Explore Japan & Korea: 13-Day Tour from Istanbul

Today at 19:00, we meet with representatives from EJDER TURIZM at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal. After completing our ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Tokyo, the capital of Japan, at 23:20 with Emirates Airlines, with a layover in Dubai. Overnight will be spent on the plane.

We arrive in Dubai at 07:40 local time. After a short wait here, we transfer to our flight to Tokyo. After a long journey, we arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport at 22:35 local time. After completing our customs and baggage procedures, we will transfer to the city center with our guide in a private vehicle. We will check into our hotel and have the opportunity to rest. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo. Our hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel (4) or similar

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will embark on a half-day city tour to explore Tokyo, Japan's most populous metropolis. Our first stop will be the Meiji Shrine, built to deify the spirit of the country's first emperor, Meiji. We will take a short walk along the peaceful forest paths to discover this sacred site. Next, we will head to Tokyo Tower, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the city's captivating skyline. Along our route, we will also see the National Diet Building (Japanese Parliament) from a distance. At the end of our tour, we will have free time on Ginza Street. In the afternoon, we will have the chance to explore the streets of Tokyo at our own pace. Overnight stay at our hotel. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel (3 ) or similar

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a full-day tour to explore Mount Fuji, a symbol of Japan, and the beautiful Hakone region. Our tour departs at 07:30 from the hotel in our private bus, heading towards the foothills of Mount Fuji. Our guide will share that this volcanic mountain stands at 3,776 meters and is considered sacred. Weather permitting, we will ascend to the 5th Station (approximately 2,300 m) to admire the unique views of Mount Fuji. Next, we will take a break for lunch featuring delicious dishes from Japanese cuisine. After lunch, we will head to the UNESCO-protected area and arrive at the shores of Lake Ashi. Formed by volcanic eruptions around 3,000 years ago, we will have the opportunity to enjoy a short boat tour on this lake, where we can see the reflections of the mountain and the stunning scenery surrounding us. The Hakone area showcases both Japanese culture and the power of nature with its hot springs (onsen), mountains, and forested panoramas. At the end of our tour, we will return to Tokyo in the afternoon and check into our hotel. Overnight stay in Tokyo. Hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo (3) or similar.

After breakfast, we set off to explore the Kamakura region, known for its traditional and spiritual atmosphere. Once the political center of the country in the 12th century, Kamakura boasts a rich heritage that dates back to Japan's samurai era, featuring Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and historic houses. Our first stop is the Kotoku-in Temple, famous for its massive bronze Buddha statue cast in the 13th century. Known as "Daibutsu," this statue is quite impressive due to its outdoor setting and enormous size. Next, we proceed to Hokoku-ji Temple. This temple, associated with Zen Buddhism, is recognized for its bamboo garden behind it. We take a short walk in this peaceful garden, where you can see every shade of green, and enjoy Japanese tea at a traditional tea house. After learning about Kamakura's history and Buddhist culture from our guide, we return to Tokyo at the end of the day and check in to our hotel. Our hotel: Shinjuku Washington Hotel, Tokyo (3) or similar.

At 09:00 in the morning, we board the Shinkansen, one of the fastest and most comfortable trains in the world, at Tokyo Station. During this unique journey of approximately 2.5 hours, we experience the pinnacle of Japanese engineering, reaching speeds close to 300 km/h. Upon our arrival in Osaka around noon, we begin our panoramic half-day city tour. First, we view Osaka Castle (Osaka-jo), which reflects the grandeur of 16th-century Japanese architecture, from the outside and take a short walk in its gardens. Next, we head to Dotonbori, the city's most vibrant area, where we enjoy the colorful neon lights, street food, and shopping opportunities. Finally, we take a photo break around the Umeda Sky Building, reflecting the modern face of the city, and savor the day's experiences. In the afternoon, we complete our tour and proceed to our hotel. Overnight stay in Osaka. Our hotel: Sarasa Hotel Osaka (3 ) or similar.

After our breakfast, we depart from our hotel at 07:30 and set off with our tour bus towards regions where we can best experience Japan's traditional culture. Our first stop is Kyoto, a city that was the capital of Japan for many years in the past, famous for its temples and elegant gardens. Here, we visit the Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, which was built for Shogun Ashiaga Yoshimitsu according to Zen beliefs. This temple, adorned with gold leaf and surrounded by a tranquil garden, is a striking example of Japanese aesthetics and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At lunchtime, we enjoy a buffet featuring traditional Japanese cuisine. Afterwards, we continue to Nara, one of the country's first capitals. Here, we enter the Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the giant bronze Buddha statue (Daibutsu) up close. Encountering the adorable Nara deer wandering in the temple grounds is also one of the delightful moments of the day. In the afternoon, we complete our tour and return to Osaka, where we check into our hotel. Overnight: Sarasa Hotel Osaka (3) or similar.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we set off to explore Kobe, one of Japan's famous port cities. Following a delightful journey of approximately one hour, we begin our panoramic tour of the city. Our first stop will be the Earthquake Memorial Park, where we can see the remnants of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Here, we learn about the measures the Japanese people have developed to cope with disasters and the process of rebuilding the city. Next, we take a short walk in the Kobe Port area, enjoying the modern architecture and coastal views. We will have lunch at a local restaurant famous for its Japanese cuisine. After the meal, we have the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and street food in Chinatown (Nankinmachi), which reflects the city's cosmopolitan identity. Finally, we visit the Hakutsuru Sake Museum, renowned for its production of sake, Japan's traditional beverage. Here, we learn about the stages of sake production and can participate in a tasting event. In the evening, we return to Osaka and check into our hotel. Overnight: Sarasa Hotel Osaka (3) or similar.

This morning, we depart from our hotel early and head to Osaka Airport. We take off for Seoul, the capital of South Korea, on Asiana Airlines flight at 09:00. After approximately 2 hours of travel, we arrive in Seoul at 10:00 local time. Once we complete our airport procedures, we transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we leave our hotel for a city tour of Seoul. Our first stop is Namsangol Hanok Village. Here, we have the opportunity to closely observe traditional Korean houses (Hanok) from the Joseon Dynasty. Next, we ascend Namsan Mountain, where we enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Seoul from a height of 262 meters. The final point of our tour is the famous Gangnam district, known for its popular song. This area is one of the liveliest and most modern parts of Seoul, famous for its shopping and entertainment venues. Guests who wish can enjoy their free time here or return to our hotel with the vehicle. Overnight at our hotel in Seoul. Our hotel: Ramada Hotel or similar. (4)

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we set off for the Korean History and Heritage Village Tour, where we will delve deeper into Korea's traditional culture and history. Our first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built during the Joseon Dynasty and preserved to this day. After watching the Changing of the Guard Ceremony here, we explore the palace's inner courtyards and its history with the guidance of our tour leader. Following the palace visit, we head to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. Famous for its traditional wooden Korean houses, this neighborhood will make you feel like you've stepped back in time as you wander through its narrow streets and ancient homes. We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, savoring exquisite flavors of Korean cuisine. In the afternoon, we visit cultural highlights such as Insadong Street and the National Folk Museum of Korea. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel and enjoy our evening free time. Overnight: Our hotel in Seoul (Ramada Hotel or similar. 4)

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we set off towards the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), a region that marks the border dividing Korea and allows us to closely observe the remnants of the Korean War. First, we visit significant sites such as Imjingak Peace Park and the Freedom Bridge, where we learn about the historical and symbolic value of the area with the help of our guide. Next, we have the opportunity to explore the 3rd Tunnel, which was dug by North Korea for secret passage to South Korea. Afterwards, we ascend to the Dora Observatory, where we can observe North Korean territory from a distance using binoculars. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant that offers regional specialties. After our meal, we visit the Korean War Memorial and sections dedicated to the memory of the Turkish Brigade, gaining insights into the contributions of Turkish soldiers during the Korean War. After completing our tour, we return to our hotel in Seoul and have free time to spend the evening as we wish. Overnight: Our hotel in Seoul (Ramada Hotel or similar - 4)

Today is our last day in Seoul. After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, you will have free time until our flight time. At the time determined by our guide, we will transfer to the airport with our private vehicle and complete our check-in procedures. Our flight to Istanbul with a layover in Dubai departs at 23:55 with Emirates Airlines. We will spend the night on the plane.

We arrive in Dubai at 04:25 local time, and after a brief waiting period, we transfer to our flight to Istanbul. After an additional flight of approximately 4-5 hours, we arrive at Istanbul Airport at 14:25. With passport and baggage procedures, our tour comes to an end. [IMPORTANT INFORMATION] In addition to the optional excursions included in the tour, the program features lunch and dinner that highlight the traditional flavors of Japanese and Korean cuisine. It is generally not possible to accommodate different menu requests from participants.