Japan & Korea Tour

Arrival in Seoul

ISTANBUL - SEOUL

We meet our valued guests 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 through the night and we will overnight on the plane. Upon arrival in Seoul, after completing our passport and baggage procedures, we meet our private vehicle that awaits us. Welcome to Seoul, one of the fascinating cities of South Korea's capital where modern life and traditional culture intertwine. After leaving the airport, we head to Myeongdong, one of the city's most vibrant and popular districts. We offer free time for dinner in this area, famous for its cosmetic stores, fashion boutiques, and delicious street food and restaurants. Our guests who wish may 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 check-in procedures, we overnight at our hotel.

Seoul city tour

After breakfast, we begin 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. Known around the world through PSY’s song “Gangnam Style,” the district stands out for its upscale lifestyle, shopping opportunities and business centers. During the tour, Cheongdam Fashion Street, Gangnam Station, Bongeunsa Temple and Starfield Library are among the places we will see panoramically. Our second stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and one of the notable structures of the Joseon Dynasty. Also known as the Northern Palace and regarded as an important example of traditional Korean architecture, the palace offers us the opportunity to experience its historic character up close as we visit its courtyard. We then explore the National Folk Museum of Korea, which presents the culture and historical development of the Korean people. Next, we head to Bukchon Hanok Village, known for its traditional Korean houses, called Hanok. We walk through the narrow streets of this historic district, home to approximately 700 Hanok houses, and observe traditional Korean culture. We then proceed to Myeongdong Street, one of Seoul’s lively shopping destinations. We enjoy free time in this area, known for its cosmetics stores, shops and street food. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

On to Osaka

After breakfast, we complete our hotel check-out and transfer to Seoul Airport. We fly to Osaka with a local airline. After completing passport and baggage procedures upon arrival, we board 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 main historic landmarks. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century, it is one of the most important symbols of Japan’s unification period and offers a historic setting surrounded by extensive parkland. We then continue to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s liveliest and most iconic districts. As we explore its colorful neon lights, bustling streets and renowned restaurants, we discover why Osaka is known as a “culinary center.” Next, we visit Shinsaibashi, the city’s popular shopping and entertainment street. Free time is provided in this area of 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. Our tour begins with Todaiji Temple. The temple was built in 752 with the aim of being the head of all Buddhist temples. Over time, the temple's influence grew and by the 8th century it had also begun to influence politics. Todaiji's main hall has also entered 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 centre of Nara. Established in 1880, it is where most of Nara's main attractions can be found, 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 – KINKAKU-JI 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 Cultural Heritage List. Our city tour begins at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Visitors to the bamboo grove are welcomed by a 500-meter walking trail. During this walk along the trail, you will enjoy memorable moments with the sound of the wind reaching through the bamboo, 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. The impressive structure overlooking a large pond has each floor representing a different architectural style. 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 World Heritage List by UNESCO. Directly below the main hall is the Otowa Waterfall, with water flowing from 3 channels into a pool. According to belief, these channels symbolize knowledge, health, and longevity respectively. We then move 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 stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our temple visit accompanied by beautiful views of Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Bullet train to Tokyo

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

After breakfast, we travel to Tokyo by Shinkansen (high-speed train). We begin our Tokyo city tour with our waiting private bus. Upon arrival in Tokyo, after passport and baggage procedures, we depart for our Tokyo city tour with our waiting private vehicle. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the center of entertainment and cultural experiences. Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most famous and vibrant 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 Tokyo's energy. We'll 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, as well as numerous 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'll have for shopping, we move on to the Ginza district, reflecting the elegance and sophisticated lifestyle of modern Japan. After our tour of Ginza, home to Tokyo's most upscale shopping centers and restaurants, featuring world-famous brands, we'll have free time for dinner. Following our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, we set off for Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island southwest of Tokyo. It is one of the city’s landmarks and Japan’s highest mountain. We first travel to Hakone in the Kanagawa Region, known for its views of Mount Fuji and natural beauty. Here, we take our Boat Tour on Lake Ashi to enjoy the scenery. 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 the area with our guide, we depart for Gotemba Premium Outlet Shopping Center, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centers. Following the designated free time, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple

After breakfast, we begin our city tour, exploring Tokyo’s past alongside its modern way of life. Our first stop is Senso-ji Temple, located in the Asakusa district and one of the city’s landmarks. Considered Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, it was built, according to legend, in honor of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, after two fishermen brothers found her statue. Completed in AD 645, the temple is entered through Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate. Passing through the gate, we walk along Nakamise Shopping Street, which extends approximately 200 meters to the temple. On this historic street, where a traditional Japanese atmosphere is still preserved, you can browse handmade souvenirs, kimonos, folding fans, and various local products. Guests who wish may also sample Asakusa’s famous street food and traditional Japanese flavors. At the end of the street, we pass through Hozomon Gate and visit Senso-ji Temple. We then continue to Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most popular and prestigious districts. With its wide boulevards, modern architecture, luxury shops, art galleries, and refined cafés, the district reveals Tokyo’s elegant side. After exploring the area with commentary from our guide, we provide free time for shopping, discovering the surroundings at your own pace, and taking a meal break. At the end of the free time, we meet at the designated point and depart for our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Return to Istanbul

TOKYO – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we complete our hotel checkout procedures. 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. Following our arrival in Istanbul according to local time, our tour concludes. We hope to see you again on another tour.