How much does it cost?

From £6,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,509 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour with hand-selected excursions included.

What trains are used?

The tour uses the KTX (Korea Train Express), which reaches speeds of up to 190 mph, and Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains.

How many days are spent in each country?

The pack does not specify; it covers 16 days total across Seoul, Gyeongju, Fukuoka, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.

What activities are included?

Included activities are excursions to Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Korean Demilitarised Zone, Buddhist temples, a boat trip to an oyster farm in Miyajima, and a tea ceremony in Kyoto's geisha district.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Treasures of South Korea & Japan

16-day Seoul to Tokyo escorted rail tour spanning Korea and Japan

Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted tour across South Korea and Japan, starting in Seoul and ending in Tokyo. The journey traces ancient dynasties and modern history through eight cities: you visit the 14th-century Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, cross the Korean Demilitarised Zone, travel by the high-speed KTX train to Gyeongju to explore Buddhist temples and royal estates of the ancient Silla Kingdom, then cross to Japan to discover Fukuoka's fresh seafood markets, sail to an oyster farm in Miyajima, pay respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, participate in a tea ceremony in Kyoto's geisha district, and finish with a Shinkansen bullet train ride to Tokyo. The tour combines rail travel, coach transfers, and a boat excursion. It suits history lovers seeking to understand Korea's dynasty and Japan's cultural traditions, repeat rail travellers keen on high-speed trains, and those who prefer guided exploration with included activities over independent travel.

Price history

Across 3 checks, this price has fallen £400 since 12 Aug, to £6,299.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 3 points are a live read of the operator's page.

What to know before you look closer

The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary for this package; confirm the exact order of cities and number of nights in each location before booking
The from-price advertised may exclude rail fares; verify what is included in the quoted cost

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In flight
Overnight flight to Seoul
We meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow and board a direct flight to Seoul.
Day 2overnight: Seoul
Arrival in Seoul
We land in Seoul and transfer to our hotel in the business district for a two-night stay, meeting fellow travellers over a welcome dinner.
Day 3overnight: Seoul
Exploring Seoul and the Korean Demilitarised Zone
A tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insadong Antique Street, followed by a visit to the Korean Demilitarised Zone.
Day 4railovernight: Gyeongju
Exploring Gyeongju, capital of the ancient Kingdom of Silla
A KTX bullet train to Gyeongju to visit Bulguska Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Donggung Palace and Wolji, and the Cheomseongdae Observatory.
Day 5overnight: Busan
To the coastal city of Busan
A coach to Busan to visit Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Market, Haedong Yonggung Temple and Haeundae Beach.
Day 6overnight: Fukuoka
Across the Korea Strait to Fukuoka
A flight from Gimhae International Airport to Fukuoka, checking in to our hotel for a welcome dinner, our first meal in Japan.
Day 7overnight: Fukuoka
Discovering Fukuoka's history and culture
A coach tour taking in the Dazaifu Tenmagu shrine, the Kyushu National Museum, Kawabata Shopping Arcade and Fukuoka Tower.
Day 8railovernight: Hiroshima
Discovering Hiroshima's poignant sites
A bullet train to Hiroshima for a guided tour of the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima Castle.
Day 9overnight: Hiroshima
Visiting Miyajima and tasting fresh seafood
A visit to an oyster farm in Hiroshima Bay with a tasting of oyster porridge, then a ferry to Miyajima for a walking tour including Itsukushima Shrine and the O-Torii Gate.
Day 10railovernight: Osaka
Kurashiki's charming canals en route to Osaka
A train journey to Osaka stopping in Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter and Korakuen Garden.
Day 11overnight: Osaka
Nara Park, Dotonbori and Osaka Castle
A visit to Nara Park and Todaji Temple's Great Buddha, followed by Osaka's Dotonbori entertainment district and Osaka Castle.
Day 12overnight: Kyoto
Exploring Kyoto's famous temples and a zen tea ceremony
A coach to Kyoto to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and the Gion district, followed by a zen tea ceremony.
Day 13overnight: Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Fushimi Inari Taisha
A visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine with its thousands of red torii gates.
Day 14railovernight: Tokyo
Hakone and Mount Fuji
A bullet train towards Tokyo via Hakone, visiting Hakone Shrine on Lake Ashi and the Owakudani Valley for views of Mount Fuji, before continuing to our hotel in Tokyo.
Day 15overnight: Tokyo
Exploring Tokyo with an expert guide
A coach tour of Tokyo taking in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Senso-Ji temple, a bonsai demonstration and the Shibuya crossing, with a farewell dinner.
Day 16
Homeward bound
After breakfast we travel to the airport for our flight back to London.

Included

Tour Manager: expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Accommodation: 14 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
Transportation: Standard Class rail travel; all rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights: flights from London Heathrow to Seoul, Tokyo to London Heathrow; all internal flights
Food & Drink: breakfast each day, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
Luggage: group luggage transfers between all hotels
Excursions & Entertainment: all guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £6,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,509 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour with hand-selected excursions included.
What trains are used?: The tour uses the KTX (Korea Train Express), which reaches speeds of up to 190 mph, and Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains.
How many days are spent in each country?: The pack does not specify; it covers 16 days total across Seoul, Gyeongju, Fukuoka, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
What activities are included?: Included activities are excursions to Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Korean Demilitarised Zone, Buddhist temples, a boat trip to an oyster farm in Miyajima, and a tea ceremony in Kyoto's geisha district.