“"A Trip of a Lifetime — South Korea to Japan with Indus!
Let me start by saying—I’ve never written a travel review before, but this trip deserves one. My wife and I booked the South Korea and Japan tour with Indus Travels, and it honestly blew us away. We’ve done a few guided tours before, but this one had the perfect balance of culture, comfort, and adventure.
We started in Seoul, and wow..what a city. The palaces were stunning. Gyeongbokgung Palace was good and Bukchon Hanok Village was like a peaceful time capsule. We really enjoyed the mix of old and new..you could explore a centuries-old palace in the morning and shop in modern Myeongdong by evening. Our guide in Korea was friendly, knowledgeable, and spoke great English.
Jeonju was a cute surprise. It’s not a place I’d have thought to visit on my own, but walking through the old town and trying local food there was one of our favorite parts. The Samsung Innovation Museum in Suwon was a hit with my tech-loving husband.
Busan felt more laid-back. The temples, especially Haedong Yonggung, were gorgeous. You could hear the waves crashing while you explored. I also really appreciated the slower pace here.
Then came the ferry to Japan, which was definitely a unique experience! It was an overnight ferry, and though basic, it was comfortable. Landing in Shimonoseki felt like entering a whole new phase of the trip. Hiroshima was powerful. Visiting the Peace Memorial Park and Museum was emotional, but necessary.
Matsuyama had a great vibe, especially the onsen (hot springs). The cable car ride to the old castle was fun too. One of the coolest moments was walking the glass floor at Naruto Bridge...super thrilling (and slightly terrifying, if you don’t like heights like me).
But the highlight for me? Staying overnight at a monastery on Mount Koya. I never imagined I'd be meditating with monks in Japan. It was peaceful, spiritual, and something I’ll never forget.
Kyoto was the perfect grand finale. Fushimi Inari’s red torii gates were just as amazing in person as in pictures, and the golden Kinkakuji temple was breathtaking.
We had great meals throughout—some Korean BBQ, a few traditional Japanese set dinners, and enough time to wander and explore our own food finds.
All in all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip. The hotels were comfy, the group size was small enough to make friends, and everything was well-organized. If you're over 45 like us and looking for a cultural trip that’s still comfortable and paced well, this is it.
Highly recommend Indus for this one!"”
