Two empires in one arc: Tokyo and Kyoto at their most refined, then across the strait to Seoul and Busan, where Joseon palaces meet the modern Korean table.
Day by day
Arrival in Tokyo Tokyo Private Arrival Transfer, Narita to Tokyo Meet and greet at Narita and private car transfer to the hotel. Stay Park Hyatt Tokyo Iconic Shinjuku hotel occupying the top floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, with skyline views toward Mt Fuji. Click for more information
Arrive at Narita and transfer privately to Shinjuku.
Market Morning Tokyo 06:30 Toyosu Market Tour & Sushi Breakfast Guided visit to the Toyosu wholesale market followed by a sushi breakfast at a counter nearby. 13:00 Private Guide, Tokyo Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Tokyo. Stay Park Hyatt Tokyo Iconic Shinjuku hotel occupying the top floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, with skyline views toward Mt Fuji. Meals B Click for more information
Toyosu market before the city wakes, sushi for breakfast, and a guided afternoon in old Tokyo.
Tokyo, Your Way Tokyo 09:30 Private Guide, Tokyo Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Tokyo. Stay Park Hyatt Tokyo Iconic Shinjuku hotel occupying the top floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower, with skyline views toward Mt Fuji. Meals B Click for more information
A guided day built around your interests, from contemporary art to the gardens of the Imperial Palace.
Hakone & the Mountain Hakone 09:00 Mt Fuji & Hakone Private Day Tour Private tour around Lake Ashi and the Hakone highlands with views of Mt Fuji, weather permitting. Stay Gora Kadan, Hakone Celebrated onsen ryokan on the former summer estate of an imperial family villa in Hakone. Meals B · D Click for more information
Out of the city to Lake Ashi and the highlands, and an onsen evening at a storied ryokan.
West to Kyoto Kyoto 10:30 Shinkansen Green Car, Tokyo to Kyoto Reserved Green Car seats on the Tokaido Shinkansen with luggage forwarded separately. 18:00 Gion Evening Walk with Geiko Performance Evening walk through the historic lanes of Gion followed by a private performance and conversation with a geiko. Stay The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Low-rise luxury hotel on the banks of the Kamogawa river with views of the Higashiyama hills. Meals B Click for more information
The Shinkansen to Kyoto and an evening walk through Gion, ending with a private geiko performance.
First Light at Fushimi Kyoto 05:30 Fushimi Inari Sunrise Walk Early-morning walk through the vermilion torii tunnels of Fushimi Inari before the crowds arrive. 15:00 Private Tea Ceremony in Kyoto A seated tea ceremony hosted by a tea master in a private machiya, with an introduction to the way of tea. Stay The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Low-rise luxury hotel on the banks of the Kamogawa river with views of the Higashiyama hills. Meals B Click for more information
Sunrise beneath the torii of Fushimi Inari and an afternoon tea ceremony in a private machiya.
Arashiyama & Nara Kyoto 08:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Morning in the bamboo grove and the UNESCO-listed Zen garden of Tenryu-ji temple. 11:30 Nara & Todai-ji Day Trip Day trip to Nara: the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha lanterns and the deer park. Stay The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Low-rise luxury hotel on the banks of the Kamogawa river with views of the Higashiyama hills. Meals B Click for more information
The bamboo grove of Arashiyama in the morning, then across to Nara for the Great Buddha of Todai-ji.
A Kyoto Farewell Kyoto 19:00 Kaiseki Dinner at Kikunoi Multi-course kaiseki dinner at Kikunoi, one of the great houses of Kyoto haute cuisine. Stay The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto Low-rise luxury hotel on the banks of the Kamogawa river with views of the Higashiyama hills. Meals B · D Click for more information
A free day in Kyoto, closing with the kaiseki table of Kikunoi.
Across the Strait Seoul 11:00 Flight, Osaka to Seoul Scheduled flight from Kansai International to Incheon, economy or business as preferred. 14:00 Private Arrival Transfer, Incheon to Seoul Meet and greet at Incheon and private car transfer to the hotel. Stay Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Contemporary luxury hotel by Gwanghwamun, steps from the palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Meals B Click for more information
Fly from Osaka to Seoul and settle in by Gwanghwamun, at the foot of the Joseon palaces.
Palaces of the Joseon Kings Seoul 09:00 Gyeongbokgung Palace Private Tour Private tour of the main Joseon royal palace, including the changing of the guard. 14:00 Bukchon Hanok Village Walk Guided walk through the hanok lanes between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. 19:00 Korean Royal Cuisine Dinner Surasang-style royal court dinner introducing the classical dishes of the Joseon table. Stay Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Contemporary luxury hotel by Gwanghwamun, steps from the palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Meals B · D Click for more information
Gyeongbokgung with your guide, the hanok lanes of Bukchon, and a royal cuisine dinner.
The Edge of the Peninsula Seoul 08:00 DMZ Private Tour Escorted visit to the Demilitarized Zone, including the third tunnel and Dora observatory. Stay Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Contemporary luxury hotel by Gwanghwamun, steps from the palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Meals B Click for more information
A sobering, unforgettable morning at the DMZ, and a free Seoul evening.
Seoul, Your Way Seoul 09:30 Private Guide, Seoul Licensed English-speaking private guide for a full day in Seoul. Stay Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Contemporary luxury hotel by Gwanghwamun, steps from the palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Meals B Click for more information
A guided day shaped to your interests - markets, design shops or the National Museum of Korea.
KTX to Busan Busan 10:00 KTX First Class, Seoul to Busan Reserved first-class seats on the KTX high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. Stay Park Hyatt Busan Glass tower above Haeundae marina with views over the bay and Gwangan bridge. Meals B Click for more information
The KTX south to Busan and an afternoon above the Haeundae shoreline.
Silla Treasures of Gyeongju Busan 08:30 Gyeongju UNESCO Day Trip Day trip from Busan to the Silla capital: Bulguksa temple, Seokguram grotto and the royal tumuli. Stay Park Hyatt Busan Glass tower above Haeundae marina with views over the bay and Gwangan bridge. Meals B Click for more information
A day among the temples and royal tombs of the old Silla capital: Bulguksa and Seokguram.
Departure Busan Meals B Click for more information
Private transfer to Gimhae for your onward flight.
The route
Included
- Fourteen nights in the listed hotels and ryokan
- Private guiding in Tokyo, Kyoto and Seoul
- The Osaka to Seoul flight and all rail and car transfers
- Experiences and meals named in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights beyond the Osaka to Seoul sector
- Travel insurance
- Meals not named in the itinerary
Make this journey your own
Every departure is private and built around you — dates, pace and every detail can change.