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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Treasures of South Korea & Japan

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

Illustration of Treasures of South Korea & 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.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Great Rail Journeys includes KTX travel from Seoul to Gyeongju and Shinkansen travel from Fukuoka to Hiroshima and from Kyoto to Tokyo. Confirm whether the from-price covers these fares or if they are booked separately.
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.

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