Japan and South Korea Tour

Istanbul to Tokyo

ISTANBUL – DUBAI – TOKYO

We meet at the Istanbul Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and boarding procedures, we depart for Dubai at 23:20 on Emirates Airlines flight EK118. Upon arrival at 04:50 local time, after our transfer, we continue on Emirates Airlines flight EK312 departing at 07:45 to Tokyo. We spend the night on the plane.

Arrival in Tokyo

TOKYO

After our arrival at 22:25 local time, we transfer to our hotel by our private coach. Following check-in, free time to rest.

Shibuya's energy

TOKYO – SHIBUYA – TOKYO

After our breakfast, we start our Tokyo tour. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the centre of entertainment and cultural experiences. Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most famous and lively districts, is home to one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). Watching hundreds of people move at once with every change of the lights, to feel Tokyo's energy, offers a unique experience. We will see the Hachiko Statue, built in memory of a dog known for its loyalty, which is also a popular meeting point for locals and tourists, and many famous shopping centres, and enjoy our free time. During our tour, Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower will also be among the places we will see panoramically. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Optional Sensoji and Ginza

TOKYO SENSOJI – YODOBASHI ELECTRIC TOWN AKIHABARA – GINZA - TOKYO

After breakfast, our guests who wish to do so may join the optional Extra Tokyo & Sensoji & Akihabara & Ginza Tour (150€). First, we head to Sensoji Temple, which was built in 645 and is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and has been considered one of the most important religious centers of Tokyo since the Edo period. After our visit here, we head to Yodobashi Electric Town, where we can find hundreds of electronic brands together at affordable prices. After the time we set aside for shopping, we move on to Ginza, which we can describe as the district reflecting the sophisticated and elegant side of modern Japan. Following our tour of this district, which is filled with world-renowned names, Tokyo's largest shopping malls and the best restaurants, we will have free time for dinner. At the time announced by our guide, transfer to our hotel and free time to relax.

Optional Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, guests who wish may join the optional full-day Mount Fuji, Hakone & Oshino Hakkai Tour (200€). We depart for Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island southwest of Tokyo and recognised as one of the city’s symbols and Japan’s highest mountain. We first proceed to Hakone in the Kanagawa region, known for its views of Mount Fuji and natural scenery. Following a boat trip on Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji, we board the cable cars and ascend to the Mototsumiya Shrine observation hill. After our photo stop, we travel by coach to Oshino Hakkai, where melting snow combines with underground water to form natural pools. Filtered naturally as it passes through volcanic rock, the water gives the pools a crystal-clear appearance. Mount Fuji can be seen reflected in these pools, which vary in size and depth. After our guided visit, we proceed to Gotemba Premium Outlet Shopping Centre, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centres. At the time specified by our guide, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Bullet train to Osaka

TOKYO – (SHINKANSEN) – DOTONBORI – OSAKA

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel at the time set by our guide and head to the train station for our Shinkansen (bullet train) journey to Osaka, one of the world's great high-speed train rides. We take only our daily-use belongings with us. (Our large suitcases will be transferred separately to our Osaka hotel by the transfer company arranged by our firm.) After an approximately two-and-a-half-hour journey on the bullet train, which can reach speeds of around 320 km per hour, we arrive in Osaka. We then go on a city tour of Osaka, Japan's second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. One of the sights on our tour is the Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two structures 173 metres tall. The Umeda Sky Building consists of two 40-storey towers 173 metres in height. These towers are connected at the top by an "observatory platform." During the tour, we will go up to the observatory on the 39th floor and enjoy a panoramic view of Osaka. After the Umeda Sky Building, we move on to the Dotonbori district, which gained fame in the Edo Period for its theatre stages and performing arts and has today become a lively and entertaining tourist attraction that blends traditional Japanese culture with a modern approach to entertainment. Osaka is known as the culinary capital of Japan, and the Dotonbori district is full of restaurants that live up to this title. After the enjoyable time allocated to the district, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Optional Kyoto temples

OSAKA – ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST – KINKAKUJI TEMPLE – KIYOMIZU DERA – FUSHIMI INARI – OSAKA

After breakfast, guests who wish to do so may join the full-day optional Kyoto & Bamboo Forest & Kinkakuji Temple & Kiyomizu Dera & Fushimi Inari Tour (200€). We set off towards Kyoto, one of the best-preserved centres of traditional culture in the country, famous for its temples, gardens and traditional neighbourhoods and the former capital of Japan. Following our journey of approximately 1 hour, we begin our city tour. During World War II, Kyoto was the only place in Japan that was not bombed. The city of Kyoto is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We begin our city tour with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Visitors to the bamboo forest are welcomed by a 500-metre walking path. During this walk along the path, you will enjoy pleasant moments listening to the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo and will be able to take pictures of the forest. We then continue with our Kinkakuji Temple tour. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple, whose top two floors are covered entirely in gold leaf, is also known as the Golden Pavilion. Each floor of this impressive structure overlooking a large pond represents a different architectural style. We then move on to Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple located in the east of Kyoto. The temple, one of the historic monuments of ancient Tokyo, has been included on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Right below the main hall lies the Otowa Waterfall, and its waters flow into a lake through 3 channels. According to belief, these channels symbolise knowledge, health and longevity respectively. We then proceed to another important temple of the city, Fushimi Inari. After our visit to this temple, one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan and known especially for its thousands of orange torii gates, we move on to our final stop, the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our temple visit accompanied by a beautiful city view of Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Optional Nara and tea ceremony

OSAKA – OSAKA CASTLE - NARA – TEA CEREMONY – OSAKA

After breakfast, guests who wish to join the Optional Osaka Castle & Nara and Tea Ceremony Tour (200€) may do so. We begin by visiting Osaka Castle. After viewing the castle from the outside and taking a photo break, we set off for our panoramic Nara tour. We start the tour with Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was constructed with the aim of serving as the head of all Buddhist temples. Over time, its influence grew, and in the 8th century it also began to affect politics. The main hall of Todaiji has made its name in the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. The vast building is home to one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). Afterwards, we visit Nara Park, a large park in the centre of Nara. Established in 1880, the park is home to most of Nara's main attractions, including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. After taking the chance to take photos with the deer wandering around, we attend a traditional Tea Ceremony wearing Japan's local garment, the Kimono. After the enjoyable time allocated for the area, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest. After the temple visit, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Osaka to Seoul

OSAKA – SEOUL

After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel. We transfer to the airport at the time announced by our guide. We take a flight to Seoul with the local airline. After our arrival in Seoul, we begin our panoramic city tour. We set off for our Gangnam Square tour. Meaning "south of the Han River," Gangnam is the third largest district of Seoul. The area became popular after PSY's Gangnam Style song, and the panoramic sights to see include Cheongdam Fashion Street, Gangnam Station, Bongeunsa Temple, and the Starfield Library. After our shopping, meal, and photo break, free time until the transfer time to be announced by our guide. Then transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Seoul to Istanbul

SEOUL – DUBAI – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we complete the hotel check-out procedures. Guests who wish to do so may join the Seoul City Tour (150 €). During our tour, we will see Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Antique Street, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Myeongdong Street on a panoramic basis. Our first stop, Gyeongbokgung Palace, was built in 1395, and since its location is the northernmost when compared with the neighbouring palaces Changdeokgung (East Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (West Palace), it is commonly known as the North Palace. Afterwards, we will visit Bukchon Hanok Village, whose name means North Village. Hanok are Korea's traditional houses, and there are approximately 700 hanok in this village. Then, transfer to Myeongdong, South Korea's most famous shopping and fashion district. On this street, which is home to shopping and cosmetics stores as well as many restaurants, you can do any shopping you like and taste local flavours before leaving the country. At the end of the tour, transfer to the airport at the time to be announced by our guide. Our flight to Dubai begins at 23:55 with Emirates flight EK323. After our arrival in Dubai at 04:25, our next flight, EK 123, departs at 10:40 for Istanbul. Following our arrival in Istanbul at 14:25 local time, our tour comes to an end.

We hope to meet again on another one of our trips..