Majestic Japan with Seoul & Osaka

Your Small Group Discovery tour begins!

Welcome to South Korea's capital city. With its rich history and modern innovation, the city is full of opportunities to experience tradition and popular culture. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Palace Gates & Plentiful Plates

Sightseeing with your Local Guide begins with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and most impressive of Seoul's five palaces. Continue to the National Museum of Contemporary Korean History to learn how Korea has transformed from an agricultural society to an economic powerhouse.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore Gwangjang Traditional Market, one of the oldest and largest in Korea. Then, visit Bukchon Hanok Village, home to over 900 hanoks (traditional Korean houses), and Ihwa Mural Village, a hillside neighborhood adorned with colorful murals and creative public art.

Feed Your Seoul

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Seoul's vibrant neighborhoods, historic sites, and local cuisine.

So long, Seoul!

Today, fly to Tokyo. A Globus representative will arrange for your transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Monumental Metropolis

Hop on Tokyo's subway system to explore this fascinating city with guided sightseeing, featuring the Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise shopping arcade. Tonight, join your travel companions at a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Exploring Tokyo on the metro starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Then, visit Asakusa Kannon Temple and Nakamise shopping arcade, the oldest of their kind in Tokyo.

ENHANCED FREE TIME - EXPLORE MORE: Tokyo has something for everyone so visit one of the city's unique neighborhoods like Ginza or Shibuya districts, dine at the street food markets, or catch a game at the Tokyo Dome.

Fourth with a Bullet

Today, travel by shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya, Japan's fourth-largest city. Visit Nagoya Castle, a proud symbol of the city, then enjoy a sake tasting. Later, continue to Kyoto by motorcoach.

LOCAL FAVORITE - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Celebrate with your small group with a sake tasting in Nagoya's yokocho, traditional Japanese alleyways, today hosting many small restaurants, pubs, and shops.

Cruise by Sand & Sea

Travel outside the city to the stunning coastal region of Amanohashidate. Cruise on the tranquil waters surrounding this picturesque pine-covered sandbar, home to one of Japan's three most scenic views. Return to Kyoto where your evening is at your leisure.

ENHANCED FREE TIME - EXPLORE MORE: Join your Tour Director for a walking tour through Gion this evening or venture out to savor delectable noodles at one of Kyoto's many ramen houses.

A Golden Gift

This morning, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for the thousands of brightly hued Torii Gates, and stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Later, partake in a tea ceremony.

LOCAL FAVORITE - PLANNED TO A TEA: Participate in a tea ceremony, the ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea.

Palace Aisles & Pottery Styles

Travel to Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, then drive south to Bizen, where you'll visit a traditional pottery workshop to learn more about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan's six ancient pottery styles dating back over 1,000 years. Continue to Okayama.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SIGHTS: Known as White Heron Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle is a marvel in white, standing as it did centuries ago as a strategic fortification consisting of over 80 stunning structures connected by a series of gates and winding pathways. Explore this finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture—a national treasure of Japan.

Garden Sights & City Whites

This morning, visit Koraku-en Garden. Journey to Kurashiki to visit the Ohara Museum and Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - THE POWER OF TRANQUILITY: The 30-acre Koraku-en Garden features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields, earning its place as one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” The wide lawns, believed to uplift the spirit and promote open mindedness, are unique to Koraku-en and not a traditional feature of Japanese gardens.

Picturing Japan

Drive northwest to Matsue and visit Matsue Castle on the shores of Lake Shinji. After lunch, continue to the Adachi Museum of Art to view the renowned work of artist, Yokoyama Taikan. Your hotel tonight is in the city of Yonago on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARTISTRY: Revel in the Japanese-style gardens of the Adachi Museum of Art and admire the revolutionary style of painter Yokoyama Taikan. Considered one of Japan's greatest painters, this major figure in pre-WWII Japanese painting helped create the stunning technique of Nihonga—ink and mineral pigments on silk or paper canvas.

Serenity & Solemnity

Drive south to Hiroshima this morning. Upon arrival, visit the 400-year-old Shukkei-en Garden, where natural landscapes are represented in miniature form. Also visit the moving Peace Memorial Park.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS: Peace Memorial Park is home to the Peace Memorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been preserved just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the devastating bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day.

Sacred Spaces & Sea Views

Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and take cable-car ride to the top of Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Island Sea, and on a clear day, Hiroshima city. Participate in a Japanese cooking class for lunch. Return to Hiroshima for some time on your own. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner to celebrate your discovery of Japan.

LOCAL FAVORITE - SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE: Learn how to make Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, delicious savory pancake layered with ingredients as you choose. This legendary dish of Japan comes from the words okonomi (as you like it) and yaki (to grill)

Big City, Bright Lights

Board one of Japan's famous shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Osaka, known for its food and nightlife with some history mixed in. Start sightseeing with your Local Guide at Osaka Castle and the surrounding park. Visit Minami, the city's most famous entertainment district.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LOCAL PLEASURES: Explore Osaka's popular Minami district, encompassing the districts of Shinsaibashi and Namba and the famed Dontonbori canal area. Start with lunch featuring okonomiyaki, a delicious pancake dish famous in Osaka. Then, explore this exciting area on foot with your guide. From museums and shopping to theater and dining, this is where the locals come for fun.

Osaka on Your Time

Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

ENHANCED FREE TIME - EXPLORE MORE: Return to Minami for further exploration or perhaps visit the Open-Air Museum of Japanese Farmhouses.

Say it Ain't Sayonara

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.