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Seoul, South Korea
Start in Gyeongbokgung Palace and explore the buzzing streets of Hongdae and Insadong. Don't miss bibimbap and Korean BBQ in the Mapo district. Allow a day for a DMZ tour if curious about the border.
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Busan, South Korea
Take the KTX from Seoul (about 2.5 hrs) and soak in the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village and Haeundae Beach. Busan is South Korea's seafood capital — try raw fish at Jagalchi Market. End your stay ready for the Busan–Fukuoka ferry (Camellia Line, ~3 hrs).
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Fukuoka, Japan
Arrive by ferry at Hakata Port and pick up your rental car here. Explore Ohori Park and the lively Canal City before heading south. Don't leave without a bowl of Hakata tonkotsu ramen at an outdoor yatai stall.
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Nagasaki, Japan
A deeply moving city with the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum as essential stops. The Glover Garden and Dejima district reflect Nagasaki's unique foreign-influenced history. Try champon noodles, a local specialty born from the city's Chinese heritage.
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Kumamoto, Japan
Home to one of Japan's most impressive original castles, Kumamoto-jo, currently being restored after the 2016 earthquake. The nearby Suizenji Garden is a beautifully landscaped strolling garden worth an afternoon. Use Kumamoto as a base to day-trip to Mount Aso's dramatic volcanic caldera.
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Beppu, Japan
Beppu is Japan's hot spring capital, famous for its steaming 'hells' (jigoku) — boiling, vividly colored thermal pools you can tour. Relax in an outdoor onsen after days of driving through Kyushu. The drive from Kumamoto through the Aso highlands is one of the most scenic in Japan.
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Tokyo, Japan
Fly from Oita or Fukuoka into Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) to close out the trip. Wander Shibuya and Shinjuku by night, and catch a quieter side of the city in Yanaka or Shimokitazawa. Two days gives enough time to decompress, shop, and enjoy a farewell sushi dinner before flying home July 15th.