Combine tradition with innovation in South Korea & Japan

South Korea and Japan have been so popular for my clients in 2024. Why not consider combining them and exploring tradition with innovation? My goal is to provide lots of travel inspiration for my clients and I think this 13 day sample itinerary allows you to immerse yourself in the sociable hustle and bustle of Seoul’s lively districts of Gangnam and Seongsu one week, then wander the peaceful, timeless streets of Kyoto’s old districts. You’ll love the cultural contrasts that reveal themselves to you between vibrant South Korea and its more traditional neighbour, Japan.

Your 13-day itinerary could look something like this:

Seoul (3 days) Andong (2 days) Busan (2 days) Kyoto (3 days) Hakone | Tokyo (3 days)

You’ll experience the subtle cultural differences between these close neighbours and see classic destinations from different angles on this trip that combines well-known sights with lesser-known highlights. Delving into both traditional and modern places, you’ll move between cities, countryside, and coast by Japan’s thrilling bullet train network, or, in South Korea, by private car with a driver.

Over 13 nights, you’ll enjoy three delightful half-day experiences that really get you under the skin of your destinations: chopstick and spoon making in Seoul, crafting your own wooden sujeo (set) to use on your travels; a Gamcheon Culture Village tour taking in the many hidden shops and cafés of this multi-hued spot; and afternoon tea in Kyoto with a real-life maiko (fledgling geisha), a privilege few Japanese can even boast.

You’ll also dig deep into the cultural differences with insider guided tours of Seoul, Andong, Kyoto, and Tokyo, together with traditional stays in a hanok (a thatched cottage) and ryokan inns. You’ll admire the gorgeous scenery of both countries as you visit Hahoe and Gamcheon villages in Korea, then Hakone National Park in Japan, and you’ll contrast subtlety and spice with an izakaya evening in Tokyo and a night-market tour in Busan.

Get ready to taste your way around each country’s foodie spots, including Seoul’s sprawling Gwangjang Market with its soondae sausage, bite-sized rice rolls, and mung-bean pancakes. Don’t miss Busan’s famous Jakgalchi Market with its nakji octopus tentacles and fish soup. In sulphur-spewing Owakudani, you can even join other visitors boiling black eggs in the bubbling hot springs.