Japan & South Korea: Tokyo to Seoul

Encounter Japan’s rich cultural heritage from Tokyo to Kyoto and the energy of Seoul in South Korea. Explore Japan’s blend of past and present through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, traveling between them on the shinkansen bullet train. Meet Japan’s ama pearl divers, see the beauty of the Golden Pavilion, and explore Gion, the historic geisha district of Kyoto. Reflect at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. In South Korea, discover Seoul’s Gyeongbok Palace, and take a tour of Korea’s infamous Demilitarized Zone. Join a conversation with a North Korean defector and enjoy a traditional lunch hosted in a Korean family’s home. The spirit of Japan and South Korea’s vibrancy shine from neon-lit streets to tranquil shrines.

• Round-trip airfare from  Chicago O'Hare
• Airport/hotel transfers in destination 
• Hotel accommodations
• 23 Meals: 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 7 dinners
• Wander among the swaying trees of the Arashiyama bamboo forest
• Tour Korea’s infamous Demilitarized Zone, better known as the DMZ
• See the gleaming beauty of the Golden Pavilion
• Join a North Korean defector for a private and emotional discussion about their escape and new life
• Meet Japan’s ama pearl divers and learn more about their elite profession
• Visit Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum and hear accounts of the atomic bomb’s devastation
• Outside the bustle of Seoul, experience a home-hosted traditional lunch with a Korean family
• Try your hand at the delicate art of sushi making in Kyoto.
• Make delicious okonomiyaki, savory pancakes that are a Japanese favorite
• Services of a Collette Tour Manager