Japan Tour

Overnight flight to Osaka

We meet at Istanbul Airport international departure terminal three hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket and boarding procedures, we depart to Osaka at 02:10 with Turkish Airlines flight TK86. Upon arrival at 19:00 local time, we transfer to our hotel by our waiting bus. After check-in, free time to rest.

Kyoto's temples

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

After breakfast, we set off by private vehicle toward Kyoto, one of the best-preserved centres of Japan's traditional culture and the country's former capital, famous for its temples, gardens and traditional neighbourhoods. Following our journey of approximately 1 hour, we begin our city tour. Kyoto was the only place in Japan not bombed during World War II. The city of Kyoto is 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-metre walking path. During this walk along the path, you will enjoy pleasant moments with the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo and you will be able to take photos of the forest. Then, we continue our tour with 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. Afterwards, we move on to Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple located in the east of Kyoto. The temple, which is one of the historic monuments of ancient Tokyo, has been inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Right beneath the main hall is the Otowa Waterfall, and the waters flow into a lake through 3 channels. According to belief, these channels symbolise wisdom, health and longevity, respectively. Then we head to another important temple of the city, Fushimi Inari. After our visit to the temple, which is one of the most famous Shinto shrines in Japan and is especially known for its thousands of orange Torii gates, we move on to our final stop, the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. After our temple visit accompanied by a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Kyoto, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Nara and the tea ceremony

OSAKA – OSAKA CASTLE - NARA – TEA CEREMONY – OSAKA

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for our panoramic Nara tour. We begin our tour 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 the temple had also begun to have an impact on politics. The main hall of Todaiji has written its name into the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. The colossal building is home to one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). Then we visit Nara Park, a large park in the centre 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 taking the chance to photograph the deer wandering around, we take part in a traditional Tea Ceremony. After the enjoyable time allocated in the area, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest. After our temple visit, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Dotonbori and Kobe

OSAKA - DOTONBORI - KOBE - OSAKA

After breakfast, we visit the Dotonbori area. Following the free time given here, we set off by coach towards Kobe. In our tour of Kobe, whose name means "God's Door," we first visit Ikuta Shrine, one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in the city. During our tour, the Kobe Port Tower, Meriken Park, and Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi) will also be seen panoramically. After our visits, we give free time for shopping and exploring the surroundings. We meet at the designated time and transfer to our hotel. Free time to rest during the remaining hours.

Bullet train to Tokyo

After breakfast we leave our hotel at the time set by our guide and go to the railway station for the high-speed train journey to Tokyo. We take only our daily essentials with us; our large suitcases are sent to our Tokyo hotel through the transfer company arranged by our firm. After a journey of about two and a half hours on the Shinkansen, which can reach speeds of about 320 km/h, we arrive in Tokyo.

Our first stop is Shibuya, known as a centre of entertainment and culture. One of Tokyo's best-known and busiest districts, Shibuya is home to one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Hundreds of people moving at once each time the lights change is a unique way to feel Tokyo's energy. We also see the statue made in memory of Hachiko, known for his loyalty, and several well-known shopping centres, followed by free time. During the tour we see Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower from the coach. At the end of the tour we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Sensoji, Akihabara and Ginza

TOKYO SENSOJI – YODOBASHI ELECTRIC TOWN AKIHABARA – GINZA – TOKYO

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel by private vehicle. First, we head to Sensoji Temple, built in 645 and the oldest temple in Tokyo, regarded as one of the city's most important religious centres since the Edo period. After our visit here, we continue to Yodobashi Electric Town, where hundreds of electronics brands can be found together at affordable prices. Following the time set aside for shopping, we move on to Ginza, a district that reflects the sophisticated and elegant side of modern Japan. After our tour of this area, home to world-famous brands, Tokyo's largest shopping centres and some of the best restaurants, you will have free time for dinner. Transfer back to our hotel at the time announced by our guide, followed by free time to relax.

Mount Fuji and Hakone

After breakfast, we depart for Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak, rising southwest of Tokyo on Honshu Island. Our first stop is the Hakone Region, renowned for its impressive views of Mount Fuji and natural beauty. Here, we will take an enjoyable boat trip on Lake Ashinoko, accompanied by the distinctive silhouette of Mount Fuji. We will then ascend by cable car to the Mototsumiya Shrine observation hill for a closer look at this notable view. After a photo stop, we continue to Oshino Hakkai, where melting snow meets underground water to form natural pools. Filtering through volcanic rocks, the water creates crystal-clear pools. We will have the opportunity to see the striking reflection of Mount Fuji in these pools of various sizes. After this guided excursion, we depart for Gotemba Premium Outlets, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centers. At the end of the day, we will transfer to our hotel at the time specified by our guide, followed by free time to rest.

Return to Istanbul

TOKYO - ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we complete the check-out procedures at the hotel. On this final day, our guests can continue with shopping. Following the free time that will be given in Shibuya, we transfer to the airport at the time determined by the guide and begin our flight to Istanbul with a scheduled service of Turkish Airlines, and upon our arrival in Istanbul, our tour comes to an end.