Seoul to Osaka: Beaches & Big Cities

Gangnam has plenty to do and see in this historically rich, fast-developing neighbourhood. Gangnam Station is the busiest subway station in Seoul and has a huge underground shopping centre, so feel free to shop until you drop. Choose to visit Bongeunsa, a Buddhist Temple in the centre of Gangnam, or enjoy the nightlife and restaurants in this area.

Take the cable car to visit the most iconic landmark in Seoul! Located at the top of Mt Namsan, and standing at 480m above sea level, what used to be a broadcasting station before it was open to the public, is now a beautiful observatory. If you'd like to go up the tower to the observatory an additional fee is required.

Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) the de facto border between North and South Korea, which cuts the peninsula in half. Created in 1953, it is the most heavily militarized border in the world.

Channel your inner pop star at a K-pop dance classes. Learn the latest K-pop choreography with professional instructors and feel the energy of K-pop & K-pop culture. Classes are available for various skill levels, so even beginners can participate easily. These classes often end with a recording session, allowing participants to take home a video of their performance as a special souvenir.

Enjoy a bus tour of the bustling capital of South Korea. Visit different areas of the city including Gyengbokgung Palace, National Folklore Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong alley.

Immerse yourself into the colorful and beautiful culture of South Korea. Dress in the traditional Korean Hanbok clothing in no better place than the picturesque town of Jeonju Hanok Village. With your hair done and your hanbok on, head out into the town for some pictures.

Visit the Hanok Village Craft Museum and choose to experience some of the many hands on, traditional Korean crafts activities. Choose to make Hanji, traditional Korean paper, or try the pottery wheel and shape your own ceramic bowl, vase or plate. Opt to try the art of traditional Korean calligraphy with a brush and ink to create beautiful characters. Or try your hand at fan crafting & painting. Create and decorate your very own vibrant, colorful Korean fan. Its common to see designs like flowers, birds and landscapes, so choose your favorite design and decorate how you'd like.

Visit Haeundae Beach, one of Korea's most beautiful beaches. Enjoy a walk along the shore, or take a swim (don't forget your suit!) And see the famed APEC House built to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) summit meeting in 2005 on Dongbaek Island.

Treat yourself in one of Busan's jjimjilbans, a Korean spa bath house, with an array of hot spring tubs to rejuvenate mind, body, and soul.

Jump in a kart and cruise down the track in South Korea's Skyline Luge. Choose your path, and control your speed as you zoom down the track. Choose to ride it multiple times to experience the different tracks and don't forget to look up for an ocean view. While the luge is the main attraction, you can also zipline or ride the scenic chairlift.

After years of erosion from Jeju's sun, sea and wind, the Yongduam Rock appeared. One of Jeju's most popular spots, take some time to see this crazy volcanic rock formation on the coast of downtown Jeju.

Walk across this suspension bridge connecting the two sides of the Yongyoen Valley. Enjoy the stroll during the day for a beautiful view of the coast and a temple. Wait until night for a perfect sunset sky or watch the bridge light up in the dark.

Bunker des Lumières is an immersive art exhibition located in an old bunker in Jeju. The exhibition uses advanced projection technology to display famous artworks on the walls, creating a mesmerizing and immersive experience. Visitors can walk through the bunker and be surrounded by vibrant, moving images of masterpieces, making it a unique and captivating cultural attraction. The exhibition often features rotating themes, providing new and exciting experiences with each visit.

Hike along the island's volcanic hills, known as oreums. These small, dormant volcanic cones provide stunning views of Jeju's landscape. Popular oreums like Seongsan Ilchulbong and Darangshi Oreum are perfect for hiking, offering trails that range from easy to moderate difficulty. Many oreums also feature lush vegetation and diverse wildlife, making each hike a unique adventure.

Spend your day hiking a portion of the Olle Trail. This 437 km loop around the edge of Jeju island offers amazing nature walks, cultural sites, waterfalls and spectacular views. Check with your CEO about getting to and from some of the best portions of the trail. Route 6 and 7 are considered some of the most popular. Hikes can be half day or full day, depending on the portion(s) chosen and are suitable for all fitness levels.

Explore Sensō-ji Temple, a colourful Buddhist temple and the oldest temple in the entire city. Leading up to the temple the street is lined with shops selling yummy food and great souvenirs.

Tokyo's Akihabara district is a cultural centre and shopping district for video games, anime, manga, and electronics.

The Harajuku district is known as the centre of Japanese youth culture and fashion. Here, find dozens of shopping and dining options including independent boutiques and larger international luxury stores.

Visit this shrine dedicated to the 123rd emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander the grounds along the wide walking paths.

As Japan's most popular city park, Ueno is known for its museums and cherry blossoms. Stroll the pathways, admire the thousands of trees, including approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees, look for lotus on the pond, or opt to visit the temples and museums (entrance fees).

Stroll down this quaint road, lined with sake breweries and vendors, and learn more about this typical Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Have a sample or two to test it out.

Hop onto a bike and explore the landscape and rural streets.

Visit the Hida Folk Village, an outdoor museum where various buildings from the 1600s are open to tour. The steep, thatched roofs of the farmhouses are said to resemble praying hands. Take a peek inside to see tools and furniture from the original village.

The Ryōan-ji garden is one of the best examples of kare-sansui, or dry landscape, a type of Zen garden. Fifteen large rocks are placed within a sea of white pebbles raked into linear patterns to facilitate meditation. Stand on the platform to get the best view from above. Stroll the grounds around the Ryoan-ji Temple and along the Kyoyo-chi pond.

Walk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. Visit shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.

Visit the Kiyomizu Temple, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and part of Kyoto's UNESCO listed sights. Originally built in 798, the current structures were built in 1633 without the use of a single nail.

Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both.

Take a train excursion to the peaceful gardens and ancient temples of Nara, home of Japan's largest Buddha, and a number of cute and docile deer that are the sacred symbol of the Kasuga Taisha shrine.

Explore Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Pavilion, named for the temple’s top two floors that are covered in gold leaf. The temple is surrounded by trees and sits on a reflective pond, making this must-see in Kyoto a perfect place for photos. While the temple can be busy, there are gardens around the area to explore once you’ve had enough of the view.

Walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. Visit the statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia as a result of the bomb blast, despite folding 1,000 origami paper cranes to appeal to the gods to make her well. See the frame of the Gembaku Dome, the sole building to withstand the explosion. Reflect, remember, and be reminded of the power we all hold to create peace.

Set out for the summit of Mt. Misen, Miyajima’s highest peak at 500m (1,640 ft) above sea level. Opt to hike one of three trails through the forest and keep an eye out for wild deer or catch a ride on the ropeway and walk the remaining distance to the top. Take in great views of the Seto Inland Sea and on a clear day see as far as the city of Hiroshima.

Explore the Instant Ramen Museum and learn about this culinary phenomenon. Create your own unique cup of instant noodles to take home.

Explore this scenic park – complete with a shrine, fish pond, moat, and castle. Opt to pay the entrance fee to enter the castle, explore the small museum inside, and look out over the city below.

Explore the Instant Ramen Museum and learn about this culinary phenomenon. Create your own unique cup of instant noodles to take home.

Explore this scenic park – complete with a shrine, fish pond, moat, and castle. Opt to pay the entrance fee to enter the castle, explore the small museum inside, and look out over the city below.