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• Day 1: Seoul (TUE)
  

  Day 1: Seoul (TUE)

  Welcome to Korea! Transfer by group transport (SHUTTLE BUS) to hotel, where we meet our guide.
  Late in the afternoon we set out to explore this fascinating country. Accompanied by our guide we will take a trip on the modern, efficient subway (the guide will show how to use this form of public transport) to the tsunami-shaped City Hall building. From there we will take a walk to the Myeongdong quarter (the name means "brilliant tunnel"). This district is the most important shopping and leisure zone in Korea. Dinner included.
  
  Overnight: Seoul

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• Day 2: Seoul (WED)
  

  Day 2: Seoul (WED)

  Today we will have a tour of the city of Seoul lasting five hours.
  We will see Changdeokgung Palace. This is a World Heritage Site formed by a group of palaces inside a large park. After the visit we will go to Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional historical neighbourhood with tiny houses. Then we pay a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace an impressive palace that is 600 years old, where we will see the Changing of the Guard ceremony (if scheduled).
  
  Afterwards we will visit the War Memorial an impressive war museum that tells of the different conflicts suffered by Korea during its history, particular the Korean War with the United Nations in which soldiers from many different countries took part. Lastly, we will visit the Trickeye Museum… to see and laugh at some of the most surrealistic and craziest photos you will see during your trip. Lunch included.
  
  Free time in the afternoon.
  
  Overnight: Seoul

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• Day 3: Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju (THU), 227km
  

  Day 3: Seoul - Suwon - Jeonju (THU), 227km

  Our next stop is the city of SUWON the former capital of Korea, a World Heritage Site famous for its walls. After entering the city we will pay a visit to the “toilet house” and the adjacent scatological museum, and admire the amazing wall with its fortifications. Then we will go to the summer palace of Hwaseong Haenggung. Before leaving this city, we will stop at the Samsung Innovation Museum to learn about the history of this famous technological company.
  
  Note: The visit to the Samsung Innovation Museum is not always guaranteed. If this visit has to be cancelled, we will then visit Samsung D´light in Seoul.
  
  Then we continue to JEONJU where we will see its fascinating old town (Hanok Village), with its tiny houses, traditional shops and art galleries. Lunch included.
  
  Overnight: Jeonju

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• Day 4: Jeonju - Haeinsa - Busan (FRI), 250km
  

  Day 4: Jeonju - Haeinsa - Busan (FRI), 250km

  The next stage of our journey takes us through wonderful mountain and forest scenery to HAEINSA, a Buddhist temple built in 802 which houses the Tripitaka, the most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures engraved on 80,000 wooden blocks. We will visit the temple and the Tripitaka Museum and then have a vegetarian lunch in the temple (the lunch is included).
  
  We then carry on to BUSAN an extremely modern city and the second most important in Korea. We will spend some time in the bustling, traditional fish market before getting ready to embark on the ferry.
  
  We spend the night on the ferry crossing the Sea of Japan in double cabins with bathrooms.
  Note: The itinerary for the night journey may be occasionally modified due to availability or weather conditions.
  
  Overnight: Ferry (Busan - Shimonoseki)

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• Day 5: Shimonoseki - Iwakuni - Itsukushima - Hiroshima (SAT), 190km
  

  Day 5: Shimonoseki - Iwakuni - Itsukushima - Hiroshima (SAT), 190km

  We dock at the port of Shimonoseki at 7.30am (breakfast not included) and cross the border.
  We then depart for IWAKUNI a small city where we will stop to admire the beautiful historic Kintai-Kyo Bridge.
  
  We then continue to Miyajimaguchi where we take a ferry to Miyajima, the island “where men and Gods live together in peace”, with its Itsukushima shrine dedicated to the guardian of the seas, built partly over the sea. Here we have time to visit the temple, stroll through its attractive centre and have lunch.
  
  Then we continue to HIROSHIMA, sadly famous as the site where the atomic bomb fell in 1945 which destroyed the whole city. We will visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic bomb dome and the impressive Peace Memorial Museum. Dinner included.
  
  Overnight: Hiroshima

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• Day 6: Hiroshima - Matsuyama (SUN), 50km
  

  Day 6: Hiroshima - Matsuyama (SUN), 50km

  Today we will take a ferry to Shikoku Island on a pleasant crossing that lasts two hours and a half and see the many islands that make up Japan.
  
  In MATSUYAMA we will take the cable car up to its impressive castle. Afterwards, we will visit ISHITEJI, a beautiful Buddhist temple and a place of pilgrimage. Lunch included.
  
  In the late afternoon, we will visit DOGO ONSEN (admission included), a traditional Japanese bath facility built in the 19th century.
  
  Overnight: Matsuyama

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• Day 7: Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Naruto - Tokushima (MON), 285km
  

  Day 7: Matsuyama - Kotohira - Takamatsu - Naruto - Tokushima (MON), 285km

  We depart for KOTOHIRA a Shinto shrine dedicated to the God of sailors and a place of pilgrimage. The shrine stands on Mount Zosu and is reached by climbing 785 steps.
  
  Afterwards in TAKAMATSU we will visit RITSURIN, one of the prettiest gardens in Japan. Lunch included.
  Then in NARUTO we cross an impressive bridge over the sea, stopping on the way to admire the construction and walk on its glass floor with the sea 450 metres below us.
  
  We then continue to TOKUSHIMA, famous as the home of the most important festival in Japan, with its Awa Odori dances. There we watch a colourful Japanese dance performance (admission included).
  
  Overnight: Tokushima

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• Day 8: Tokushima - Kobe - Osaka - Mt Koya (TUE), 250km
  

  Day 8: Tokushima - Kobe - Osaka - Mt Koya (TUE), 250km

  We set out early along a pretty motorway crossing huge bridges over the sea. In KOBE we will visit KAWASAKI WORLD, an amazing museum that tells us of the technological prowess of this company which builds motorbikes, planes, high-speed trains and construction technology.
  After stopping by in Osaka for lunch. We will depart from this city at 1pm to visit MOUNT KOYA, one of Japan’s sacred mountains and Japan’s main centre of Shingon Buddhism. There are 120 shrines and monasteries on this mountain which is a magical place of pilgrimage.
  We will visit Okuno Mausoleum a spiritual place and an immense cemetery in the wilderness that has more than 200,000 graves. We will visit Kongobuji temple built in 1593.
  
  Note: In winter as it gets dark earlier, we will not have time to enter Kongobuji temple. We will spend this night at a Buddhist monastery. The monks will offer us a Zen meditation session (Ajikan). Dinner included (vegetarian food). There is religious ceremony at the temple early in the morning if you wish to attend it.
  
  Note: We consider the sojourn at the monastery as an experience of great existential value. The rooms at this place are modest, without bathrooms, in the traditional Japanese style with tatamis. Bathrooms are communal.
  
  Overnight: Mt Koya

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• Day 9: Mt Koya - Kyoto (WED), 130km
  

  Day 9: Mt Koya - Kyoto (WED), 130km

  Japanese breakfast at the temple.
  
  Then we leave early for KYOTO to spend the whole day in the city which was the capital of Japan between 794 and 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. During World War II the city was the only major Japanese to escape the bombardments, and so it still preserves its wealth of artistic heritage; the famous protocol restricting greenhouse gas emissions was signed in Kyoto in 1997. The visit includes a trip to one of the most important parts of the city. We will see the marvellous Shinto Shrine of Fushimi Inari, the Imperial Palace and Kinkakuji temple, “the golden pavilion” and its wonderful gardens.
  
  Free time before visiting GION, a busy traditional quarter famous for its Geisha.
  
  Note: If you already visited Kyoto on your circuit, our guide will offer you information and advice on visiting the other parts of the city unaccompanied.
  
  Overnight: Kyoto

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• Day 10: Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto (THU), 320km
  

  Day 10: Kyoto - Tsumago - Matsumoto (THU), 320km

  We set out for TSUMAGO passing attractive country scenery on our way. This small village with its wooden houses is one of the prettiest places in Japan. Free time to explore and lunch included.
  
  Then we continue to MATSUMOTO, a tourist city where we will visit the impressive 16th century castle, known as the “Crow Castle”. Free time to explore this bustling tourist city.
  
  Note: In some tours we will not sojourn in Matsumoto but in Nagano.
  
  Overnight: Matsumoto/Nagano

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• Day 11: Matsumoto - Nagano - Kasatsu - Takasaki (FRI), 228km
  

  Day 11: Matsumoto - Nagano - Kasatsu - Takasaki (FRI), 228km

  Today our journey takes us through the beautiful Japanese Alps. In NAGANO we will visit Zenkoji temple, a pilgrimage site where the first Buddhist image of Japan is located. Passengers will have the opportunity to take part in the Gomakuyo ceremony that brings good luck.
  
  Then we continue through the mountains to Monkey Park with lunch included and wander through its forests with their rivers and thermal fountains where colonies of Japanese monkeys live and bathe. Then our journey takes us through beautiful mountain scenery (reaching an altitude of 2,172 metres) with semi-active volcanoes.
  
  KUSATSU is an attractive spa city with a lively main square. Our visit includes admission to the Yumomi performance with actresses who sing songs about the traditional method for cooling spa waters. Then we can stroll through the city park with its outdoor Onsen. Our journey continues to TAKASAKI where we settle into our hotel.
  
  NOTE: In autumn monkey migration is unpredictable as it depends on the abundance of fruit in the mountains. If the monkeys do not go down to the park, it may be closed. In winter the route may be changed due to weather problems (snow). In such cases we will use other roads and eliminate the visit to the Monkey Park. The visit to Kusatsu and the Yumoni performance are cancelled from November to April due to weather conditions.
  
  Overnight: Takasaki

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• Day 12: Takasaki - Nikko - Sendai (SAT), 380km
  

  Day 12: Takasaki - Nikko - Sendai (SAT), 380km

  In Takasaki we will climb to the top of the hill where Byakuen Daikannon is found, a gigantic statue honouring the Goddess of Mercy.
  Afterwards, we will resume our journey to NIKKO. In this fantastic town, we will visit the impressive Toshogu shrine with its outstanding room where the clapper of a priest suggests the sound of a crying dragon. We will also visit Taiyuin-byo Mausoleum a site surrounded by peaceful scenery. We will go for a stroll along the river in Kanmangafuchi, under the attentive watch of hundreds of Jizo statues! We will enjoy some free time in the city’s centre before departing for SENDAI, a modern, bustling city with more than 1 million inhabitants. You will have a chance to stroll around and have supper in its lively centre.
  
  Overnight: Sendai

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• Day 13: Sendai - Matsushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka (SUN), 217km
  

  Day 13: Sendai - Matsushima - Hiraizumi - Morioka (SUN), 217km

  We depart for the marvellous city of MATSHUSHIMA on the “Thousand Islands” Bay in the Pacific Ocean and considered one of the most attractive cities in Japan. After arriving we will visit a magnificent “tea house” overlooking the sea and enjoy a cup of traditional tea while our guide tells us about the city. Then we will go on a 50-minute cruise (included).
  Free time to visit the historical museum, temples or take a walk to the islands which are connected by pretty pedestrian bridges. Lunch included.
  
  We continue to HIRAIZUMI to visit its temples and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takkoku no Iwaya, carved in the rock in 1801, followed by a visit to the magnificent Buddhist temples of Chusonji. We take time to relax in the gardens of Motsuiji temple where passengers can take part in a Zen ceremony (admission included).
  
  We then carry on to MORIOKA the pleasant capital of Iwate province, where we settle in at our hotel and have some free time to explore.
  
  Overnight: Morioka

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• Day 14: Morioka - Towada - Aomori - Hakodate (MON), 197km
  

  Day 14: Morioka - Towada - Aomori - Hakodate (MON), 197km

  Note: Due to the closure of the Towada Art Center Museum, the stop at Towada will be changed to visit to HIROSAKI.
  
  Our journey takes us through beautiful scenery to HIROSAKI. Ancient capital cultural during the Edo period with its castle of the seventeenth century. We will visit the Neputa Museum, a museum where you can see large paper figures as lamps as well as musical instruments and old toys. We include a music show with traditional instruments.
  
  We continue to AOMORI the provincial capital, located on Mutsu Bay. Time for visit to Nebuta Museum where we will learn about the Japanese festival tradition which reminds us of the Carnival, with its vivid, painted floats. Lunch included.
  
  Then we board the ferry to HOKKAIDO Island. The crossing takes just over three and a half hours.
  Arrive in HAKODATE. Before going to our hotel we will ascend Mount Hakodate which has wonderful views. We make the descent by cable car. Time in this beautiful city pedestrian centre in which to admire the influence of other cultures in the city (Russian Orthodox and Christian churches).
  
  Overnight: Hakodate

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• Day 15: Hakodate - Onuma - Noboribetsu - Sapporo (TUE), 338km
  

  Day 15: Hakodate - Onuma - Noboribetsu - Sapporo (TUE), 338km

  In the morning we visit the impressive and busy fish market. Then we climb the GORYOKAKU Tower with its impressive views from where we can make out the star-shaped fortress of Hakodate. Then we will take a stroll through the castle area before continuing to ONUMA. Free time in this wonderful tourist site, with its countless small islands in which to explore the islands, go on a boat trip and have lunch included.
  
  In the afternoon our journey takes us towards the ocean and NOBORIBETSU an impressive volcano site, where we can walk amidst geysers in Jigoku Dani (Hell’s Valley), admire the hot spring lake of Oyunuma and follow the path next to the hot spring to the site of the footbath.
  We then carry on to SAPPORO and at the end of the day we arrive at this beautiful city, the capital of North Japan.
  
  Overnight: Sapporo

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• Day 16: Sapporo - Otaru - Sapporo (WED), 76km
  

  Day 16: Sapporo - Otaru - Sapporo (WED), 76km

  City tour (included) stopping at the clock tower and Odori Koen avenue-park, dominated by the telecommunications tower. We will see the beautiful Shinto shrine of Hokkaido Jingu. The visit includes a ceremonial Kito (prayer session) in which we give thanks for the journey.
  
  Afterwards we enter Shiroi Koibito (admission included), an attractive theme park and chocolate factory.
  We then continue to OTARU a small city with European air and streets filled with shops, an old canal and tiny museums. Lunch included.
  
  We return to Sapporo at about 4pm and will have free time in the afternoon.
  
  Overnight: Sapporo

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• Day 17: Sapporo (THU)
  

  Day 17: Sapporo (THU)

  Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

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