All Japan Tours 337 N.Vineyard Ave Suite 215, Ontario, CA 91764
Toll Free: 1-855-325-2726 (US/CANADA) Tel: 1-909-988-8885
Fax: 1-909-349-1736 E-mail: info@alljapantours.com
Land cost: from USD $4198.00
Single supplement: USD $940.00
Tour duration: 12 days 11 nights
Destination:
Korea (Andong / Gyeongju / Seoul), Japan (Nara / Kyoto /
Koka / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Tokyo)
Tour cost includes:
• 10 nights Western style and 1 night Japanese style
accommodation
• Meet and greet upon arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport &
Osaka Kansai Airport
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Private coach transfers between destinations in
Korea & Japan
• Comprehensive escorted with AJT professional
English speaking tour guide
Meals
• Breakfast everyday
• 7 lunches and 4 dinners
Admission fees and activities
All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary
Start Date | End Date | Twin/Triple | Start City | End City | Style | Status |
---|
Start Date | End Date | Twin/Triple | Start City | End City | Style | Status |
---|
Start Date | End Date | Twin/Triple | Start City | End City | Style | Status |
---|
Please Note:
All prices are per person, based on twin (double on request) or triple occupancy.
International flights are not included on our tours - this allows you the flexibility to choose your own departure and get the best value for your money!
We can arrange international flights for US customers if needed, please ask for details.
Welcome to Korea! You will be met at the arrival gate by an AJT representative holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.
NOTE 1: The meet and greet and airport transfer to the first hotel is ONLY available on the first day of the tour. If you plan to stay extra nights before the start of the tour, please contact us for the transfer if needed.
NOTE 2: If you wish to stay extra nights before the tour starts, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.
Start your tour of Korea with a visit to the traditional Andong Hahoe Village, a UNESCO Heritage site. Popularly known as the birth of Korea's Confucianism, the place is being preserved for it's thatched-roof houses and villages. This picturesque village is also known for it's mask dance. Should time / weather permits, one can enjoy the traditional performance amidst the picturesque surroundings. After, we transfer to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty for the Gyeongju National Museum. Divided into 3 main halls & an outdoor garden exhibit area, the museum showcases mainly ancient Korean Archaeology found in the area. The artifacts range from prehistoric times to the Three Kingdom Period, as well as items buried with the Royalties in the Tombs of Cheongmacheon area.
This morning, we visit the UNESCO preserved site of Bulguksa Temple. Built in year 528, the name of the temple is literally translated as "Temple of Buddha's Land" or "Buddha's World Temple". It aims to realize the blissfulness of the Buddhist scriptures where the mortal being's suffering is being released. The steps leading to the temple being called the "Blue Cloud Bridge" & "White Cloud Bridge" as well as the decorative elements in the architecture are all symbolic of the temple's name. This afternoon, visit the Seokkuram Grotto, a small and quaint temple which houses an elegant but majestic statute of Buddha. Despite it's size, the exquisiteness of the temple's architecture suggest that it was being used by the Royalty and nobilities in ancient time. Our last stop for the day is the Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.
We head back to Seoul for the Gyeongbuk Palace, the main and and most grand of the five palaces. Construction started in 1300's, and in the 1400's its beauty flourished. Unfortunately, a few fires destroyed it and was eventually burnt down during the Japanese occupation. It was reconstructed several times since and now brought back to its former glory. Enjoy your walk in the palace grounds as your guide brief you through the various building. Next, we drive pass the Presidential Blue House, home to the current President of Korea. Please note that no photography is allowed. Next, we visit the Presidential's Museum, set up in 2010 to co-incide with APEC meeting held in Seoul the same year. The museum encompasses the past, present and the future of Seoul as well as the entire Korea. The Jogyesa is considered the "head temple" of Buddhist temples in Korea. From here, walk the streets of Insa-Dong, often considered the "Mary's Alley of Seoul" or antique streets. The traditional buildings and wide array of traditional souvenirs are absolutely mesmerizing.)
Depart for Imjinggak at DMZ, see the Freedom Bridge and Mangbaeda which is an altar for the Koreans to come pay respect to their families in North Korea. It is especially crowded during the Lunar New Year and Korean Thanksgiving Holidays as this is the closest the families can get to North Korea. After, transferring to the DMZ, we take a shuttle bus for a ride through the 3rd tunnel and DORA Observatory. One can see parts of North Korea from the observation deck. The Media Hall offers an insight of the disparities between the divided country. After, transfer for lunch and journey back to Seoul. This evening, get ready for some non- verbal comedy at the Nanta ‘Cookin’ Show. Embodying traditional Korean drumming skills into a modern kitchen scene, this light hearted comedy married with intense drumming will leave you thumping for more! After, we visit the famous Dongdaemun Market where you can find wares of every kind!
After breakfast, free for leisure until your transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport for your flight to Japan. Upon arrival Osaka, an AJT representative will meet you at the arrival gate holding an "All Japan Tours" sign.
NOTE 3: The airport transfer is available at 10:00 AM from the hotel to Seoul Incheon Airport, please arrange your flight departing after 2:00 PM.
NOTE 4: The meet and greet is ONLY available for flights arriving in Terminal 1. For guests arriving in Terminal 2, airport pickup is not included, but and we will provide you with directions to get to your hotel in advance.
NOTE 5: If you wish to stay in the center of Osaka instead of Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport, we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Elsereine Osaka (or similar class). In this case, airport transfer is not included, but we will provide you directions to get to your hotel in advance.
In the morning, travel by private coach to Nara -- Japan's oldest capital city. We will first visit Todaiji Temple, the largest wooden building in Japan. The temple also houses the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, which measures over 49 feet (15 m) high. Venture into the surrounding park, which is filled with over 1,000 Sika deer. Then, make your way to historic Kyoto and the lovely vermillion-colored Fushimi Inari Shrine, home to an almost 2.5-mile-long (4 km) tunnel of scarlet torii gates that were part of the film 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. The shrine complex wraps around a bamboo forest that features a backdrop of picturesque mountains, streams, and ponds. You will then take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience – tea with a Geisha in training, known as a Maiko. The Maiko will prepare your tea and show you the Japanese art of the tea ceremony. After, she will be happy to converse, answer questions, and tell tales about local life. (You'll stay two nights in Kyoto).
Today, we will continue our tour of Kyoto, which once served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. First, we will visit Arashiyama to see the Tenryuji Temple, where you can have a glimpse of a traditional Zen landscape garden design. Then, proceed through a dense bamboo forest, pass several small shrines, tea shops, and private houses before arriving at the Togetsukyo Bridge over Hozu River. Continue on to the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) covered with 18- karat gold leaf. This three-story structure was originally built by the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. At the Nishijin Textile Center, you can view displays of kimonos, watch an elegant kimono fashion show, and learn how they are made. Our group will tour the Kiyomizu Temple, best known for its large wooden stage that sits 13 meters (42.6 ft) above a hillside. Visitors are granted with a charming view of numerous cherry and maple trees that are particularly beautiful during the spring and fall, as well as a beautiful scene of Kyoto City in the distance. Lastly, we will tour Gion, a famous geisha district in Kyoto lined with many restaurants and ochaya (teahouses).
This morning, we will visit the Miho Museum, which is distinguished for its fascinating architecture designed by I. M. Pei. The museum exhibits various collections from different ancient civilizations. It is named after Koyama Mihoko, one of the richest women in Japan and the founder of the museum. Miho Museum is also listed as one of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die". The group will continue to Hikone to visit Hikone Castle, an original castle that has survived the post feudal era without undergoing severe damages or reconstruction. It is considered an excellent impression of what a complete feudal castle looks like, and is a national treasure itself. Afterwards, visit the tranquil Genkyuen Garden, located on the grounds of Hikone Castle. Next, our group will experience a Shinkansen bullet train ride, which can reach speeds of up to 320 km/hr. (200mph). Tonight, you will stay at the Onsen Hotel at Hamanako Kanzaiji Onsen, where you can soak in the therapeutic waters of a spa bath (onsen) and feast on a traditional Japanese Kaiseki banquet dinner.
Note: If Miho Museum is close, we will visit Kyoto National Museum or Sagawa Art Museum instead.
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Hakone and take a 20 minute ropeway from Togendai to Owakudani. Much of the area here is considered an active volcanic zone since its creation from the eruption of Mount Hakone some 3,000 years ago. There, you can experience hot springs and hot rivers, where sulfurous fumes still linger. During clear skies, Owakudani also grants great views of Mount Fuji. From Hakone, we will proceed to the famous Mt. Fuji on our private coach. Along the way, enjoy the changing scenery, from thick vegetation to lowlands and rolling clouds. We will stop at Mt. Fuji 5th station (depending on weather) to admire the distinguished peak. In the afternoon, our group will travel to Tokyo. Our last stop of the day is in Shibuya. You will have to chance to see the famed Shibuya Crossing in action and cross the street with the crowd. Afterwards, you will get take photos with the Hachiko Statue, a monument dedicated to Japan's most loyal dog and his heart- touching story.
Today, you will be taken to the Asakusa Kannon Temple,
an active place of worship where you can see the largest
paper lantern in Japan. You will also be able to explore the
Nakamise Market, which is located right after the temple's
outer gates. It is a traditional-style shopping street with
centuries of history. Next, you will have the chance to
enjoy a sushi making experience with a professional sushi
chef. Whatever you prepare, you will get to eat!
Afterwards, we will proceed to the Tsukiji Outer Market,
where various restaurants and shops line the streets.
Then, pay a visit to the Imperial Palace, the former site of
Edo Castle and current residence of Japan's Imperial
Family. In the afternoon, we will visit the world's tallest self
supporting steel tower. At 333 meters (1092.5 feet) high,
Tokyo Tower is 9 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel
Tower. You will be able to sightsee 150 meters (492 feet)
up at the main observatory deck and get a bird's eye view
of the city.
Note: For Sushi
Making Experience, if you are vegetarian, on gluten-free
diets, have seafood allergy, or don't eat raw fish, please
contact us for other ingredient options.
NOTE 6: If you wish to stay in the center of Tokyo for the last night instead of Hotel Mystays Premier Narita, we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro (or similar class). In this case, airport transfer is not included. We will provide full instructions for you to get to the airport in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$65.00 per person per way.
NOTE 7: If you will be flying out from Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita Airport (NRT), we can arrange for you to stay at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro (or similar class) instead of Hotel Mystays Premier Narita. In this case, airport transfer is not include. We will provide full instructions for you to get to the airport in advance, or we can arrange shared shuttle service for you at US$60.00 per person per way.
After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Checkout time is 11 am and Narita Airport can be reached by hotel shuttle bus.
NOTE 8: If you would like to stay longer in Japan, please contact us to book hotel accommodations.