Japan and Korea Tour, 12 Days from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines

After passport and ticket formalities, Turkish Airlines flight TK198 departs at 02:00 for Tokyo, the capital of Japan. The night is spent in the air. After landing at 19:20 local time, we are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel by private vehicle. Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK198, Istanbul 02:00, Tokyo 19:20 local time. Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

This morning, after breakfast, the Tokyo city tour begins. The first stop is Meiji Shrine, built in memory of Japan's first emperor, Meiji, its traditional architecture and quiet gardens setting a captivating tone. We then take in the panoramic views from Tokyo Tower, passing the National Diet Building along the way. The tour closes with free time on Ginza, Tokyo's hub for luxury shopping and culture. Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we set off on a full-day tour to explore Mount Fuji, one of Japan's iconic symbols, and its surroundings. We travel by private coach to the Hakone region, and with the guide sharing insight into Japanese culture and history, climb to the 5th Station of Mount Fuji, weather permitting, for its sweeping views. Lunch follows at a local restaurant with a traditional Japanese menu. We then continue to the shore of the UNESCO-protected lake, where a boat tour offers views of Mount Fuji reflected on the water. We return to Tokyo at the end of the tour. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we set off on a full-day tour to explore Japan's cultural heritage in Kamakura. Located about an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura is one of Japan's ancient capitals, known for its temples and peaceful atmosphere. The first stop is Kotoku-in Temple, home to the great bronze Buddha known as the Daibutsu. We continue to Hokoku-ji Temple, an important center of Zen Buddhism, where a walk through its bamboo garden is followed by traditional Japanese tea. We return to the hotel in Tokyo by the end of the day. Accommodation: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

This morning we leave Tokyo for Osaka aboard Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet train. After leaving the hotel at 08:00 we head to the station for the roughly two-and-a-half-hour journey, experiencing the comfort of a train that can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. On arrival in Osaka we begin a panoramic city tour by private vehicle, taking in Osaka Castle, the Umeda Sky Building and Dotonbori, one of the city's liveliest districts. We return to the hotel after the tour. Accommodation: Sarasa Hotel Osaka, 3-star or similar.

Today brings Japan's traditional culture into full view. After breakfast we begin a full-day tour of Kyoto and Nara. The first stop is Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, famed for its gilded structure and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch follows with traditional Japanese cuisine. In the afternoon we head to Nara, one of Japan's earliest capitals, to explore Todai-ji Temple with its giant Buddha statue and Nara Park, known for its free-roaming deer. We return to Osaka in the evening. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Sarasa Hotel Osaka, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we set off on a half-day tour of Kobe, one of Japan's important port cities, known for its natural beauty and historic texture. The first stop is the Earthquake Memorial Park, dedicated to the Great Hanshin Earthquake, followed by a short walk and photo break around Kobe Harbor. Kobe's Chinatown, Nankinmachi, is another stop, and the tour closes at the Hakutsuru Sake Museum, known for traditional Japanese sake production. We return to the hotel in Osaka at the end of the tour. Accommodation: Sarasa Hotel Osaka, 3-star or similar.

Early this morning we leave the hotel for Kansai Airport (KIX). Asiana Airlines' scheduled flight departs at 10:50 for Seoul, the capital of South Korea, landing at Incheon Airport (ICN) at 12:50 local time. A private vehicle transfers us into the city center for our first exploration of Seoul. The half-day tour takes in Ikseon-dong Village, where traditional Korean houses from the Joseon Dynasty carry a historic atmosphere, followed by a panoramic view of Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace, with a chance to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The tour closes with free time on Myeongdong Shopping Street, a look at Seoul's modern face. Flight details: Asiana Airlines, Osaka 10:50, Seoul (Incheon) 12:50 local time. Accommodation: Ramada Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel, 4-star or similar.

This morning, after breakfast, we begin a full-day tour of South Korea's historical and cultural heritage. The first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built by the Joseon Dynasty in the 14th century and preserved to this day. After exploring its architecture, we visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to learn about the country's past. We continue to Ikseon-dong Village, surrounded by traditional Korean houses that offer a close look at hanok architecture and Korea's traditional way of life. A walk along Insadong Street, one of Seoul's historic markets, follows, with souvenirs and handicrafts to discover. After lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Korean cuisine, we visit Changdeokgung Palace for a nature-infused exploration. At the end of the day we climb Namsan Mountain for a panoramic view of Seoul, then transfer back to the hotel. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Ramada Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel, 4-star or similar.

This morning, after breakfast, we begin a tour of one of the most significant points in Korean history: the North-South Korea border area and its war memorials. The tour includes the DMZ, the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas and remains one of the most heavily guarded areas in the world. The first stop is the Imjingak Peace Bridge, where families separated by the war reunite and which stands as a symbol of peace. We then explore the Third Tunnel, one of the tunnels dug by North Korea for covert access into the South, and climb to the Dora Observatory for a view of North Korea through binoculars. After lunch at a local restaurant with regional specialties, we visit the Korean War Memorial and the United Nations Memorial, honoring the soldiers who lost their lives in the 1950-1953 war. A special section on the Turkish Brigade's actions covers the contribution of Turkish soldiers. We transfer back to Seoul after the tour. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Ramada Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel, 4-star or similar.

Today is the last day of the tour. After breakfast there is free time for last-minute shopping. We then head to the airport. Turkish Airlines flight TK91 departs at 23:20 for Istanbul. The night is spent in the air. Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK91, Seoul 23:20, Istanbul 04:50 the next day, direct flight. Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

After roughly 12 hours in the air we land at Istanbul Airport at 04:50 local time. The 12-day journey through Japan and South Korea, from the temples of Tokyo to the border zone at Seoul, closes here. Flight details: TK91, Seoul (ICN) to Istanbul (IST), 23:20-04:50 (+1), direct flight. ---