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 Korean fried chicken (KFC), 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

FREE TIME: Enjoy free time in Seoul. Check out N Seoul Tower, Gangnam neighborhood or Han River Park.

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.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY The day is yours to enjoy Seoul as you wish.

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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

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.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

ACTIVITY: Explore the pastel-coloured village of Gamcheon, nestled in the side of a mountain, with uniquely painted houses, murals, cafes, and shops.

FREE TIME: Enjoy free time in Nampodong, downtown Busan.

Jump in a bus with your group for a day trip to Tongyeong. In this beautiful seaside town, we'll ride the cable car for an incredible view and explore the seafood market for some tasty Korean snacks. Enjoy your Foodie Moment and try things like sea squirts and oysters, Tongyeong specialties. This evening, take some free time back in Busan before flying to the beach tomorrow.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy fresh seafood and savor them in the market's various restaurants. Tongyeong is most famous for its Sea Squirts and Oysters so make sure you try. In your free time, you can sit at a restaurant, try different delicacies or join a cooking class.

ACTIVITY: The Tongyeong Cable Car offers stunning views of Hallyeohaesang National Park. Enjoy the panoramic scenery of the open sea and islands as you ride the cable car. The cable car ride also provides access to observation decks and walking trails, so visitors can explore the picturesque landscapes of the region.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

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!

ACTIVITY: 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.

TRANSPORT: 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 on us! Karaoke, anyone?

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: 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.

ACTIVITY: Head out with your group for a night out in downtown Jeju. Follow your CEO to the best spot and enjoy a drink on us 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!

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.

ACTIVITY: FULL DAY 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!

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!

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

ACTIVITY: 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.

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

FREE TIME: HALF DAY Get out explore this vibrant city – there is so much to see and do!

ACTIVITY: 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.

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.

TRANSPORT: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

ACTIVITY: 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: AFTERNOON Use free time to enjoy the area, sample sake or visit a nearby hot spring for a soak.

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 on our tab 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!

TRANSPORT: Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.

FREE TIME: HALF DAY 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!

ACTIVITY: Join your CEO and group for a night out on the town. After a drink on us, choose to sing your hear out at karaoke or hit one of Kyoto's many amazing bars.

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).

FREE TIME: FULL DAY 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!

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.

Additional Information: 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

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.