Seoul, Busan, Fukuoka & Tokyo Ferry & Rail Journey

A classic Korea-Japan overland journey, taking an overnight ferry from Busan to Fukuoka, then riding the Shinkansen to Tokyo.

This is a popular reverse-route overland itinerary for South Korea and Japan: start in Seoul, Gyeongju, and Busan, then board the New Camellia overnight ferry to Hakata. From there, travel through Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka to Tokyo, flying home on an open-jaw ticket. This route saves you a flight and adds a unique night at sea. The 14-day pace is relatively fast, focusing only on the highlights of each city—ideal for first-time visitors with limited time. Since the ferry does not run daily, check the sailing schedule before booking other arrangements.

The Hakata ferry line has non-sailing days in summer and during maintenance periods; book Kyoto accommodations well in advance during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Seoul & Explore Insadong

Seoul（Ikseon-dong Hanok Street、Insadong）

Take the AREX to Seoul Station (approx. 1 hour), transfer to the subway to Jongno, and spend the afternoon exploring the neighborhood on foot.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 2 · Seoul Palaces & Traditional Markets

Seoul（Gyeongbokgung Palace、Bukchon Hanok Village、Changdeokgung Palace、Gwangjang Market）

Walk from your accommodation to Gyeongbukgung Palace, then walk between Bukchon Hanok Village and Changdeokgung Palace. In the evening, take the subway one stop to Gwangjang Market.

Gyeongbukgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays; Changdeokgung Palace is closed on Mondays.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 3 · KTX to Gyeongju

Gyeongju（Daereungwon Tomb Complex、Cheomseongdae Observatory、Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond）

Take the KTX from Seoul Station to Gyeongju (approx. 2 hours 10 minutes), transfer to a local bus to the city center, and spend the afternoon walking around the Daereungwon Tomb Complex.

Stay: Hwangnidan-gil·Daereungwon

Day 4 · Bulguksa Temple to Busan Old Town

Gyeongju（Bulguksa Temple） → Busan（Jagalchi Fish Market、Gukje Market）

Take a local bus to and from Bulguksa Temple in the morning. Take the KTX to Busan Station (approx. 30 minutes), then take the subway to Nampodong.

Stay: Nampo-dong·Jagalchi

Day 5 · Busan Coast & Board the Overnight Ferry

Busan（Gamcheon Culture Village、Huinnyeoul Culture Village）

Sightsee in the city during the day, head to the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal in the evening, check in, and set sail at 22:30. Arrive in Hakata the next morning.

Check-in usually closes around 18:30. The ferry does not operate on certain dates; check the official calendar for details.

Day 6 · Disembark at Hakata & Explore Fukuoka

Fukuoka（Dazaifu Tenmangu、Kushida Shrine、Nakasu Yatai Stalls）

Arrive at Hakata Port around 7:30, take a bus to Hakata Station (approx. 20 minutes), then take a train for a round trip to Dazaifu.

Stay: Around Hakata Station

Day 7 · Shinkansen to Hiroshima

Hiroshima（Atomic Bomb Dome、Peace Memorial Park & Museum、Okonomimura）

Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Hakata to Hiroshima (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes), then take a city streetcar to the Peace Memorial Park.

Stay: Kamiyacho·Hondori

Day 8 · Onward to Kyoto & Fushimi Inari

Hiroshima（Shukkei-en Garden） → Kyoto（Fushimi Inari Taisha、Gion & Hanamikoji Street）

Visit a traditional garden in the morning, take the Shinkansen to Kyoto (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes), then take the JR Nara Line two stops to Inari.

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 9 · Higashiyama Temple District Walk

Kyoto（Kiyomizu-dera、Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka、Yasaka Shrine、Nishiki Market）

Take a local bus to Kiyomizu-michi (approx. 20 minutes), walk through the Higashiyama district, and return to Shijo-Kawaramachi in the evening.

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 10 · Arashiyama & Kinkaku-ji

Kyoto（Arashiyama Bamboo Grove、Tenryu-ji、Togetsukyo Bridge、Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)）

Take a train to Arashiyama (approx. 30 minutes) and explore on foot. In the afternoon, take a local bus to Kinkaku-ji (approx. 40 minutes).

Stay: Shijo-Kawaramachi

Day 11 · Osaka Castle & Dotonbori

Osaka（Osaka Castle、Kuromon Ichiba Market、Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi）

Take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka (approx. 30 minutes). Drop off your luggage, take the subway to Osaka Castle, and walk around Namba in the evening.

Stay: Namba

Day 12 · Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo Asakusa

Central Tokyo（Senso-ji Temple、Tokyo Skytree）

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo (approx. 2.5 hours), take the subway to Asakusa, and walk to Tokyo Skytree in the afternoon.

Stay: Ueno & Asakusa

Day 13 · Meiji Jingu to Shibuya

Central Tokyo（Meiji Jingu、Takeshita Street, Harajuku、Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky）

Take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku (approx. 30 minutes), walk to Shibuya, and return to Ueno in the evening.

Stay: Ueno & Asakusa

Day 14 · Ueno Park & Departure

Central Tokyo（Ueno Park）

Spend the morning walking around your accommodation, then take the Keisei Line from Ueno to Narita Airport (approx. 45 minutes).

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