12-Day Japan & Korea Tour from Istanbul

After completing our passport and ticket procedures, we will depart for Tokyo, the capital of Japan, on Turkish Airlines flight TK 198 at 02:00. Overnight will be spent on the plane. Upon arrival at 19:20 local time, we will be greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel in a private vehicle. We will check into our rooms. Overnight will be at our hotel. OUR HOTEL: Shinjuku Washington Hotel Tokyo (3)* and similar ones

This morning, after enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will embark on our city tour of TOKYO. First, we will visit the Meiji Shrine, a sacred site dedicated to Japan's first emperor, Meiji. This enchanting place offers a captivating atmosphere with its traditional architecture and peaceful gardens. Next, we will take in the panoramic views of the city from Tokyo Tower. Along the way, we will also see the National Diet Building from a distance. At the end of our tour, we will have free time on Ginza Street, Tokyo's luxury shopping and cultural hub. At the end of the day, we will return to our hotel and check into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo (3) and similar

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, 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 bus towards the Hakone region. Accompanied by our guide, who will share insights about Japanese culture and history, we ascend to the 5th station of Mount Fuji (weather permitting) to take in the breathtaking views. We will have lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Japanese cuisine. Next, we head to the shores of the UNESCO-protected Lake. Our boat tour on the lake will provide an unforgettable experience as we watch the reflection of Mount Fuji on the water. At the end of our tour, we return to Tokyo. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel Tokyo (3)* and similar.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will embark on a full-day tour to explore Japan's cultural heritage in Kamakura. Located about 1 hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura is one of Japan's ancient capitals, known for its temples, historical structures, and peaceful atmosphere. Our first stop will be the Kotoku-in Temple, home to one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues, the "Daibutsu" (Great Buddha). Next, we will visit Hokoku-ji Temple, an important center of Zen Buddhism. We will stroll through the temple's famous bamboo garden and enjoy traditional Japanese tea while soaking in this mystical atmosphere. Throughout the tour, our guide will share fascinating insights into the region's history and Japanese culture. At the end of the day, we will return to our hotel in Tokyo. Overnight at our hotel in Tokyo. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel Tokyo (3)* and similar.

This morning, we will depart from Tokyo and embark on a journey to Osaka aboard Japan's famous "Shinkansen" bullet train. After leaving our hotel at 08:00, we will head to the train station. During this unforgettable train ride, which will take approximately 2.5 hours, we will experience the comfort of the Shinkansen, which can reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. Upon our arrival in Osaka, we will begin our panoramic city tour with our private vehicle. Our tour will include sights such as Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo), Umeda Sky Building, and Dotonbori, one of the city's most vibrant areas. After the tour, we will return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka. Hotel: Sarasa Hotel Osaka (3*) and similar.

Today will be a day where we experience the traditional culture of Japan in the most beautiful way. After our breakfast, we will begin our full-day tour of Kyoto and Nara. Our first stop will be Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto, which is famous for its gilded structure and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following this, we will enjoy a lunch featuring traditional Japanese cuisine. In the afternoon, we will head to Nara, one of Japan's first capitals. Here, we will explore Todai-ji Temple, renowned for its giant Buddha statue, and Nara Park, famous for its free-roaming adorable deer. In the evening, we will return to Osaka. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka. Hotel: Sarasa Hotel Osaka (3*) and similar.

After our breakfast, we set off for a half-day tour of Kobe. As one of Japan's important port cities, Kobe is notable for its natural beauty and historical texture. Our first stop on the tour will be the Earthquake Memorial Park, dedicated to the memory of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Next, we will take a short walk around Kobe Harbor and have a photo break. The Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi) will be another stop on our tour. Finally, we will visit the Hakutsuru Sake Museum, famous for the production of traditional Japanese sake. At the end of the tour, we will return to our hotel in Osaka. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka. Hotel: Sarasa Hotel Osaka (3*) and similar.

This morning, we depart from our hotel and head to Kansai Airport (KIX). We will fly to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, on Asiana Airlines' scheduled flight departing at 10:50. After our arrival at Incheon Airport (ICN) at 12:50 local time, we will transfer to the city center in our private vehicle. Our first exploration tour in Seoul begins. During our half-day tour, we will visit Iksendong Village, where traditional Korean houses from the Joseon Dynasty to the present day welcome us with their historical atmosphere. Next, we will have a panoramic view of Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace, which bears witness to Korean history. We will have the opportunity to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the palace. Finally, we will have free time on Myeongdong Shopping Street to discover the modern face of Seoul. Hotel: Ramada Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel (4*) and similar.

This morning, after our breakfast, we will embark on a full-day tour to explore the historical and cultural heritage of South Korea. Our first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built by the Joseon Dynasty in the 14th century and preserved to this day. After discovering the palace's magnificent architecture, we will visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to learn about the country's past. Next, we will head to Iksendong Village. Surrounded by traditional Korean houses, this historic village allows us to closely observe the hanok structures and Korea's traditional way of life. Following this, we will take a stroll along Insadong Street, one of Seoul's historic markets, where we will have the opportunity to discover unique souvenirs and handicrafts from Korea. After enjoying a delicious lunch featuring traditional Korean cuisine at a local restaurant, we will continue with the second part of our tour. We will visit Changdeokgung Palace for a nature-infused exploration. At the end of the day, we will ascend Namsan Mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. Evening free time. Hotel: Ramada Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel (4*) and similar.

After our breakfast this morning, we will begin our tour of one of the most significant points in Korean history, the North-South Korea Border Area and the Korean War Memorials. As part of our tour, we will visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), which separates the two Koreas and remains one of the world's most heavily guarded areas. Our first stop will be the Imjingak Peace Bridge. This historic site is where families separated by war come together and is considered a symbol of peace. Next, we will explore the 3rd Tunnel, one of the tunnels dug by North Korea for secret passage into South Korea. After receiving detailed information about the area from our guide, we will ascend to the Dora Observatory. Here, we will have the chance to observe the North Korean side through binoculars. After enjoying our lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional delicacies, we will visit the Korean War Memorial and the United Nations Memorial. Here, we will see the monuments dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. In a special section highlighting the heroism of the Turkish Brigade, we will also learn about the contributions of Turkish soldiers.

Today is the last day of our tour. After our breakfast, we will have free time and an opportunity for last-minute shopping. Following the tour, we will head to the airport. We will depart for Istanbul at 23:20 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 91. Overnight will be on the plane.

After an approximately 12-hour flight, we arrive at Istanbul Airport at 04:50 local time. Our tour of Japan & South Korea, filled with beautiful memories, comes to an end here. We look forward to seeing you on the next Ejder Tourism trip! Flight Information: TK 91 | Seoul (ICN) to Istanbul (IST) | 23:20 - 04:50 +1 (Direct Flight)