10-Day Self-Launched Highlights of South Korea & Japan
10 days · South Korea & Japan
Tourist Journey charges £1,780
No-markup version: ~£700 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Tourist Journey's 10-day Seoul-to-Kyoto highlights tour, done independently using budget hotels and hostels, public transport (Seoul Metro, KTX/Shinkansen, local trains), and self-bookable guided day trips via GetYourGuide/Klook. Covers Gyeongbokgung Palace, the DMZ, Tokyo's classic sights, a Mount Fuji day trip, Tsukiji Market, and Kyoto/Nara's headline temples. Costs are rough per-person backpacker/budget estimates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Seoul — Myeongdong & Cheonggyecheon
Seoul, South Korea
Land at Incheon (ICN) and get into town on the AREX Airport Railroad Express to Seoul Station (~£5, 43 mins) or the all-stop train (~£3). Check into a budget hotel/hostel around Myeongdong or Chungmuro. Ease in with a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream, street food in Myeongdong (try tteokbokki, hotteok, gyeran-ppang), and a convenience-store or casual bites dinner. Pick up a T-money transit card (~£2 deposit + load ~£10).
🚌AREX Airport Railroad ICN to Seoul Station ~£3-5
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Myeongdong or Chungmuro (e.g. dorm or simple double)
- →Cheonggyecheon Stream walk
- →Myeongdong street food crawl
- →Buy T-money transit card
Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon & a Food Market
Seoul, South Korea
Self-launch the classic Seoul day: visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (entry ~£2.50; free if you wear a rented hanbok) and catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (usually twice daily, ~10:00 and 14:00 — confirm times locally). Wander the hanok alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village, then do a DIY food-market session at Gwangjang Market (bindaetteok, mayak gimbap, japchae) or Mangwon Market — far cheaper than a guided tasting. If you'd like a guide, a small-group food tour via GetYourGuide/Klook runs ~£45-70. Evening: Insadong or a norebang.
🚌Seoul Metro single rides ~£1 each; day roughly £3-4
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Myeongdong or Chungmuro
- →Gyeongbokgung Palace entry (~£2.50)
- →Changing of the Guard
- →Bukchon Hanok Village
- →Gwangjang Market food tasting (self-guided, ~£10-12)
DMZ Half-Day Group Tour
DMZ, South Korea
Book a small-group DMZ half-day tour via GetYourGuide/Klook/Viator (~£45-65 including hotel-area pickup and entry fees). You'll cover Imjingak Park, the Bridge of Freedom, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel (helmet provided), Dora Observatory overlooking North Korea, and Unification Village. Note: DMZ access depends on military/political conditions and ID must be carried — tours occasionally substitute an alternative itinerary. Return to Seoul mid-afternoon; free evening.
🚌Included in DMZ tour pickup/drop-off
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Myeongdong or Chungmuro
- →DMZ half-day group tour (~£55)
- →Imjingak Park & Bridge of Freedom
- →3rd Infiltration Tunnel
- →Dora Observatory & Unification Village
Fly Seoul to Tokyo — Asakusa & Skytree
Tokyo, Japan
Fly ICN/Gimpo to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda). Budget carriers (Jeju Air, T'way, Air Seoul) often run £60-120 one-way if booked ahead — the source tour does not include this flight either. Land in Tokyo: buy/load a Suica or PASMO IC card, take the Keisei Skyliner or Narita Express (or the cheaper Keisei limited express, ~£6) into the city. Stay in Asakusa, Ueno, or Shimbashi. Evening stroll around Senso-ji Temple lit up and the Nakamise-dori shopping street, plus a cheap meal at a konbini or standing soba bar.
🚌Seoul-Tokyo budget flight ~£60-120; airport train into Tokyo ~£6-20
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Asakusa, Ueno or Shimbashi
- →Fly to Tokyo
- →Senso-ji Temple & Nakamise-dori at night
- →Load Suica/PASMO card
Tokyo Classic Loop — Imperial Palace to Shibuya
Tokyo, Japan
Do a self-launched Tokyo highlights loop on the Metro: Tokyo Station area and the Imperial Palace East Gardens (free; note closing days), a distant view of Nijubashi Bridge, then Senso-ji and Nakamise-dori in Asakusa, Meiji Jingu Shrine (free), Harajuku's Takeshita Street, and Shibuya Crossing with the Hachiko statue. A DIY version costs a few pounds in transit versus the tour's included guided walking day. Optional GetYourGuide small-group walking tour ~£35-55 if you want narrative.
🚌Tokyo Metro day pass ~£4-6
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Asakusa, Ueno or Shimbashi
- →Imperial Palace East Gardens (free)
- →Meiji Jingu Shrine (free)
- →Harajuku & Shibuya Crossing
- →Tokyo Station area walk
Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi Day Trip
Lake Kawaguchi / Mount Fuji, Japan
Book a Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi day tour from Tokyo via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£60-90) covering Oishi Park, Lake Kawaguchi views, Arakura-Fuji Sengen Shrine, the Fuji 5th Station (seasonal — the road to the 5th Station typically closes in winter, when operators substitute other viewpoints), and Oshino Hakkai ponds. Alternatively, DIY it: highway bus Tokyo to Kawaguchiko (~£12-18, ~2 hrs each way), local Fujikyu buses to the viewpoints, and the Fuji 5th Station via seasonal bus from Kawaguchiko Station. Return to Tokyo for the night.
🚌Mount Fuji day tour (~£70) or highway bus ~£12-18 each way
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Asakusa, Ueno or Shimbashi
- →Oishi Park
- →Lake Kawaguchi viewpoint
- →Arakura-Fuji Sengen Shrine
- →Mount Fuji 5th Station (seasonal)
- →Oshino Hakkai ponds
Tsukiji Outer Market & Tokyo Free Day
Tokyo, Japan
Arrive early at Tsukiji Outer Market (the wholesale fish auction moved to Toyosu, but the outer market is a great breakfast spot) for fresh sushi, tamagoyaki, grilled seafood skewers and street bites — budget ~£12-18 for a self-guided tasting breakfast. Visit Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple and quiet Namiyoke Shrine, then spend the afternoon free: options include TeamLab, Akihabara, Shinjuku Gyoen, or Ueno's museums (£5-10 entry each).
🚌Tokyo Metro ~£4-6
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Asakusa, Ueno or Shimbashi
- →Tsukiji Outer Market tasting breakfast (~£15)
- →Tsukiji Hongwan-ji Temple
- →Namiyoke Shrine
- →Free afternoon (TeamLab / Akihabara / park)
Shinkansen to Kyoto — Gion & Pontocho at Night
Kyoto, Japan
Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (~2h15; unreserved/nozomi around £70-85, or use a JR Pass if your routing justifies it). Check into a budget hotel or guesthouse near Shijo/Shijo-Karasuma or Kyoto Station. Evening: self-launched Gion night walk — Pontocho Alley, the Izumo-no-Okuni statue, Yasaka Shrine, Hanamikoji Street, and the geisha district's wooden teahouses. Respect photography rules. An optional GetYourGuide Gion walking tour is ~£25-40 if you want a local guide.
🚌Shinkansen Tokyo-Kyoto ~£70-85
🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse near Shijo-Karasuma or Kyoto Station
- →Shinkansen to Kyoto
- →Pontocho Alley
- →Gion district walk (Hanamikoji, Yasaka Shrine, Izumo-no-Okuni statue)
Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari & Nara
Kyoto & Nara, Japan
Ambitious but doable by train/bus: start early at Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion (~£3 entry), then bus/train to Arashiyama and walk the Bamboo Grove plus the Togetsukyo Bridge area. Afternoon: Fushimi Inari Shrine's red torii tunnels (free, open 24h — go late for fewer crowds), then a short train to Nara (Kintetsu ~£5, 45 min) for Todai-ji's Great Buddha (~£4) and Nara Park's sika deer. You may prefer to spread Golden Pavilion/Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari/Nara across two days for a slower pace.
🚌Kyoto buses/trains + Kintetsu to Nara ~£8-12 total
🛏Budget hotel/guesthouse near Shijo-Karasuma or Kyoto Station
- →Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion entry (~£3)
- →Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- →Fushimi Inari Shrine
- →Todai-ji Temple & Great Buddha (~£4)
- →Nara Park deer (free)
Departure from Kyoto / Kansai
Kyoto, Japan
Final morning — optional early temple visit or Nishiki Market shopping. For Kansai International Airport (KIX), take the JR Haruka limited express from Kyoto Station (~£18, ~75 min) or the limousine bus (~£15). If heading back to Tokyo, the Shinkansen is ~£70-85. Allow 2-3 hours before an international departure.
🚌JR Haruka to KIX ~£18 or limousine bus ~£15
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Nishiki Market (optional)
- →Transfer to KIX
Self-launched vs. Tourist Journey
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Tourist Journey | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£700 | £1,780 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,080 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Tourist Journey-style trips? Check them out here.~£700
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 10-Day Self-Launched Highlights of South Korea & Japan cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £700 per person for 10 days in South Korea & Japan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Tourist Journey?+
Yes — Tourist Journey charges around £1,780 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £700 — a saving of roughly £1,080 (61%) per person.
How long is the South Korea & Japan trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through South Korea & Japan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through South Korea & Japan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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