18-35 Travel
Take the match
The honest read
  • About £155/day across 14 days
  • 2,650 all-in with a typical £487 flight from London189/day)
  • We only rate a price against this trip's own history once we've tracked it for 21 days — no guessing before that.
  • About average per day vs 4 similar trips (~£203/day)
  • 5.0 from 1 traveller reviews

Price movement, fill and the all-in cost come from our own daily tracking— not the operator’s feed. You book on TourRadar; the live price always applies there.

Length14 days
RouteSeoul → Kyoto
Group sizeMax 40
Ages18–35s
Nights13 nights
Runs15 months/yr
BookingInstant confirm

About this trip

Two weeks, two countries: this trip covers South Korea and Japan's highlights, from Seoul's palaces to Osaka's castle, with a flight between the two included.

You start in Seoul taking in Gyeongbokgung Palace, local markets and the DMZ, before flying to Tokyo to explore the Imperial Palace Gardens, Harajuku and the fish market. From there you head into nature at Mount Fuji and Kegon Falls, then on to Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.

It's a fast-moving culture and city trip, partially guided, with bullet trains linking the Japan legs and 13 nights of hotels covering the whole route.

What you'll do

  • Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and local markets in Seoul
  • Visit the DMZ for a look at the North Korean border
  • Wander the Imperial Palace Gardens and Harajuku in Tokyo
  • See Mount Fuji and Kegon Falls in Nikko
  • Visit the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto and the sacred deer of Nara
  • Take in Osaka Castle and its old streets
Good to know
  • Covers two countries in 14 days, so pace is brisk with a base change every few nights
  • Includes a flight between South Korea and Japan plus bullet train travel within Japan
  • Rated easy and partially guided, with 13 nights of hotel accommodation included

Day by day

Exactly what you do each day, where you sleep, and how it flows — written by us, from the real itinerary.

SeoulIncheonTokyoKawaguchikoNikkoTokyoKyoto
Route map for Highlights of South Korea & Japan Tour Package
  1. Arrival in Seoul — Seoul

    You'll arrive in Seoul with an optional airport transfer available. Settle into your accommodation and get your bearings in South Korea's capital.

  2. Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard, then explore the winding alleys of a traditional village. In the evening, hit one of Seoul's busiest food markets with a local foodie guide to taste authentic Korean street food and chat with vendors.

  3. The day is entirely yours. Explore Seoul's museums and restaurants at your own pace, discovering whatever interests you most about the city.

  4. Head to Imjingak Park and the Bridge of Freedom, then descend into the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel with a helmet and guide. Visit Dora Observatory to look toward the North Korean border and Unification Village before returning to Seoul. Note: this tour can be cancelled due to military, government or weather issues.

  5. Flight to Tokyo — Incheon

    Private transfer to Incheon International Airport for your included flight to Tokyo. You'll get a shared airport transfer on arrival and overnight in the city.

  6. Walk from Tokyo Station through the Imperial Palace Gardens and see the Nijubashi Bridge, then head to Asakusa. Visit Senso-ji Temple via Nakamise-dori street, explore the vibrant Harajuku district and Meiji Jingu Shrine, and finish at Shibuya Crossing.

  7. Drive to Oishi Park for Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi views, visit Arakurayama's Chureito Pagoda and Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, then explore Oshino Hakkai's ponds and thatched houses. Head to the 5th Station for panoramic views, weather permitting. Some sites may be unavailable due to weather or peak-season traffic.

  8. Nikko — Nikko

    Visit Kegon Falls, one of Japan's most famous waterfalls, then drive to Lake Chuzenji and stop at the sacred Shinkyo Bridge. Explore Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO-listed ornate temple with 200 stone steps you can skip if needed.

  9. Observe purification rituals at Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple, then explore the Outer Market sampling traditional foods like seafood and savory meat from different vendors. End at Namiyoke Shrine, a guardian site for the market's merchants. Note: vegan and vegetarian options aren't available.

  10. Transfer to Kyoto & Evening Tour — Kyoto

    Take the bullet train to Kyoto. In the evening, wander Pontocho Alley and see the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, then enter Gion's geisha district. Admire the traditional tea houses, visit Yasaka Shrine and walk down Hanamikoji Street.

  11. Kyoto & Nara — Kyoto

    Drive to the Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji Temple and stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, then visit Fushimi Inari Shrine's red torii gates. Head to Nara to see Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha, then spend free time in Nara Park meeting the Sika deer.

  12. Free day to take a matcha-making class or relax at an onsen in Kyoto, whatever appeals to you.

  13. Osaka — Kyoto

    Train to Osaka and see the 16th-century Osaka Castle, then experience the neon energy of Dotonbori along the canal and photograph the famous Glico Man and Hozenji Temple. Train back to Kyoto for the night. Consider getting an Osaka Metro pass beforehand.

  14. Depart Kyoto with optional transfers available to Kansai Airport or Tokyo city centre.

What's included

  • Guide: All tours are led by our hand-selected expert guides. Each day, a different local guide leads your experience, each one a specialist in their field with unique insights. Unlike other tours with a single guide throughout, our rotating approach offers a richer, more diverse understanding of Japan and South Korea
  • Activities: Entrance fees: Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul, DMZ, Nikko Toshogu Shrine Meals & tastings: Food tastings during the Seoul Food Tour, 4-5 traditional food tastings at the Tsukiji Fish Market
  • Flights: Flight Seoul to Tokyo Please note that the flight tickets are non-refundable Please note the airfare includes one piece of luggage (20 kg) per person
  • Transport: Transportation from centralized pickup locations. Centralized meeting points keep tours running on time, maximizing the day for more sights and experiences. Tokyo Metro pass during the Tokyo Day Tour Airport transfers: Seoul (private) & Tokyo (shared) on day 5 Bullet Train (Shinkansen): Tokyo-Kyoto Please note that the train tickets are non-refundable
  • Accommodation: Accommodation is included. You can choose your preferred hotel standard at checkout.
What's extra
  • Activities: Anything not mentioned above Entrance fees: Kyoto & Nara (approx. 1300 JPY per person), Kegon Falls (approx. 600 JPY per person) Gratuities Note: Transfers between hotels and train stations are not included in the package Participants are responsible for making their own way between the hotels and meeting points. Unless otherwise requested, included hotels are chosen for their close proximity to the meeting points
  • Optional: Arrival and departure airport transfers (optional)
  • Insurance: Personal travel insurance

How travellers rate it

5.0from 1 real reviews
Guide5.0
Itinerary5.0
Transport4.0
Accommodation4.0
Operator4.0
Price history — our own daily tracking
Tracked 5 days · 102 checks
Today
£2,165
Typical
builds at 21 days (now 5)
Lowest
£2,160
on 25 Jul
Highest
£2,165
£2,093£2,161£2,22824 Jultoday
Spots left · 31 Jul departure

Cheapest live departure per day, in £, recorded by our tracker since 24 Jul. Never a brochure “was” price.

Your free day in Seoul

Landing early, staying on, or filling free time? The best-rated day experiences in Seoul — you book on Viator (we may earn a commission).

Tour dupe
Same trip, less money
£1,220 less all-in
South Korea: Seoul, Gongju, Jeonju, Gwangju, Suncheon, Yeosu, Busan, Gyeongju
5from £1,0155 days
The trade-off: 9 fewer nights, and a different operator.
See the dupe
How it compares

The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.

Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.

Getting there

Seoul· one-way, arrive 30 Jul 26

One-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown on Trip.com.

Hotels in Seoul

View more accommodation

Live prices via Booking.com & partners, booked on their site — separate from your tour. We may earn a commission; it never changes your price.

On a budget?

Hostels in Seoul for the night before your tour · 30 Jul31 Jul

Booked on Hostelworld, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.

Getting online in South KoreaWhat data actually costs, and the throttle limits nobody publishes

Common questions

How long is Highlights of South Korea & Japan Tour Package?

It's a 14-day trip. It starts in Seoul and finishes in Kyoto.

How much does Highlights of South Korea & Japan Tour Package cost?

The land price starts from £2,163 per person for the 14-day trip. You book on TourRadar, where the live price always applies.

What will Highlights of South Korea & Japan Tour Package really cost me all-in?

On top of the £2,163 land price, budget roughly £487 for a return flight from the UK — about £2,650 all-in before spending money. Most day-to-day meals out and optional activities are extra.

What's included in the price?

The price covers all your accommodation, transport during the trip, a group leader/guide. Anything the operator lists as optional or not included — see the full breakdown on this page.

What's not included?

travel insurance (required) is not included, so factor it into your budget. We show typical flight costs and can point you to insurance on this page.

How big is the group?

Groups are capped at around 40 travellers — a small-group trip, mostly solo 18–35s travelling to meet people, not a coach tour.

When does Highlights of South Korea & Japan Tour Package run?

It runs across roughly 15 months of the year, so there's usually a departure to fit your dates. Check live availability and prices in the dates section above.

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