On arrival in Incheon International airport, Seoul, South Korea's dynamic capital, you will be met by a driver and transfer to your hotel. Please note your driver may not speak much English. This evening you will meet your English-speaking guide and enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. Please note: Early check in is not included. If your flight arrives in the morning and you wish to arrange this, please speak to your reservations consultant. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged.

Following your welcome meeting at the hotel, begin a full day tour of Seoul by heading to Gyeongbok Palace to watch the 'Changing of the Guards' ceremony, and then visit the Palace itself and the surrounding grounds. Next, attend a Korean cooking class - making traditional Bibimbap and enjoy your own creations for lunch! Then head to the observation deck of the N Seoul Tower for panoramic views over the city. Due to a change in local traffic laws, you will need to leave the coach and travel by public bus to/from the tower. Also visit Insadong Antique Alley, where many antique stores, art galleries and secondhand book stores can be found. A total of 4-5 hours on foot today.

Today, take an interesting morning tour to the DMZ, a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. Explore the DMZ Theatre & Exhibition Hall, walk along the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, visit Dora Observatory & Station and see the Bridge of Freedom. (Should tickets to the 3rd I Infiltration Tunnel not be available then take a ride on the DMZ gondola and visit the Odusan Observatory). After returning to Seoul, stroll through Gwangjang Market. A 5am start is required today as tickets to enter the DMZ are extremely limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Whilst every effort will be made to get the tickets, should this not be possible, then you will instead take a ride on the DMZ gondola and visit the Odusan Unification Observatory. A breakfast box will be provided. You MUST bring your passport. Should you not wish to visit the DMZ, then the day is at leisure on your in Seoul.

Take a train from Seoul to Gyeongju - a city of cultural and historical relics, Gyeongju is called ‘the museum without walls’. Capital of the Silla Kingdom for over 1,000 years, the city is home to a staggering number of tombs, temples, statues and ruins, some of which you’ll explore today. In the afternoon tour Gyeongju starting at the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, both designated as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. At both places, the terrain is uneven with steps, but there are handrails. Later, take a stroll along Anapji Pond. A total of 4-5 hours on foot today.

Begin the day heading to Gyeongju National Museum which preserves much of the Silla heritage and visit Tumuli Park, where you will enter the excavated tomb. Continue by road to Busan. Enjoy a tour of Busan, starting with a stroll through the famous Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the largest seafood markets in Asia and browse the wares of Gukje market. Next head to Dongbaekseom Island and soak up the peaceful nature before strolling along the esplanade of Haeundae Beach, enjoying the ocean views. A total of 4-5 hours on foot today.

It’s time to say goodbye to South Korea and hello to Japan! Board the ferry to Fukuoka. The ferry journey takes 3 hours 40 minutes.

Located on the northern shores of Japan’s Kyushu Island - Fukuoka is also the island’s largest city. Begin the day with a visit to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shinto Shrine before exploring the National Museum to learn about the city’s colourful past. After lunch, board the bullet train to Hiroshima, a city that needs no introduction. The train journey takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes. A total of 2-3 hours on foot today. Please note your luggage will be transferred from Hiroshima to Osaka, you will need to pack an overnight bag for your two-night stay while in Hiroshima.

Start the day and visit the famous Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Please be aware that the museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members and it is at your discretion if you wish to visit or enjoy time at leisure exploring the Peace Memorial Park. The museum will be followed by a unique experience to vist an oyster farm by boat. In the afternoon, hop on the ferry to Miyajima Island, where sightseeing will be at a leisurely pace on foot. Visit Itsukushima Shrine. A total of 2-3 hours on foot today.

Transfer by bullet train for 1 hour 15 minutes to Kurashiki to explore the beautifully-preserved Bikan Historical Quarter, where the streets along the banks of the Kurashiki River are lined with white-walled kominka (traditional houses). Next, drive to Okayama by coach for approximately 1 hour 30 mniutes and visit Korakuen Garden, one of the ‘Three Great Gardens of Japan’. Later, board the bullet train to the vibrant city of Osaka. The bullet train journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes. A total of 2-3 hours on foot today.

Travel to Nara, Japan’s former imperial capita by coach for approximately 1 hour and enjoy a leisurely walk through Nara Park to Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure and home to Japan’s largest Buddha. Due to the congestion of Nara Park coach parking, you may need to walk from coach parking to Nara park for 15 minutes on flat road. Return to Osaka, and enjoy lunch at Dotonburi street, famous for its eye-catching signage and billboards and then visit the impressive Osaka Castle. At Osaka castle park, you will reach to the castle for 15 minutes` walk from coach parking on flat road. A total of 4-5 hours on foot today.

Travel to Kyoto by coach for a journey of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Visit Ryoanji, the ‘temple of the peaceful dragon’ and the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion' due to its gold-like exterior. You will need to remove your shoes at both temples. Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 2-3 hours on foot today. Later, head to a restored Japanese wooden townhouse and enjoy the age-old rituals of a tea ceremony with a tea master. Due to the nature of the cultural experience, you will be required to remove your shoes before entering the venue. Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 2-3 hours on foot today.

Start the day by visiting the vibrant district of Arashiyama and strolling through the Arashiyama bamboo forest and admire the towering thickets before trying your hand at fan painting. Next you’ll have the opportunity to have lunch with a Maiko – an apprentice Geisha. Due to the nature of the cultural experience, you have to remove your shoes before entering the venue. In the afternoon, visit the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermillion torii gates. You will walk up part of the mountain and the incline allows a steady-paced walk around 15 minutes with flat road and steps to reach tori gates. Due to the limited space of Fushimi Inari Shrine coach parking, you may need to walk from coach parking for 15 minutes. Sightseeing on foot will be approximately 3-4 hours on foot today.

This morning, transfer to Kyoto station and take the super-fast bullet train to Odawara, a journey of 2 hours 15 minutes. In Hakone, board a coach to explore this beautiful area. Visit the Hakone shrine, situated on situated on the shores of Lake Ashi and enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Fuji in the background. After lunch, take part in a Yosegi marquetry craft experience, before continuing by road to Tokyo – Japan’s capital city. This journey will take approximately 2 hours. Please note your luggage will be transferred from Kyoto to Tokyo, you will need to pack an overnight bag.

Tokyo is the ultimate 24-hour city, but look behind its frantic, high-tech frontage and you’ll find plenty of tranquil backstreets and old temples to explore. Spend the morning exploring the Shinto Meiji Shrine and driving by the Shibuya “Scramble” Crossing. Next, head to the Asakusa district, stopping at the atmospheric Sensoji Temple to soak up the atmosphere. Due to the limited coach parking, you may need to walk around 15 minutes on flat road. After lunch, visit a bonsai museum and observe a demonstration before trying your hand at pruning your own. End the day by taking a leisurely 1-hour dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay for some excellent city vistas. You will need to get on and off your boat this evening without assistance.

Any time before your flight is at leisure and breakfast will be included. You will be transferred from your hotel to Haneda or Narita International airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Late check-out is not included. Additional night's before and after your tour can be arranged. Transfers: In the event that your flight departs outside of the majority group departure time, you will be transferred to the airport by a shared coach (not with other Wendy Wu Tours passengers). If you are on a shared coach transfer, you may have to walk for a few minutes to get to the coach.