South Korea and Japan Tour , March 5

ISTANBUL – DOHA - SEOUL We meet at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal, three hours before the flight. After completing baggage, ticket and boarding procedures, our scheduled Qatar Airways flight to Doha begins, and we arrive in Doha local time. After our short layover here, we fly to Seoul on a scheduled Qatar Airways flight. Our night is spent on the plane.

Seoul Upon arrival at Seoul Airport and after completing baggage procedures, we proceed to our hotel and have free time to rest.

SEOUL – BUKCHON VILLAGE – MYEONGDONG – GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE – INSADONG ANTIQUE STREET After breakfast, our tour begins. During our tour, the places we will see panoramically include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Antique Street, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Myeongdong Street. Our first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395. Compared to its neighboring palaces, Changdeokgung (East Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (West Palace), it is the most northern in location and is therefore commonly referred to as the Northern Palace. We then continue with our tour of Bukchon Hanok Village, whose name means Northern Village. Hanok are traditional Korean houses, and there are approximately 700 Hanok in this village. Next, we head to Myeongdong Street, one of Seoul's most vibrant shopping areas. We enjoy free time in this area, famous for its cosmetic stores, shopping boutiques, and street food. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and transfer to Seoul Airport. We fly to Osaka with a domestic airline. Following our arrival, we complete passport and baggage procedures, then board our waiting private coach and depart for the Osaka City Tour, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Our first stop is Osaka Castle, one of the city’s important historic landmarks. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century, it is an important symbol of the period when Japan was unified. Together with its extensive parkland, it offers visitors a historic atmosphere. We then continue to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s lively and iconic districts. As we explore the area, whose colourful neon lights, bustling streets and famous restaurants reflect the spirit of the city, we discover why Osaka is known as a centre of gastronomy. We then proceed to Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s popular shopping and lifestyle district. We provide our guests with free time in the area, which is filled with long shopping arcades, international brands and local boutiques. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

OSAKA – TODAIJI TEMPLE - NARA DEER PARK – KYOTO After breakfast, we complete our hotel checkout and depart for our Nara tour. We begin our tour at Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was constructed to serve as the head of all Buddhist temples. Over time, the temple's influence grew, and by the 8th century it began to influence politics as well. Todaiji's main hall has earned its place in the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). We then visit Nara Park, a large park in the center 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 having the chance to take photos with the deer wandering around, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

KYOTO - ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST - KINKAKUJI TEMPLE - KIYOMIZU DERA - FUSHIMI INARI - KYOTO After breakfast, we depart by private vehicle towards Kyoto, Japan's former capital and one of the best-preserved centers of traditional culture, famous for its temples, gardens and traditional neighborhoods. Following our approximately 1 hour journey, 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 listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We begin our city tour at the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Visitors to the bamboo forest are greeted by a 500-meter walking trail. During this walk along the trail, you will enjoy pleasant moments with the sound of the wind reaching through the bamboos, and you will be able to take pictures of the forest. We then continue with our Kinkakuji Temple tour. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple is a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, also known as the Golden Pavilion. The impressive structure overlooking a large pond has each floor representing a different architectural style. We then proceed to Kiyomizu-dera.

KYOTO – MOUNT FUJI – HAKONE – LAKE ASHI – OSHINO HAKKAI – GOTEMBA OUTLET – TOKYO After breakfast, we set off aboard the Shinkansen (bullet train) for Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island southwest of Tokyo. It is one of the city’s landmarks 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 enjoy the views. After a photo stop, we continue by bus to Oshino Hakkai, where melting snow combines with groundwater to form natural pools. As the water passes through volcanic rock, it is naturally filtered, giving the pools their crystal-clear appearance. You can see Mount Fuji reflected in these pools of varying sizes and depths. Following our guided tour, we depart for Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centers. After the designated free time, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest. Transportation between Kyoto and Tokyo will be by bullet train to save time and make the journey easier. For this day, guests only need to bring hand luggage containing what they will need for one night.

TOKYO – SHIBUYA – SHINJUKU - AKIHABARA – YODOBASHI ELECTRIC TOWN - GINZA After breakfast, we begin our Tokyo city tour with our private vehicle. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the center 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). Witnessing hundreds of people crossing at once with every traffic light change offers a unique experience to feel Tokyo's energy. We will see the Hachiko statue, made in memory of a dog known for its loyalty, which is also popular as a meeting point for locals and tourists, as well as many famous shopping centers, and enjoy our free time. Our next stop will be Yodobashi Electric Town, located in Akihabara, where you can find hundreds of electronic brands all together at affordable prices. After the free time we allocate for shopping, we move on to the Ginza district, which reflects the elegance and sophisticated lifestyle of modern Japan. After the tour we will conduct in Ginza, home to world-famous brands and Tokyo's most exclusive shopping centers and restaurants, we allow free time for dinner.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and begin our city tour, discovering Tokyo’s past alongside its modern life. Our first stop is Senso-ji Temple in the Asakusa district, one of the city’s landmarks. Regarded as Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, this historic structure was built, according to legend, in honour of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, after two fishermen brothers found her statue. At the entrance to the temple, completed in AD 645, stands Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate. Passing through the gate, we walk along the approximately 200-metre-long Nakamise Shopping Street leading to the temple. On this street, which preserves a traditional Japanese atmosphere, you can browse handmade souvenirs, kimonos, folding fans and various regional products. Guests who wish may also sample Asakusa’s famous street food and traditional Japanese flavours. At the end of the street, we pass through Hozomon Gate and visit Senso-ji Temple. We then proceed to Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most popular and prestigious districts. With its broad boulevards, modern architecture, luxury shops, art galleries and refined cafés, we explore the area with commentary from our guide.

Arrival in Istanbul marks the end of our tour. We hope to see you again on our next journey...