Comfort Japan & Korea Tour with Turkish Airlines, 8 Nights, Including Extra Tours and a Tea Ceremony, ICN–KIX

Istanbul – Seoul 

We meet at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport three hours before the flight. Following the baggage, ticketing and boarding procedures, our flight to Seoul Airport departs at 01:45 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK90, and we arrive in Seoul at 17:40 local time. After completing the baggage procedures, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Seoul 

After arriving in Seoul at 08:40 in the morning, we begin our tour with our private buses waiting for us. During our tour, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong Antique Street, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Myeongdong Street are among the places we will see panoramically. Our first stop, Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, is generally known as the Northern Palace because it is located furthest north compared to the neighboring palaces, Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace). Afterwards, we will tour Bukchon Hanok Village, whose name means Northern Village. Hanok are Korea's traditional residences, and there are approximately 700 Hanok in this village. Then, transfer to Myeongdong, Korea's most famous shopping and fashion district. On this street, which is home to shopping and cosmetics stores as well as many restaurants, you can do any shopping you wish before leaving the country and taste local delicacies. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel in Seoul and free time to rest. 

Seoul -  Tokyo  

After breakfast at the hotel, we fly to Tokyo with local airlines. We begin our Tokyo city tour with our private bus waiting for us. Upon arrival in Tokyo, after passport and baggage procedures, we depart in our private vehicle waiting for us for the Tokyo city tour. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the center of entertainment and cultural experiences. One of Tokyo’s most famous and lively districts, Shibuya is home to one of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). To feel the energy of Tokyo, watching hundreds of people move all at once with every light change offers a unique experience. We will see the Hachiko statue, built in memory of a dog known for its loyalty and also popular as a meeting point for locals and tourists, as well as many famous shopping centers, and enjoy our free time. During our tour, Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower are also among the places we will see panoramically. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to relax.

Tokyo – Akihabara – Ginza - Tokyo

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel in our private vehicle. First, we visit Sensoji Temple, built in 645 and the oldest temple in Tokyo, which has been regarded as one of Tokyo’s most important religious centers since the Edo period. After our visit here, we head to Yodobashi Electric Town, where we can find hundreds of electronics brands together at affordable prices. Following the time allocated for shopping, we proceed to Ginza, a district that reflects the sophisticated and elegant side of Modern Japan. After our tour of this area, home to Tokyo’s largest shopping centers and finest restaurants, where you can find world-famous brands, we will have free time for dinner. At the time advised by our guide, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Hakone – Lake Ashi – Oshino Hakkai – Gotemba Outlet – Tokyo

After breakfast, we set off for Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island, southwest of Tokyo, one of the city's landmarks and the highest mountain in Japan. First, we head to Hakone, located in the Kanagawa region, which is famous for its views of Mount Fuji and its natural beauty. Here, we take a boat tour on Lake Ashi with our guests to enjoy this magnificent scenery. After our photo stop, we continue by bus to Oshino Hakkai, a region where melting snow combines with underground waters to form natural pools. The water, naturally filtered as it passes through volcanic rocks, gives the pools their crystal-clear appearance. These pools, each varying in size and depth, offer the opportunity to capture a magnificent reflection of Mount Fuji in their waters. After our guided tour, we set off for Gotemba Premium Outlet, one of Japan's largest outlet shopping centers. At the time specified by our guide, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Tokyo – Shinkansen (High-Speed Train)– Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi - Osaka

After breakfast, at the time determined by our guide, we depart from our hotel and head to the train station for our Shinkansen (high-speed train) journey to Osaka. We take only the items we need for daily use with us. (Our large suitcases will be transferred separately to our Osaka hotel by the transfer company arranged by our company.) We arrive in Osaka after approximately a 2.5-hour journey by high-speed train, which can reach speeds of approximately 320 km per hour. We take a city tour of Osaka, Japan's second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. During our tour, the Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two structures 173 meters long, is among the sights to be seen. The Umeda Sky Building consists of two towers, each 173 meters high and 40 stories tall. These towers are connected at the top by an “observatory platform.” During our tour, we will go up to the observatory on the 39th floor and see the panoramic view of Osaka. After the Umeda Sky Building, we head to the Dotonbori district, which gained fame during the Edo Period for its theater stages and performing arts and has now become a lively and entertaining tourist attraction blending traditional Japanese culture with modern entertainment. Osaka is known as the culinary capital of Japan, and the Dotonbori district is filled with restaurants that confirm this title. After enjoying the time allocated for the district, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

 Transfer to the hotel in Osaka.

Osaka – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Kinkakuji Temple – Kiyomizu Dera –Fushimi Inari –Osaka  

Following breakfast, we set off in our private vehicle for Kyoto, Japan’s former capital and one of the best-preserved centers of its traditional culture, renowned for its temples, gardens, and traditional neighborhoods. After a journey of approximately 1 hour, we begin our city tour. Kyoto is the only place in Japan that was not bombed during World War II. The city of Kyoto is included on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. We begin our city tour with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It welcomes visitors to the bamboo forest with a 500-meter walking trail. During this walk along the trail, you will enjoy pleasant moments accompanied by the sound of the wind moving through the bamboo and will be able to take photographs of the forest. We then continue with our tour of Kinkakuji Temple. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple, a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, is also known as the Golden Pavilion. Each floor of this impressive structure overlooking a large pond represents a different architectural style. We then head to Kiyomizu-dera.  Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto. The temple, one of the historic monuments of ancient Tokyo, has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Otowa Waterfall is located just below the main hall, and its waters flow into a pond through three channels. According to belief, these channels symbolize knowledge, health, and long life, respectively. We then proceed to Fushimi Inari, another important temple in the city. After our visit to the temple, which is one of Japan’s most famous Shinto shrines and is particularly known for its thousands of orange torii gates, we continue to our final stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our temple visit accompanied by a beautiful view of Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Osaka – Nara – Tea Ceremony – Osaka

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our panoramic Nara tour. We begin our tour with Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was constructed with the aim of becoming the head of all Buddhist temples. As its influence grew over time, the temple also began to influence politics in the 8th century. The main hall of Todaiji has also earned a place in the record books as the world’s largest wooden structure. The enormous building is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). We then visit Nara Park, a large park in the center of Nara. Established in 1880, it is home to most of Nara’s major attractions, including Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji, and the Nara National Museum. It is also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. After having the chance to take photos with the deer wandering around, we put on Japan’s traditional local attire, the kimono, and participate in a traditional Tea Ceremony. After enjoying some pleasant free time in the area, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest. After our temple visit, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

Osaka – Outlet - Istanbul

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel. Osaka Castle, a five-story castle with a history dating back approximately 450 years, is not only one of the country’s most visually magnificent creations, but also a beautiful testament to traditional Japanese architecture, from its subtle balance of colors to the elegant patterns and shapes adorning each floor. After Osaka Castle, we enter the large outlet mall and complete our final shopping. At the time indicated by our guide, we transfer to the airport. Following passport and baggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 22:30 on Turkish Airlines flight TK87. Our tour ends upon arrival at 05:20 local time.

 We hope to see you on another journey

Istanbul

With our arrival in Istanbul at 04:55 local time, our tour comes to an end.

Until we meet again on another journey.