Unforgettable Japan with Kyushu and Korea’s Treasures

From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

We’ll meet our main guide and begin exploring this historic city, which served as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and hosted the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to preserve its extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage. Kyoto is also known as the site where the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was signed, a treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our tour will cover some of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, including the Kinkakuji Temple—commonly known as the "Golden Pavilion"—surrounded by its stunning gardens and the Imperial Palace. Free time for lunch. Afterwards, visit the breathtaking Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari. Transfer to Gion will be included. This lively, traditional district is renowned for its Geisha culture and offers a glimpse into Kyoto’s historic charm. Enjoy free time to explore. The return to the hotel will not be accompanied; we recommend taking a taxi, and the guide will provide instructions on how to do so.

12:15 p.m. Osaka – Arrival in Japan’s second-important city, where we will talke a panoramic tour. We begin with a stroll through Dotonbori, Osaka’s most lively neighborhood, famous for its vibrant atmosphere that reflects the city´s dynamic character. Enjoy free time for lunch.Afterward, we visit Osaka Castle (exterior view). Walking through its beautiful gardens, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of this late 16th-century fortress, which remains one of the country´s most iconic historic landmarks. We then continue to the modern Umeda district, home to the spectacular Umeda Sky Building—an innovative, 170 meters-skyscraper. Transfer to the hotel.

We’ll visit Korakuen Garden, renowned as one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, featuring lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.

Arrival in this city, known worldwide for its tragic history as the site of the atomic bombing in 1945. We’ll visit the Peace Memorial, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the poignant Peace Memorial Museum. After the visits, you’ll have time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the outskirts of Hiroshima to board a small ferry for a 15-minute ride to Miyajima, an island renowned for its spiritual significance as a place where "man lives alongside the Gods." Here, we’ll visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas and famous for its torii gate that appears to float on the water. You’ll have time to explore the shrine and wander through the charming center of the island.

We set out toward Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island, connected to the main island by impressive bridges. Known for its mild climate, natural beauty, and unique blend of tradition and innovation, Kyushu offers a truly distinctive experience.

We’ll arrive in the island’s largest and most populated city. Our first stop is Canal City Hakata, a modern and expansive shopping and entertainment complex built around an artificial canal. This lively urban oasis features fountain shows every 30 minutes. You’ll have free time to stroll around and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Afterwards, we’ll visit Tocho-ji Temple, founded in 806, famous for its five-story pagoda, large Buddha statue, and the Senju Kannon, the thousand-armed goddess of mercy. Free time at the end of the visit.

This emblematic Shinto shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship. Surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and ponds, the site is famous for its over 6,000 plum trees, whose blossoms attract many visitors in late winter. The shrine is especially popular among students, who come to pray for academic success.

We arrive in this historic city, sadly known for being destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. We’ll begin by visiting Ōura Church, Japan’s oldest Christian church, dedicated to the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki. This church, which blends Gothic architecture with local design elements, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as part of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region". Free time for lunch in Chukagai, Japan’s most vibrant Chinatown, with its colorful pedestrian street filled with restaurants and food stalls. After lunch, we’ll visit the Atomic Bomb Museum (admission included), offering a powerful reflection on the horrors of war. Next, we’ll head to the Peace Park, where we’ll admire moving sculptures donated by countries around the world as symbols of hope. Finally, we’ll visit the Dejima area, a former artificial island that, for centuries, served as Japan’s only gateway for international trade. We’ll explore its historical reconstruction (admission included).

We will walk “through the hells,” as this area is popularly known, which in the 17th century was the setting of Christian persecution, during which many were martyred through torture using volcanic steam.

Free time in the shopping area near the castle to stroll and have lunch. Afterwards, we will visit Kumamoto Castle (admission included), considered one of the three great castles of Japan, famous for its black towers and massive stone walls, some of which are still undergoing reconstruction following the 2016 earthquake. We will then visit Suizenji Jojuen (admission included), a landscaped garden from the Edo period that recreates mountains, lakes, and other elements of the Japanese landscape in miniature. Free time at the end of the visit in this modern city.

We will take a shuttle from the base of the volcano up to the crater. Its caldera, one of the largest in the world, measures approximately 25 km in diameter. Inside the caldera rise several volcanic peaks, the most active being Mount Nakadake, from which we can admire an impressive steaming sulfur lake surrounded by a dramatic volcanic landscape. Free time.

We will visit the well-known “Hells of Beppu” (admission included), starting with Umi Jigoku, renowned for its vivid blue water and beautifully landscaped gardens, and continuing to Kamado Jigoku, very popular with families for its ponds of varying colors and temperatures, decorated with demon figures. After the visit, transfer to the hotel and free time.

This shrine serves as the head of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan. Founded in the 8th century, it combines traditional architecture with expansive gardens surrounded by nature. We’ll walk across its distinctive red bridge and visit the main pavilions, in a photogenic and deeply spiritual setting.

We will visit Changdeokgung Palace (entrance included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a palace complex set within a large park. Afterwards, we will stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historic neighborhood of small, well-preserved houses. We will then visit the War Memorial of Korea (entrance included), an impressive museum that illustrates the conflicts experienced by Korea throughout its history, especially the Korean War, in which soldiers from many countries participated under the United Nations.

To conclude the day, we stop at LOTTE WORLD TOWER, an impressive 550-meter-tall building, where you will have free time to go up to the tower (admission not included) or to stroll through its park or luxury shopping centers.

Important note regarding Bukchon Hanok Village: Due to regulations established to protect the residential environment, our vehicle may only park in designated areas, and we will complete an approximate 900-meter walk to reach this historic neighborhood. For operational reasons, this visit may be replaced by Namsangol Hanok Village, also featuring traditional Korean architecture, ensuring the cultural content of the itinerary is maintained.

Arrival in the former capital of Korea, known for its impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortress walls. We will visit the walls and their fortifications, as well as the Hwaseong Haenggung Summer Palace (entrance included), notable for its traditional architecture. Lunch included at a local restaurant.

Arrival. This traditional village is located at the foot of Amisan Mountain. With its hanok houses and courtyards filled with large earthenware jars known as hang-a-ri, it is home to expert gochujang (Korean chili paste) artisans who use traditional methods. We will enjoy a hands-on experience learning how this traditional sauce is prepared.

Arrival. Visit to the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (entrance included), whose paths are considered among the most beautiful in the country—ideal for peaceful walks and enjoying the cool breeze. We will find all kinds of bamboo-crafted products, and visit places such as the Bamboo Museum (entrance included), where this plant is studied and revered. Lunch included, featuring the local specialty of rice cooked and served inside a bamboo stalk.

Amid impressive forest-covered mountain landscapes, we arrive at Haeinsa, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Korea and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 802, it houses the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, carved onto 80,000 wooden printing blocks.

Visit of this 14th-century Buddhist temple located on the coastal cliffs of Busan. Along the main access path to the temple, there is a row of stone statues representing the twelve figures of the Chinese zodiac, which, according to Eastern philosophy, are considered guardian deities.

We will visit the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (entrance included), where people from many different countries are buried. We will then head to the largest fish market in the country, located next to Nampo Port. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we walk to Yongdusan Park, home to its impressive 120-meter pagoda.

We then continue to one of Busan’s most picturesque neighborhoods, Gamcheon Cultural Village, filled with brightly colored buildings, labyrinth-like alleyways, art galleries, pottery workshops, and charming cafés.

Visit to this temple, considered one of the most beautiful in the country and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The temple houses seven National Treasures of Korea and is a masterpiece from the height of Buddhism during the ancient Silla Kingdom.

Visit to this coastal city, the former capital of the Silla Kingdom, which lasted longer than any other dynasty in Korean history, for a total of 992 years under the rule of 56 kings. We will have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful wooden Woljeonggyo Bridge along the Namcheon River. Lunch included. We then continue to the Tumuli Park, where the tombs of the kings of the ancient Silla Kingdom, more than 1,500 years old, are located. We will visit one of these tombs (entrance included). Walking, we will reach Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory, the oldest in East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before heading to the hotel, we will visit Dongsan Cheongna Hill, a historic site where Christian missionaries once lived, and Dongseong-ro Shopping Street, the city’s liveliest area, with fashion shops, cafés, and restaurants, as well as the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Traditional Medicine (entrance included), famous for its history of medicinal herbs in Eastern medicine.

We will visit the traditional village of Hahoe Village (admission included), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the outskirts of the city. Free time to stroll through the streets of this rural village that seems frozen in time. We will also visit the excellent World Mask Museum, featuring masks used for dances, medical practices, religious ceremonies, and theatrical performances. Lunch included at a local restaurant.