Private Japan Tour, 10 Days from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines

We meet at 12:30 at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Airport, followed by check-in and passport formalities. Turkish Airlines' direct flight departs for Tokyo. The night is spent in the air, resting ahead of the discoveries waiting in Japan. Flight details: Turkish Airlines, Istanbul 15:25, Tokyo 08:45 the next day. Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

We land at Tokyo Narita Airport at 08:25 local time. After passport and baggage formalities the guide meets us for the transfer into the city by private vehicle. On arrival in Tokyo the panoramic city tour begins, taking in Asakusa Temple (Senso-ji), the city's oldest and most valued Buddhist temple, Nakamise Street, known for its traditional shops and street food, and Ginza, Tokyo's most prestigious shopping district. After the tour we transfer to the hotel and check in, with the evening free. Accommodation: APA Hotel Tokyo Bay Makuhari, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we set off for Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan. Weather permitting, we climb to the 5th Station for a panoramic view from Japan's highest peak. We continue to Lake Kawaguchi, known for its striking reflections of Mount Fuji, for a walk and photo break, then to Oshino Hakkai Village, home to eight sacred ponds fed by Fuji's melting snow and a glimpse of traditional Japanese village life. Lunch is a set menu of Japanese cuisine at a local restaurant. We return to Tokyo and the hotel at the end of the day. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: APA Hotel Tokyo Bay Makuhari, 3-star or similar.

After breakfast we set off for Asakusa, the traditional heart of Tokyo. A walk through the mystical atmosphere of Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, offers photos and cultural exploration. At Nakamise Street we shop for souvenirs in traditional stores and try street snacks such as taiyaki and senbei. Free time follows: those who wish can explore around Tokyo Skytree or visit modern shopping districts. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon to rest. Accommodation: APA Hotel Tokyo Bay Makuhari, 3-star or similar.

We leave the hotel early and transfer to Tokyo Station for the journey to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen Nozomi 15, one of the world's fastest trains: Tokyo 08:12, Hiroshima 12:02, roughly three hours and fifty minutes. On arrival we take a short but powerful city tour of Hiroshima, taking in the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, a monument to peace since the Second World War. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is seen from the outside, with entry optional, its exhibitions telling the story of war and the importance of peace. In the afternoon we continue by private coach to Kobe, roughly three hours on the road. On arrival we visit Ikuta Shrine, one of the city's landmark stops, for a close look at Japanese Shinto tradition and a photo break at its colorful torii gates. We check into the hotel in the evening. Accommodation: Kobe Sannomiya Union or similar, 3-star.

After breakfast we leave Kobe by private coach for Osaka, roughly ninety minutes away. On arrival we begin exploring the city. We visit Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century, for views over the city from its walls. Shitennoji Temple, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples, is known for its peaceful gardens. We then walk through Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, taking in the neon lights, the famous Glico sign, restaurants and shopping streets, with a photo stop along the way. The evening is free: those who wish can try Osaka's famous street food, takoyaki and okonomiyaki, or go shopping. Accommodation: Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba or similar, 3-star.

After breakfast we leave Osaka by private coach for Nara. One of Japan's ancient capitals, Nara is known for its sacred temples and its freely roaming deer. We visit Todai-ji Temple, Japan's largest wooden structure, home to a massive bronze Buddha. Nara Park offers a walk among the deer and time for photos, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine is adorned with thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. After a lunch break we continue to Kyoto. On arrival, Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion and Kyoto's most iconic landmark, and the Gion district, with its traditional tea houses, narrow streets and traces of geisha culture, complete the day. We check into the hotel in Kyoto in the evening, with free time for an evening stroll through the old streets. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Hotel Elcient Kyoto or similar, 3-star.

After breakfast we set off on a half-day city tour to explore Kyoto in greater depth. Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Kyoto's most famous landmarks, offers a mystical walk among thousands of red torii gates. Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto's kitchen, shows off the fresh produce of Japanese cuisine and traditional snacks, with time for souvenir shopping. The afternoon is free to explore Kyoto's narrow streets, browse traditional shops, or shop at leisure. We meet in the Gion district in the late afternoon for a tea ceremony in a traditional tea house, a close look at the spirit of Kyoto through geisha culture and traditional hospitality. Accommodation: Hotel Elcient Kyoto or similar, 3-star.

After breakfast we check out of the hotel in Kyoto and board the Shinkansen Nozomi 12, one of the world's fastest trains, for Tokyo: Kyoto 10:30, Tokyo Station 12:38, roughly two hours and fourteen minutes. On arrival at Tokyo Station we transfer to Narita Airport by private vehicle. After check-in and passport formalities we prepare for the return flight. Flight details: Turkish Airlines TK301, Narita 21:25, Istanbul 04:40 the next day. Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

We land at Istanbul Airport at 04:40. After passport and baggage formalities, the 10-day Japan journey comes to an end, from the temples of Tokyo to the torii gates of Kyoto. ---