Yellow Leaves in Japan & Korea Autumn Season

Check in at Los Angeles Airport (LAX). Depart for Seoul, Korea on a non-stop flight on an Airbus A380.

Arrive in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, a tourist destination for a host of activities to enjoy, ranging from traditional royal palaces to trendy shopping districts.. The month of November is the magical time of year when the summer greens becomes crimson, orange and gold. That wonderfully mellow, deliciously messy, perfect pause between the differing miseries of heat strokes and frost bites. The season of comfy sweaters, warm drinks and really pretty colors.

Beginning of the day to Nami (or Namiseom) Island. If you have heard or seen the famous Korean drama “Winter Sonata”, you’ll already be familiar with this romantic island. One of the most special characteristics about this beautiful island is that it showcases a different, yet equally amazing, scenic experience each season, making it the perfect day trip from Seoul at any time of the year. As a fall foliage destination, Nami Island will not disappoint you. The autumn colors arrive in South Korea around late October to early November. The shades of red and orange paint the island in intense bright hues. It’s hard not to fall in love with Nami Island. Visit Blue House, which is the executive office and official residence of the President of the Republic Of Korea. The Blue House is in fact a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean architectural style with some modern elements. Continue to Myeongdong shopping street, the fashion trends start here in Korea. Enjoy a traditional Korean performance in the Jeongdong Theater. It is one of the best traditional Korean art performance centers that have been highly praised. (B/D)

After finish your delicious breakfast. Your tour guide will lead through Freedom road to Imjingak, the park has many statues and monuments. Imjingak is where the “Bridge of Freedom” lies. It does actually cross the Imjin River; it is a former railroad bridge which was used by repatriated POWs/soldiers returning from the north. Return to Seoul, visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. The palace has also been recognized as a UNESCO heritage. Next, you’ll join us in a walking tour around the area of Bukchon Hanok Village, the only place in Seoul where hundreds of traditional Korean houses, or hanoks, are clustered together. It is an important area for culture and the arts, with its number of museums, craft workshops and historic landmarks. The village reflects 600 years of Seoul’s history. (B/L/D)

Transfer to the airport for flying to Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of over 13 million residents. Tokyo is not only the center of politics and economy of Japan, but also a center of the global economy and culture. (B/D)

Begin your journey to Nikko – a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park, most famous for Toshogu, Japan’s most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa leyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was built in the 1600s. Visit Nikko Tosho-guis a Shinto shrine, which is part of the “Shrines and Temples of Nikko” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, initially built in 1617. Continue to visit Futarasan Shrine stands next to Toshogu. Much older than its more lavish neighbor, Futarasan Shrine was founded in 782 by Shodo Shonin, the Buddhist monk who introduced Buddhism to Nikko. (B/L/D).

After concluding your gourmet breakfast. Return to Tokyo. Enjoy your fun time at Odaiba Shopping. Continue to visit Asakusa, you will have fun browsing through many colorful stores lining along the Nakamise walkway that leads up to the Kannon Temple (also known as Senso-ji), which is the oldest and most popular Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Come to visit Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most colorful and busy districts, is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan’s fashion and entertainment trends. Shibuya’s most prominent landmark is the busy intersection in front of the station’s Hachiko Exit. The intersection is heavily decorated by neon advertisements and giant video screens and gets flooded by pedestrians each time the lights turn green, making it a popular photo spot.. (B/D)

Morning depart to visit Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan with 3776 meters Japan’s highest mountain, is listed as a UNESCO heritage and known as the symbol of Japan.. It is not surprising that the nearly perfectly shaped volcano has been worshiped as a sacred mountain and experienced big popularity among artists and common people throughout the centuries. Note: If the weather permits, the bus will drive us to the 5th station. Continue to visit Oshino Hakkai – Eight Magnificent Ponds, is a peaceful nature area around Mount Fuji. These natural ponds are crystal clear and each one is a little unique. The water in the lakes directly come from Mount Fuji, the natural pools are deep, the large fish swimming around make it feel like an aquarium. This is a very popular spot for nature lovers and it is beautiful every season. We’ll be staying at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn). After dinner, you can enjoy bathing in the onsens (thermal hotsprings) that Mount Fuji has to offer, and have all of your tiredness after a long day rinsed out. (B/L/D)

Depart to Nagoya, an important industrial hub, the home city of many big companies such as Honda Motor Company, Roland Corporation, Kawai Pianos, Yamaha, Sony, Suzuki Motor… On the way, stop to visit Magome Samurai Village. A walk though Magome-juku will transport you back to the Edo period, some 300 years ago. The area is known internationally as a place that retains the particular atmosphere of old Japanese posting stations. Visitors can hike a portion of the Nakasendo from Magome to Tsumago. This scenic trail is especially popular among overseas visitors who seek an authentic experience of traditional life. Visit the Toyota Kaikan Museum, where Toyota displays its new models and technologies to the public and periodically holds robot shows. (B/L/D)

After finishing your delicious breakfast. Depart to ISE, formerly known as Ujiyamada, located on the eastern Mie Prefecture on the island of Honshu. Ise is home to the Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shinto Shrine in Japan; thus, it’s a very popular tourist destination. Ise’s history is directly linked to the Ise Grand Shrine and has a long-standing nickname Shinto, which means “The Holy City”. Ise Grand Shrine is separated into two main parts: The Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine. Despite the names, these are actually two physically separate shrines approximately six kilometers apart. Make a stop at the Wedded Rocks (known as Meoto Iwa in Japanese). The two rocks represent a married couple who, according to Shinto mythology, created Japan and the spirits that exist in people, places, and objects. The rocks were featured in the movie Sayonara co-produced by Japan and the U.S. (B/D)

We’ll move on to Nara, Japan’s first capital city. Visit the Ninja Museum of Igaryu located in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan, is a museum dedicated to the history of the ninja and ninjutsu. It was established in 1964. Ninja were a type of warriors during Japan’s feudal ages, specialized in gathering information about the enemy and conducting various acts of espionage and sabotage. The Iga Ninja Museum delivers a comprehensive ninja experience: it consists of a ninja residence, two exhibition halls and a stage which hosts ninja shows. The Ninja residence looks ordinary from the outside, but within it is devised with revolving walls, trap doors and hidden compartments. The Ninja show features authentic ninja skills and real weapons, including a splendid demonstration of using throwing stars. Although the shows are held in Japanese only, they are still highly entertaining for non-Japanese speakers as most of the action speaks for itself.
Continue to visit to Todaiji Temple, once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples and still houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana. We will also stop by Nara Deer Park before moving on to Kyoto. Kyoto was Japan’s capital city from 794 to 1868 before the title was given to Tokyo city. For 12 centuries in history, Kyoto witnessed all the rise and fall of Japan. (B/L/D)

Known as the cradle of Japan’s cultural heritage, Kyoto was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868. It is probably the most popular and crowded spot but still it worth the visit. Places such as Kiyomizu Temple & Golden Pavilion will be surrounded by beautiful autumn foliage. You’ll see the main highlights of the wonderfully rich cultrue of Kyoto. After visit Arashiyama, has been a popular destination with many attractions. In Fall, the landscape itself becomes one of the main attractions with pops of green, yellow and red covering the hillsides and creating a spectacular view! Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, one of Kyoto’s top sights and for good reason: standing amid these soaring stalks of bamboo is like being in another world. It’s one of the most photographed sights in the city. But no picture can capture the feeling of standing in the midst of this sprawling bamboo grove – the whole thing has a palpable sense of otherness that is quite unlike that of any normal forest we know of. Tenryu-ji is an impressive temple complex in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto and its walkway runs through the famous bamboo grove. Enjoy your time wearing Kimono to take a lot of pictures. (B/D)

Once you have finished your gourmet breakfast. Depart to Kobe. Visit Himeji castle, which is Japan’s foremost historic castle, was built in the 17th century, and became the first site in Japan to be registered in the World Cultural Heritage listings in 1993. The stunning appearance, and high level of detail of this wooden architectural masterpiece have made Himeji Castle known all over the world. Today lunch with a special treat with famous Kobe Beef, which is known for its tenderness, sweet flavor and fine texture. Tasting some Sake at a Sake brewery is also a must-do while you’re visiting Kobe. (B/L)

Continue to Osaka by the bullet train. Visit the Osaka Castle (Included the admission tickets for go up to the Main Tower), one of the main attractions in Osaka. It was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the most powerful feudal lords in Japan, known as the second person who united Japan. It is certainly one of the most famous landmarks in Japan, and for good reason. This five-story castle is one of the most visually spectacular creations in the country, with a history that dates back almost 400 years! Perhaps spend the rest of your afternoon in Shinsaibashi – the largest shopping area in Osaka where many boutiques and specialty shops are gathered, attracting local people and visitors. (B/L)

Transfer to the airport for flying to Los Angeles. (B)