This whistle-stop tour covers the major attractions of South Korea. Starting in the bustling metropolis of Seoul, you travel to the historic cities of Daegu…
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Tailor-made Tour 14 days from £5990 per person
Places Visited: Seoul, Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka
Discover the culinary delights of the Far East on this unique tour of South Korea and Japan. From mouth-watering street foods and sensory fine dining experiences to hands-on cooking demonstrations; this tour will bring you closer to one of the most fascinatingly foreign parts of the world.
You will explore Seoul on a food tour, taste Japanese beer at a famous brewery in Yokahama, take part in a traditional tea ceremony in Tokyo, taste sake and enjoy a meal with a maiko (trainee geisha) in Kyoto, learn how to cook Kimchi and rolled sushi, and explore vibrant food markets. From foodies to master chefs, this tour is guaranteed to tickle everyone’s taste buds!
Holiday Types
Cultural Holidays Luxury Train Holidays Family Holidays Culinary Holidays
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
UK
Fly from the UK to Seoul on Korean Air or similar. (Self-arranged)
Accommodation Options
Day 2
Seoul
On arrive in Seoul you will be met and driven to the Ramada Jongno Hotel for a four-night stay. Your guide will then collect you from your hotel and take you on a three-hour dinner food tour using Seoul’s excellent public transport. You will visit a traditional medicine market where you will learn about ginseng. Afterwards, you will head to a traditional meat market where you’ll see top quality beef being fabricated. With the help of your guide, you will pick out top grade Hanwoo beef (some say it is more flavourful than Kobe beef) and take it to a local restaurant in the market where they will barbeque it for you. Enjoy a BBQ dinner with Korean beer!
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Day 3
Seoul
Explore culinary Seoul with your guide who will take you on a foodie adventure around the city using public transport. You will explore markets, hidden-away restaurants, tent restaurants and real mom and pop shops as you eat and drink the day away. This tour includes lunch and dinner and can be customised as per your tastes and requirements.
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Day 4
Seoul
Explore the cultural highlights of Seoul today with a private English speaking guide. Visit Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeokgung Palace, Insa-Dong shopping street and Bukchon Hanok Village. You will have a private air-conditioned vehicle for the tour. In the evening, take a fun and unique Night Dining Tour using public transport. As part of this tour you will visit famous restaurants that specialise in Korean barbecue, rice beer, and also visit the traditional Gwangjang market, famous for the crispy mung bean pancakes. Your guide will give you insights into Korean culture and teach you eating and drinking customs. This walking tour will take you to four different places with different food and alcohol at each stop. The tour starts at 1800 hrs and lasts for three and a half hours.
Accommodation Options
Day 5
Seoul
Enjoy a shared cooking class in the morning followed by lunch at a local cookery school. Remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation Options
Day 6
Seoul
Transfer from your hotel to Incheon International Airport in the morning for a flight to Tokyo. On arrival you'll take an airport shuttle bus to the Courtyard Marriott Ginza Hotel for a three-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.
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Day 7
Seoul, Tokyo
Enjoy a full-day tour of Tokyo with a private English speaking guide, using Tokyo’s excellent public transport. You will visit Hama-Rikyu Gardens, Asakusa, Meiji Shrine and Omotesando. You will also enjoy a cruise on Sumida River and experience a traditional tea ceremony. Lunch and dinner will be arranged in local restaurants to try Tempura (a Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried) or Kushiage (Japanese style deep fried kebab) and Yakitori (Japanese style grilled chicken).
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Day 8
Tokyo
On another full-day tour with a private English speaking guide, you will visit the famous Tsukiji Fish Market (outer market only), Namiyoke Shrine and take part in a sushi making class followed by lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the Kirin Beer Village at Yokahama and tour the famous brewery.
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Day 9
Tokyo
Take a shared seat-in-coach tour today to Mount Fuji and Hakone. Stop on the slopes at a height of over 2000m and admire the panoramic views (weather permitting). Later take a cruise on Lake Ashi and a lovely cable car ride. Stay overnight at a traditional Japanese Ryokan.
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Day 10
Hakone
Travel by Bullet Train to Kyoto for a three-night stay at New Miyako Hotel. In the evening, enjoy a walking tour of Gion with a private English speaking guide followed by a Japanese style dinner with a Maiko (trainee Geisha).
Accommodation Options
Day 11
Kyoto
Take a sightseeing tour of Kyoto in the morning with a private English speaking guide, using public transport. You will visit the Imperial Palace (closed on the weekend), Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple. Udon or soba noodles lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you'll take a guided walk of Kyoto’s famous food market (Nishiki) in a small group. At the market you'll spot lots of interesting foods and can help your guide buy some of the ingredients for your cooking class. On the way to the cooking class you will explore the back lanes of Kyoto and stop at a former sake brewery to enjoy a tour and sake-tasting. At the cooking centre you will learn how to make rolled sushi, miso soup and salad. Once you've prepared your dishes you get to eat!
Accommodation Options
Day 12
Kyoto
This morning you'll take an excursion to Fushimi-Inari Shrine and Nara with a private English speaking guide, using public transport. In the afternoon there's more sightseeing with a visit to Daitoku-ji and Kinkaku-ji (temples famous for zen gardens and golden pavilion).
Accommodation Options
Day 13
Nara
Today there is a full-day excursion to Osaka with a private English speaking guide. You will visit Osaka Castle and the Instant Ramen Museum, with a cup noodle making experience! A takoyaki (a ball shaped Japanese snack made of wheat flour based batter) or okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant.
Accommodation Options
Day 14
Osaka, UK
Fly from Osaka’s Kansai Airport to the UK on Korean Air or similar. (Self-arranged)
Accommodation Options
Tailor-made Tour 14 days from £5990 per person
What's included
✓ 12 nights accommodation
✓ All internal transportation and transfers
✓ English-speaking guides
✓ Breakfast daily, all meals mentioned in itinerary
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary
Places and Experiences in this tour
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