14-Days Itinerary Japan & South Korea

Here’s a detailed 2 weeks itinerary that covers both South Korea and Japan, providing a blend of activities, transportation tips, and estimated costs for each day.

Day 1: Arrival in Seoul, South Korea

Morning:

• Arrival at Incheon International Airport.
• Transportation: Take the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) to Seoul Station (approx. 43 minutes, $5).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Seoul (estimated cost: $80 per night).
• Explore Myeongdong: Shop at cosmetic stores and visit street food stalls.

Evening:

• Dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong (approx. $20).
• Visit N Seoul Tower for panoramic city views (entry: $10, taxi: $10).

Budget:

• AREX: $5
• Hotel: $80
• Dinner: $20
• N Seoul Tower: $10
• Taxi: $10
• Total: $125

Day 2: Seoul – Historical Exploration

Morning:

• Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (entry: $3). Take subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a nearby restaurant (approx. $10).
• Explore Bukchon Hanok Village (free).

Evening:

• Dinner in Insadong (try bibimbap or bulgogi, approx. $15).
• Explore Insadong for souvenirs and traditional tea (free).

Budget:

• Palace Entry: $3
• Lunch: $10
• Dinner: $15
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $31

Day 3: Seoul – Modern Attractions

Morning:

• Visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (free). Take subway Line 4 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a café in Dongdaemun (approx. $12).
• Explore COEX Mall and Starfield Library in Gangnam (subway Line 2).

Evening:

• Dinner in Gangnam (approx. $20).
• Enjoy nightlife or a performance (approx. $30).

Budget:

• Lunch: $12
• Dinner: $20
• Show: $30
• Subway fare: $3 (round trip)
• Total: $65

Day 4: Day Trip to DMZ

Morning:

• Join a DMZ tour (book in advance, approx. $100 including transportation and guide).

Afternoon:

• Continue DMZ tour: Visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel and Dorasan Station.

Evening:

• Return to Seoul.
• Dinner at a local restaurant (approx. $15).

Budget:

• DMZ Tour: $100
• Dinner: $15
• Total: $115

Day 5: Seoul to Tokyo, Japan

Morning:

• Fly from Seoul to Tokyo (approx. 2.5 hours, $150).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Tokyo (estimated cost: $100 per night).
• Explore Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Center Street.

Evening:

• Dinner at a local izakaya in Shibuya (approx. $20).
• Visit Tokyo Tower for city views (entry: $20).

Budget:

• Flight: $150
• Hotel: $100
• Dinner: $20
• Tokyo Tower: $20
• Total: $290

Day 6: Tokyo – Historical and Cultural Exploration

Morning:

• Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (free). Take subway Line 5 to Asakusa Station.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a local restaurant in Asakusa (approx. $12).
• Explore Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum (entry: $6).

Evening:

• Dinner in the Akihabara area (try sushi or ramen, approx. $20).
• Explore Akihabara for electronics and anime goods (free).

Budget:

• Lunch: $12
• Museum Entry: $6
• Dinner: $20
• Subway fare: $5 (round trip)
• Total: $43

Day 7: Tokyo – Modern Attractions

Morning:

• Visit the Meiji Shrine in Shibuya (free). Take subway Line 2 to Meiji-Jingumae Station.

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a café in Harajuku (approx. $15).
• Explore Omotesando and Takeshita Street (free).

Evening:

• Dinner in Shinjuku (approx. $25).
• Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for views (free).

Budget:

• Lunch: $15
• Dinner: $25
• Subway fare: $5 (round trip)
• Total: $45

Day 8: Tokyo to Kyoto

Morning:

• Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (approx. 2.5 hours, $130).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Kyoto (estimated cost: $90 per night).
• Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (free).

Evening:

• Dinner at a traditional Kyoto restaurant (approx. $25).

Budget:

• Shinkansen: $130
• Hotel: $90
• Dinner: $25
• Total: $245

Day 9: Kyoto – Historical Exploration

Morning:

• Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) (entry: $5). Take a local bus or taxi (approx. $10).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a nearby restaurant (approx. $15).
• Explore Gion District and Kyoto Imperial Palace (free).

Evening:

• Dinner in Gion (try kaiseki, approx. $30).

Budget:

• Kinkaku-ji Entry: $5
• Lunch: $15
• Dinner: $30
• Transportation: $10
• Total: $60

Day 10: Kyoto – Day Trip to Nara

Morning:

• Take a train to Nara (approx. 1 hour, $10).

Afternoon:

• Visit Todai-ji Temple (entry: $6) and Nara Deer Park (free).
• Lunch in Nara (approx. $12).

Evening:

• Return to Kyoto and have dinner at a local restaurant (approx. $20).

Budget:

• Train to Nara: $10
• Todai-ji Entry: $6
• Lunch: $12
• Dinner: $20
• Total: $48

Day 11: Kyoto to Osaka

Morning:

• Take a train to Osaka (approx. 30 minutes, $10).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Osaka (estimated cost: $80 per night).
• Visit Osaka Castle (entry: $6).

Evening:

• Dinner at Dotonbori (try takoyaki and okonomiyaki, approx. $25).
• Explore the Dotonbori area (free).

Budget:

• Train: $10
• Hotel: $80
• Castle Entry: $6
• Dinner: $25
• Total: $121

Day 12: Osaka – Modern Attractions

Morning:

• Visit Universal Studios Japan (entry: $80). Take a train (approx. $5).

Afternoon:

• Lunch inside the park (approx. $20).

Evening:

• Dinner in Osaka (approx. $25).

Budget:

• Universal Studios: $80
• Train: $5
• Lunch: $20
• Dinner: $25
• Total: $130

Day 13: Osaka to Tokyo

Morning:

• Take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo (approx. 3 hours, $130).

Afternoon:

• Check into your hotel in Tokyo (estimated cost: $100 per night).
• Explore Odaiba and visit TeamLab Borderless (entry: $30).

Evening:

• Dinner in Odaiba (approx. $25).

Budget:

• Shinkansen: $130
• Hotel: $100
• TeamLab Entry: $30
• Dinner: $25
• Total: $285

Day 14: Departure from Tokyo

Morning:

• Check out of your hotel and prepare for departure.
• Transport to Narita or Haneda Airport (approx. $20).

Afternoon:

• Lunch at the airport (approx. $15).

Budget:

• Transportation to Airport: $20
• Lunch: $15
• Total: $35

Summary of Approximate Costs:

• Accommodation: $80-100 per night x 13 nights = $1,040 – $1,300