak ourselves in these natural pools but also to visit the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park where you have the chance to see the wild Japanese Snow Monkeys bathing in the hot springs.
Day 12 Tokyo - Shinjuku - Golden Gai - Mt. Fuji Day Trip
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tokyo - Shinjuku - Golden Gai - Mt. Fuji Day Trip

Our final destination on this tour is Tokyo where we base ourselves in the dazzling Shinjuku district, the nightlife hub of the city famous for bizarre robot restaurants, giant Godzilla statues, fantastic cosplay parks and all-night karaoke parlours. This is also a good place to take an optional day trip to Mt Fuji.

The Golden Gai labyrinth of rickety wooden bars is a perfect place for us to have our farewell night and say goodbye to our fellow adventurers who have travelled with us through South Korea and Japan!

This tour ends in Tokyo after breakfast on the final morning of the trip so you can make your onward travel arrangements accordingly.

27 days tour

South Korea & Japan Group Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip South Korea & Japan Group Tour

Seoul - Gangnam - Royal Palaces - Bukhansan Np - Bukchon Hanok - Dmz

Sokcho - Seoraksan Np

Gyeongju - Museum Without Walls

Busan - Gamcheon Village - Seafood Market

Fukuoka - Buddhist Temples - Ramen Restaurants

Hiroshima - Peace Memorial Park & Museum

Osaka - Nara Ancient Town - Great Buddha

Kyoto - Zen Gardens - Historic Streets - Tempura

Takayama - Hida Folk Village - Japanese Alps

Matsumoto - Japan’S Oldest Wooden Castle

Yudanaka Onsen - Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Tokyo - Shinjuku - Golden Gai - Mt. Fuji Day Trip

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