Private Japan Tour, 9 Days from Istanbul, Returning via Haneda

We meet at Istanbul Airport in the late hours of the night. After baggage and passport formalities, Turkish Airlines' direct flight departs for Osaka. After roughly 11 hours and 40 minutes in the air we land at Osaka Kansai International Airport at 19:05 local time. After arrival formalities a private vehicle transfers us to the city center. After checking into the hotel there is time to rest after the long flight, with a short evening walk around the hotel for those who wish. Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK086, Istanbul 02:10, Osaka (Kansai) 19:05. Accommodation: Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba, 3-star or similar.

At 09:00, after breakfast, we check out and meet the guide to leave Osaka. The first stop is Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan's most iconic temples, its walking paths formed by thousands of red torii gates making it one of the most photographed spots in the country. After the visit we take a pleasant one-hour drive to Nara. In this historic city, Japan's first capital, we visit Todaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its massive wooden structure housing the Great Buddha, the Daibutsu, one of the most striking symbols of Japan's Buddhist heritage. We then visit Kasuga Taisha, set within a forested area and surrounded by hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, offering a close look at Japanese Shinto tradition. At 13:00 we break for lunch in central Nara. In the afternoon we begin the drive back to Osaka, where we view Osaka Castle from the outside, one of the key symbols of the samurai era, built in the 16th century, its grounds known for ponds, stone bridges and cherry trees. The last part of the day is free time in Dotonbori, considered the heart of Osaka, its neon lights, canal-side walkways, shopping streets and street food showing off the city's modern, energetic side.

Early in the morning we leave the hotel in Osaka by private coach for one of Japan's most striking cultural and historical routes. The first stop is Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for the enchanting tunnels formed by thousands of vermilion torii gates. A walk through this sacred Shinto shrine offers a close look at Japanese belief culture. We continue to Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto's landmark temples. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it captivates visitors with its wooden architecture and panoramic views, and is known for its tradition of making wishes. Free time follows for lunch. In the afternoon we turn to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, where the towering stalks offer some of Kyoto's most photogenic moments. We then visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, known for its magnificent architecture and gold-leaf exterior. The day's last stop is the Gion geisha district, reflecting Kyoto's spirit through its traditional wooden houses, tea houses and narrow streets. After the walk through this historic neighborhood we drive back to Osaka, arriving at the hotel in the evening. Meals: Breakfast included. Accommodation: Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we check out and travel by bus to Hiroshima, a journey of roughly three hours. On arrival we begin exploring this meaningful city, carrying the traces of the Second World War and its message of peace. Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome bear the scars of the 1945 atomic bomb and stand today as a symbol of world peace. The Peace Memorial Museum offers a powerful experience through photographs and documents illustrating the impact of war. Hiroshima Castle, rebuilt after the war, is a fine example of traditional Japanese architecture, and Shukkeien Garden, arranged according to Zen philosophy, offers a peaceful walking break. The evening is free: guests who wish can spend time on the Hondori shopping street or try okonomiyaki at a local restaurant. Meals: Breakfast included. Accommodation: Royal Hotel Hiroshima or similar, 3-star.

After an early breakfast we check out and board the Shinkansen bullet train for Tokyo. During the comfortable four-hour journey we take in Japan's rural landscapes, the silhouette of Mount Fuji and the order of its modern cities. We arrive in Tokyo around midday for a full-day city tour. Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and the traditional Nakamise Dori market lead the day, followed by a photo stop at Tokyo Skytree, standing 634 meters tall and a symbol of Japan. A short walk through the Imperial Palace Gardens brings nature into the heart of the modern city. Shibuya and Harajuku, the heart of Japanese youth culture, offer fashion, technology and colorful streets, while Meiji Shrine brings a calm, traditional Shinto counterpoint. We transfer to the hotel in the evening. Guests who wish can join an optional guided Tokyo by Night and Shinjuku Lights tour. Flight details: Shinkansen, Hiroshima 07:30, Tokyo 10:30, roughly four hours. Meals: Breakfast included. Accommodation: APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we leave Tokyo early. Today is devoted to Mount Fuji, Japan's most magnificent symbol, and the natural wonders around it. Oshino Hakkai Village, known for its crystal-clear ponds fed by Fuji's melting snow, shows off traditional Japanese village life. The Hakone Ropeway carries us on a panoramic ride over Hakone's volcanic mountains and the Owakudani Valley. A boat tour on Lake Ashi offers the chance to see Mount Fuji's reflection on the water. Lunch, at extra cost, can be taken at a local lakeside restaurant. We return to Tokyo in the evening, with free time for shopping around the hotel or trying traditional ramen at a local restaurant. Meals: Breakfast included. Accommodation: APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we set out to explore Asakusa, the district that carries Japan's traditional way of life into the present. Tokyo's oldest and most characteristic neighborhood, it still preserves the texture of the Edo period. Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, standing since the 7th century, is known for its colorful Kaminarimon gate and giant red lantern, both symbols of the city. Nakamise, the shopping street leading to the temple, is a nostalgic market of traditional souvenirs, kimonos and local products. An optional Sumida River boat tour offers views of the historic skyline from the water. Ueno Park, a wide green space known for its cherry blossoms in spring, is home to Ueno Temple and the Tokyo National Museum for those who wish to visit. In the afternoon we return to the city center. Guests who wish can spend free time in the Ginza shopping district or experience modern Japanese culture in Shibuya. Meals: Breakfast and dinner included. Accommodation: APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower, Tokyo, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast the last day in Tokyo is free. After checking out of the hotel there is time for last-minute shopping and souvenirs. In the evening we transfer to the airport. After baggage and passport formalities Turkish Airlines flight TK0199 departs for Istanbul. The night is spent in the air. Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK0199, Tokyo (Haneda) 21:45, Istanbul 05:05 the next day. Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

We land in Istanbul local time in the early morning. The nine-day journey through Japan, from Osaka to Tokyo, comes to a close here. ---