Wander Responder

Southern Japan and Korea

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Southern Japan and Korea!

This travel story takes you across two countries – experiencing the intertwining of history, natural wonders and modern culture. From peaceful Hiroshima, the shrine on Miyajima Island, the hot springs of Beppu and the Aso volcano to vibrant Seoul, the divided Korean border and the K-pop rhythms of Gangnam.

11th October – 20th October 2026

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Hiroshima is now a city of peace and hope. We visit the memorial park and museum, which both commemorate the tragedy of the atomic attack and celebrate the power of human renewal. We also visit the famous island of Miyajima, which is home to friendly deer and a beautiful floating torii.

We continue south to the Japanese island of Kyushu, to one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, Beppu. There, we walk through the “hells”, relax in the hot springs and end the day at traditional food stalls, where there is sure to be something for everyone.

In Kumamoto, we step back in time to a time of long-lasting peace and stability in Japan. The traditional streets make us feel like we have traveled back several centuries, and the castle there is considered one of the most beautiful and powerful in Japan.

We rent cars and drive along local roads to the craters of the active Aso volcano, the magical Takachiho Gorge and a lesser-known temple hidden in a cypress forest.

We leave Kyushu and Japan and fly to the South Korean capital, Seoul. In traditional clothing, we explore the former royal palace and watch the changing of the guard. Bukchon Hanok enchants us – a modern neighborhood with a distinctly traditional house construction is a real feast for the eyes. We get lost on Insadong Street, which is full of boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and much more.

We visit the border between South and North Korea. Here we get an insight into interstate relations and through an infiltration tunnel we get close to this mysterious country to just 200 meters. Due to military control, we feel the weight of a divided country.

Finally, we visit the capital of the Korean pop (K-pop) industry, Gangnam. We will try our hand at dance skills to the sounds of the famous song from 2012. We also climb the observation deck of the Seoul Tower (or even the tower itself), where we see the city from a different perspective. A unique cooking show will make us laugh out loud and introduce us to the wacky Korean humor, and we round off the evening with culinary exploration at the stalls in the city center.

These are Southern Japan and Korea.

Z vami potujeta 2 guides.

We spend 9 nights in double rooms in 4* and 3* hotels. The rooms and beds are usually smaller than we are used to in Europe.

Southern Japan and South Korea have moderate autumn temperatures (between 15°C and 22°C) and occasional rainfall in October. Sunrise is at 5:30 AM and sunset is at 5:30 PM. In Japan, they do not change the clocks for summer or winter time.

We explore both countries mostly by public transport, but we rent personal vehicles for one day, which allows us more freedom to explore.

The group is small, up to 10 fellow travelers. There is no surcharge for a small group.

Our journey is dynamic. It includes 4 changes of accommodation, a lot of walking in the city and stairs, because despite the good public transport infrastructure, the stop is not always in front of the hotel. The days are long, but not too tiring – there is always enough time for our own exploration.

early bird price: 2.500€

Early bird price is valid for registrations until February 28, 2026

standard price: 2.700€

Standard price is valid for registrations from March 1, 2026

The price of the trip includes: 9 nights in double rooms with private bathroom, local transportation (bullet trains and shinkansen, metro, city buses), international flight from Japan to South Korea, all gratuities for local staff and entrance fees according to the program (except for the optional extras listed), two guides at the destination, as well as travel preparation and organization costs. All breakfasts are also included.

The price of the trip does not include international airfare, afternoon/evening meals, health insurance for abroad, personal purchases, additional excursions/sightseeings listed under possible additional charges.

We recommend you get yourself travel health insurance. You can travel to Japan with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after leaving the country.

Possible extras:

Boat rental in Takachiho Gorge (€31 for 1-3 persons)*,
single room surcharge for the duration of the trip  (€350).

No later than 45 days before your trip, you will receive an online form in your email, in which you can also decide whether to participate in optional tours.

Boat rental in Takachiho Gorge: We row a boat through a beautiful gorge surrounded by volcanic basalt cliffs (rental time: 30 minutes)

*Due to the limited number of boats, there is a possibility that we may not be able to secure a rental, in which case payment is not required and we will walk along a well-maintained path above the gorge.

You will need to bring the amount of your selected optional extras in cash with you on your trip.

You can join the Southern Japan and Korea trip on its own, or you can extend it with the previous The Heart of Japan – Land of Geisha and Samurai. The trip across northern Japan is Hokkaido – Northern Beauty of Japan. The trip Incredible Japan and South Korea is comprehensive – it includes all three aforementioned trips in one package at an exceptional price.

Sign Up & Payment

1) Send your inquiry via the button below to info@wanderresponder.com. We will respond to you with an application form.

2) After registration, an advance payment (€300) is paid, which guarantees your place on the trip.
The advance payment is non-refundable in the event of your cancellation. If the trip is not carried out, the advance payment will be fully refunded.

3) Part of the full amount (€1,400) is paid to the transaction account no later than 30 after securing the departure.
For payment in several instalments, please inform us of this upon registration.

4) You bring the rest of the amount (€800) with you on the trip plus the amount of your selected extras.

Sign Up & Let’s Wander!

To register for the trip, please click on the SIGN UP button and fill out the form with the subject “Southern Japan and Korea”.

We will get back to you as soon as possible and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We are always available via email at info@wanderresponder.com, WhatsApp at +386 40 857 568 (also for calls) or Facebook.