Elegant Japan & South Korea Tour with THY, 9 Nights ICN-NRT
Day 1 ISTANBUL – SEOUL
We meet at Istanbul New Airport at the international departures terminal three hours before the flight (one day before the flight date). We complete our baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures.
Day 2 SEOUL
Our flight to Seoul begins with Turkish Airlines scheduled service. After our arrival in Seoul, we proceed to our private bus waiting for us at the airport. Then transfer to our hotel in Seoul and free time to rest. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 3 SEOUL – GANGNAM SQUARE – SEOUL
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Gangnam Square. Meaning the south of the Han River, Gangnam is the third largest district in Seoul. In the area that gained popularity after PSY’s song Gangnam Style, Cheongdam fashion street, Gangnam Station, Bonguensa Temple, and Starfield Library are among the places that can be seen panoramically. After our shopping, dining, and photo break, transfer to our hotel in Seoul and free time to rest. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 4 SEOUL – OSAKA
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for our full-day Seoul city tour. During our tour, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Korean National Folk Museum, Insadong Antique Street, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Myeongdong Street are among the places we will see panoramically. Our first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, which is generally referred to as the North Palace because, compared with the neighboring palaces Changdeokgung (East Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (West Palace), it is located furthest north. Then, the Korean National Folk Museum. The museum gives visitors insight into the daily life, art, and cultural development of the Korean people throughout various periods. Afterwards, we will visit Bukchon Hanok Village, whose name means North Village. Hanok are Korea’s traditional houses, and there are about 700 Hanok in this village. Then transfer to Myeongdong, Korea’s most famous shopping and fashion district. On this street, which is filled with shopping and cosmetic stores and many restaurants, you can do any shopping you want before leaving the country and taste local flavors. Transfer to Seoul Airport to take our flight to Osaka. After passport and baggage procedures, our flight to Osaka with local airlines begins. Upon arrival, we go to our private vehicle waiting for us at the airport and transfer to our hotel in Osaka. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 5 OSAKA – OSAKA CASTLE – DOTONBORI & SHINSAIBASHI – OSAKA
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out for our Osaka city tour, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan after Tokyo. On our tour, Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and which played an important role in the unification of the Japanese nation, Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two structures 173 meters long, Dotombori, and Shinsaibashi are among the places to be seen. Osaka Castle, a five-story castle with a history dating back nearly 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. Then, we continue with our Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi tour, historically a theater district, now a popular nightlife, shopping, and entertainment district characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signs. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel in Osaka. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 6 OSAKA – HIROSHIMA – OSAKA
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Hiroshima by high-speed train. On our Hiroshima tour, we will first see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial panoramically. Located in Hiroshima, Japan, and also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial is one of the sections of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Since 1996, it has been one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the main places commemorating those who lost their lives as a result of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima. Then, we will see Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The park is dedicated to Hiroshima, the first city in the world to be hit by a nuclear attack, where the death toll by the end of 1945 was 140,000. Before the bomb, the area that is now Peace Park was the political and commercial heart of the city. Therefore, it was chosen as the pilot’s target. Four years after the bomb was dropped, it was decided not to rebuild the area but instead to allocate it to peace memorial facilities. After seeing the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, transfer to Hiroshima train station. After the transfer by high-speed train, arrival in Osaka and transfer to our hotel in Osaka. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 7 KYOTO – NARA – KYOTO
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Nara. Upon arrival, set out for our panoramic Nara tour. We begin our tour with Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was made to be the head of all Buddhist temples. Over time, the temple’s influence grew and began to affect politics in the 8th century as well. Todaiji’s main hall has also earned a place in the record books as the world’s largest wooden structure. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). Then we 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 roaming around, transfer to our hotel in Kyoto and free time to rest. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 8 KYOTO – ARASHIYAMA – KINKAKUJI & KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLES – GION – KYOTO
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for our full-day panoramic Kyoto city tour. During World War II, Kyoto was the only place in Japan that was not bombed. The city of Kyoto is 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. On this walk along the trail, you will enjoy pleasant moments with the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo, and you will be able to take pictures of the forest. Then, we continue with our Kinkakuji Temple tour. 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. Then, we carry out our Kiyomizudera (Pure Water) Temple tour, founded in 780 at the site of Otowa Waterfall in the forested hills east of Kyoto, and named after the pure waters of autumn. Then transfer to Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Kyoto and free time to rest. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 9 KYOTO – ASHI LAKE – HAKONE – MOUNT FUJI – TOKYO
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Kyoto train station to continue our journey to Tokyo. Upon arrival in Hakone, depart for our Hakone & Mount Fuji tour. With an altitude of 3776 meters, Mount Fuji, which earned the right to be included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2013, is the highest mountain in Japan and is known for its elegant conical form. It is the sacred symbol of the country, and temples and shrines are found around and on the volcano. As long as weather conditions permit, you will find yourself in a wonderful ambiance, watching the magnificent view of Mount Fuji from above the clouds, which we will reach using the fifth station. Then, depart for our Hakone tour. Among the most distinctive features of the town of Hakone is its unique view offered by its proximity to Mount Fuji. Here, together with our guests, we take our Ashi Lake boat tour to enjoy this magnificent view. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and free time to rest. Accommodation at our hotel.
Note: On the morning of the tour day, when leaving the hotel, you need to bring a small one-day bag with you. All other belongings left at the hotel will be transferred from Kyoto to the hotel in Tokyo.
Day 10 TOKYO – ASUKASA – NAKAMISE – GINZA – SHIBUYA – TOKYO
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for our full-day Tokyo city tour. On our panoramic Tokyo Imperial Palace tour, it was built as the residence of the Imperial Family, surrounded by trees, flowers, moats, and Japan’s natural scenery in the center of Tokyo. The Imperial Palace has served as the residence of successive Emperors since 1868. We take a photo break at Tokyo Tower. Then, we visit Asukasa Temple, also known as Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most colorful temples, located in Asukasa and a Buddhist temple. According to legend, it was built by two fisherman brothers in order to pay respect to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. Completed in 645, the temple is entered through the gate called Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), which opens onto a shopping street called Nakamise, extending over 200 meters. The other end of the street leads to Hozomon, the temple’s second gate. During our stop on the shopping street, you can buy typical Japanese souvenirs such as various kimonos and folding fans, or taste the traditional local snacks of the Asakusa district. Then depart for Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment district, home to numerous shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, and cafes. From 1612 to 1800, the present-day Ginza area was the site of a silver coin mint, so Ginza got its name, which means “silver mint” in Japanese. In the continuation of our tour, we visit the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, known as one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in Shibuya, one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Located in the middle of business and shopping centers, the pedestrian crossing is known as the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and free time to rest. Accommodation at our hotel.
Day 11 TOKYO – ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel, check out of the rooms and transfer to Tokyo Airport for our flight to Istanbul. After baggage, passport, and ticket procedures, we take our flight with Turkish Airlines scheduled service. Our night is spent on the plane. With our arrival at Istanbul New Airport, the end of our tour and services.
NOTE
MUSEUM, ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, AND TEMPLE ENTRANCE FEES, LOCAL GUIDING, AND TOURIST CITY TAXES OF 195€ PER PERSON MUST BE PAID TO THE GUIDE DURING THE TOUR
What's Included
Economy class airline ticket on Turkish Airlines scheduled flights from Istanbul (IST) to Seoul (ICN), and from Tokyo (NRT) to Istanbul (IST) on the return journey
Economy class one-way airline ticket on scheduled flights of Local Airlines from Seoul (ICN) to Osaka (KIX) (20kg baggage allowance),
Airport taxes
9 nights accommodation with room & breakfast in 4* hotels
Airport-hotel-airport transfers
All city transfers specified with our private buses
Bullet train tickets between Kyoto – Tokyo
Bullet train tickets between Osaka- Hiroshima- Osaka
Tokyo City Tour
Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing Tour
Hakone Tour
Mount Fuji Tour
Ashi Lake Boat Tour
Kyoto City Tour
Nara Tour
Osaka City Tour
Seoul City Tour
Han River Boat Tour
Professional Turkish-speaking guiding and assistance services
TURSAB professional liability insurance
Not Included
Tourist city taxes
Travel health insurance
Lunch and dinner not specified in the program
All kinds of personal expenses and hotel extras
Museum & archaeological site entrance fees
Overseas departure tax fee
Driver tips 10 Euro/per person (optional)
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