Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Seoul - Gyeongju - Busan - Fukuoka - Kyoto - Tokyo
100% customisable for you
Your rail adventure through South Korea and Japan starts today with a long-haul flight to the Far East. Head to the airport, whizz through security, and escape the crowds with some downtime in the airport lounge as you await departure. Despite being located on the other side of the world, South Korea is well-connected to the UK, making a sub-13-hour direct flight possible. Most flights leave in the evening, so you’ll spend tonight onboard and touchdown on Korean soil tomorrow.
Rise and shine on the other side of the world as you prepare to land in Incheon. A private driver will be waiting to meet and greet you, before whisking you into the heart of the capital. Your first destination is a modern hotel in the ultra-trendy Myeongdong, a neighbourhood whose name translates to ‘bright town’. Spend the rest of today settling in and resting in your hotel before heading out for an evening of free discovery in the local area. Luxury stores and high-end restaurants flirt with street vendors under the energetic lighting of neon lights, making it the perfect spot to take the pulse of life in Seoul.
The next two days are yours to savour the delights of South Korea’s ultra-modern yet surprisingly traditional capital. To the delight of pedestrians, the streets of Myeongdong are closed to traffic, making it possible to spend your mornings sampling coffee and baked goods in local neighbourhoods’ high-end cafes. When you’re ready to get out and explore the rest of Seoul, all you need to do is reach for your nifty prepaid travel card.
Seoul – the country's capital for over 600 years – has gone through a succession of ups and downs over the centuries. From the regal days of the Joseon era (seen in the many exceptional palaces) to invasions from China, Japan and North Korea (exhibited skilfully at the War Memorial) and the recent rapid growth of ultra-modernity, Seoul’s history is well worth digging into. Explore the palace complexes of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, as well as the old streets lined with traditional hanok townhouses in Bukchon. Head to the top of N Seoul Tower for views across the city skyline and the verdant mountains beyond; sample local street-food delicacies at Gwangjang Market; and admire the contemporary galleries and pottery stores of Insadong. You can also head south of the river to Gangnam to get a taste of life in the luxurious neighbourhood that inspired the global chart-topping ‘Gangnam Style’ song back in 2012.
At some point over the next two days, you’ll have the opportunity to head out with a clued-up guide to see the city through the lens of a local. The walk is relaxed and based around you, so you can be totally spontaneous. This is a chance to discover the undiscovered, get off the tourist trail and visit the favourite spots of a Seoulite. You can also ask your guide any burning questions you have about South Korean culture, as well as get some handy tips and recommendations for the rest of your trip.
It’s time to get familiar with South Korea’s highly efficient high-speed train network as you bid the capital a warm farewell and head south. Your next destination is Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient Silla kingdom that ruled the country for nearly a millennium. The journey takes less than two and a half hours and is very scenic, winding through enchanting green hills (70% of South Korea is mountainous) and farmland untouched by modernity. On arrival, make your way to your next hotel: a simple and charming property close to attractions. After settling in and freshening up, we recommend spending your first evening walking down the main street of Hwangnidan. A succession of low-lying hanoks house restaurants, cafes, street food joints, shops and fun photo studios. Everything here is relaxed, slow-paced and there’s not a skyscraper in sight, so you know you’ve left the big city behind… for now.
With tombs, temples, rock carvings, hanoks and palace ruins at seemingly every turn, Gyeongju is nothing short of an open-air museum. While most of the historical sites in Seoul centre around the Joseon era (1392–1910), those of Gyeongju display the treasures of Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom that ruled most of the peninsula from 57 BCE to 935 CE. Today is yours to spend discovering the vestiges of this distant era at your own pace. The dynasty’s attachment to Buddhism can be seen at the serene and solemn Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, while the luxurious lives of the elite can be felt in Donggung Palace, the royal family's secondary residence. Round off your day by visiting their final resting place at the centrally-located Daereungwon Tomb Complex. A collection of grass-covered tomb mounds have been turned into a pleasant popular park perfect for an early evening stroll.
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, head back to the train station and make the speedy 30-minute journey to the cool coastal city of Busan. For the next three nights, your home is a minimalist, contemporary hotel near Yongdusan Square, where the iconic Busan Tower stands. We recommend heading up the observation tower at sunset to get your first glimpse of the impressive Busan panorama.
Busan rivals some of the world's great coastal cities with its dreamy mix of cosmopolitan charm and coastal scenery. You have the next two days here to explore the city to the max. Visit the colourful stacked houses of arty Gamcheon Village; stroll around Haedong Yonggungsa, a beautiful Buddhist temple built right into sea-facing cliff; ride the Songdo cable car over the ocean to a small neighbouring island; book a seat on the picture-perfect sky capsule, little pods that wind around the coastline from Haeundae; and delve into Busan’s thriving art scene with visits to the Busan Museum of Art, the Trickeye Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. When you’re ready for some downtime, rest on the long golden beaches of Haeundae or simply retreat to your hotel and enjoy the facilities.
At some point over the next two days, you’ll be met by a private local guide for a walking tour. This is a great way to visit lesser-known neighbourhoods and talk about all things Korean before swapping countries.
Wave goodbye to the verdant pine-studded coastline of Busan as you depart by ferry in the direction of Fukuoka, Japan. In just three-and-a-half hours, the high-speed ship cuts through the waters of the Korea Straight, landing you on Japanese soil before you know it. Settle in for two nights in an elegant hotel near Hakata station and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening getting a taste of local life. We recommend using your destination-specific dossier to find a world-class sushi restaurant. Toast the beginning of the second chapter of this epic rail adventure with a glass of crisp sake (Japanese rice wine) and some delicious sushi.
Spend your first full day in Japan soaking in the fascinating history and culture of Fukuoka. These coastal plains were once home to two cities divided by the Nakagawa River: modern and popular Hakata to the west and feudal, samurai Kuroda to the east. It wasn’t until 1889, during the Meiji era, that the two cities finally merged. Only the ramparts of Kuroda’s central Fukuoka Castle remain today. However, they are surrounded by whimsical gardens home to cherry and plum trees, making a visit a must. Nearby, Ôhori Park is the city’s green lung with a beautiful promenade that winds around the lake. The city is also a hot spot for temples: the wooden Kushida shrine and Tochoji temple, with its five crimson levels and huge wooden Buddha statue, are our top picks.
If there’s one thing South Korea and Japan have total love for it is efficient high-speed transport, and today you’ll get your first experience of the iconic bullet train as you head to Kyoto. Head to the station and board the Shinkansen, Japan's star bullet train, that covers the 380-mile journey in under three hours. Sit back, relax and enjoy the changing views across the island before arriving in the city centre of Kyoto. Your home for the next three nights is a lovely machiya (townhouse) in the peaceful Nakagyo district that skilfully blends traditional charm with contemporary comforts.
Capital of Japan and residence of the emperor from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is perhaps the crown jewel of Japan’s rich cultural heritage. The city unfolds around its thousands of historical sites, including temples and shrines, pagodas and wooden bridges, cobbled streets and traditional townhouses. Fans of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer will remember that Kyoto’s wealth of history and heritage protected it from the atomic bomb. The next two days are yours to spend freely discovering the city. Admire the reflection of the Golden Pavilion in the Kyoko-chi Pond; stroll under the thousand red torii (gates that mark the beginning of a sacred space) of the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine; enjoy panoramic views of the city from the heights of the Kiyomizu-dera temple; take a nature escape in the Arashiyama bamboo grove; jostle with chefs at the Nishiki food market; contemplate the perfection of Japanese landscape gardens in the many parks; and keep your eyes peeled for geishas tottering on their geta (traditional wooden sandals), the train of their kimonos traipsing behind.
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, head to the train station and climb aboard your final bullet train. The near 300-mile journey is a piece of cake for the bullet train, which gets you there in under three hours. On arrival, settle in for three nights in a lovely hotel in the heart of the Shin-Okubo, Tokyo’s popular ‘Korea Town’. Grab some quirky cosmetics, tuck into some spicy tteokbokki or head to a nearby BBQ restaurant.
Your final two days in Japan are about experiencing Tokyo's cultural and historical highlights. From a small fishing village to the capital of the world's third-largest economy, the city that was long known as Edo has come a long way. In the 15th century, the city became the military base and then lordship of the shogun (general) Tokugawa, who wanted to distance himself from the imperial city of Kyoto. The shogunate (military government) ruled over Japan from Tokyo and saw samurai culture flourish. Beyond their military prowess, samurai were artists, scholars and poets who practiced the traditional arts of calligraphy and tea ceremonies, which is still important to this day. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the shogunate was overthrown, ushering in the Meiji era and restoring the monarch's powers. If you want to take a deep dive into the fascinating military skills and code of honour of the samurai, head to the Samurai Museum in Shinjuku.
At some point over the next two days, you’ll have the opportunity to head out on a private walking tour of the city with a clued-up local guide. The beauty of this walk is that nothing is really planned in advance, which means you can be totally spontaneous. Whether you’re a foodie, shopaholic, history buff or art lover, your guide will come up with the best itinerary to suit your whims and wishes of the day.
The rest of your time in the capital is yours to do as you please. Some of our favourite things to do include joining the crowds at the iconic Shibuya Crossing; soaking in the craziness of a sumo match at Ryogoku Kokugikan; rubbing shoulders with the locals at an izakaya (informal bar); soaking up the atmosphere of Senso-ji, the oldest temple in the city; browsing the quirky?cosplay shops of Harajuku; and sampling the best of Japanese street food in the tiny alleys of Shinjuku.
Sadly the time has come to bid the cultural giants of South Korea and Japan a warm farewell as you embark on the journey home. Head to the airport, whizz through security, and enjoy some downtime in the premium lounge while awaiting departure. You could also take the opportunity to buy any last-minute souvenirs, like duty-free sake or some traditional crafts. Direct flights between Tokyo and the UK can land you back on home turf in 14 hours.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
