Japan Tour

Overnight flight to Tokyo

ISTANBUL – TOKYO – SHIBUYA – TOKYO

We meet at Istanbul Airport international departure terminal three hours before the flight. After baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures, we depart for Tokyo on Turkish Airlines flight TK50 at 15:25. Our night is spent on the aircraft.

Tokyo and Shibuya

TOKYO – SHIBUYA – TOKYO

On our arrival in Tokyo at 08:45 local time, after passport and baggage procedures, we depart for a 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 moving at once with each light change offers a unique experience to feel Tokyo's energy. We will also see the Hachiko statue, built 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. Additionally, Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower are among the places we will see panoramically during our tour. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Sensoji and Ginza

TOKYO SENSŌJI – YODOBASHI ELECTRIC TOWN AKIHABARA – GINZA – TOKYO

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel by private vehicle. Our first stop is Sensōji Temple, built in 645 and Tokyo's oldest temple, which has been considered one of Tokyo's most important religious centers since the Edo period. After our visit here, we head to Yodobashi Electric Town in Akihabara, where you can find hundreds of electronic brands all in one place at affordable prices. Following your shopping time, we move on to Ginza, a district that reflects the sophisticated side and elegance of modern Japan. After exploring the area, filled with world-renowned brands, Tokyo's largest shopping centers and finest restaurants, we will have free time for lunch. Transfer to our hotel at the time specified by our guide and free time to rest.

Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, we depart for Mount Fuji, located southwest of Tokyo on Honshu Island. It is one of the city’s landmarks and the highest mountain in Japan. First, we travel to Hakone in the Kanagawa Region, known for its views of Mount Fuji and natural beauty. After a boat trip on Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji, we take the cable cars up to the Mototsumiya Shrine observation hill. Following a photo stop, we travel 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 a crystal-clear appearance. You can see Mount Fuji reflected on the surfaces of these pools, which vary in size and depth. After our guided tour, we depart for Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centers. At the time specified by our guide, we transfer to our hotel, followed by free time to rest.

Bullet train to Osaka

TOKYO – (SHINKANSEN) – DOTONBORI – OSAKA

After breakfast, at the time determined by our guide, we depart from our hotel and head to the train station for our Shinkansen (bullet train) journey to Osaka, one of the world's great train experiences. We take only our daily use items with us. (Our large suitcases will be separately transferred to our Osaka hotel by the transfer company arranged by our company.) After approximately a 2 and a half hour journey on the high-speed train that can reach speeds of up to approximately 320 km per hour, we arrive in Osaka. Following Tokyo, Osaka is Japan's second-largest metropolitan area. We conduct our Osaka city tour. The tour includes the Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two structures with a length of 173 meters. The Umeda Sky Building stands 173 meters tall and consists of two 40-story towers. These towers are connected to each other by an "observatory platform" at the upper section. During our tour, we will ascend to the observatory on the 39th floor and enjoy panoramic views of Osaka. Following the Umeda Sky Building, we proceed to the Dotonbori district, which gained fame during the Edo period for theater stages and performing arts, and today has become a lively and entertaining tourist attraction that blends traditional Japanese culture with a modern entertainment concept. Osaka is known as Japan's culinary capital, and the Dotonbori district is filled with restaurants that confirm this title. After the pleasant time allocated for the area, we transfer to our hotel and have free hours to rest.

Kyoto's temples

OSAKA – ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST – KINKAKUJI TEMPLE – KIYOMIZU-DERA – FUSHIMI INARI – OSAKA

After our breakfast, we depart by private vehicle towards Kyoto, the former capital of Japan 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. We start our city tour with 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 peaceful moments with the sound of the wind reaching through the bamboos and will be able to take photos of the forest. We then continue with our Kinkakuji Temple tour. 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 building overlooking a large pond features a different architectural style on each floor. We then proceed 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 listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Directly below the main hall is the Otowa waterfall and the waters flow from 3 channels into a lake. 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 at the temple, which is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines and is particularly known for its thousands of orange torii gates, we proceed to our final stop, the Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple, which is 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 for rest.

Nara and a tea ceremony

OSAKA – NARA – TEA CEREMONY – OSAKA

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our panoramic Nara tour. Our tour begins with Todaiji Temple. The temple, built in 752, was constructed to serve as the head of all Buddhist temples. Over time, its influence grew and by the 8th century it began to influence politics. The main hall of Todaiji has made 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). We then visit Nara Park, a large park in the center of Nara. Established in 1880, the park 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 participate in a traditional Tea Ceremony. We experience the traditional Japanese tea preparation first-hand, sip our tea and after the leisure time allocated for the area, we are transferred to our hotel and have free hours to rest.

Osaka Castle and home

OSAKA – OSAKA CASTLE – OUTLET – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel. Osaka Castle, the five-story castle with a history dating back approximately 450 years, is not only one of the country's most visually stunning creations but also a beautiful testament to traditional Japanese architecture, from its delicate color balance to the elegant patterns and designs adorning each floor. After Osaka Castle, we enter the large Outlet to complete our final shopping. Transfer to the airport at the time indicated by our guide. After passport and baggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 22:30 on Turkish Airlines flight TK87. Arrival at 05:20 local time marks the end of our tour.

We hope to see you on another trip!