Japan Adventure Tour

Overnight flight to Tokyo

We meet at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures, we depart for Tokyo at 15:25 on Turkish Airlines flight TK0050. We spend the night on board.

Meeting Shibuya

We arrive in Tokyo at 08:45 local time. After completing passport control and collecting our luggage, we begin our Tokyo City Tour in the private vehicle waiting for us. Our first stop is Shibuya, known for its entertainment and cultural experiences. One of Tokyo’s best-known and busiest districts, Shibuya is home to Shibuya Scramble Crossing, one of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings. Here, hundreds of people cross at the same time whenever the lights change. We see the Hachiko statue, built in memory of a dog known for its loyalty and a meeting point for locals and tourists, along with many well-known shopping centres. We then have free time. During the tour, we also enjoy panoramic views of Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Senso-ji Temple and Ginza

After breakfast, you have free time. Guests who wish can join the optional Tokyo & Sensoji & Akihabara & Ginza Tour at an extra cost (150 €). We begin our tour at Sensoji Temple, built in 645. Tokyo's oldest temple has been considered one of the city's most important religious centres since the Edo period. After our visit, we head to Yodobashi Electric Town, where you can find products from hundreds of electronics brands at affordable prices. After some time for shopping, we continue to Ginza, which reflects urban life in modern Japan. We explore the district, home to world-famous brands, some of Tokyo's largest shopping centres and leading restaurants. After the tour, you have free time for a meal. At the time specified by our guide, we transfer to our hotel, where you have free time to rest.

Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, we have free time. Guests who wish can join the optional Mount Fuji & Hakone & Oshino Hakkai Tour at an extra cost (200€). We set off for Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island southwest of Tokyo, one of the city's symbols and Japan's highest mountain.

First, we head to Hakone in the Kanagawa region, known for its views of Mount Fuji and its natural scenery. We take a boat trip on Lake Ashinoko with views of Mount Fuji. On arrival, we board cable cars to reach the Mototsumiya Shrine viewpoint.

After a photo stop, we travel by bus to Oshino Hakkai. Here, melting snow combines with groundwater to form natural pools. The water is naturally filtered as it passes through volcanic rocks, keeping the pools clear. You can see Mount Fuji reflected in these pools, which vary in size and depth.

After our guided visit, we head to Gotemba Outlet Shopping Center, one of Japan's largest outlet shopping centers. At the time specified by our guide, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Bullet train to Osaka

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave at the time set by our guide for the train station to take the Shinkansen (high-speed train) to Osaka. We take only our daily essentials with us. Our large suitcases will be sent separately to our hotel in Osaka by the transfer company arranged by our agency.

We arrive in Osaka after a journey of approximately 2 and a half hours on the high-speed train, which can reach speeds of around 320 km per hour. We begin our city tour in Osaka, Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. On our tour, we visit the Umeda Sky Building, which consists of two structures standing 173 metres tall. These two 173-metre towers have 40 floors and are connected near the top by an observation platform. During the tour, we go up to the observatory on the 39th floor for panoramic views of Osaka.

After visiting the Umeda Sky Building, we head to the Dotonbori district. Known for its theatres and performing arts during the Edo Period, the district is now a lively tourist hub that brings together traditional Japanese culture and modern entertainment. Dotonbori has many restaurants that reflect Osaka’s reputation as Japan’s culinary capital. After our time in the district, we transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is set aside for rest.

Kyoto's temples

After breakfast in Osaka, guests who wish may join the optional full-day Kyoto & Bambo Forest & Kinkakuji Temple & Kiyomizu Dera & Fushimi Inari Tour (200€), at an extra charge. We depart for Kyoto in our private vehicle. Japan’s former capital, Kyoto is known for its temples, gardens and traditional neighbourhoods and is one of the places where traditional culture is best preserved. After a journey of approximately 1 hour, we begin our city tour.

Kyoto, the only place in Japan that was not bombed during World War II, is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Our first stop is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. As you follow the 500-metre walking trail, you can listen to the wind passing through the bamboo and take photographs of the forest.

We then visit Kinkakuji Temple. Located in northern Kyoto, this Zen temple has its top two floors entirely covered in gold leaf. Also known as the Golden Pavilion, the building overlooks a large pond, and each floor features a different architectural style.

Our next stop is Kiyomizu-dera, an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. One of the historic monuments of ancient Tokyo, the temple has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The waters of Otowa Waterfall, located just below the main hall, flow through 3 channels into a pond. According to local belief, these channels represent knowledge, health and longevity, respectively.

We then continue to Fushimi Inari. One of Japan’s best-known Shinto shrines, it is particularly known for its thousands of orange Torii gates. After exploring here, we head to our final stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After completing our visit with views over Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel in Osaka. You will have free time to rest.

Nara's deer and a tea ceremony

After breakfast, guests who wish may join the optional Osaka Castle & Nara and Tea Ceremony Tour (200€), at an extra charge. We begin our tour with a visit to Todaiji Temple. Built in 752 to serve as the center of all Buddhist temples, the temple gradually extended its influence and began to play a role in politics in the 8th century. Todaiji's main hall entered the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. It houses Daibutsu, one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues.

We then visit Nara Park in central Nara. Established in 1880, the park contains many of Nara's main attractions, including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. Hundreds of deer also roam freely in the park. After an opportunity to take photos with the deer, we take part in a traditional Tea Ceremony. We gain hands-on experience preparing traditional Japanese tea and then drink our tea. At the end of our allotted time in the area, we transfer to our hotel. Free time is provided to rest.

Osaka Castle to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out. We then visit Osaka Castle. With a history of approximately 450 years, the five-storey castle is an example of traditional Japanese architecture, with its use of colour and the patterns and shapes decorating each floor. After visiting Osaka Castle, we head to the Outlet for some final shopping. At the time specified by our guide, we transfer to the airport. After completing passport and baggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 22:30 on Turkish Airlines flight TK0087. Our tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul at 05:20 local time the following day. We hope to see you on another trip.