Futuristic cityscapes, centuries-old architecture and long-standing cultural traditions characterise two stunning nations irrevocably sculpted by their politically charged heritage. Set amongst a landscape of natural grandeur, delve into the unique sophistication, cuisine and traditions of South Korea and Japan.
Depart on your scheduled overnight flight to Kyoto.
Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Breakfast
Explore the UNESCO-recognised fortifications of Nijo Castle and witness the gilded pavilion of Kinkaku-ji. Continue to the outskirts of Kyoto and witness thin shreds of sunlight which peek through the luxuriant towers of Bamboo in the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and next, head to the 14th century Tenryuji Temple, where tranquil gardens have survived the test of time as their original design is still intact. Finally, cross the Togetsukyo wooden bridge which is suspended above the Katsura River.
Breakfast & Dinner
Following breakfast, travel to the city of Nara where you'll get the chance to watch over 1,200 protected deer roaming Nara Park. From here, take a short stroll towards the crimson Shinto shrine of Kasuga- Taisha; standing majestically against a backdrop of the Kasuga Mountain. Conclude today's exploration at one of the most important imperial Buddhist Temples in Japan, Yakushi Temple, before returning to Kyoto for a Maiko performance and evening meal.
Breakfast
Transfer to Kyoto railway station and board a bullet train to Hakone to visit the iconic Onshi Hakone National Park, home to one of Japan's most instantly recognisable sights - Mount Fuji, fringed by thick forests and a crescent-shaped ring of shimmering lakes. As you glide over sulphuric hot springs along the Hakone Ropeway, marvel at spectacular vistas of Owakudani Valley, an active volcanic crater, where hot rivers, bubbling pools and steam vents serve as a reminder of the area's volcanic might. This afternoon transfer by coach to the dazzling city of Tokyo.
Breakfast & Dinner
A fusion of futuristic districts, centuries-old palaces and family-run ramen booths, Tokyo has survived a turbulent past to prosper as one of the world's major metropolises. A full day of sightseeing will commence at Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple before visit the magnificent Imperial Palace Gardens, taking in its moats, gardens and the picturesque Niju Bridge and continue your visit the bustling area of Ginza, the country's biggest luxury shopping district.
Breakfast
Enjoy some time at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Busan.
Breakfast & Lunch
Today, explore the sights of Busan and begin at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, which honours the lives of the soldiers who were tragically lost during the Korean War. Next, take in the delights of vibrant Camellias which flourish on Dongbaekseom Island from January to May, and return to shore for the chance to meander through the bustling stalls of Jagalchi Fish Market. After marvelling at the soaring Busan Tower, visit the hawkers of Kukje Market before concluding today's exploration with a leisurely stroll through the Gamcheon Cultural Village.
Breakfast & Lunch
A full-day tour of Gyeongju takes in the major sites of Korea's ancient former capital, known as the 'Museum Without Walls'. Journey from the immense Buddha statue which lies in Seokguram Grotto to UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple where you'll explore its Buddhist relics, pavilions and gardens. Continue onward to the age-old observatory of Cheomseongdae before taking in the greenery of Tumuli Park and browsing through ancient artefacts in the Gyeongju National Museum
Breakfast & Lunch
This morning, travel towards Andong, the spiritual capital of South Korea. Having maintained many aspects of authentic Korean culture, Andong City's tangible heritage manifests itself in the charming 14th-century riverside village of Hahoe; with well-preserved Joseon architecture and traditional thatched houses, you'll be transported to a bygone era. Soak in vistas of this clan-based village from nearby Buyongdae Cliff.
Breakfast
After Breakfast visit one of the city's most beloved landmarks - the N Seoul Tower. Ascend 480 metres above sea level to the observatory deck for incredible 360-degree views overlooking the city skyline. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set out on a morning tour of the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), an untouched region which separates North and South Korea; admire impeccable panoramic views from the iconic Dora Observatory, before exploring the secret passageways of the 3rd Infiltration tunnel. Next, witness two routes that connect North and South Korea at Dorasan Station and the Bridge of Freedom, which currently serve as symbolic emblems of hope for the reunification between these two countries. From here, return to Seoul for an afternoon sightseeing tour. Commencing at the majestic Gyeongbok Palace, continue to the National Folklore Museum, before immersing yourself in rich cultural traditions through Insa-dong antique street, whose narrow avenues are lined with an array of speciality regional goods. Later, wander through Bukchon Hanok Village's charming streets before browsing through a revered collection of quality silk products and vintage clothing in Gwangjang Market, one of the largest of its kind in Korea.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or chosen extension.
Your flight lands back in the UK today.
Use discount code TOUR200 at the checkout to save £200 per person on selected tours departing in May 2026 and June 2026
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Please note whilst travelling through Japan, including between hotels and trains, there is no porterage included within your tour. This does not include any overnight trains that require an overnight bag.
Smaller groups may use public transport.
The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
Please note that room sizes in Japan are generally smaller than those you may be used to.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
South Korea visa requirements
You do not need a visa to visit South Korea as a tourist for up to 90 days. You will need to fill in an arrival card at Seoul airport. However, from 2025, an arrival card will need to be done online at least 72 hours in advance at https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/guide/viewetaapplication.do. The fee for the arrival card will be USD 10 per person. We strongly advise you to check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
Japan visa requirements
UK passport holders are not currently required to obtain a visa before departure for Japan. A tourist visa will be issued on arrival for a duration of 90 days when you show your passport (must be valid for at least six months from the date you are due to leave Japan). Visa, arrival, and departure requirements are subject to change, and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays.
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Essence of South Korea and Japan is rated as Intermediate. This is largely due to the amount of travelling on this tour. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, getting on and off coaches, boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
Smaller groups may use public transport.
The currency in South Korea is the South Korean won, known as KRW. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK.
The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen, known as JPY. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK.
Credit, debit and prepaid cards from international brands are accepted at a wide variety of places in the major cities. Outside of these, cards may not be widely accepted, although you will be able to withdraw cash in the local currency across the country at ATMs. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. We recommend you bring along a minimum of GBP £350 per person to change to local currency. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
Tipping is not compulsory and is at your discretion. However, should you wish to tip ,we would recommend tipping approximately £2 per person per day. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10 and the maximum will be 35. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
Smaller groups may use public transport.
This is a fully escorted tour meaning that you will be met by a local guide in each of the cities that you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. Your guides will be on hand for the duration of your tour and will be able to provide you with some general information on each of the destinations/ attractions that you visit
Please note you will be escorted to the port in South Korea, where you will board the ship without a tour guide, you will be met by your local tour guide upon arrival in Japan.
Smaller groups may use public transport.
Trains
During this tour you will be on various trains ranging from Local trains to Bullet trains. There are some luggage restrictions on Japanese trains and so your main luggage may need to be transported overnight. It is advisable to take a smaller overnight bag with you for these days. Your guide will assist you in advance with this matter. All train carriages are booked with comfortable seats and air conditioning.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Japan. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Please be aware that in Japan, rooms are considerably smaller than what you may be used to.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel. Please note Gluten free food is very limited in Japan and while every effort is made to assist you this requirement cannot be guaranteed.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. A bottle of water is supplied daily though South Korea.
South Korea - During the official holidays, offices and banks are closed but palaces, museums, most restaurants, department stores, and amusement facilities are open. Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) are the most important traditional holidays for Koreans, so millions of people visit their hometown to celebrate with their families
Japan - If you are travelling within the below Japanese Public Holidays, please note that celebrations last for several days and during these times some businesses will be closed and coach, air and train travel may be affected. Tourist attractions will be open but may be crowded. Golden Week is usually between late April and early May. Obon Holiday is between usually in the middle of August.
On your arrival in Seoul you will be met by a representative from our local agent in South Korea, LOTTEJTB, holding a sign displaying ‘Mercury Holidays’. The Mercury Holidays/ LOTTEJTB representative will transfer you to your hotel on arrival where you will spend your first night. Your guide will be able to answer any queries you may have.
If you need to contact LOTTEJTB during your stay in South Korea:
Seoul office address: Central Place 13F, 50, Seosomun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Telephone 09.00am-18.00pm: 0082-2-6313-8105.
Emergency contact information:
Please find below the emergency contact details for LOTTEJTB’s 24-hour hotline (after working hours): Mobile: +82) 10 8745 5307 *Whatsapp available
If you need to contact JTB during your stay in Japan:
JTB Global Marketing and Travel Address: Tokyo Front Terrace 6F, Hisgashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8604
Contact number: +81 (0) 3-5796-5431 (Mon-Fri 09:30-18:00 except public holidays)
Emergency contact number: +81 (0) 70-2264-2119
Email address: kg01@gmt.jtb.jp
