This tour starts in Japan’s capital Tokyo where we base ourselves in the dazzling Shinjuku district, the nightlife hub of the city famous for bizarre robot restaurants, giant Godzilla statues, fantastic cosplay parks and all-night karaoke parlours. 

After an 18H00 welcome meeting at our hotel we will continue to the Golden Gai labyrinth of rickety wooden bars which is a perfect place for you to meet your fellow travellers.

On our second day here you are invited to join us on a half day guided walking tour where you will get to familiarise yourself with the Tokyo metro system and visit some of the city's highlights before having the afternoon free to enjoy yourself at your leisure.

On our last day here we take a day trip to Mt Fuji to see one of Japan’s most iconic mountains.

Yudanaka Onsen is a hot spring resort which we visit not only to soak ourselves in these natural pools but also to visit the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park where you have the chance to see the wild Japanese Snow Monkeys bathing in the hot springs.

Matsumoto is a cosmopolitan town with great views of the Alps and pretty streets filled with cafes and galleries but the highlight here is Matsumoto-jo,  Japan’s oldest wooden castle dating back to 1595. The castle is a designated National Treasure so be sure to visit and climb the steep stairs all the way up to the top floor for great views of the surrounding area.

Takayama is a delightful 17th century town perched high in the Japanese Alps best explored on foot to appreciate the fine wooden architecture and friendly feel of the centre. The nearby Hida Folk Village is worth a few hours to see what rural Japanese life was like centuries ago and a drink at the atmospheric Desolation Row rock bar is a good way to end the day.

Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan, home to great masterpieces of religious architecture where robed monks still wander through Zen gardens and prayer chants float through air heavy with incense. Take the time to visit a traditional teahouse, wander the historic streets filled with artisans stores and be sure to try the delicate tempura as this is a town of culture and cuisine.

Osaka is a modern city of dazzling neon billboards, craft beer pubs, sushi restaurants and izakayas (informal pub eateries) but should you wish to take a step back in time you can visit the nearby ancient town of Nara, Japan’s first capital crammed full of Buddhist temples, shrines and museums with the highlight being the awe-inspiring Daibutsu, an 8th century statue of the Great Buddha made from 437 tonnes of bronze and 130 kg of gold!

We continue to Hiroshima, the target of the world’s first atomic bomb. Far from being a depressing place, present-day Hiroshima is a vibrant city and the Peace Memorial Park & Museum will definitely move you with its powerful message of peace.

Our last couple of nights in Japan are spent in Fukuoka, a welcoming city boasting the 234m tall Fukuoka Tower, Buddhist temples, castle ruins and art galleries, but the absolute must-do here is to enjoy a meal at one of the city’s ramen (noodle) restaurants for a taste sensation like no other!

From Fukuoka we now take a ferry to South Korea.

We arrive in South Korea by ferry from Japan and our first destination here is Busan, a bustling port city home to the country’s largest seafood market, scenic coastal walkways, magnificent inner-city temples and the colourful Gamcheon Cultural Village.

Travelling north we reach the historic town of Gyeongju known locally as ‘the museum without walls’. Here we have 2 full days to explore a Korean gem packed with traditional architecture, tombs, temples, rock carvings and crumbling palaces.

A few hours away on the east coast we reach the waterfront city of Sokcho which is well-known for its fresh seafood restaurants. From here you also have a full day to explore the iconic Seoraksan National Park, probably the most beautiful park on the Korean peninsula, not only famous for its awesome peaks but also for its 2 stately Buddhist temples.

Our final destination on this tour is South Korea’s capital Seoul where we will have 3 days to explore this vibrant city’s highlights. By day you can visit the city’s 5 Palaces and witness the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, wander the alleys of the 600 year old Bukchon Hanok Village and explore the trails of Bukhansan National Park. By night you can feast on a traditional Korean BBQ and indulge in a few cocktails unique to Korea. From Seoul we will also take a half day trip to the DMZ where you can enjoy a view over North Korea from the viewing platform in South Korea.

On our final night of the tour you have the option to head over to the bright lights of Gangnam where you will find the country’s best nightlife, a perfect place for us to have our farewell dinner and say goodbye to your fellow adventurers who have travelled with you through Japan and South Korea!

This tour ends in Seoul after breakfast on the final morning of the trip.

After this tour ends we visit North Korea so if you would like to extend your tour to include North Korea please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to create a bespoke itinerary and price for you.

If you can’t do the whole tour it may be possible to book a shorter section of your choice. Please get in touch and if this option is available we will be happy to work out a bespoke itinerary and reduced price for you.

HOW TO BOOK

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your tour preparations.

CHERRY BLOSSOM TOUR PAYMENT

The Cherry Blossom Tour Payment of £4936 is the complete payment for your tour and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). There is no Local Payment or Kitty to pay on this tour. In order to reserve a place on this tour you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to the tour start date a further payment of £2200 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Tour Payment £2436 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the tour start date a deposit of £2500 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the tour start date the full Tour Payment of £4936 should be paid upon booking.

The Tour Payment can be paid by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

AUTUMN TOUR PAYMENT

The Autumn Tour Payment of £4436 is the complete payment for your tour and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). There is no Local Payment or Kitty to pay on this tour. In order to reserve a place on this tour you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to the tour start date a further payment of £2000 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Tour Payment £2136 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the tour start date a deposit of £2300 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the tour start date the full Tour Payment of £4436 should be paid upon booking.

The Tour Payment can be paid by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Credit and Debit Card Payments (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

You can use the following link to pay by credit or debit card:

Dragoman Tour Payment

Or feel free to call us on +44 7858 468 953 in order to make a credit or debit card payment over the phone.

Bank Details for Direct Transfers (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Bank: HSBC

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Revolut (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Revolut offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Revolut account? Create one now - www.revolut.com 

Wise (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Wise offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Wise account? Create one now - www.wise.com

Paypal (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Paypal account name: info@madventure.co.uk

Don’t have a Paypal account? Create one now - www.paypal.com

INCLUDED

Services of your Dragoman tour leader 

Local guides where required

All transport costs including bullet trains, buses and ferries

26 breakfasts

All accommodation costs in 3 & 4 star hotels, local guest houses and traditional ryokans

Tokyo half day walking tour

Mt. Fuji day tour

Jigokudani Monkey Park entry

Matsumoto Castle

Hida Folk Village

Kyoto half day walking tour

Nara Ancient Town half day walking tour

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum guided tour

Busan half day walking tour

Gyeongju full day tour

Seoul half day tour

DMZ half day tour

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour)

Airport transfers

Personal travel insurance

Personal spending money ($1250 recommended)

Visas (free for most nationalities)

Lunch and evening meals

Snacks

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages

Accommodation upgrades

Entrance fees and local guides at optional sites

Any optional activities and excursions

Tips for tour leader ($90 recommended)

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Dragoman so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in GBP.

JAPAN

Shinjuku robot restaurant £60

Fukuoka Tower £6

SOUTH KOREA

Seoraksan NP £3

We mostly stay at 3 & 4 star hotels and local guest houses during this tour to ensure you are comfortable at all times. Please note that Japanese and Korean hotel rooms are usually smaller than western hotel rooms but are generally very modern and comfortable. 

In Japan we also spend at least one night in a traditional ryokan (Japanese Inn) with sliding doors, tatami mats and futon beds to give you a taste of authentic Japan. 

Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis so if you are travelling alone be prepared to share your room with another member of the tour, of any gender. Your tour leader will always strive to put you in a room with a suitable partner. Couples can request a room with a double bed.

There is a single supplement fee of £1300 if you are a solo traveller and prefer to have a private room just for yourself.

In Japan we use a mixture of bullet trains, direct local trains and the odd local bus service to get around the country at a leisurely pace during daylight hours. Local transport in Japan is always very comfortable. 

From Japan we take a fast ferry to South Korea.

In South Korea we use comfortable local buses to travel around during daylight with most journeys being just a few hours long. 

We provide an average of one meal per day on this tour, usually breakfast at the hotels we stay at, so 26 breakfasts in total. Lunch and evening meals at your own expense. Local food is generally very affordable so if you are on a budget eat what the locals eat and you will be sure to get a real flavour of the country at a cheap price.

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader on this small group tour. Our well trained tour leaders are passionate about travel and will ensure your journey is both safe and enjoyable. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. 

Your tour leader will arrange local guides to give you the history of the important historic sites that we visit along the way. Please bear in mind that your tour leader is not a guide and will not be giving you the history of the sites we visit. Historic sites require the specialist knowledge of a local guide.

Your tour leader will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the tour leader at the end of your tour is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $90 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.

PERSONAL BUDGET

We recommend a budget of $1250 per person to live comfortably during this tour. Breakfast, accommodation, transport, most entrance fees and guided tours are included during this tour so you won’t need much spending money. This budget should cover day to day things like the lunches and dinners that are not included, snacks, soft drinks, the odd few beers, etc. 

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying souvenirs you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

TRAVEL MONEY

Credit/debit cards are accepted in nearly every place we visit on this tour.

We do however recommend you bring USD $300 in cash as emergency spending money. US Dollars are generally accepted everywhere for exchange.

ATM’s are widely available for you to draw local currency using your credit/debit card so there is no need to have a lot of cash on you during this tour.

To keep your money/credit cards/passport/tablet/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to the vehicles when travelling and also attached to the sink/bed/closet in your hotel room when off the vehicles.

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports according to the most recent information we have from previous tours. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only and if you are unsure please check with your local consulate. Dragoman is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

Please ensure you have 1 blank page in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.

Japan visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Japan. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

South Korea visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter South Korea. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations and other general medical advice, and they also administer vaccinations at their Travel Clinics in various locations within the UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk

Alternatively speak with your local health professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting with the approximate dates when you will be there.

It is not necessary to be vaccinated against covid to join this tour.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

You need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. You need to be able to carry your bags from the vehicles to the hotels, do the short walks to the sites we visit, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on this tour, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

FIRST AID KIT

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Dragoman obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for people based in the UK seeking a comprehensive and reliable policy that includes Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, http://www.campbellirvine.com/Madventure

Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Dragoman and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company named Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and if possible make sure your policy includes Medical Repatriation.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase: We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 litre volume. 

Day bag: You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 litre volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack or under your seat on the vehicle with you.

Pacsafe: In order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to a fixed part on the back of the vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed feature in your hotel room. 

Kindle: Optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in one place.

Ipad/Tablet: not a necessity but most places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will enable you to stay connected.

Smartphone:  It is highly recommended that you bring a smartphone with you as the majority of the tour communications are sent via WhatsApp. It is also very convenient for storing all your digital documents, emailing, taking and sharing photos, mapping and calling home.

E-sim: Airalo has an affordable digital E-sim that you can use while travelling abroad which means you can stay connected and be online without having to constantly buy local physical sim cards to connect to the internet. Just make sure your phone is E-sim compatible before buying any E-sim.

Camera: Completely up to you but most people use their phone.

Toiletries: Available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap and shampoo.

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses offer great protection.

First aid kit: Only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport: Please ensure you have 1 blank page in your passport to accommodate all the visas and stamps required on this tour, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 8 months after your expedition end date.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

7 x socks

7 x underwear

4 x t-shirts

1 x lightweight long sleeve top

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

1 x waterproof jacket

2 x zip-off  trousers which can be worn long or short

1 x swimwear

1 x thermal beanie or woolly hat

1 x baseball cap

OVERVIEW

This Dragoman small group tour is for travellers seeking an adventurous yet comfortable vacation where your tour leader does all the planning to ensure you get to enjoy yourself as much as possible. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 16 travellers of all ages and nationalities. We use local trains, buses and ferries to reach our destinations quickly and we stay in 3 & 4 star hotels, local guest houses and traditional ryokans to ensure your comfort at all times. This tour is meticulously planned to ensure you visit the highlights of the countries we travel through at a leisurely pace and we also visit a couple of harder to reach destinations such as Jigokudani Monkey Park and Seoraksan National Park. If you are looking for a true adventure shared with a group of like-minded travellers then this Dragoman small group tour may be the trip for you!

At Dragoman we like to go through every aspect of the tour with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. We believe in not only telling you about the highlights of the tour but also providing you with all the small details of what to expect as we know these are just as important. We want to explain the tour in as much detail as possible so that you are sure you are suited to one of our overland group adventures. If after reading the information below you decide that this tour is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

We have no age restrictions on our overland tours and if there is one thing we have come to realise, it’s the mental attitude that counts the most. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 16 travellers of all ages and nationalities so you can expect to share this experience with a wide variety of characters from all walks of life. 

WEATHER

Japan has 4 seasons, spring is from March to May, summer is from June to mid-September, autumn is from September to November and winter is from December to February.

Our popular Cherry Blossom tours in late March and early April have a comfortable temperature so may be suited to people who don’t like it too hot or too cold.

Our Autumn tours in late October and early November have a comfortable temperature so may be suited to people who don’t like it too hot or too cold.

ALTITUDE

We remain at a relatively low altitude throughout this tour so you should be comfortable.

HYGIENE

You must maintain your own personal hygiene and ensure that you and your clothes are washed regularly. If anyone smells bad or is noticeably unclean the tour leader will have a word with that person to ensure a decent level of personal hygiene is maintained by everyone aboard the vehicle.

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES

On this tour we include a lot of the main activities in the tour price but we do however understand that you won’t want to visit every site or take part in every activity along the way so we have left some of the activities as optional and therefore kept the tour price to a minimum. 

In Japan and South Korea your tour leader will arrange many short sightseeing tours, half day walking tours and a few bus tours. For most of the organised tours your tour leader will arrange a local guide to provide the history of the sites we visit. 

On this tour you are completely free to do as you choose and you can be as active or inactive as you like.

YOUR ATTITUDE

A friendly, easy-going attitude will help you enjoy this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travellers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to any tour are people that constantly moan. It has nothing to do with age, gender or nationality, some people just like to find fault in everything and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. This type of constant negativity can be extremely detrimental within a group so it may sound a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them to try and ensure your tour is as good as it can be. We don’t hide anything so people who travel with us usually know exactly what to expect on this tour which makes for an enjoyable group experience.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the rest of the group (or the crew) grief due to their behaviour they will be warned and then asked to leave the tour if nothing improves and no refund will be given. This is obviously the most extreme case but we will not let one or two rude individuals spoil it for everybody else. This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

When we are in Japan and South Korea things generally go to plan but if something unexpected does delay us or force us to change our itinerary please understand that sometimes things happen that are simply out of our control and we may have to make alternative arrangements. Please be prepared to expect the unexpected and accept that things might go wrong from time to time.

These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not! When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the majority of the group, not the individual. 

TRAVEL TIMES & ITINERARIES

We have designed this tour so that we travel by day and arrive at our destinations before nightfall. On this tour it’s usually only a few hours between destinations and you have plenty of time to look around the sites. 

We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but our itinerary can change if an area of our route becomes off-limits for any reason, so when we do experience delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries in Japan and South Korea and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession.

If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to.

Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

You need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. You need to be able to carry your bags from the vehicles to the hotels, do the short walks to the sites we visit, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on this tour, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

ACCOMMODATION

We mostly stay at 3 & 4 star hotels and local guest houses during this tour to ensure you are comfortable at all times. Please note that Japanese and Korean hotel rooms are usually smaller than western hotel rooms but are generally very modern and comfortable. 

In Japan we also spend at least one night in a traditional ryokan (Japanese Inn) with sliding doors, tatami mats and futon beds to give you a taste of authentic Japan. 

Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis so if you are travelling alone be prepared to share your room with another member of the tour, male or female. Your tour leader will always strive to put you in a room with a suitable partner. Couples can request a room with a double bed.

There is a single supplement fee of £1300 if you are a solo traveller and prefer to have a private room just for yourself.

TRANSPORT

In Japan we use a mixture of bullet trains, direct local trains and the odd local bus service to get around the country at a leisurely pace during daylight hours. Local transport in Japan is always very comfortable. 

From Japan we take a fast ferry to South Korea.

In South Korea we use comfortable local buses to travel around during daylight hours with most journeys being just a few hours long. 

MEALS

We provide an average of one meal per day on this tour, usually breakfast at the hotels we stay at, so 26 breakfasts in total. Lunch and evening meals are at your own expense. Local food is generally very affordable so if you are on a budget eat what the locals eat and you will be sure to get a real flavour of the country at a decent price.

CREW

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. 

Your tour leader will arrange local guides to give you the history of the important historic sites that we visit along the way. Please bear in mind that your tour leader is not a guide and will not be giving you the history of the sites we visit. Historic sites require the specialist knowledge of a local guide.

Your tour leader will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the tour leader at the end of your tour is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $90 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.