MEGA JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA TOUR WITH TURKISH AIRLINES, 9 NIGHTS, Special Koyo Season and November Midterm Break...With Options Including Kimono Tea Ceremony & Japanese Dance Cabaret Theater & Sumo Wrestling & Ninja Kabuki Show...

İSTANBUL – SEOUL
We fly to Seoul at 02:20 on Turkish Airlines’ direct scheduled flight TK90 after completing check-in, baggage drop-off, and passport control procedures at Istanbul Airport by being there 3 hours before your flight (as of 23:00 the evening before the flight). After arriving at Seoul Incheon Airport at 18:20 local time, we transfer to our hotel in the Seoul area by the vehicle waiting for us at the airport. Upon arrival at the hotel, we provide free time to check into the rooms and rest.
SEOUL – (Namsan Seoul Tower, Han River Boat Tour & Glittering Gangnam Evenings Tour with Dinner)
After breakfast, we depart to organize our city tour. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is one of East Asia’s most established cities with a history of approximately 2,000 years. Declared the capital during the Joseon Dynasty, the city today attracts attention with its traditional palaces, modern skyscrapers, and technology-focused lifestyle. In our city tour in Seoul, which is divided by the Han River, the main sights to be seen in order are Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty and one of the most important symbols of Korean history, Gwanghwamun Square and the Monument to King Sejong, the creator of the Korean alphabet, Insadong where we can visit traditional handicraft shops and cultural stores, and Cheonggyecheon, a harmonious blend of nature and urban planning located in the city center, as panoramic highlights. After the city tour, we provide free time. During this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Namsan Seoul Tower, Han River Boat Tour & Glittering Gangnam Evenings Tour with Dinner (125 Euro), where we can see Seoul from above and photograph its impressive view. In our tour, where we will discover Seoul’s modern and dazzling side, we first start at Namsan Seoul Tower, where we can see Seoul from above and photograph its impressive view; then we organize a boat tour on the Han River. The boat trip, where we will have the opportunity to watch the city’s night silhouette from the water, with bridges, skyscrapers, and illuminated city views, will be one of the most impressive moments of the tour. Afterwards, we move to the Gangnam district, which represents Seoul’s modern and dynamic side. This area, which gained worldwide fame with “Gangnam Style,” symbolizes South Korea’s economic power with its wide streets, brightly lit shop windows, and contemporary city fabric. Here, we see the Gangnam Style figure, identified with PSY’s world-conquering “Gangnam Style” song and one of the district’s most popular photo spots. Then we move to the Starfield Library located in the heart of COEX Mall. In this iconic venue, which is more than just a library and brings together Korea’s modern and impressive culture with books, we take a short walk and a photo break. In the final part of our tour, we arrive in Myeongdong, one of Seoul’s liveliest shopping and street-atmosphere districts. Here we go to our local restaurant for Dakgalbi (Korean chicken), one of the special flavors of traditional Korean cuisine. After a walk through the lively streets illuminated with neon lights, we provide free time. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel.
SEOUL – OUTLET – (Traditional Seoul & Street Flavors Discovery Tour)
After breakfast, we depart to organize our outlet tour. After the free time offered at one of Seoul’s most popular outlet shopping centers, where you can shop at advantageous prices in stores of world-famous and leading Korean brands and enjoy time in modern cafes and restaurants, we complete our tour. During the free time offered in Seoul, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Traditional Seoul & Street Flavors Discovery Tour (75 Euro). Our first stop is Bukchon Hanok Village, which carries traditional Korean architecture into the present day. We walk through narrow streets lined with centuries-old wooden houses and take a photo break after a sightseeing tour in this special area bearing traces of the Joseon period. This neighborhood, opening a window into the past in the middle of modern Seoul, is one of the city’s most characteristic spots. Our next visit point, where we will closely experience the city’s local life and street culture, will be Gwangjang Market. In the lively atmosphere of Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul’s oldest and most authentic markets where we can see the street flavors of traditional Korean cuisine, we will get to know the local market culture, observe daily life in its simplest and most natural form, mingle with the people, and provide free time for beautiful photos. Next, we see Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun Gate), one of the historical city gates that has survived from the Joseon period to the present day. This structure, an important part of Seoul’s old city wall system, presents the past and present in the same frame. After the short free time offered for photography, in the final part of our tour, we view Dongdaemun Design Plaza, designed by Zaha Hadid, panoramically. This structure, notable for its futuristic architecture, represents Seoul’s contemporary and innovative side. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel and have free time to rest.
SEOUL – OSAKA – (Osaka Phenomena and Dotonbori Tour)
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we head to Seoul Airport for our flight to Osaka. After arriving at the airport and completing baggage drop-off, check-in, and passport control procedures, we fly to Osaka on a scheduled flight operated by the local airline. Upon arrival in Osaka, transfer to our hotel in the Osaka area and free time to rest. During this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Osaka Phenomena and Dotonbori Tour (55 Euro). Our first stop on the tour will be Osaka Castle, one of the city’s most important symbols. Built in the 16th century, the castle played an important role in Japan’s unification process. After visiting Osaka Castle, where we will see the garden and exterior panoramically, we move to the Shinsaibashi district, one of the city’s busiest shopping arteries. We walk through this area, which has the atmosphere of a covered bazaar, and observe the city’s daily life. Later in the tour, we see Dotonbori, Osaka’s famous entertainment district known for its neon lights and colorful signs. Dotonbori, Osaka’s most famous and lively district, has been known as the city’s entertainment, shopping, and commerce center since the 17th century. The walkway along the canal, giant three-dimensional restaurant signs, and illuminated facades offer Osaka’s most iconic views. We complete our city tour with a walking tour around Dotonbori Canal, where we will feel the city’s energy most intensely, with crowded streets at all hours of the day and attractive spots for photography enthusiasts. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel in the Osaka area.
OSAKA – (Northern/Southern Kyoto Tour with the Nature Wonders of the Koyo Season)
After breakfast, during the full day of free time offered, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Northern/Southern Kyoto Tour with the Nature Wonders of the Koyo Season (175 Euro). Our first stop on the tour is Kyoto, Japan’s first capital and still regarded today as the “cultural capital,” which hosted the imperial palace for centuries and has been the country’s cultural, religious, and artistic center. There are more than 1,600 Buddhist temples and over 400 Shinto shrines throughout the city. Kyoto has preserved much of its historical fabric thanks to being one of the rare Japanese cities not bombed during World War II. With traditional wooden houses, Zen gardens, stone lanterns, and temple complexes, Kyoto offers an atmosphere different from modern Japan. On this tour, where we will have the opportunity to observe Japan’s understanding of aesthetics—simplicity, balance, and harmony with nature—on site, our first visit point will be Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s most iconic symbols, with its pathway made up of thousands of red Torii gates. After the walk we will take in this unique atmosphere, our next visit point will be Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple), considered one of Kyoto’s most elegant structures with its gold-leaf-covered exterior and enchanting reflection on the pond. Reflecting Zen aesthetics with its gardens and impressive architecture, this magnificent temple is one of the most important symbols of Japanese culture. We then continue to Arashiyama, one of Kyoto’s most natural and peaceful areas. During our walk among the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Forests, created by hundreds of bamboo trees reaching up to the sky, we will feel the calming atmosphere of Japanese nature up close. Then we will walk along the Katsura River, which offers different beauties in all four seasons, and see the historic Togetsukyo (Moon Crossing Bridge), one of Kyoto’s symbols, located over the river. With its nature-filled atmosphere, traditional Japanese views, and unique photo spots, Arashiyama, as one of Kyoto’s most visited districts, will allow you to create unforgettable memories. This special tour, where we will experience on site the heritage of Japan’s ancient capital, its Buddhist and Shinto belief systems, traditional architectural understanding, and a lifestyle shaped in harmony with nature throughout the day, will offer an unforgettable experience for our guests who wish to explore Kyoto’s history and spirit. After the free time offered, we complete our tour and return to our hotel in the Osaka area.
OSAKA – (Nara with Authentic Japan Masterpieces and Kimono Tea Ceremony Tour)
After breakfast, during the full day of free time offered, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Nara with Authentic Japan Masterpieces and Kimono Tea Ceremony Tour (195 Euro). Our first stop on the tour is Nara, one of Japan’s first capitals. After about a 1-hour journey, we arrive in an atmosphere surrounded by nature and history. We walk in the park area famous for its hundreds of freely roaming deer. These deer, considered sacred in Japanese culture, have become the symbol of the region. We visit Todai-ji Temple, located in the park and one of the world’s largest wooden structures. The giant Great Buddha statue inside the temple is one of the most impressive examples of Japanese Buddhist architecture. After the free time offered, we will visit Gion, the traditional entertainment and geiko (geisha) district of the city, famous for its streets that will make you feel as if you are in a traditional Japanese film. With its narrow streets, wooden-front houses, and historic tea houses, Gion is one of the rare areas that carries the Edo period atmosphere into the present day. Here, we will also see Pontocho and Hanamikoji streets, which are considered the center of geisha culture, as part of our tour program. In addition, you can experience traditional Japanese cuisine around the Kamo River, one of the city’s symbols; and on Kawaramachi Street, you can shop for products unique to Japanese culture. During the free time we will offer in Gion, we carry out our kimono and tea ceremony program, an important part of the region’s unique and world-famous geiko culture. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel in the Osaka area.
OSAKA – TOKYO – (Tokyo Neon Lights Night Tour)
After breakfast served early in the morning and hotel check-out, we leave our hotel and head to Tokyo by the high-speed Shinkansen train, which has become a symbol of Japanese engineering. This comfortable train journey, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h, will be not only transportation but also a special beginning where we experience Japan’s modern face. After about a 2.5-hour journey, we arrive in Tokyo and head to our hotel in the Tokyo area. Room check-in and free time. During this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Tokyo Neon Lights Night Tour (55 Euro). On our tour, we will take an evening walk among neon signs and skyscrapers in Tokyo’s liveliest and brightest district. Seeing the illuminated streets of the Kabukicho district, we then make a brief exploration in Omoide Yokocho, known for its traditional narrow street layout. After our tour, where we will experience Tokyo’s night atmosphere, completely different from the daytime, accompanied by our guide’s narration, we return to our hotel and provide free time to rest.
TOKYO – (Tokyo Icons Tour) – (Sumo Wrestling Show) – (Ninja Kabuki Show Tour)
After breakfast, during the full day of free time offered, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Tokyo Icons Tour (125 Euro). First, we take a short photo break in front of the Hachiko Statue, the Akita breed dog that has become a symbol of unconditional love, waiting patiently under all conditions, devotion, and loyalty for the Japanese people and has gained fame. Then we see Shibuya Crossing, known as one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, and get information about the area. Walking along Shibuya Center Gai, we observe Tokyo’s modern and dynamic atmosphere. Then we move to the Harajuku district and visit Meiji Shrine, which stands out with its natural area located in the city center. After the visit to the shrine, where we will get information about traditional Shinto architecture and the spacious courtyard area and take a photo break, we will take a short walk on Takeshita Street and observe Japanese youth culture, daily life, and colorful shop windows. In the continuation of our program, we move to the Shinjuku district, known for its skyscrapers and where you can experience some of the best restaurants of Japanese cuisine. We see panoramic city views and get to know Tokyo’s modern face up close. Later in the tour, we arrive in the Asakusa district, reflecting Tokyo’s traditional side. We begin our walk in this area known for its historical fabric stretching from the Edo period to the present day. First, we see Kaminarimon Gate, the symbol of Senso-ji Temple. After a short photo break, we will proceed along Nakamise Street. After the free time offered on this street, where traditional souvenir items and local handicrafts are displayed, we will reach the temple courtyard and see the main worship hall and its surroundings. In the continuation of our tour, we will arrive in Ginza, Tokyo’s district distinguished by luxury shopping and architectural order. Ginza is one of Tokyo’s most orderly planned and most prestigious shopping districts. It stands out with its wide boulevards, modern architecture, and display arrangement. The district took the name “Ginza” because it was the location of the silver mint during the Edo period. After the free time offered in Ginza, we complete our full-day tour and provide free time. During this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Sumo Wrestling Show (85 Euro). In this program, we will take part in a special show where we will get to know the traditional Japanese wrestling culture of sumo up close. Sumo has been part of Japanese culture for centuries and stands out with its rituals and rules. In this special show program held outside the professional tournament period, we will learn about the history and rules of sumo, watch the athletes’ ceremonies, and have the chance to watch exhibition matches. During this cultural show, which will last about 60 minutes, we will learn the meaning of the wrestling area called the dohyo, the athletes’ preparation rituals, and the rules of the matches. Or, during this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Ninja Kabuki Show Tour (75 Euro). In the Ninja Kabuki Show, we organize our wordless live entertainment program expressing Japanese “Ninja,” “Hanakai,” and “Wadaiko” traditions using Kabuki production techniques. At the end of the program, we return to our hotel and provide free time to rest.
TOKYO – MOUNT FUJI & HAKONE – TOKYO/GOTEMBA OUTLET – (Japanese Dance Cabaret Theater Asakusa-Kaguwa Tour)
After breakfast, then we depart to organize our Mount Fuji and Hakone Tour program. Japan’s Mount Fuji, one of the country’s most important natural symbols and the highest mountain in Japan at approximately 3,776 meters, is regarded as sacred in the country’s culture and as one of the strongest symbols of Japanese aesthetics. If weather conditions are suitable, we will make photo stops where we can see Mount Fuji panoramically from different points. In our tour, we first arrive at the Chureito Pagoda area, one of Mount Fuji’s most iconic viewpoints. With the five-story pagoda structure and the view of Mount Fuji rising in the background, we will have the opportunity to photograph one of Japan’s most famous scenes. Then we arrive at the shore of Lake Kawaguchi in the Fuji Five Lakes region. At this point, where Mount Fuji’s most impressive panoramic views can be seen, we take a short walk and a photo break. We then move to the Oshino Hakkai area, which preserves the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese village. In this area, known for its clear ponds fed by Mount Fuji’s melting snow waters and traditional wooden houses, we take a short walk. In the continuation of our program, we leave the Mount Fuji area and arrive in the Hakone region. We will make a short photo break and sightseeing around Lake Ashi, a crater lake famous for its views of Mount Fuji. After our excursion in the Mount Fuji and Hakone region, we depart to organize our Tokyo/Gotemba Outlet visit. At one of Tokyo’s outlet shopping centers, you can shop at advantageous prices in stores of international and Japanese brands and enjoy time in modern cafes and restaurants, after which we return to our hotel in the Tokyo area and provide free time to rest. During this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Japanese Dance Cabaret Theater Asakusa-Kaguwa Tour (75 Euro). We organize our Japanese Dance Cabaret Theater Asakusa-Kaguwa program. Experience Japanese dance in Asakusa, Tokyo. Take your seat in the elegant venue and have the opportunity to watch graceful dancers in carefully prepared kimonos. At the end of the program, we return to our hotel and provide free time to rest.
TOKYO – (Tokyo Phenomena Tour) – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we provide free time until our return flight to Istanbul. During this free time, guests who wish may join our extra tour program, Tokyo Phenomena Tour (115 Euro). On our tour, we first head to the Kamakura region in the south of Tokyo. Kamakura, which was the political center of Japan in the 12th century, is considered one of the country’s most important cultural regions with its temples, coastal atmosphere, and historical structures. First, we arrive at Kotoku-in Temple, one of Kamakura’s most symbolic structures. Here we see the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) statue, built in the 13th century and one of Japan’s most famous statues. This giant bronze statue is approximately 13 meters high and is considered one of Kamakura’s most important symbols. After the short sightseeing and free time offered for photos, we head toward the city center and arrive at Komachi Street, one of the city’s lively shopping streets. We take a short walk in this area surrounded by traditional shops, souvenir stores, and small stalls selling local products. Then we see Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine, one of Kamakura’s most important Shinto shrines, panoramically. After our Kamakura visit, we arrive at our next stop, Enoshima Island. Located in Sagami Bay, this small island is one of the region’s most popular destinations with its coastal views and walking routes. First, we will see the Enoshima Sea Candle Observation Tower, one of the island’s symbols, and then we will reach the Ryuren Love Bell point, frequently visited by couples and visitors. After a short photo break, we continue along the coastline and see the Chigogafuchi Rocks, known for their impressive view of ocean waves crashing against the rocks. After our Enoshima excursion, we head to Tokyo Narita Airport for our return flight to Istanbul. After completing baggage drop-off, check-in, and passport control procedures upon arrival at the airport, we fly to Istanbul at 22:05 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK199. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:45 local time and the end of our tour.