Japan and Korea Tour

Overnight flight to Seoul

Istanbul – Seoul

Dear valued guests, we meet at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal approximately 3 hours before the flight time. After completing our baggage check-in and passport procedures, we depart for Seoul on Turkish Airlines' scheduled flight. Our journey to Seoul will continue throughout the night, and we will spend the night on the aircraft.

Arrival in Seoul, Myeongdong

Upon our arrival in Seoul, we complete passport and baggage procedures and meet our private vehicle. Welcome to Seoul, the capital of South Korea and one of the enchanting cities where modern life and traditional culture intertwine. After departing the airport, we head to Myeongdong, one of the most vibrant and popular districts of the city. This area is famous for its cosmetics stores, fashion boutiques as well as delicious street food and restaurants. We provide free time for dinner. Guests who wish can experience the exquisite flavors of Korean cuisine, go shopping, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Myeongdong. After free time, we meet at the designated time and transfer to our hotel. After completing hotel check-in procedures, we overnight at our hotel.

Seoul city tour

After breakfast, we set off for our Seoul City Tour, including Gangnam Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Antique Street, the National Folk Museum of Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village and Myeongdong. Our first stop is Gangnam Square. The district, which gained worldwide fame through PSY’s internationally known song “Gangnam Style,” is noted for its luxury lifestyle, shopping opportunities and business centres. During our tour, we see Cheongdam Fashion Street, Gangnam Station, Bongeunsa Temple and Starfield Library on a panoramic tour. We then continue to Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and one of the most important buildings of the Joseon Dynasty. Also known as the Northern Palace and considered one of the leading examples of traditional Korean architecture, the palace offers a close look at the area’s historic atmosphere as we visit its courtyard. Next, we visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, which reflects the Korean people’s way of life and historical development. Our tour continues to Bukchon Hanok Village, known for its traditional Korean houses called hanok. We walk through the narrow streets of this historic district, which contains approximately 700 hanok houses, and observe traditional Korean life. We then proceed to Myeongdong Street, one of Seoul’s liveliest shopping destinations. We enjoy free time in this district, known for its cosmetics stores, shops and street food. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

On to Tokyo, Shibuya

SEOUL – TOKYO - SHINKANSEN (HIGH-SPEED TRAIN) – SHIBUYA – AKIHABARA – YODOBASHI – GINZA - TOKYO

After breakfast, we complete our hotel checkout and transfer to Seoul Airport. We fly to Tokyo with a local airline. Upon arrival in Tokyo, after passport and baggage procedures, we depart for our Tokyo city tour with our private vehicle waiting for us. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the center of entertainment and cultural experiences. One of Tokyo's most famous and lively districts, Shibuya is home to one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). The sight of hundreds of people moving at once at every light change offers a unique experience to feel Tokyo's energy. 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 centers, and enjoy our free time. Our next stop will be Yodobashi Electric Town in Akihabara, where you can find hundreds of electronic brands all in one place at affordable prices. After the free time we allocate for shopping, we move to the Ginza district, which reflects the elegance and sophisticated lifestyle of modern Japan. After our tour in Ginza, home to world-famous brands and Tokyo's most exclusive shopping centers and restaurants, we provide free time for dinner. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, we set off for Mount Fuji, located southwest of Tokyo on Honshu Island and known as one of the city’s symbols and Japan’s highest mountain. First, we travel to 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 travel by bus to Oshino Hakkai, where melting snow combines with underground water to form natural pools. Naturally filtered as it passes through volcanic rock, the water creates crystal-clear pools. Mount Fuji can be seen reflected in these pools, which vary in size and depth. After exploring with our guide, we continue to the Gotemba Premium Outlet Shopping Center, 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.

Kyoto's temple trail

Day 6 TOKYO – ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST - KINKAKUJI TEMPLE – KIYOMIZU DERA –FUSHIMI INARI - KYOTO

After breakfast, we travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen (bullet train). We begin with our waiting private bus. We depart for Kyoto, Japan's former capital and one of the best-preserved centers of traditional culture, renowned for its temples, gardens and traditional neighborhoods, in our private vehicle. 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 Cultural Heritage List. We begin our city tour with 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 memorable moments with the sound of wind reaching through the bamboos and will be able to take photos of the forest. We then continue with our tour of Kinkakuji Temple. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple, a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, is also known as the Golden Pavilion. The impressive structure overlooking a large pond represents a different architectural style on each floor. We then proceed to Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto. The temple, one of the historic monuments of ancient Tokyo, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Directly below the main hall is the Otowa Waterfall and the waters flow from 3 channels into a pool. According to belief, these channels symbolize knowledge, health and longevity respectively. We then proceed to another important temple of the city, Fushimi Inari. After our tour at the temple, one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines and particularly known for its thousands of orange torii gates, we proceed to our final stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Following our temple visit accompanied by beautiful views of Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel and have free time for rest.

Nara's deer park, to Osaka

KYOTO – TODAIJI TEMPLE - NARA DEER PARK – OSAKA

After breakfast in the morning, we complete our check-out procedures from the hotel and depart for our Nara tour. We begin our tour with Todaiji Temple. The temple, built in 752, was constructed with the aim of becoming the head of all Buddhist temples. Over time, its influence grew and by the 8th century it began to influence politics. Todaiji's main hall has also written its name in the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. The massive building houses one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). Then, we visit Nara Park, a large park in the center of Nara. Established in 1880, it 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.

Osaka Castle and Dotonbori

After breakfast, we depart by private coach for our Osaka City Tour, including Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. Our first stop is Osaka Castle, one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century, the castle is one of the key symbols of Japan’s unification period. We explore the castle and its extensive parkland while experiencing the area’s historic atmosphere. We then continue to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s liveliest and most iconic districts. As we explore this area, which reflects the spirit of the city through its colourful neon lights, bustling streets and famous restaurants, we discover why Osaka is known as a “centre of gastronomy.” Next, we visit Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s most popular shopping and lifestyle street. Our guests have free time in this district, which is filled with long shopping arcades, international brands and local boutiques. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Return to Istanbul

After breakfast we complete the hotel check-out. At the time set by our guide we transfer to the airport. After baggage and ticket procedures, our Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul departs. Our tour ends on arrival in Istanbul, local time. We hope to see you again on another of our tours.