South Korea, From Seoul to Tokyo

Duo d'Asie : De Séoul à Tokyo

You've arrived at Incheon, where our team has welcomed you before transferring you by bus to your accommodation. You'll have time to freshen up and rest before beginning your discovery of Seoul according to your travel guide. On your first day, you'll explore the heart of Seoul and the immediate surroundings of your accommodation, starting with Gwanghwamun Square.

This is the second day of your stay in Seoul. After breakfast, you'll set off to explore the historic heart of the city. You have a free day today, and your travel guide contains the following recommendations:

• Visit the Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace, which was the main residence of the Joseon dynasty for several centuries. Note that Changdeokgung Palace may also be an alternative depending on opening days.
• Take a stroll through the Bukchon district to admire its traditional houses. Discover the atypical Ikseondong district, where old houses doomed to destruction have found their salvation thanks to vintage renovation and the opening of small local boutiques.
• Stroll along the small Cheonggyecheon River**, the capital's green vein. This river has undergone a singular evolution, having been a former slum, then an expressway before becoming a river once again.

Breakfast at the hotel and free day to explore Seoul following the recommendations in your travel guide. Here are a few suggestions:

• Visit the modern district of Myeongdong, known for its many stores and fashion boutiques. Take a tour of Ewha Girls' University and admire its Dominique Perrault-designed auditorium.
• Discover the student district of Hongdae, with its stores, cafés, restaurants, karaoke bars and clubs. In the evening, climb up to Namsan Tower for a panoramic view of Seoul. You can walk back down through the walls of the old fortress for a unique experience.

After breakfast, you'll take the train to Gyeongju, where you'll drop off your luggage at your accommodation before enjoying a free day to explore the city according to the recommendations in your travel guide. Here are a few ideas:

• Visit the Daereungwon Mound Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which features more than a dozen burial mounds, the most famous of which is the Heavenly Horse Tomb. You can see a reproduction of the tomb and explore its interior as it was when it was first discovered.
• Admire the Cheomseongdae Observatory**, one of Asia's few astronomical observatories, dating back to the 8th century. Discover the ruins of Wolseong Fortress, once the garrison walls of the city of Gyeongju. Visit the small village of Seokchon, where traditional houses house cafés, restaurants and homes. You can also visit another Ryu clan house.

In the evening, stroll around Anapji Pond, built to entertain the royal family of the Shilla dynasty, but never completed. It is beautifully lit at night and well worth a visit.

Breakfast at the hotel and a free day with your travel guide. Here are our recommendations:

• The Gyeongju National Museum, probably one of the most comprehensive museums after the Korean National Museum in Seoul. Its exhibits include superb solid gold jewelry and an 18.9-ton bronze bell.
• The Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO), a jewel of Buddhist architecture under the Shilla dynasty. You'll marvel at the sheer size and finesse of its architecture, including the two enormous granite stupas in front of the main pavilion.
• Seokguram Grotto**, home to one of the world's most beautiful Buddhas (UNESCO), seated in lotus position and surrounded by divine apsara dancers and celestial warriors.
• A walk in the Tohamsan massif between Seokguram and Bulguksa to enjoy nature and peace.

Breakfast, then morning departure for Busan by express bus. Transfer by metro to your accommodation. Free day with your travel guide. Here are our recommended visits:

• The Jagalchi fish market, with its dazzling saleswomen, endless stalls, fresh fish and an incredible variety of fresh produce.
• The Nampodong district, home to the Busan Film Festival and a traditional area with alleyways full of stalls selling goods from all over the world. Today, it's a popular market where you can find literally anything.
• The quartier de Gamcheon with its painted houses resembling Cinque Terre in Italy. The village was created to accommodate North Korean refugees during the Korean War.

A night stroll along Haeundae Beach**, Busan's trendy waterfront, where buskers, magicians and dancers compete with the crowds, and glass and steel towers overlook the sandy beach.

Breakfast then departure for Busan by plane.

Visit the Tocho-ji Temple, a Buddhist temple famous for its large wooden Buddha statue, over ten meters high.

Explore the Hakata district, known for its delicious cuisine, lively markets and picturesque streets.

Onsens, or thermal baths, are popular in Fukuoka. You'll find them in many parts of the city, including Oita.

Breakfast then departure for Kyoto (2-hour train ride from Fukuoka). Kyoto is brimming with spiritual wonders. Zen, Shinto, Shingon... numerous schools coexist, each with its own emblematic place of worship.

Head for the famous Fushimi Inari, the archipelago's largest Shinto shrine, built over 13 centuries ago. A must-see. As you admire the thousands of vermilion toriis that form a path winding up the hill, you'll understand just how important Inari Ookami, deity of grain, rice, industry and commerce, is in Japan.

Breakfast at the hotel. For today, we recommend a visit to the city's western gems. In the morning, head for Arashiyama**, home to the famous bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A stroll along the Katsura River** is recommended for poetry lovers at any time of year.

In the afternoon, we recommend you head further north, towards the "Kinkaku-ji" or "Golden Pavilion", a veritable postcard of Kyoto. Admire its golden reflection against a backdrop of greenery.

To round off this afternoon, another of the city's must-sees, the Zen garden of the "Ryoan-ji". But for those who prefer a little peace and quiet after the crowds, we strongly suggest a visit to "Daitoku-ji" and its many Zen gardens.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we recommend a visit to the Ginkaku-ji or "Silver Pavilion" temple.

This pavilion is classified as a National Treasure. Its garden is a fine example of Karesansui (stone garden). It's particularly pleasant to follow the old canal, lined with hundreds of cherry trees, between this Pavilion and Nanzen-ji temple. This little alleyway is known as the "Philosophers' Path" and leads to the Heian Jingû Shrine.

Then, on Teramachi, Kyoto's main thoroughfare, dozens of merchants offer Kyoto souvenirs on their stalls, while the Nishiki Market, considered the "kitchen of Kyoto", will delight gourmets. About 400 metres long, you'll find over a hundred stores and restaurants serving Kansai specialities!

Time for entertainment and relaxation! Breakfast then off to Hakone (approx. 3 hours by train), where you'll experience one of Japan's favorite pastimes, the onsens.

These natural thermal springs, found throughout the archipelago, have been preserving the vitality of the Japanese people since the dawn of time. When the weather's fine, these springs offer a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji.

Enjoy a stroll through Hakone's open-air museum, then take a stroll through the surrounding area of wooden inns and bathers! You'll enjoy the hospitality of a traditional Japanese-style Ryokan inn, where you'll sleep on futon mattresses on tatami mats, with the option of soaking in the restorative waters of the hot spring onsen bath. You'll be served a colorful Kaiseki meal. It's sure to be a highlight of your stay!

Breakfast, then off to Tokyo (2-hour train ride). The Japanese frenzy awaits you! Feel free to lose yourself in the excessiveness of this capital and the multitude of activities it has to offer.

You can visit museums, temples or gardens, go shopping, discover culinary specialties and handicrafts, immerse yourself in manga or samurai culture... ... or simply stroll through the narrow streets and soak up the contrasts of Tokyo, where temples stand side by side with skyscrapers. The city that never sleeps will also appeal to night owls and lovers of good manners.

From the moment you wake up in the morning, you'll be immersed in the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo anthill. An extrasensory adventure that will make you doubt you're still on the same planet Earth! Urban safari to meet the ultra-trendy youth of Harajuku, Shinjuku or Akihabara. Take the pulse of the capital and explore this jigsaw puzzle of diverse neighborhoods, not forgetting to sample the specialties you love so much.

You'll realize that Tokyo is a blend of futuristic architecture and typical backstreets, where neighborhood life is surprisingly calm and peaceful. Endless possibilities!

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover the side of the city still known today as "Shitamachi": the city "below", that of its ordinary people, merchants and craftsmen.

The neighborhoods around Ueno, such as Asakusa or Ginza, give you a taste of Japanese luxury and modern and traditional craftsmanship. This is in stark contrast to the Yamanote districts of the nobles and lords of yesteryear. But you can easily move from one to the other and enjoy the infinite possibilities of this world city.

Depending on the time of your return flight, why not take the time for a final immersion in the city? Then return to Tokyo airport by public transport. Hopefully, you'll take away some immortal memories!

See you soon for another trip.

SOUTH KOREA

**A valid passport is required for entry into Korea ** The 6-month validity period after the date of exit from the country is not required.

Before traveling to Korea, you must ensure that your passport is not torn, damaged or otherwise defective, otherwise you may be refused entry by the immigration authorities.

For short stays of less than 90 days, French nationals are exempt from visa requirements. They also benefit from a temporary exemption from K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) from April 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, as part of a plan to support the revival of tourism and the celebration of the "Visit Korea Year" (2023-2024). For further information: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/index.do

JAPAN

On arrival, travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. A visa is only required for stays of over 3 months.

Non-Japanese nationals entering Japan are required to take biometric data (fingerprints and photographic portrait).

Non-French citizens or dual nationals are advised to consult the consulate or embassy of their destination country.

Minors must have their own passport. We strongly recommend that minors not accompanied by their legal guardians carry a copy of their family record book.

**SOUTH KOREA

Transfer from Seoul airport to your Seoul hotel by limousine bus.

You will have a T-money card + KRW 15,000 top-up.

You will have a ticket for the KTX Seoul-Gyeongju train.

A ticket for the Gyeongju-Busan express bus.

The Busan - Fukuoka route is operated by air.

JAPAN

A 2-day Hakone Pass is available.

You will have a SUICA card loaded with ¥2500 for free travel.

Japan Rail Pass for 7 days.

To get to Tokyo airport, you'll need a Skyliner ticket.