Comfort Japan & Korea Tour with Turkish Airlines, 8 Nights Including Extra Excursions!! - ICN - HND - March 16

ISTANBUL - SEOUL

We meet with you, our valued guests, at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Airport approximately 3 hours before the flight time (1 calendar day before the departure flight date).  After completing our baggage drop-off and passport procedures, we depart for Seoul on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our journey to Seoul will continue throughout the night, and overnight accommodation will be on the aircraft. Upon arrival in Seoul, we complete our passport and baggage procedures and meet our private vehicle waiting for us. Welcome to Seoul, the capital of South Korea and one of its fascinating cities where modern life and traditional culture blend together. After leaving the airport, we head to Myeongdong, one of the liveliest and most popular areas of the city. In this area, famous for its cosmetics stores, fashion boutiques, as well as delicious street food and restaurants, we have free time for dinner. Our guests may wish to sample the finest flavors of Korean cuisine, go shopping, or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Myeongdong. After the free time, we meet at the designated time and transfer to our hotel. Following check-in at the hotel, overnight stay at our hotel.

SEOUL

After breakfast, we depart for the Seoul City Tour & Gangnam Square & Gyeongbokgung Palace & Insadong Antique Street & National Folk Museum of Korea & Bukchon Hanok Village & Myeongdong. Our first stop will be Gangnam Square. Having gained global fame through PSY’s world-famous song “Gangnam Style,” the area is now known for its luxury lifestyle, shopping, and business centers. During our tour, Cheongdam Fashion Street, Gangnam Station, Bongeunsa Temple, and the Starfield Library will be among the places seen panoramically. Our second stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and one of the most magnificent structures of the Joseon Dynasty. Also known as the Northern Palace, this splendid structure is among the most important examples of traditional Korean architecture, and we experience its historical atmosphere up close during our visit to the palace courtyard. Afterwards, we visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, which reflects the lifestyle and historical development of the Korean people. Continuing our tour, we head to Bukchon Hanok Village, famous for its traditional Korean houses known as Hanok. In this historic area, home to approximately 700 Hanok houses, we walk through the narrow streets and observe the traditional lifestyle up close. Afterwards, we move on to Myeongdong Street, one of Seoul’s liveliest shopping destinations. We enjoy free time in this area, famous for its cosmetics stores, shopping outlets, and street food. Following our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

SEOUL – OSAKA CASTLE - DOTONBORI -SHINSAIBASHI – OSAKA

After breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures at the hotel and transfer to Seoul Airport. We fly to Osaka with domestic airlines. Upon arrival, we complete our passport and baggage procedures and depart in our private bus awaiting us for the Osaka City Tour & Osaka Castle & Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi. Our first stop will be Osaka Castle, one of the city’s most important historical landmarks. Commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century, this magnificent structure is one of the most significant symbols of Japan’s unification period and, together with its extensive park grounds, offers visitors an impressive historical atmosphere. Continuing our tour, we head to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s liveliest and most iconic areas. In this district, which reflects the spirit of the city with its colorful neon lights, bustling streets and famous restaurants, we enjoy a pleasant exploration and have the opportunity to discover Osaka’s reputation as a “gastronomic center” up close. We then proceed to the Shinsaibashi area, Osaka’s most popular shopping and lifestyle district. Guests are given free time in this area, filled with long shopping arcades, international brands and local boutiques. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

OSAKA – TODAIJI TEMPLE - NARA DEER PARK – OSAKA

After breakfast  we depart for our 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 made it into the record books as the world's largest wooden structure. The massive 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 many of Nara's main 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 transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

OSAKA– ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST - KINKAKUJI TEMPLE – KIYOMIZU DERA –FUSHIMI INARI  - KYOTO 

After breakfast, we set off in our private vehicle for Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, famous for its temples, gardens, and traditional neighborhoods, and one of the best-preserved centers of the country’s traditional culture. Following our approximately 1-hour journey, we begin our city tour. Kyoto was the only place in Japan that was not bombed during World War II. The city of Kyoto is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We begin our city tour with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The bamboo forest welcomes visitors with a 500-meter walking trail. During this walk along the trail, you will enjoy pleasant moments accompanied by the sound of the wind passing 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 the 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. One of the historic monuments of ancient Tokyo, the temple 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 respectively symbolize knowledge, health, and longevity. We then proceed to Fushimi Inari, another important temple in the city. After our visit to this temple, which is one of Japan’s most famous Shinto shrines and is particularly known for its thousands of orange torii gates, we proceed to our final stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Following our temple visit accompanied by a beautiful view of Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

KYOTO – SHINKANSEN (BULLET TRAIN) – SHIBUYA – AKIHABARA – YODOBASHI – GINZA - TOKYO  

After breakfast, we take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo. We begin our city tour of Tokyo 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 a city tour of Tokyo. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as a center of entertainment and cultural experiences. One of Tokyo’s most famous and vibrant districts, Shibuya is home to one of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). The sight of hundreds of people moving simultaneously with every change of the lights offers a unique experience for feeling the energy of Tokyo. 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. Our next stop will be Yodobashi Electric Town, located in Akihabara, where you can find hundreds of electronics brands together at affordable prices. After the free time we will have for shopping, we move on to the Ginza district, which reflects the elegance and sophisticated lifestyle of modern Japan. After our visit to Ginza, home to world-famous brands and Tokyo’s most exclusive shopping centers and restaurants, we have free time for dinner. Following our tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

TOKYO – MOUNT FUJI – HAKONE – LAKE ASHI – OSHINO HAKKAI – GOTEMBA OUTLET – TOKYO

Following breakfast, we depart for Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island, southwest of Tokyo, one of the city's symbols and Japan's highest mountain. First, we travel to Hakone, located in the Kanagawa region, famous for its views of Mount Fuji and its natural beauty. Here, together with our guests, we take a boat tour on Lake Ashi to enjoy this magnificent scenery. After a photo break, we continue by bus to Oshino Hakkai, a region where melting snow combines with underground waters to form natural pools. The waters are naturally filtered through volcanic rocks, making the pools crystal clear. These pools, each of different sizes and depths, offer the opportunity to capture a magnificent reflection of Mount Fuji in their waters. After our guided tour, we depart for Gotemba Premium Outlet, one of Japan's largest outlet shopping centers. Following the designated free time, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest.

TOKYO – ASAKUSA SENSO-JI TEMPLE – NAKAMISE - GINZA  – TOKYO

After breakfast, we begin our city tour, where we will discover Tokyo's past and modern life side by side. Our first stop will be Senso-ji Temple, one of the city's landmarks, located in the Asakusa district. Considered Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, this historic structure was, according to legend, built in honor of the Goddess of Mercy, Kannon, after two fisherman brothers found her statue. Completed in 645 AD, the temple welcomes visitors with the magnificent Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). After passing through the gate, we take a pleasant stroll along Nakamise Shopping Street, which stretches approximately 200 meters toward the temple. On this historic street, which brings the traditional Japanese atmosphere into the present day, you can browse handmade souvenirs, kimonos, folding fans and a variety of local products, while guests who wish may sample Asakusa's famous street foods and traditional Japanese delicacies. We visit Senso-ji Temple by passing through the Hozomon Gate at the end of the street. Continuing our city tour, we proceed to Ginza, one of Tokyo's most popular and prestigious districts. Notable for its wide boulevards, modern architecture, luxury stores, art galleries and elegant cafés, this area offers the opportunity to discover Tokyo's sophisticated side. After our tour accompanied by our guide's explanations, we have free time to shop, explore the area at your leisure and take a meal break. At the end of the free time, we meet at the designated point and depart for our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

TOKYO – ISTANBUL

After breakfast, we complete our checkout procedures at the hotel. At the time determined by our guide, we transfer to the airport, and following the baggage and ticket procedures here, our flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines begins. Upon our arrival in Istanbul according to local time, our tour comes to an end. We hope to see you again on another tour.