10-Day Highlights of Japan & South Korea by Intertrips

Tokyo’s food stalls, Kyoto’s temple paths, a Lake Ashi cruise, then Seoul’s palaces and markets: this 10-day trip links two countries without asking you to plan every transfer yourself. The Tokyo-to-Seoul flight is included, and the Japan route adds a ropeway ride and lake cruise near Mount Fuji.

I like two things about the plan. First, it balances guided sightseeing with free time, so you can add the optional Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, or DMZ tours only if they suit you. Second, the included Seoul day gives you a useful introduction to the city’s royal sites, traditional neighborhood, and food market.

The trade-off is time on the road. Kyoto to Tokyo takes seven to eight hours by coach unless you pay extra for the Shinkansen, and several headline Japan visits are optional. Also, the hotels may be outside central Tokyo, so check the final locations before assuming you’ll be steps from the sights.

Five details to know before you book

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• Lake Ashi is part of the base trip: The Komagatake Ropeway and a cruise on the lake are included.
• The Tokyo-to-Seoul flight is included: Airport transfers in Japan are not, while a Seoul arrival transfer is.
• Free time is real free time: You explore independently outside scheduled guided activities.
• Several famous stops cost extra: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka excursions, the DMZ, and the Shinkansen are optional.
• The advertised starting price is not the whole budget: Confirm the current total, optional tour prices, and any local service fee before paying.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo

Tokyo begins with a practical arrival, not a city tour

The trip starts at Tokyo airport, but the first hotel may be in Narita or near Tokyo Bay, depending on availability. If it is in Narita, a complimentary hotel shuttle may be available. For other hotel locations, you are expected to buy an Airport Limousine Bus ticket yourself. The tour representative meets you at the hotel, not necessarily at the airport.

That distinction matters if you arrive tired or are carrying several bags. Your Tokyo arrival transfer is not included, and the first two nights are commonly arranged near Narita airport, according to the tour details. Ask for the confirmed hotel and transfer instructions before departure, then keep the hotel’s address handy.

Day 1 is for checking in and resting. On Day 2, you can explore independently or pay $99 for the Tokyo Discovery Tour. Its route links Tsukiji Fish Market, Odaiba Seaside Park, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, and Kabukicho in Shinjuku.

Tsukiji is the food stop: its streets bring together shops and restaurants selling Japanese ingredients and prepared dishes. Odaiba offers views across Tokyo Bay and a small Statue of Liberty replica. Sensoji gives you a temple visit in Asakusa, while Kabukicho shows a very different side of Tokyo, with its entertainment and nightlife district.

The optional outing is a useful way to cover several far-flung areas in one day. But it is not essential. If you are comfortable using public transport and choosing your own meals, the free day gives you more control over your pace and spending.

Hakone and Lake Ashi bring the trip outdoors

On Day 3, you leave Tokyo by air-conditioned coach for the Hakone and Five Lakes area, then continue to Shizuoka or Aichi for the night. Lunch is at your own expense at a highway service area. These stops can be more interesting than a simple restroom break, with Japanese and Western food options and local snacks, but you will need to budget for the meal.

The day’s main included activities are the Komagatake Ropeway and a cruise on Lake Ashi. The aerial tram gives you a view over the Hakone area and the lake; from the water, the route may offer a view of Mount Fuji in the distance. The mountain is the draw, but its visibility depends on conditions, so treat the cruise as a scenic outing rather than a guaranteed clear-sky photo stop.

The overnight hotel is in the Shizuoka area or, depending on arrangements, Aichi. The listed options include hotels in Hamamatsu, and the final property can change to a similar standard. This is a one-night stop between long drives, not a base for a leisurely stay in the Fuji area.

Kyoto rewards a slower pace, but the key sights cost extra

Day 4 takes you by coach to Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital and a major center for temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional architecture. The afternoon is free unless you buy the $89 Kyoto Discovery Tour.

That optional outing visits Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, whose upper floors are covered in gold leaf; Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its rows of vermilion gates; and Gion, a district associated with traditional entertainment and historic streets. It is a strong introduction if you have never been to Kyoto, but it is only one possible selection from a city with far more to see.

The schedule does not promise a stop at every Gion attraction described in the tour details. If a specific place matters to you, confirm the exact route before booking. Otherwise, use the free time to choose one or two Kyoto sights and leave room to enjoy the city without racing between them.

You stay two nights in Kyoto, at a hotel such as Ariston Hotel Kyoto Jujo or a similar property. The listed hotels are in the Jujo area, rather than directly in the old center, so allow for local travel when planning independent sightseeing. Breakfast is included; lunch and dinner are not.

Day 5 is another choice between independent exploration and an optional full-day trip to Nara and Osaka for $130, with lunch included. In Nara, the route includes Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Nara Park, where you can buy crackers to feed the deer. In Osaka, it visits Osaka Castle Park, then the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi areas for food and shopping.

This add-on covers three distinct experiences in one day, but it also means a packed schedule and little time to linger. It requires at least 10 participants, so check that it is running before you build your plans around it. If you are drawn more to Kyoto’s temples and lanes, staying put may be the better choice.

The return to Tokyo is the trip’s biggest transport decision

On Day 6, the included coach ride from Kyoto to Tokyo takes about seven to eight hours, with a meal stop at your own expense. For many people, this is the tour’s least appealing stretch: it uses much of the day and leaves less time for either city.

You can pay $180 for the optional Shinkansen experience instead. The train journey takes about two and a half hours and reaches speeds of around 189 miles per hour. That upgrade is expensive, but it buys back several hours and adds a memorable ride on Japan’s high-speed rail. Check what the upgrade includes and how it affects your hotel transfer arrangements.

You return to the Tokyo hotel for one night. Because the property may be near Tokyo Bay or Narita, do not assume you will finish the train journey in the heart of the city. Ask where you will stay and how you will get there.

Seoul offers a full day of guided sights and a free day to choose

Day 7 is the international handoff. You arrange and pay for your own transport from the Tokyo hotel to the airport. The Tokyo-to-Seoul flight is included, but the airline and flight details are sent closer to departure. On arrival in Seoul, a tour representative arranges the transfer to your hotel.

The next day is a full-day guided introduction to Seoul. The listed stops include Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Korean Folklore Museum, Jogyesa Temple, the Presidential Office, Jongmyo, Gwangjang Market, and Bukchon Hanok Village, as well as a Ginseng Shopping Center. Together, they give you a broad view of royal history, religious life, traditional housing, and everyday food culture.

Gwangjang Market is a good place to see Seoul’s food scene in motion. Bukchon’s traditional houses offer a contrast to the modern city around them, while Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo provide a stronger historical frame. The day covers a lot, so expect an overview rather than a slow, detailed visit to every stop.

Day 9 is free, with an optional $79 half-day DMZ tour. Its listed route includes Imjingak Pavilion, Freedom Bridge, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, DMZ Theater, Dora Observatory, Dora Train Station, and Unification Village. The DMZ is a restricted border area, and the tour is the way to visit the listed sites. If the recent division of the Korean peninsula interests you, this is a meaningful use of the day; if not, keep the time for Seoul.

Your Seoul hotel is listed as Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong or a similar property. On departure day, you buy your own Airport Limousine Bus ticket and confirm the schedule at reception. Leave enough time for the airport transfer, since it is not included.

What the price buys, and what it leaves out

The trip is advertised from $2,199. In exchange, you get nine nights of hotel accommodation, daily hotel breakfasts, the flight from Tokyo to Seoul, a Seoul arrival transfer, scheduled coach transport, an English-speaking guide for activities, and the included ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise. The Seoul sightseeing day is also included.

That is a useful framework for a two-country trip, especially if you value having the hotels and major cross-country arrangements handled. But the starting price does not include your international flights to Tokyo and home from Seoul, insurance, Japan arrival transport, departure transfers, most lunches and dinners, or personal costs. Nor does it include the optional sightseeing tours.

A separate quoted package price was $2,399 per person, plus a $180 local service fee. Prices and inclusions can vary by departure, so get the full current total in writing before comparing it with a self-planned trip. A solo room may also carry a supplement; one stated quote listed $800 per person for single occupancy.

The single published trip account gives useful, but limited, feedback. The traveler praised attentive customer service, clear trip details, visa help, and a follow-up call after returning. The guide was described as friendly and informative, and helped take photos. Those are encouraging points, though one account cannot tell you how every departure will run. Intertrips has a 4.1 operator rating across 73 reviews, so it is sensible to confirm details rather than assume every service will be identical.

Who will get the best value from this route

This tour suits you if you want Japan and South Korea in one trip, prefer hotels and the main transfers arranged, and are happy to mix guided days with independent ones. The group size is 10 to 30, the physical rating is low intensity, and all ages are welcome. Families should note that standard rooms may be small by U.S. standards; two rooms are recommended for two adults and two children.

It is less suitable if you want a fully escorted trip from airport to airport, a slow stay in each city, or a plan that includes every major sight in its base price. The itinerary is partially guided in practice: guides accompany scheduled activities, but leisure days are on your own. The optional excursions can add up, especially if you choose Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, the Shinkansen, and the DMZ.

Should you book the 10-day Japan and South Korea tour?

Book it if you value a straightforward two-country outline, want the Lake Ashi cruise and ropeway included, and can handle the long coach days and independent airport transfers. Before paying, confirm the actual hotel locations, current total price, local service fee, optional tour availability, and Tokyo-to-Seoul flight details.

If you have more time or want to spend several days in Kyoto or Tokyo, choose a slower itinerary. If ten days is your limit and you are comfortable treating the included schedule as a framework, this trip gives you a practical first look at both countries without leaving every connection to you.

FAQ

Is the flight from Tokyo to Seoul included?

Yes. Economy airfare from Tokyo to Seoul is included. The airline and flight details are provided closer to departure, and seat selection can be discussed after the flight information is issued.

Are international flights to Tokyo and home from Seoul included?

No. The included flight is between Tokyo and Seoul. Airfare to Tokyo and from Seoul is not included.

Which meals are included?

Daily hotel breakfasts are included. Lunch and dinner are generally at your own expense, except lunch on the optional Nara and Osaka tour.

Is the tour fully guided?

The scheduled activities have an English-speaking guide, but free time is independent. In practice, the trip is partially guided rather than escorted throughout every day.

Are the Tokyo and Seoul airport transfers included?

The arrival transfer in Seoul is included. Japan arrival transport and departure transfers in Japan and South Korea are not included. Airport Limousine Bus tickets are paid separately where needed.

What transport is included between Kyoto and Tokyo?

The scheduled transfer is by coach and takes about seven to eight hours. The Shinkansen is an optional $180 upgrade, with a journey of about two and a half hours.

Which optional tours are available, and what do they cost?

The Tokyo Discovery Tour is $99 per person, the Kyoto Discovery Tour is $89, the Nara and Osaka day tour is $130, the Shinkansen experience is $180, and the DMZ tour is $79. Optional tours are not included in the base price.

Is the Nara and Osaka tour guaranteed to run?

No. It requires a minimum of 10 participants. Confirm its availability before relying on it as part of your plans.

What hotels does the tour use?

Listed hotels include APA Hotel & Resort Tokyo Bay Makuhari or a similar property in Tokyo, a Hamamatsu-area hotel near the Mt. Fuji route, Ariston Hotel Kyoto Jujo or a similar Kyoto hotel, and Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong or a similar Seoul hotel. Final hotels may change until about four to six weeks before departure.

Is this tour suitable for children?

All ages are welcome, and there is no specific age restriction. Hotel rooms are typically smaller than standard U.S. rooms, and two rooms are recommended for two adults and two children.