South Korea and Japan Tour

Arrival in Seoul

ISTANBUL - SEOUL

We meet our valued guests at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, approximately 3 hours before the flight time. (1 calendar day before the departure flight date). 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. Upon arrival in Seoul, we complete our passport and baggage procedures and meet our private vehicle that will be waiting for us. Welcome to Seoul, the capital of South Korea and one of the fascinating cities where modern life and traditional culture intertwine. After departing from the airport, we head to Myeongdong, one of the most vibrant and popular districts of the city. This area, famous for its cosmetic stores, fashion boutiques, and delicious street food and restaurants, offers free time for dinner. Guests who wish may experience the exquisite flavors of Korean cuisine, go shopping, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Myeongdong. After the free time, we meet at the designated time and transfer to our hotel. After check-in procedures, we spend the night at our hotel.

Seoul city tour

After breakfast, we depart 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 global fame through PSY’s internationally recognized song “Gangnam Style,” is known for its luxury lifestyle, shopping opportunities, and business centers. During the tour, we enjoy panoramic views of Cheongdam Fashion Street, Gangnam Station, Bongeunsa Temple, and Starfield Library. We then continue to Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and one of the most important structures of the Joseon Dynasty. Also known as the Northern Palace, it is one of the principal examples of traditional Korean architecture. During our visit to the palace courtyard, we experience the area’s historic atmosphere up close. Our next stop is the National Folk Museum of Korea, which reflects the Korean people’s way of life and historical development. We continue to Bukchon Hanok Village, known for its Hanok buildings, which are traditional Korean houses. We walk through the narrow streets of this historic district, home to approximately 700 Hanok houses, and observe traditional ways of life. We then visit Myeongdong Street, one of Seoul’s bustling shopping destinations. We enjoy free time in the district, which is known for its cosmetics stores, shops, and street food. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

On to Osaka

After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures and transfer to Seoul Airport. We fly to Osaka with a local airline. Upon arrival, we complete passport and baggage procedures, meet our waiting private coach, and begin our Osaka City Tour, including 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 considered one of the principal symbols of Japan’s unification period. We visit the castle and its extensive surrounding park, learning about the area’s history up close. We then continue to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s liveliest and most iconic districts. As we explore the area, whose colorful neon lights, bustling streets, and well-known restaurants reflect the spirit of the city, we discover why Osaka is known as a “culinary center.” Our next stop is Shinsaibashi, Osaka’s popular shopping and lifestyle district. Guests have free time in this area, known for its long shopping arcades, international brands, and local boutiques. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Nara's deer

OSAKA – TODAIJI TEMPLE - NARA DEER PARK – OSAKA

After breakfast, we depart for our Nara tour. We start our tour with 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. The main hall of Todaiji holds the record as the world's largest wooden structure. The massive building also houses one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). Next, we visit Nara Park, a large park located in the center of Nara. Established in 1880, the area 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 having the chance to take photos with the deer wandering around, we transfer back to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Kyoto's temples

OSAKA – ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE – KINKAKUJI TEMPLE – KIYOMIZU-DERA – FUSHIMI INARI – KYOTO

After breakfast, we depart by private vehicle for 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 start our city tour at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Visitors to the bamboo grove are welcomed by a 500-meter walking trail. During this walk, you will enjoy pleasant moments accompanied by the sound of the wind reaching through the bamboos, and you will be able to take photos of the forest. We then continue with our Kinkakuji Temple tour. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Each floor of the impressive building overlooking a large pond represents a different architectural style. We then proceed to Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto. One of the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, the temple has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Immediately below the main hall is the Otowa Waterfall, with waters flowing into a pool through three channels. According to belief, these channels symbolize knowledge, health and longevity respectively. We then move on to another important temple of the city, Fushimi Inari. After our visit to one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, particularly known for its thousands of orange torii gates, we proceed to our final destination, 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.

Bullet train to Tokyo

KYOTO – SHINKANSEN (BULLET TRAIN) – SHIBUYA – AKIHABARA – YODOBASHI – GINZA – TOKYO

After breakfast, we travel to Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train). We begin our Tokyo city tour with our private bus waiting for us. Upon arrival in Tokyo, after passport and luggage 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. Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most famous and lively districts, is home to one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). Experiencing hundreds of people crossing at once with every traffic light change offers a unique way to feel the energy of Tokyo. We will see the Hachiko statue, built in memory of a dog known for its loyalty that serves as a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike, as well as many famous shopping centers, and we will 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 allow for shopping, we proceed 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 prestigious shopping centers and restaurants, we allow 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 recognized as one of the city’s landmarks and Japan’s highest mountain. We first visit 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 coach to Oshino Hakkai, where melting snow combines with underground water to form natural pools. Naturally filtered as it passes through volcanic rock, the water gives the pools a crystal-clear appearance. You can see Mount Fuji reflected in these pools of varying sizes and depths. After exploring with our guide, we continue to Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centers. Following the designated free time, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Return to Istanbul

TOKYO – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we complete our checkout from the hotel. At the time arranged by our guide, we transfer to the airport, and after completing the baggage and ticketing procedures here, our flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines begins. Upon arrival in Istanbul according to local time, our tour comes to an end. We hope to see you again on another one of our tours..