Call Us 800.528.9300
Classic Japan: Land of the Rising Sun with Seoul 2027
15 Day Tour from Seoul to Osaka
Tour Description:
This tour of Japan and South Korea is perfect for value-minded travelers who enjoy history, beautiful scenery, and fascinating architecture. Begin your journey in Seoul, where you’ll explore the grandeur of Gyeongbok Palace and stroll through the charming traditional lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village for a vivid glimpse into Korea’s royal and cultural heritage. Continue on to Japan, where you’ll overnight in Tokyo, the Mount Fuji area, Osaka, Hiroshima, and conclude in Kyoto.Highlights throughout both countries include visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Japan, you’ll see Mount Fuji—long worshipped as a sacred mountain—along with majestic views of Lake Kawaguchi during a cable-car ride (weather permitting). In Hiroshima, visit Itsukushima Shrine, built over water and famous for its iconic floating Torii gate, and explore Peace Memorial Park to witness the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the only remaining structure from the first atomic bomb in 1945. In Kyoto, visit the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, covered in beautiful gold leaf, and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.Your journey also includes stops at two of Japan’s premier gardens dating back to the 1600s: stroll the tranquil Koraku-en and the Shinjuku Gyoen, the “Imperial Garden,” home to 1,000 cherry blossom trees. Enjoy a local lunch and try Japan’s legendary okonomiyaki, often called “Japanese pizza.” Plus, experience the thrill of riding the famous bullet train, or shinkansen. History, scenery, culture, cuisine, and fun experiences—this Japan and South Korea vacation has it all!
Click for larger view.
Dates & Pricing
| Thursday 11 Mar 27 — Friday 26 Mar 27 | Starting at $5,579 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 18 Mar 27 — Friday 02 Apr 27 | Starting at $5,579 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 25 Mar 27 — Friday 09 Apr 27 | Starting at $5,579 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 01 Apr 27 — Friday 16 Apr 27 | Starting at $5,669 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 08 Apr 27 — Friday 23 Apr 27 | Starting at $5,669 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 15 Apr 27 — Friday 30 Apr 27 | Starting at $5,669 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 29 Apr 27 — Friday 14 May 27 | Starting at $5,439 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 20 May 27 — Friday 04 Jun 27 | Starting at $5,429 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 01 Jul 27 — Friday 16 Jul 27 | Starting at $5,469 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 05 Aug 27 — Friday 20 Aug 27 | Starting at $5,419 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 26 Aug 27 — Friday 10 Sep 27 | Starting at $5,419 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 09 Sep 27 — Friday 24 Sep 27 | Starting at $5,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 16 Sep 27 — Friday 01 Oct 27 | Starting at $5,579 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 23 Sep 27 — Friday 08 Oct 27 | Starting at $5,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 30 Sep 27 — Friday 15 Oct 27 | Starting at $5,589 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 07 Oct 27 — Friday 22 Oct 27 | Starting at $5,589 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 21 Oct 27 — Friday 05 Nov 27 | Starting at $5,589 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 04 Nov 27 — Friday 19 Nov 27 | Starting at $5,569 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingThe world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!Your tour includes:•Guided city sightseeing of Seoul including admission to Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Ihwa Mural Village•Walking tour of Gwangjang Market with street food sampling•Guided city sightseeing of Tokyo including admission to Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Asakusa Kannon Temple, and Nakamise Shopping Arcade•Admission to Mt. Fuji ropeway and Chureito Pagoda•Bullet train ride from Mt. Fuji area to Osaka•Guided city sightseeing of Osaka including admission to the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses, Osaka Castle, and Koraku-en Garden•Guided city sightseeing of Hiroshima including admission to Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima Island and visit to Itsukushima Shrine•Pottery workshop•Admission to Himeji Castle•Guided city sightseeing of Kyoto including admission to the Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Sanjusangendo•Guided walking tour of Nishiki Market •Traditional Japanese tea ceremony•Intra-vacation flight from Seoul to Tokyo
Notes:
Services in Seoul will be with a Local Guide. You will meet your Tour Director in Japan on day 5.The option for an overnight stay at a traditional ryokan requires an additional fee and must be pre-booked ahead of your travel to Japan. Space is very limited and on request only. Your stay includes a traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast. Dietary restrictions generally cannot be accommodated.The ropeway ride at Mount Fuji is weather dependent.
Services in Seoul will be with a Local Guide. You will meet your Tour Director in Japan on day 5.The option for an overnight stay at a traditional ryokan requires an additional fee and must be pre-booked ahead of your travel to Japan. Space is very limited and on request only. Your stay includes a traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast. Dietary restrictions generally cannot be accommodated.The ropeway ride at Mount Fuji is weather dependent.
MEALS
MEALS ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1 SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Welcome to South Korea’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in
Day 2 SEOUL
Sightseeing with your Local Guide begins with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and most impressive of Seoul’s five palaces. Continue to the National Museum of Contemporary Korean History to learn how Korea has transformed from an agricultural society to an economic powerhouse. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore Gwangjang Traditional Market, one of the oldest and largest in Korea. Then, visit Bukchon Hanok Village, home to over 900 hanoks (traditional Korean houses), and Ihwa Mural Village, a hillside neighborhood adorned with colorful murals and creative public art. (B,L)
Please note: Local Host services are provided in Seoul as noted. You will meet your Tour Director in Tokyo on day 5
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 3 SEOUL
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Seoul’s vibrant neighborhoods, historic sites, and local cuisine. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 4 SEOUL-TOKYO, JAPAN
Today, fly to Tokyo. A Cosmos representative will arrange for your transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 5 TOKYO
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions prior to morning sightseeing in Tokyo. Your tour starts with a visit to Meiji Shrine, a magnificent 20th-century Shinto monument set in a man-made forest. Next, visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden. Originally dating from the early 1600s, the garden was destroyed in World War II and reopened in 1949 as a public park, home to one thousand cherry blossom trees. Today, it remains an immensely popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Last stop is the vibrant Asakusa Kannon Temple and the bustling Nakamise shopping arcade. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure. (B,L)
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 6 TOKYO
Enjoy the day at your leisure to explore this sprawling metropolis. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 7 TOKYO–MOUNT FUJI AREA
This morning, leave Tokyo and head south along the coast to the beautiful Five Lakes region. Take a cable-car ride (weather permitting) for panoramic views of Lake Kawaguchi and spectacular Mount Fuji, or Fujisan as the locals call it, Japan’s highest mountain. You’ll also visit Chureito Pagoda for a chance to snap your own iconic image of the pagoda with Fujisan in the background! (B,L)
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 8 MOUNT FUJI AREA–OSAKA
This morning, board Japan’s famous shinkansen (bullet train) for Osaka. Upon arrival, join your Tour Director for a walking tour in Minami. Made up of Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Dotonbori, this area is home to great dining and nightlife and some of the city’s most fashionable shops and department stores. This evening is free to explore the city on your own. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 9 OSAKA
Your sightseeing tour starts at the Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses, where traditional thatched-roof farmhouses dating from the Edo period have been restored. Be transported back in time as you explore the old architecture. Visit Osaka Castle, then enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure. Perhaps return to Dotonbori this evening to sample local cuisine and see the sparkling neon lights. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 10 OSAKA–OKAYAMA–KURASHIKI–HIROSHIMA
This morning, drive south to Okayama and visit Koraku-en, one of the “Three Great Gardens of Japan.” The 30-acre garden features ponds, plum groves, and tea fields. The wide lawns, believed to uplift the spirit and promote open mindedness, are unique to Koraku-en and not a traditional feature of Japanese gardens. In Kurashiki, enjoy free time in the Bikan Historical Quarter, once the political and commercial center of the city. The canal-lined, white-washed, stone streets reflect the Edo period (1603-1867) and are quintessentially Japanese. Continue to Hiroshima. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 11 HIROSHIMA
Today’s full day sightseeing includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Peace Memorial Park, and Itsukushima Shrine. Start at Peace Memorial Park where you’ll visit the Peace Memorial, commonly referred to as the Atomic Bomb Dome, that is preserved and is just as it was on August 6, 1945, immediately after the bombing. You will also visit the Memorial Museum and Memorial Hall, which commemorate the lives lost that day. For lunch, enjoy the country’s legendary dish of okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese-style savory pancake. Then, travel to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine, known for its beautiful floating Torii Gate. (B,L)
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 12 HIROSHIMA–BIZEN–HIMEJI–KYOTO
Drive north to Bizen, where you’ll visit a traditional pottery workshop to learn more about Bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s six ancient pottery styles dating back over 1,000 years. Stop in Himeji to visit Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture that combines function with elegance. Continue to Kyoto. This evening, you may choose an optional style of accommodation at a traditional Japanese ryokan (additional fee and pre-booking required). (B)
ACCOMMODATION HIGHLIGHT
FUTON, ANYONE? Choose an overnight stay at a ryokan to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture and hospitality. Your ryokan features traditional touches like tatami mat floors, a thin sleeping mattress, and the chance to experience a Japanese-style bath – as well as the modern convenience of a private bathroom. Traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast are included in your stay. Please note, space is extremely limited. You must pre-book this ahead of arriving in Japan for your tour, and an additional fee applies
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 13 KYOTO
Your day begins with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Gold Pavilion, covered in shimmering gold leaf. Walk through bustling Nishiki Market, a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Participate in a tea ceremony, a time-honored tradition, and wonderfully choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea. After lunch, visit Sanjusajendo Temple, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Enjoy the late afternoon and evening at leisure. Perhaps stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. (B,L)
BreakfastLunch
BreakfastLunchDay 14 KYOTO
Full day at leisure to explore more of Kyoto’s historic sites and shrines. Oh, deer! Consider an optional afternoon trip to the expanses of Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming deer who wander freely amid its shrines and temples. (B)
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 15 KYOTO
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Accommodations
Accommodations| Seoul | Tokyo | Mount Fuji Area | Osaka | Hiroshima | Kyoto |
Klaven Hotel Myeongdong City Hall
First-Class
First-Class
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
