Korea to Japan: Epic Eats & Bright City Lights

Arrive at any time and welcome to South Korea's largest metropolis. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting, so spend the day exploring on your own time. In the evening, meet your group and your CEO at the welcome meeting. After, head out for an orientation walk and welcome dinner to get to know your group and the city of Seoul. After filling up on some delicious Korean food, opt to join your CEO & new friends out on the town for your First Night Out. Maybe grab a beer or choose to test your singing voice at karaoke.

Included Experiences

• Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Start your day channeling your inner K Pop star at HiKR Ground. Then head to what may be the cutest street in all of Seoul, Ikseon-Dong Alley. After some shopping, instagrammable moments, and free time for lunch, explore the Gwangjang market and try some iconic Korean snacks. Then enjoy a free evening in the city.

Included Experiences

• HiKR Ground: Explore the 5 story, immersive experience dedicated to all things Korea. Think K-Pop, K-Drama and the most popular parts of Korean culture. Witness incredible art, listen to your favorite K-Pop band, and learn about Korean pop-culture.
• Ikseon-dong Alley: Stroll through the narrow alleys of Ikseon-dong where traditional hanok houses, modern cafes and hip restaurants coexist. Relax in quaint cafes or shop in local craft stores while admiring the beautiful hanok architecture. Hop in and out of local boutiques and galleries, stopping at the perfect photo stops at every turn.
• Free Time: Enjoy free time in Seoul. Check out N Seoul Tower, Gangnam neighborhood or Han River Park.
• Gwangjang Market Visit: Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea, with more than 5,000 shops. Famous for its fabric, local treasures, and noted to be one of the best places to go for authentic Korean street food in Seoul, you don't want to miss Gwangjang Market.

Optional Experiences

• Gangnam District Visit: Gangnam has plenty to do and see in this historically rich, fast-developing neighbourhood. Gangnam Station is the busiest subway station in Seoul and has a huge underground shopping centre, so feel free to shop until you drop. Choose to visit Bongeunsa, a Buddhist Temple in the centre of Gangnam, or enjoy the nightlife and restaurants in this area.
• N Seoul Tower Visit: Take the cable car to visit the most iconic landmark in Seoul! Located at the top of Mt Namsan, and standing at 480m above sea level, what used to be a broadcasting station before it was open to the public, is now a beautiful observatory. If you'd like to go up the tower to the observatory an additional fee is required.

Explore Experiences

Seoul is yours to explore today. With endless options, there's no bad way to enjoy this city. Opt to visit the DMZ, take a K Pop dance class, go on a Seoul City Tour or try your hand at some Korean delicacies at a cooking class.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: The day is yours to enjoy Seoul as you wish.

Optional Experiences

• Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Visit: Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) the de facto border between North and South Korea, which cuts the peninsula in half. Created in 1953, it is the most heavily militarized border in the world.
• K-Pop Dance Class: Channel your inner pop star at a K-pop dance classes. Learn the latest K-pop choreography with professional instructors and feel the energy of K-pop & K-pop culture. Classes are available for various skill levels, so even beginners can participate easily. These classes often end with a recording session, allowing participants to take home a video of their performance as a special souvenir.
• Seoul City Tour: Enjoy a bus tour of the bustling capital of South Korea. Visit different areas of the city including Gyengbokgung Palace, National Folklore Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.

In the morning, take the train to Jeonju, maybe the prettiest city in South Korea. After checking into your Hanok stay, take a CEO led tour of the town. Afterwards, take some time to explore the city on your own. Opt to wander through Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market, try your hand at Korean traditional handicraft at the Hanok Village Craft Museum or head to a local shop to try on a traditional Hanbok. This evening enjoy the comforts of traditional Korea and Korean culture at your hanok stay.

Included Experiences

• Jeonju Hanok Village Orientation Walk: Join your CEO on a walk through some of Jeonju's special attractions, like the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeondong Catholic Church, Korean Liquor museum and Jeonju handicraft exhibition hall. Stroll through the beautiful hanok streets and admire the traditional architecture.
• Free Time: Enjoy free time in Jeonju Hanok Village.
• Hanok Village Stay: Staying in a traditional hanok gives an amazing insight to Korean history and culture. With natural material and historic architecture, it will feel like you've been transported in time.

Optional Experiences

• Hanbok Wearing: Immerse yourself into the colorful and beautiful culture of South Korea. Dress in the traditional Korean Hanbok clothing in no better place than the picturesque town of Jeonju Hanok Village. With your hair done and your hanbok on, head out into the town for some pictures.
• Jeonju Hanok Village Craft Museum: Visit the Hanok Village Craft Museum and choose to experience some of the many hands on, traditional Korean crafts activities. Choose to make Hanji, traditional Korean paper, or try the pottery wheel and shape your own ceramic bowl, vase or plate. Opt to try the art of traditional Korean calligraphy with a brush and ink to create beautiful characters. Or try your hand at fan crafting & painting. Create and decorate your very own vibrant, colorful Korean fan. Its common to see designs like flowers, birds and landscapes, so choose your favorite design and decorate how you'd like.

Today, travel by bus to Nampodong, the centre of the coastal city of Busan. After dropping your luggage off at the hostel, we'll head to the colorful mountainside village of Gamcheon. This unique artistic village is full of colorful houses, murals and galleries. It's the perfect place for photos, art and culture lovers. Spend the evening exploring Busan as you'd like.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Enjoy free time in Nampodong, downtown Busan.
• Gamcheon Culture Village: Explore the pastel-coloured village of Gamcheon, nestled in the side of a mountain, with uniquely painted houses, murals, cafes, and shops.
• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Optional Experiences

• Haeundae Beach and Dongbaek Island (APEC House) Visit: Visit Haeundae Beach, one of Korea's most beautiful beaches. Enjoy a walk along the shore, or take a swim (don't forget your suit!) And see the famed APEC House built to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) summit meeting in 2005 on Dongbaek Island.
• Jjimjilbang: Treat yourself in one of Busan's jjimjilbans, a Korean spa bath house, with an array of hot spring tubs to rejuvenate mind, body, and soul.

Explore Experiences

Explore the incredible city of Busan today, visiting the beautiful cliffside Buddhist complex, Haedong Yonggung Temple. See Busan from a bird's-eye view on the Songdo Cable Car. Explore Jagalchi Fish Market for some tasty Korean snacks and Gukje Traditional Market, one of Korea's biggest markets. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy some free time in Busan before flying to the beach tomorrow.

Included Experiences

• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Visit: Originally built in 1376, this picturesque, cliffside Buddhist temple overlooks the East China Sea. Opt to grab a bizarre local snack at the traditional market. Legend foretells that should you pray here, at least one of your wishes will come true.
• Songdo Maritime Cable Car Ride: Ride the mile long gondola up to Songo Sky Park for an amazing view of the Busan coast. Visit the Observatory deck and then take the Cable car back down.
• Jagalchi Fish Market: Discover this market and major attraction at Nampo Port. Wander through the rows of stalls selling everything you can dream of from the sea. Watch as locals haggle for the best price and fishmongers hawk their wares.
• Gukje Traditional Market: Gukjesijang or Gukje Market is nestled near Biff Square, a well-known modern movie district in Busan. The market once was a place for refugees to earn a living over the period of the Korean War. Now, it's a bustling international market where loads of food, home goods, clothes, souvenirs and more can be found.

Optional Experiences

• Skyline Luge: Jump in a kart and cruise down the track in South Korea's Skyline Luge. Choose your path, and control your speed as you zoom down the track. Choose to ride it multiple times to experience the different tracks and don't forget to look up for an ocean view. While the luge is the main attraction, you can also zipline or ride the scenic chairlift.
• Taejongdae Zip Line: Soar above the waters of Gamji Beach at 653 meters on the various thrilling zip lines.

After a free morning in Busan, fly to the subtropical island of Jeju. We'll spend the next three nights in downtown Jeju City. Settle in, then join your CEO at Dongmun Market, followed by a free night out on the town. You can opt to visit Dongmun Market at night, too, and witness the vibrant food stalls under the stars. Try some delicious black pork and wash it down with Jeju's famous orange juice. Five stars if you can find the dancing lobster stall!

Included Experiences

• Jeju Dongmun Market: Visit this famous traditional market where you can try local specialties and fresh seafood - an excellent place to experience the flavors and culture of Jeju. Taste Jeju’s unique delicacies such as black pork and hallabong (tangerines) while enjoying the vibrant market atmosphere. Make sure you don't miss the famous Red Lobster Fire Dance Show while exploring the market.
• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Spend today getting a special inside look at the cultural side of Jeju. Start today with a tour of Seongeup Folk Village and learn about life of the people of old Jeju. Then we'll hike up the volcanic pathways to the top of Seongsan Sunrise Peak, an easy but rewarding hike. In the afternoon, we'll have the chance to witness the incredible haenyeo, women divers of Jeju. Watch these women, some even their 80's, dive to collect seafood and hold their breath for minutes at a time. Tonight, hit the town with your CEO and group for a Big Night Out! Enjoy a beer or your drink of choice! Karaoke, anyone?

Included Experiences

• Seongeup Folk Village: Enjoy a guided tour of the traditional Jeju culture through this living museum. Here you can see traditional homes, harubang (stone statutes), lava walls and the way the people of Old Jeju lived.
• Seongsan Sunrise Peak Visit: Take a short hike to see one of the most beautiful views in all of Jeju Island. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seongsan Ilchilbong was formed around 5000 years ago by an underwater volcanic eruption that created this unforgettable scenery. This beginner hike has a well maintained trail and is suitable for all fitness levels.
• Hamdeok Beach: White sand and turquoise water. What better way to spend an afternoon? Choose to relax on the beach or take a short hike on the Olle Trail.
• Haenyeo Women Divers Performance: Watch the amazing Haenyeo Performance and learn about the lives and traditions of Jeju's female divers. Watch as the haenyeo harvest seafood from the sea in live shows. Witness their incredible breath-holding techniques as they surface with abalone, conch, sea cucumbers and more. Afterwards, have a chance to interact with these amazing women, seeing their catch and maybe even purchasing their fresh seafood.
• Big Night Out - Jeju: Head out with your group for a night out in downtown Jeju. Follow your CEO to the best spot and, if you choose to enjoy a drink, opt for a local beer or fresh juice to reminisce about all the life-changing adventures you've just shared with newfound friends (and add tonight to the list)! Hit some karaoke and sing your heart out!

Optional Experiences

• Yongduam Rock: After years of erosion from Jeju's sun, sea and wind, the Yongduam Rock appeared. One of Jeju's most popular spots, take some time to see this crazy volcanic rock formation on the coast of downtown Jeju.
• Yongyeon Cloud Bridge: Walk across this suspension bridge connecting the two sides of the Yongyoen Valley. Enjoy the stroll during the day for a beautiful view of the coast and a temple. Wait until night for a perfect sunset sky or watch the bridge light up in the dark.

On this last day in paradise, explore the island how you wish. Opt to visit the galleries of Bunker de Lumieres, race carts at 9.81 Park or relax on one of the many beaches. Our favorites are Geumneung Beach and Hyeopjae Beach. You can also opt to hike a portion of the Olle trail. Ask your CEO about getting to and from some of the best sections of this amazing trek.

Included Experiences

• Free time in Jeju Island: There's plenty to see and do in Jeju, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax on the beach or try optional activities like visiting the Bunker De Lumieres, a Jeju City Tour, or hiking along the coast. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Optional Experiences

• Bunker des Lumières: Bunker des Lumières is an immersive art exhibition located in an old bunker in Jeju. The exhibition uses advanced projection technology to display famous artworks on the walls, creating a mesmerizing and immersive experience. Visitors can walk through the bunker and be surrounded by vibrant, moving images of masterpieces, making it a unique and captivating cultural attraction. The exhibition often features rotating themes, providing new and exciting experiences with each visit.
• Oreum Hiking: Hike along the island's volcanic hills, known as oreums. These small, dormant volcanic cones provide stunning views of Jeju's landscape. Popular oreums like Seongsan Ilchulbong and Darangshi Oreum are perfect for hiking, offering trails that range from easy to moderate difficulty. Many oreums also feature lush vegetation and diverse wildlife, making each hike a unique adventure.
• Hike the Olle Trail: Spend your day hiking a portion of the Olle Trail. This 437 km loop around the edge of Jeju island offers amazing nature walks, cultural sites, waterfalls and spectacular views. Check with your CEO about getting to and from some of the best portions of the trail. Route 6 and 7 are considered some of the most popular. Hikes can be half day or full day, depending on the portion(s) chosen and are suitable for all fitness levels.

Say your final goodbyes to Jeju and South Korea before your flight to Tokyo. Spend the day exploring Tokyo on your own terms before meeting your group in the evening for a welcome meeting. Then, after the meeting, head out for a night of fun, drinks, and dancing for your first night out in Japan. Pick the best looking spot and cheers to new adventures and friends!

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Get your bearings with an orientation walk before enjoying free time to explore buzzing Tokyo. Opt to check out Yoyogi Park, Asakusa shrine, quirky Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing, or explore the city's massive selection of shops and cafés.

Please note that the new JR Pass validation policy asks travellers to come to the office counter to activate their JR Pass.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Get out explore this vibrant city – there is so much to see and do!
• Orientation With CEO: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Optional Experiences

• Sensō-ji Temple Visit: Explore Sensō-ji Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in the entire city. Leading up to the temple the street is lined with shops selling yummy food and great souvenirs.
• Akihabara Visit: Tokyo's Akihabara district is a cultural centre and shopping district for video games, anime, manga, and electronics.
• Harajuku Visit: The Harajuku district is known as the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion. Here, find dozens of shopping and dining options including independent boutiques and larger international luxury stores.
• Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) Visit: Visit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.
• Ueno Park Visit: As Japan's most popular city park, Ueno is known for its museums and cherry blossoms. Stroll the pathways, admire the thousands of trees, including approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees, look for lotus on the pond, or opt to visit the temples and museums (entrance fees).

Board a bullet train to picturesque Takayama, surrounded by the Japanese Alps. Take in the quaint streets of old town—lined with craft shops and sake breweries (mid-day sake bombs anyone?)—on a CEO-led orientation walk. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the area. In the evening, kick back and relax in a traditional inn complete with tatami floors, Japanese futons, and an onsen hot spring. Delight in a restorative soak in the healing waters.

Included Experiences

• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
• Takayama Orientation Walk: Hit the streets with your CEO and discover some of Takayama's highlights. Snap photos of a traditional Shinto shrine and wander the quaint lanes of this historic merchant city, passing homes dating back to the ancient Edo period.
• Free Time: Use free time to enjoy the area, sample sake or visit a nearby hot spring for a soak.

Optional Experiences

• Sake Street Visit: Stroll down this quaint road, lined with sake breweries and vendors, and learn more about this typical Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Have a sample or two to test it out. (300-400 JPY per person)
• Biking: Hop onto a bike and explore the landscape and rural streets. (200-1000 JPY per person)
• Hida no Sato (Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village) Visit: Visit the Hida Folk Village, an outdoor museum where various buildings from the 1600s are open to tour. The steep, thatched roofs of the farmhouses are said to resemble praying hands. Take a peek inside to see tools and furniture from the original village.

Explore Experiences

Catch a train to Japan's imperial capital, Kyoto, and spend the rest of the day discovering this historic city. Then tonight, grab a drink (if you drink) during your Big Night Out! After a beer, you can opt to release your inner rock star during a karaoke session. Or visit one of Kyoto's many famous izakayas! Kanpai!

Included Experiences

• Bullet Train: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
• Free Time: Opt to check out Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk under Fushimi Inari's many torii gates, take part in a traditional costume photoshoot, or experience a tea ceremony. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
• Big Night Out: Join your CEO and group for a night out on the town. Buy your drink-of-choice, then choose to sing your hear out at karaoke or hit one of Kyoto's many amazing bars.

Optional Experiences

• Zen Gardens of Ryōan-ji: The Ryōan-ji garden is one of the best examples of kare-sansui, or dry landscape, a type of Zen garden. Fifteen large rocks are placed within a sea of white pebbles raked into linear patterns to facilitate meditation. Stand on the platform to get the best view from above. Stroll the grounds around the Ryoan-ji Temple and along the Kyoyo-chi pond.
• Gion Walk: Walk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
• Nijo Castle and Gardens Visit: Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both.
• Kiyomizu Temple Visit: Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and part of Kyoto's UNESCO listed sights. Originally built in 798, the current structures were built in 1633 without the use of a single nail.

Explore Experiences

Kyoto is yours to explore today and the options are endless, so grab a buddy and get out there! Visit some of Kyoto's beautiful temples, participate in a tea ceremony, or take a calligraphy class (so you can make that postcard home look extra fancy).

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Opt to check out Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk under Fushimi Inari's many torii gates, take part in a traditional costume photoshoot, or experience a tea ceremony. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Optional Experiences

• Day Trip to Nara: Take a train excursion to the peaceful gardens and ancient temples of Nara, home of Japan's largest Buddha, and a number of cute and docile deer that are the sacred symbol of the Kasuga Taisha shrine.
• Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Visit: Explore Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, named for the temple’s top two floors that are covered in gold leaf. The temple is surrounded by trees and sits on a reflective pond, making this must-see in Kyoto a perfect place for photos. While the temple can be busy, there are gardens around the area to explore once you’ve had enough of the view.

Today is departure day, but do not fret! There is no such thing as goodbye, only until next time. Share some last laughs and exchange social medias with your fellow travellers before departing at any time. We highly recommend booking post-accommodation to fully experience this iconic city.

For travellers flying out of Kansai International Airport (KIX), please find the public transit options below (please note that taxis can become quite expensive in the late hours) 1) By train - departing from Kyoto station, the limited express "Haruka" Train goes directly to the airport. The last train to the airport leaves Kyoto station at 20:30. 2) By bus - departing from Kyoto station, with several stops along the way. The last bus to the airport leaves Kyoto station at 22:10. Timetable Reference: http://www.hyperdia.com