Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
K-Pop, Kimchi and Cosplay Seoul & Tokyo with Teenagers
South Korea – Japan – Seoul – Tokyo
Start in Seoul, the ultra-modern capital of South Korea. This is the epicentre of hallyu, or the ‘Korean wave’ (the phenomenal growth of the country’s culture worldwide). Everything here is stylish and trendy, from delightful desert cafes and minimalist boutiques to high-tech museums and neon skyscrapers. But there’s also a rich cultural heritage that refuses to be forgotten. Ancient Buddhist temples, traditional street food and charming teahouses all await behind the city’s futuristic exterior.
For the second chapter of your family adventure, head east to Tokyo – a city where swanky sushi bars rub shoulders with funky karaoke rooms, shimmering skyscrapers overlook peaceful gardens and sky-high observation decks provide the perfect backdrop for family photos. It’s enough to mesmerise adults and children alike. So, without further ado, let the adventures begin…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Gather the troupes – your far-flung family adventure begins today. After heading to the airport and speeding through security, enjoy some nibbles in the lounge while you wait for your departure. Flights to South Korea take around 13 hours and land the following day, so download plenty of K-dramas (and our carefully curated ‘Sounds of Asia’ playlist) to keep the whole family entertained while you’re in the air.
Rise and shine to views across soaring skyscrapers as you prepare to land in Seoul. A private driver will be waiting to whisk you off to the culturally rich district of Seochon, east of Gyeonbokgung Palace, where you’ll be staying in a charming hotel nestled in a hanok (a traditional Korean house).
After a spot of unpacking, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Head out for some light exploration or, if everyone’s too tired from travelling, take it easy in the hotel – perfect prep for tomorrow’s adventures.
Wake up refreshed, revitalised and ready for a day of cultural immersion in the effortlessly cool Korean capital. To make navigating the city easier, you’ll be armed with a T-money card (a rechargeable smart card for public transport) – let the limitless exploration begin.
Seoul’s charming blend of old and new is bound to delight your teens at every turn. Start with a stroll through the electric neighbourhoods set along the Han River, where palaces and hanoks rub shoulders with dizzying skyscrapers. Then, head for lunch in one of the city’s trendy spots, sure to score some extra points with the children.
This afternoon, discover another side of Seoul with a K-pop tour in the company of a clued-up local guide. Venture into the northern districts of Hongdae and Sinchon to witness captivating street performances before discovering a series of iconic K-pop sites – you’ll be humming the hits in no time.
K-pop may be the shining star of South Korea’s global takeover, but K-dramas aren’t far behind. These addictive series have been invading international screens at a rapid rate over the past few years. Led by a local guide, embark on a pilgrimage to the locations where some of the most popular series have been filmed (cue photos of the teens posing like their idols).
This evening, head out for a nighttime exploration of Seoul with a local guide. While you’re winding through the bustling streets, why not stop at a few street food stalls along the way? The options are vast and varied – not to mention delicious – but our favourite is tteokbokki (rice cakes simmered in a spicy-sweet sauce). After the tour, make sure to stop by one of the city’s noraebangs (private karaoke rooms) to end the evening in style with a family sing-along.
Now that you’re familiar with the city, it’s time to spend a day enjoying Seoul at your own pace. Visit Jogyesa, a beautiful Buddhist temple surrounded by nature, enjoy a tea ceremony in a classic teahouse, or stroll through the storied streets of Bukchon Village.
Craving more modernity? Another worthy contender for where to spend your last day is Gangnam – the stylish neighbourhood immortalised by the iconic ‘Gangnam Style’ – where grown-ups can do some boutique shopping while teens pose for photos with the icons on K-Star Road.
This evening, enjoy one of Korea's most popular live performances: Cookin’ Nanta. The show has a simple (and brilliantly absurd) concept: three chefs are given an impossible order to complete in far too little time. What follows is a medley of singing, dancing and slapstick comedy – and the best part? Since the whole thing is non-verbal, you can laugh along with the locals, blissfully unbothered by the language barrier.
Today, trade Seoul for its cousin to the east: Tokyo. After one last delicious breakfast at your hotel, head to the airport for the speedy two-and-a-half-hour flight to the Japanese capital. When you land, breeze through security to meet your private driver, who’ll whisk you into the heart of the biggest city in the world – what a claim to fame.
You’ll be spending the next four nights in a contemporary hotel close to Tokyo Station. After settling in and freshening up, head to the station itself and set out to explore its underground city, full of shops, excitement and plenty of places for a convenient (not to mention delicious) dinner.
What better way to dive into the mania of Tokyo than on a manga walking tour? One of Japan’s biggest cultural exports, this style of comics and graphic novels developed in the late 19th century. Today, you’ll be joined by a friendly local guide to experience the city through the lens of manga. While learning about this iconic institution, wander through traditional alleys where the spirit of the samurai roams, marvel at glitzy skyscrapers rising from the central district and amble through manicured gardens offering locals a moment of peace.
Feeling peckish? There are plenty of options for dinner tonight. Unlike some major cities, Tokyo doesn’t have a designated dining district, so deciding where to eat (especially as a family) can pose a lengthy discussion. Bypass the back-and-forth by contacting your trusty Concierge – it's time to tuck in.
Armed with a newfound knowledge of manga, it’s time to explore the wider geek (or otaku) culture flourishing across Tokyo. Head out into the capital with a clued-up local guide to explore some of the neighbourhoods specialising in geek-themed merchandise and gadgets, from gaming and robotics to cosplay and character culture. Whether your teens are familiar with this world or not, it’s sure to be wild and wacky enough to switch their attention on and their phones off (except when they’re taking photos, of course).
This afternoon, after everyone’s had some time to wind down, head out for another delicious dinner in the city.
Today is your final day in Tokyo, and there’s not a moment to waste. After a little eccentricity? Head to Harajuku, where lolitas and cosplayers compete in manga-style dandyism. In the market for cutting-edge technology? Browse the giant stores of the Akihabara district. Craving traditional food? The streets of the Golden Gai in Shinjuku are home to hundreds of tiny taverns.
Finally, for stellar shots of the skyline, head to the top of Shibuya Sky, an open-air observation deck at the top of a 750ft skyscraper. On a clear day, you can even glimpse Mount Fuji in the distance – now that’s one for the socials.
Later on, more family photos will be handed to you on a silver platter as you make your way (tickets at the ready) to teamLab Planets. This immersive experience takes you through a range of large-scale art spaces that play with mirrors, light and sound, meaning you can walk barefoot through water, skip through enchanting forest landscapes and admire neon-lit digital spaces all without leaving the exhibit.
Sadly, the time has come to bid a fond farewell to Tokyo. Pry your children away from the city’s ever-enticing streets for your private transfer to the airport, where you can relax in the lounge after breezing through security. Flights back to the UK take roughly 14 hours, giving everyone plenty of time to watch more K-dramas, breeze through some K-pop (or J-pop) albums and flip through a manga comic or two.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
PRIVATE K-POP DANCE CLASS
Fancy trying your hand at some K-pop choreo? Set to the tune of the country’s catchiest tunes, follow the direction of a skilled instructor as you rally the family to form your very own K-pop group for this private dance session. Mastery might not be guaranteed, but laughter certainly is.KOREAN STREET FOOD DELICACIES
Guided by a food-obsessed local, take a private tour of Seoul’s exciting street food scene. There are countless delicacies to be found here, including tteokbokki (rice cakes simmered in a spicy-sweet sauce), odeng (fish skewers), gyeranppang (bread topped with an egg) or the popular kimbap (the Korean version of sushi). Once everyone’s sampled all they can eat, retreat to your hotel and fall into a food coma.TOKYO DISNEYSEA TICKETS
Your children might have been to a few theme parks in their time – maybe even a few Disney ones – but DisneySea truly stands alone. Located in Tokyo Bay, it’s the only Disney park entirely centred around a maritime theme, boasting a string of water-based attractions as well as traditional roller coasters for some good-old-fashioned thrills. Here, every member of your troupe is sure to find their inner child.JAPANESE COOKING WORKSHOP
Fancy spicing up future family dinners? Hone your troupe’s skillset with a private cooking class, allowing you to approach Japanese culture from another angle. The cherry on top? After all your hard work in the kitchen, it’ll be time for the main event: the tasting.
Why visit South Korea with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to South Korea
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
Why visit Japan with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Japan
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
