Our final week of this Asia adventure travel blog took us from Kyoto’s bamboo forests to Osaka’s neon streets and finally to Seoul, South Korea. This leg of the journey was all about wrapping up with memory-making moments—bowing deer, bubbling hair spas, and a perfectly torched marshmallow ice cream bar. If Week 1 was about starting strong, Week 4 was about ending with heart, laughter, and a few unforgettable meals.
Here’s how we closed out our month-long journey. (👉 Looking for travel planning tips instead? Check out other articles in my travel blog or schedule a complimentary consultation to start planning your own adventure.)
Day 22: Sweet Starts + Bowing Deer in Nar
We kicked things off with a nerikiri sweets and matcha class before heading to Nara. The bowing deer were as magical as expected, and Lilly proudly claimed her “kids beer” (apple soda). Osaka welcomed us that night with neon lights, savory pancakes, and one of the most eclectic dinners of the trip.
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Day 23: When Expo Plans Become Wagyu Wins
The Osaka World Expo was beautiful in theory but overwhelming in practice. We pivoted quickly to Dōtonbori Street for wagyu and global beers, ending the day with a much-needed massage.
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Day 24: Cup Noodles, Donuts & a Bittersweet Goodbye
On our last day in Japan, we built custom noodle cups at the Cup Noodles Museum, wandered Osaka’s underground mall, and said goodbye with filled donuts and lemon mochi.
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Day 25: Seoul Arrival + A Sobering Visit to the DMZ
We landed in Korea and dove straight into history with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the DMZ. It was a sobering reminder of freedom’s value, balanced later with crispy Korean fried chicken.
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Day 26: Market Snacks, Shoe Drama & Street Bar-Hopping
A broken shoe led us to Seoul’s vibrant markets, where we devoured mung bean pancakes, hotteok, and sipped soju under the stars. The city’s mix of ancient gates and modern nightlife felt electric.
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Day 27: Spa Day, Street Food & One Final Korean BBQ
If you’re going to end a five-week trip, do it with scalp cameras, mochi ice cream, garlic bread that tastes like magic, and a final Korean BBQ feast. We even squeezed in a spontaneous shooting range visit!
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Day 28: Homebound with Mochi Regrets + Travel Agent Wins
And just like that, it was time to head home. Despite sore throats and long flights, I smiled all the way back—because this trip reminded me exactly why I love helping people travel. The pivots, the plan B’s, the joy in the chaos—that’s the good stuff.
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