Scenic South Korea and Japan

Arrive in Seoul and transfer to your accommodation. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers and enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening. Stay Three Nights: Seoul, Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun (D)

Insider Experience: Join your Tour Director for a Welcome Dinner at a traditional Korean-style BBQ house.

Fill up at breakfast this morning – you're in for a full day of sightseeing. The excitement begins with a tour of Gyeongbok Palace, the largest palace in South Korea. Built in 1392 at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty, it was the main royal palace for five centuries. After a number of Insider Experiences, your final stop for today is Insadong Antique Alley, where quirky amulets and jewellery among other wares are scattered across stalls. Poke around the many streets, maybe picking up a souvenir or two. (B/L)

Insider Experience: At Gyeongbok Palace, witness the changing of the guard ceremony. Learn how to make South Korea's favourite dish, bibimbap, during a cooking class and demonstration. Visit Bukchon Hanok, a traditional hanok village, before visiting Jogyesa Temple for the chance to share tea with a monk.

Today is dedicated to the relationship between North and South Korea. You'll visit the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) to gain an understanding of the bordering countries. See Imjingak Park, the Bridge of Freedom and the Third Infiltration Tunnel, where it's believed that some 30,000 soldiers could pass through within an hour. You'll also spend time at the DMZ Theatre and Exhibition Hall, and the station, along with Dora Observatory, which offers binocular views into North Korea. (B/L)

After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Busan. Upon arrival in South Korea's second-largest city, you'll be taken on a city sightseeing tour of some of Busan's most well-known sites. Begin at Busan Tower, which offers a great vantage point to the city's bustling port. Visit Jagalchi Fishery Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea. Here, locals select seafood that is straight from the ocean and take their purchase to the market's chefs to be prepared just how they like it, for a fresher-than-fresh seafood lunch. Finish your explorations in Gamcheon Village, a mishmash of pastel-coloured houses, street art and art galleries. Stay: Busan, Avani Central Busan (B)

Insider Experience: Board one of South Korea's famous KTX Express Trains to Busan. Watch the beautiful countryside whip past your window, and jet right past busy cities as your train reaches speeds of over 300 kilometres per hour.

There's more of Busan to be explored this morning. At Taejongdae observatory, admire sweeping views of the natural wonders of Taejongdae Resort Park. Continue to the United Nations Memorial cemetery – the only one of its kind.

Afterwards, voyage to the seaside for a visit to Haedong Yonggung temple before journeying to Gyeongju. Stay Two Nights: Gyeongju, Lahan Select Gyeongju (B/D)

Set your sights on the World Heritage Bulguksa Temple resting on the slopes of Mt Toham. Built in 774 AD, the temple is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art. Nearby, explore Seokguram Grotto and see the giant Sakyamuni Buddha, which is buried in the grotto's inner chambers. Afterwards, take a stroll across the green grounds of Tumuli Park, where over 200 royal tombs can be found and Family Choi's House, the oldest house in the area which was built in 1630, also visit the Cheomseongdae observatory. After time for dinner, this evening experience a special Insider Experience. (B/L)

Insider Experience: Join a moonlight walking tour of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, once part of the palace complex of ancient Silla.

Make the journey to Haeinsa Temple, a World Heritage site, located within Gayasan National Park. As one of the three principal Buddhist temples in Korea, discover Buddhist scriptures, which have been carved into more than 80,000 wooden blocks. Afterwards, head to Dongdaegu train station to board a KTX Express Train to Seoul. Tonight, celebrate your holiday with your fellow travellers and Tour Director with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Stay: Seoul, Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun (B/L/D)

Insider Experience: Travel by KTX Express Train to Seoul.

Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Tokyo. On arrival be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet your Japan Tour Director for a welcome meeting before dinner. Stay Two Nights: Tokyo, Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (B/D)

Insider Experience: Head to a local izakaya for dinner to celebrate your first night in Japan.

A full-day tour of Tokyo begins with a trip to Sensoji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the city. Next, it's on to the Imperial Palace, where the Japanese royal family reside) for a photo stop and pass other important buildings on the drive to Tsukiji Outer Market. Take a walking tour of the largest fish market in Japan where fresh seafood is delivered daily. Wander the narrow aisles of this atmospheric marketplace to find all sorts of delicious and uniquely Japanese food – from fish and shellfish to barrels of green tea, dried seaweed and all manner of pickles and other tasty morsels before joining a sushi workshop.

Stop at Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest intersections in the world before visiting Meji Shrine. Enter through the massive tori gate and discover a peaceful Shinto shrine. (B/L)

Insider Experience: Take the opportunity to join a hands on sushi workshop and learn the finer points to this speciality.

Travel to Hakone today. Take a ride on the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Geothermal Valley. Continue on to Lake Ashi and enjoy a cruise around the lake. This caldera lake was formed 3,000 years ago when Mount Hakone erupted. On a clear day, you may see Mount Fuji.

Later, for the ultimate exercise in relaxation, perhaps partake in a traditional onsen experience at your hotel. Stay: Hakone, Susukinohara Inchinoyu (B/D)

This morning, travel to Mount Fuji, arguably Japan's most distinctive landmark. Stop for your Insider Experience and lunch before continuing on to Matsumoto. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll through the merchant district of Nakamachi, where streets are lined with well-preserved Edo-style buildings Stay: Matsumoto, Hotel Kagetsu (B/L)

Insider Experience: Stop at Mount Fuji's Fifth Station, a halfway point up the mountain where, if the sun is shining, you will be able to see the snow-capped peak of this iconic sight. Learn how to make soba noodles from buckwheat, a local speciality, before enjoying your creation for lunch. Visit Japan's oldest original castle, Matsumoto Castle, an impressive five-storey fortress.

Dive deeper into Japan's alpine region, admire the stunning alpine scenery before l reaching the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in Oku-Hida region. Take the cable car to an observation deck that is elevated to 2,156 metres.

Later, arrive in the picturesque mountain town of Takayama. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

Tonight, perhaps discover the famous Hida beef, a remarkably tender variety of Wagyu beef (additional charge). Stay Two Nights: Takayama Ouan (B)

This morning, stroll through the Miyagawa Morning Market. After, enjoy an Insider Experience. Up here in the mountains makes for perfect sake-producing conditions, at a local brewery spend time on an Insider Experience. The afternoon is at your leisure, where you might like to explore further. (B/L)

Insider Experience: Take part in an o-sembei making workshop, where you will learn to shape, flavour and roast your own rice crackers. It's only fitting you visit a sake brewery and enjoy a tasting.

Following breakfast, head to Kanazawa, stopping en route at the alpine village of Shirakawa-go, made famous by its collection of original gassho-zukuri style farmhouses, which have been World Heritage listed. Continue to Kanazawa, sometimes referred to as the hidden pearl of Japan's west coast and join a walking tour through the geisha and samurai districts. Stay: Amaneku Kanazawa (B)

Begin your explorations with a visit to Kenrokuen Garden. Stroll across bridges, passing tranquil ponds and fountains, and admire a landscape dotted with Japanese pines, cherry trees and maples. Afterwards, continue to Kyoto. Stay Three Nights: Noku Kyoto (B/L)

Insider Experience: This evening, keep on the lookout for beautiful geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) as you enjoy a stroll through the city of Kyoto.

Today your Kyoto explorations begin at Sanjusangedo temple where you can see the thousand statues of Kannon are made of Japanese cypress covered in gold leaf. Step inside Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and its stunning Japanese garden. Take a walk through Arashiyma Bamboo Forest and visit Tenryuji temple. Finish with a tea ceremony and experience the art of brewing, serving and drinking this special beverage which plays such an important in Japanese traditions. (B)

Insider Experience: Take a walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where towering green bamboo stalks give off an otherworldly feel.

Rise early this morning and follow the path marked by thousands of scarlet torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. You'll then board your coach for a day trip to Nara, which briefly reigned as the capital of Japan in the 8th-century. Immerse yourself in Nara culture with a visit to Todai-ji Temple. You'll also head to Nara Park to see the friendly wild deer, and Kasuga Shrine, whose countless lanterns have been donated by worshippers. (B)

Travel to Osaka, Japan's unofficial culinary capital. Visit the Umeda Observatory in the iconic Umeda Sky building, and soak in the incredible views across this dynamic city. After, admire Osaka Castle on a photo stop before heading to Dotonbori, a hotspot for street food. Your final night is celebrated with a Farewell Dinner at a local sukiyaki restaurant. Stay: Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu (B/D)

After breakfast, be transferred to Kansai International Airport for your onward flight. (B)