Japan & South Korea Tour

Overnight flight to Seoul

Istanbul – Seoul

We meet at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight. After completing baggage drop-off, ticket and boarding procedures, we depart on an Emirates Airlines scheduled flight to Dubai. Upon arrival at local time and after a short wait there, we continue on an Emirates Airlines scheduled flight to Seoul. Our night is spent on the plane.

Arrival in Seoul

Seoul

Upon arrival at Seoul Airport and completion of baggage procedures, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Seoul's palaces and villages

SEOUL – BUKCHON VILLAGE - MYEONGDONG - GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE - INSADONG ANTIQUE STREET

After breakfast, we begin our tour. During our tour, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Antique Street, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Myeongdong Street are among the places we will see on a panoramic basis. Our first stop, Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was built in 1395, is generally referred to as the North Palace because its location is the northernmost when compared to the neighboring palaces Changdeokgung (East Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (West Palace). Afterwards, we will carry out our tour of 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, Korea's most famous shopping and fashion district. On this street, where there are shopping and cosmetics stores and many restaurants, you can do any shopping you wish and taste local flavors before leaving the country. After the designated free time, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

On to Osaka, Dotonbori

SEOUL - DOTONBORI - SHINSAIBASHI - OSAKA

After breakfast at the hotel, we fly to Osaka with a local airline. Upon arrival, after completing passport and baggage procedures, we begin our Osaka city tour with our private coach waiting for us. Osaka, Japan's second largest metropolis after Tokyo, offers its guests an unforgettable experience with its energetic city life and unique atmosphere. Our first stop on the tour will be Dotonbori, one of the most vibrant and iconic districts of Osaka. We enjoy a delightful exploration of this district, which reflects the spirit of Osaka with its colorful neon lights, lively streets and famous restaurants. In Dotonbori, known as the city's "gastronomy center," we will have the opportunity to get to know the local flavors and street culture up close. Then we move on to Shinsaibashi, Osaka's most popular shopping and lifestyle avenue. In this district, filled with long shopping arcades, international brands and local boutiques, our guests will be given free time for shopping. After the designated free time, transfer to the hotel and free time to rest.

Kyoto's temple trail

After breakfast, we set off by private vehicle toward Kyoto, one of Japan's former capitals and one of the best-preserved centres of traditional culture, famous for its temples, gardens and traditional neighbourhoods. After a journey of approximately 1 hour, we begin our city tour. During World War II, Kyoto was the only city in Japan that was not bombed. The city of Kyoto is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We begin our city tour at 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 with the sound of the wind moving through the bamboo, and you will be able to take photos of the forest.

Next, we continue with our visit to Kinkakuji Temple. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple, with its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf, is a Zen temple also known as the Golden Pavilion. The impressive structure overlooks a large pond, and each floor 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 inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Just below the main hall lies the Otowa Waterfall, and the waters flow into a lake through 3 channels. According to belief, these channels symbolise wisdom, health and longevity, respectively.

We then proceed to another important temple of the city, Fushimi Inari. After our visit to this temple, one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, known especially for its thousands of orange torii gates, we move on to our final stop, the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our temple visit with a beautiful view of the city of Kyoto, transfer to our hotel and free time for rest.

Osaka Castle and Nara

OSAKA – OSAKA CASTLE – TODAIJI TEMPLE – NARA DEER PARK – OSAKA

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit Osaka Castle on a panoramic tour. We then set off for our Nara tour. We begin the tour with Todaiji Temple. The temple, built in 752, was constructed with the aim of serving as the head of all Buddhist temples. Growing in influence over time, the temple also began to affect politics in the 8th century. The main hall of Todaiji has entered the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. The massive 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 where most of Nara's main attractions are located, including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. After getting the chance to take photos with the deer wandering around, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Bullet train to Tokyo, Shibuya

OSAKA – SHINKANSEN (BULLET TRAIN) – TOKYO

After breakfast, we transfer to Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train). We begin our Tokyo city tour with our private coach waiting for us. Upon arrival in Tokyo, after completing passport and luggage procedures, we set off with our private vehicle for the Tokyo city tour. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the center of entertainment and cultural experiences. Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most famous and lively neighborhoods, hosts one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). Watching hundreds of people move at once with each light change offers a unique experience to feel the energy of Tokyo. We will see the Hachiko Statue, built in memory of the dog famous for its loyalty and a popular meeting point for locals and tourists, as well as many famous shopping centers, and enjoy our free time. During our tour, we will also see Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower from a panoramic viewpoint. After the designated free time, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, we set out for Mount Fuji, located southwest of Tokyo on Honshu Island and known as one of the city’s symbols and Japan’s highest mountain. Our first stop is Hakone in the Kanagawa Region, known for its views of Mount Fuji and natural scenery. Here, we take a boat tour on Lake Ashi to admire the landscape. After our photo stop, we travel by bus to Oshino Hakkai, where melting snow combines with underground water to form natural pools. As the water passes through volcanic rock, it is naturally filtered, giving the pools their crystal-clear appearance. We have an opportunity to see Mount Fuji reflected in these pools, which vary in size and depth. After our guided visit, we proceed to Gotemba Premium Outlets in the Gotemba Outlet District, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centres. After the designated free time, transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and free time to rest.

Sensoji, Ginza and departure

TOKYO – SENSOJI TEMPLE – AKIHABARA – GINZA – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we set off from our hotel in a private vehicle. 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 go to Yodobashi Electric Town in Akihabara, where we can find hundreds of electronics brands together at affordable prices. After the time we set aside for shopping, we move on to Ginza, a district that can be described as reflecting the sophisticated and elegant side of Modern Japan. Following our tour of this district, which is full of Tokyo's largest shopping centers and best restaurants where you can find world-famous brands, we will have free time for dinner. After the designated free time, we transfer to the airport and fly to Dubai on a scheduled Emirates Airlines flight, and following a short wait, our flight from Dubai to Istanbul begins on a scheduled Emirates Airlines flight.

Arrival in Istanbul

Istanbul

With our arrival in Istanbul, we come to the end of our tour. We hope to see you again on another journey.