After an early morning checkout from your Seoul hotel, you will travel to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea. Steeped in history and geopolitical significance, the DMZ offers a rare glimpse into the realities of a divided peninsula. During your visit, you will explore key sites such as Freedom Bridge, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Imjingak Park, the DMZ Museum, and the Dora Observatory, where you can look across into North Korea.

In the late afternoon, you will return to Seoul for your transfer to the airport, where you will catch an evening flight to Jeju Island. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel for check-in.

Today begins with a visit to Jeongbang Waterfall, one of Jeju’s most striking natural sites where the waters plunge directly into the sea in a rare oceanfront cascade. From here, you will continue to the lively Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, filled with fresh produce, seafood, and traditional Jeju snacks, making it an ideal place to taste local specialties.

Continue to Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, known as the “Pond of the Emperor of Heaven,” a serene site of cascading falls surrounded by lush greenery. You will also see Seonimgyo Bridge, a graceful arch adorned with sculptures of seven nymphs from Korean legend. Later, you will stop at Oedolgae Rock, a dramatic sea stack rising alone from the sea cliffs and steeped in island folklore.

Your day will conclude with a tranquil kayaking excursion through the Soesokkak Estuary, where freshwater flows into the ocean, creating calm waters framed by forests and volcanic rock formations. Afterward, you will return to your hotel for the evening.

This morning you will begin at the Jeju World Natural Heritage Center for an introduction to the island’s volcanic terrain and unique geological history. From here, you will set out on a hike at Geomun Oreum, home to the largest lava tube system on the island. With three trails of varying lengths and difficulty to choose from, each route offers insight into Jeju’s dramatic volcanic cones and underground formations.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Haenyeo Museum to learn about the women divers of Jeju, renowned for their sustainable free-diving traditions. Continue to Seongsan Ilchulbong, or Sunrise Peak, for a rewarding climb to the rim of its volcanic crater. The leisurely ascent provides sweeping coastal views and a chance to admire one of Jeju’s most iconic landscapes. In the evening, enjoy a special Haenyeo dinner, where you will enjoy fresh seafood meal.

Today you’ll fly from Jeju Island to Tokyo via Seoul. Tokyo, the world’s most populous metropolis, is a city of striking diversity where ancient temples like Sensō-ji stand alongside gleaming skyscrapers. Its neighborhoods each carry their own distinct character: Meiji Shrine offers a peaceful retreat steeped in history, Ginza dazzles with high-end fashion, Harajuku bursts with eclectic boutiques, and food experiences range from traditional ramen to world-class international cuisine. Enjoy the first evening to explore and settle in on your own.

Set out on a guided exploration of Tokyo, a metropolis where serene gardens, historic shrines, and quiet backstreets exist alongside cutting-edge architecture and lively districts. Your introduction to the city will begin with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a peaceful Shinto sanctuary surrounded by forested grounds. From there, you will continue into Harajuku, the heart of Tokyo’s youth culture and a showcase of ever-evolving street fashion.

If time permits, your guide may also lead you to nearby highlights such as Takeshita Dori, a colorful street packed with trendsetting boutiques; Design Festa Gallery, which displays the work of emerging contemporary artists; Omotesando, a tree-lined boulevard often called Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées; and Cat Street, a stylish walkway connecting Omotesando and Shibuya.

Today you’ll explore Tokyo by public transportation with a private guide, gaining an authentic perspective on how locals navigate the city as you explore some of the Tokyo’s most iconic sites. Highlights include the Tsukiji Outer Market; Asakusa Kannon Temple (Sensō-ji), Tokyo’s oldest and most celebrated Buddhist temple; Yanaka Old Town, a charming neighborhood that preserves the feel of a bygone era; and Akihabara, the center of Japan’s electronic culture and cutting-edge subcultures.

Later, you will enjoy a special culinary experience with a private sushi chef. Begin with a guided walk through Tsukiji Outer Market to learn about the fishmongers, specialty shops, and essential ingredients of Japanese cuisine. You will then join the chef in his century-old sushi restaurant for an omakase-style meal and hands-on lesson in Edo-style sushi making.

The day ends at the TeamLab Borderless Museum, where you will use light, sound, and technology to create interactive art exhibits, where guests become part of the installations themselves.

Today you’ll travel to Hakone, a scenic region known for art, history, and hot springs. Your day will include visits to the Hakone Open-Air Museum, where sculptures are displayed against a mountain backdrop, and a gallery housing one of Japan’s best collections of Asian art. You will also walk part of the historic Tokaido Road, once the main route to Tokyo, through towering cedar forests.

In the late afternoon, you will continue to Yagyu no Sho on the Izu Peninsula, where you will check in to your ryokan. The evening is left open to enjoy the onsen baths before dinner at the property.

After checking out from Yagyu no Sho, you will begin the day with a hike around the base of Mount Omuro, a lush, dormant volcano on the Izu Peninsula. Continue to the nearby Jogasaki Coast, where dramatic cliffs and ocean views stretch for miles along a rugged walking path.

After the hike, you will stop at a local onsen for a relaxing soak and lunch before heading to a wasabi farm to see how this iconic Japanese crop is cultivated and processed in Izu’s pristine waters.

Later in the day, you will travel by train to Kyoto, long considered the cultural capital of Japan. The city is home to ancient Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and imperial villas, as well as serene gardens and atmospheric neighborhoods. With its slower rhythm and deep traditions, Kyoto offers an opportunity to connect with the essence of Japanese culture.

Today you’ll explore Kyoto’s most celebrated sites, gaining insight into Japanese aesthetics, Zen philosophy, and cultural traditions. Begin at Nijo Castle, once the residence of the shogun, before visiting Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, whose shimmering reflection in the surrounding pond makes it one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. Continue to Ryoanji Temple to see its world-famous Zen rock garden, then stroll through Nishiki Market, where Kyoto’s culinary heritage is on full display in a mix of traditional and modern flavors.

In the afternoon, you will walk the atmospheric streets of Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district, where you may catch a glimpse of geiko or maiko on their way to evening engagements. Your day concludes with a traditional tea ceremony led by a local tea master. More than a lesson in preparing matcha, the ceremony offers a moment of harmony and mindfulness—an intimate window into one of Japan’s most enduring traditions.

This morning you will explore Kyoto like a local, cycling through the city’s gentle streets and lanes with a private guide. Stops will include Sanjusangendo Temple, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, as well as Fushimi Inari, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. If you wish, your guide can also lead you on the 4 km hike that winds through the shrine’s forested trails.

In the afternoon, you will experience zazen meditation, the practice of seated Zen. Guided by local monks, you will focus on breathing and stillness, gaining both respite from your travels and a deeper connection to Kyoto’s spiritual traditions.

After checking out of your Kyoto hotel, you will travel by train to Hiroshima. With a private car and guide, you will explore the city’s history and resilience, beginning at Hiroshima Peace Park and the Atomic Dome, before continuing to the Peace Memorial Museum and the National Peace Memorial Hall. As time permits, you may also visit Orizuru Tower for panoramic views of the city. Along the way, try Hiroshima’s local specialty, okonomiyaki, at one of the city’s many food stalls or restaurants.

In the late afternoon, you will continue by train to Osaka. This evening, set out on a guided street food tour through the neon-lit districts that earned the city its nickname, Tenka no Daidokoro (“the nation’s kitchen”). Sample favorites such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu while soaking in the city’s lively atmosphere.

Say goodbye to Osaka and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.