Platinum East Asia’s Sun and Flower “Japan and South Korea” (NRT-ICN) with Turkish Airlines, 9 nights Tokyo(3) - Hakone - Osaka(3) - Kyoto - Nara - Seoul(3) | All tours and entrance fees included

Platinum East Asia’s Sun and Flower “Japan and South Korea” (NRT-ICN) with THY

Tokyo (3 nights) – Mount Fuji – Hakone – Osaka (3 nights) – Kyoto – Kobe – Nara – Seoul (3 nights)

9 nights 11 days | All tours and entrance fees included

 

Day 1 | Istanbul

Meeting at 22.55 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport. Overnight on the plane.

 

Day 2 | Istanbul – Tokyo

After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, flight to Tokyo at 01.55 with Turkish Airlines flight TK0300. Arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport at 19.10 local time. After passport and baggage procedures, transfer to our hotel by our vehicle. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our 4* Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel (or similar) in Tokyo.

 

Day 3 | Tokyo | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin the Tokyo tour. Our first stop will be the Asakusa Temple, also known as Senso-Ji Temple, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most colorful temples and a Buddhist temple. The temple, also called Santa-jama (Temple of the Three Gods), is of great interest to both tourists and locals. It is one of the few temples in Tokyo that survived the bombing raids in the final year of World War II, and therefore its original structure has remained intact. Built in 1649, the temple was reportedly constructed to honor the three brothers who were deified for finding the statue of the goddess Kannon in a river. We will also see the shopping street called Nakamise in the area. After free time for lunch, we will visit the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. After that, we will tour Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s busiest districts. Shibuya, one of the city’s most important places for young people, stands out with its modern structure, cafes, and world-famous stores. After the tour, return to our hotel. Overnight at our 4* Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel (or similar) in Tokyo.

 

Day 4 | Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Hakone – Tokyo | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, departure for the Mount Fuji and Hakone tour. We start our tour with Mount Fuji, which is about 2.5 hours away. Recognized in 2013 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Mount Fuji is considered Japan’s highest mountain and the country’s sacred symbol. Although Mount Fuji is generally thought of as a single mountain, it actually consists of three separate volcanoes. Located on Honshu Island and positioned on the border between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, Mount Fuji is only 100 kilometers from Tokyo and can be seen even from tall buildings in Tokyo on a cloudless day. After the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji, we head to the town of Hakone. We begin our Hakone tour with the volcanic formation known as Owakudani Valley. Owakudani is the valley surrounding a crater formed during the last eruption of Mount Hakone about 3,000 years ago. Today, much of the area is an active volcanic region with sulfurous smoke, hot springs, and hot streams. We will take the cable car up from Togendai and enjoy the view of this stunning valley. After free time for lunch, we proceed to Lake Ashi. Following an enjoyable boat trip of about 30 minutes on the lake aboard a wooden pirate ship, we return to Tokyo and our hotel by vehicle. Overnight at our 4* Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel (or similar) in Tokyo.

Note: This morning, when leaving the hotel for the tour, we must leave a small overnight bag in our room. The large suitcases we leave at the hotel will be transferred to our hotel in Osaka before us and will reach us the next day.

 

Day 5 | Tokyo – Osaka | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and continue our Tokyo tour. The first place we will see on our tour will be the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which includes many buildings such as the Main Palace, the private residences of the Imperial Family, archives, a museum, and administrative offices. The Tokyo Imperial Palace was built on the site of a former castle where the Shogun resided in the 15th century. In the 19th century, when Emperor Meiji moved the royal household from Kyoto to Tokya, this place also became property of the royal family. Since most of the buildings were destroyed in World War II, the oldest items remaining from the palace today are only 50 years old. Then we continue our tour with a visit to Akihabara, one of Tokyo’s world-famous neighborhoods. Akihabara is an extremely crowded shopping district famous for its electronics stores of various kinds, from small street stalls to large shopping centers. After our tour in Akihabara, also known as the electronics city, we give free time for lunch. After the free time, we continue our tour with the Ginza district, one of the city’s most popular shopping areas filled with luxury boutiques as well as first-class cocktail and sushi bars. At the end of our tour, transfer to Tokyo Shinagawa train station. With the world’s first high-speed train, the Shinkansen, we arrive at Shin-Osaka train station after about a 3-hour journey. From here, transfer to our hotel by vehicle. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel in Osaka, 4* Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai (or similar).

 

Day 6 | Osaka – Kyoto – Osaka | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, departure for the Kyoto tour. After about a 1-hour journey, our first stop will be the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Covered with gold leaf, this three-story pavilion is one of the most famous and well-known historical structures in Kyoto and has been recognized worldwide as a perfect example of the Kitayama garden design art. Thanks to these features, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 as an important cultural asset of the former capital Kyoto. We will continue our tour with the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a Buddhist temple also known as the Pure Water Monastery. The temple offers beautiful views of the distant city of Kyoto, as well as numerous cherry trees and maples that burst into a colorful sea in spring and autumn. The main hall, built without using nails and together with the stage, houses the temple’s main object of worship, a small statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon. After free time for lunch, we will walk through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the streets leading up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Sannenzaka is a cobblestone pedestrian path and tourist attraction. Surrounded by traditional buildings and shops, the route is often used together with the similar road Ninenzaka. Sannenzaka is a narrow sloping street filled with about 60 shops and restaurants selling Kyoto’s traditional products and foods. There are also important shops where visitors can closely experience Japanese culture, including Ochaya (tea houses) where tea ceremonies are held, and makeups of Geiko (the name given to geishas in Kyoto) and Maiko (Geiko apprentices). In the final part of the tour, we will visit Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district. At the end of the tour, return to Osaka and our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Osaka, 4* Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai (or similar) .

 

Day 7 | Osaka – Kobe – Nara – Osaka | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, departure for the Kobe tour and Nara tour. Our first stop on the Kobe tour will be the Kiku-Masamune Sake Museum (subject to being open). At Kiku-Masamune, which has maintained the tradition of producing only dry sake since the Edo Period, we will see the stages of sake production and also taste it. Almost all of the equipment in the museum is classified as a “national tangible folk cultural property,” allowing visitors to learn more about the lives and work of sake producers. Then we continue our tour with the Kobe Nunobiki Botanical Garden, Japan’s largest botanical garden with seasonal flowers and magnificent mountain views. After the park, we will go to Kobe Harborland Umie shopping center, where we will give free time for lunch. After lunch, departure for Nara. We begin our Nara tour with a visit to Nara Park. Nara Park is a public park located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. Established in 1880, it is one of the oldest parks in Japan. More than 1,200 wild Sika Deer roam freely in the park. Because of these deer, Nara is also known as Deer Park. After the park, we continue with Todai-ji Temple. Todaiji is not only the largest wooden structure in the world, but also houses the world’s largest Buddha statue, known in Japanese as Daibutsu. At the end of our tour, return to Osaka and our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Osaka, 4* Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai (or similar).

 

Day 8 | Osaka – Seoul | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and continue with the Osaka tour . Our first stop will be the Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and having played an important role in the unification of the Japanese nation. The castle is located within a park that covers an area of approximately two square kilometers and includes plenty of green space, sports facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall), and a shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The park often becomes one of Osaka’s most popular spots during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in early April. After free time for lunch, we will see Dotonbori, which has become Osaka’s entertainment center. At the end of the visits to Dotonbori and the city’s main shopping district, Shinsaibashi, transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, flight to Seoul at 18.10 with Korean Air flight KE726. Arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport at 20.25 local time. After passport and baggage procedures, transfer to our hotel by our vehicle. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel in Seoul, 4* Hotel Samjung Gangnam (or similar).

 

Day 9 | Seoul | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, departure for the Seoul tour. Our first stop will be Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395, the palace is considered the largest, most beautiful, and most magnificent of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. Inside the palace, we will also have the opportunity to see the National Folk Museum. Our next stop will be Namsangol Hanok Village. This village, an urban settlement of Seoul expanded with modern structures, is famous for many restored traditional Korean houses called Hanok. After our visit here, we continue with Myeong-dong, Korea’s most famous shopping and fashion district. After seeing this street full of many shops and restaurants, our next stop will be the Insa-dong district. The center of lively Insa-dong is the main street closed to vehicle traffic. The street is filled with tea houses and Korean restaurants, as well as shops selling traditional products such as ceramics, tea, and handmade “hanji” paper. The unusual Ssamziegil Complex has cafes and stairways leading to the roof terrace, with walls decorated with paintings. Modern art works are exhibited at Hakgojae Gallery. At the end of our tour, return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Seoul, 4* Hotel Samjung Gangnam (or similar).

 

Day 10 | Seoul | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, departure to carry out the DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) tour. On this tour, where we will visit the military area established on the border between North and South Korea, we will learn about Korean history and culture. After the military zone, Imjingak Park will be our second stop. After the Freedom Bridge inside the park, which was used by North Korean war prisoners repatriated to their country, we will visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, discovered in 1978 and dug by North Korea 73 meters below the border. After exiting the tunnel, we will head toward the slope of Dora Mountain and visit the Dorasan Observatory built there. From the observatory, we will be able to see North Korean territory and the border line. At the end of our visit, return to Seoul. Following our return, our first stop will be the N Seoul Tower, a communication tower and observatory. After reaching the tower by cable car, we will be able to view the city from Seoul’s highest point. Our next stop will be the Bongeunsa Temple, which has a history of 1,200 years. Considered a cornerstone of Korean Buddhism, Bongeunsa is among the structures that attract tourists to the area with Maitreya, one of Seoul’s largest statues, and its library housing 3,479 sacred Buddhist books. After that, we will see the Starfield Library and the Gangnam Style Statue located within the same complex. At the end of our tour, return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Seoul, 4* Hotel Samjung Gangnam (or similar).

Note: Since the Korean Demilitarized Zone is a military area, there is a possibility that it may be closed without prior notice on the tour day. In that case, an alternative program will be arranged instead.

 

Day 11 | Seoul | [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete our check-out procedures and have free time until transfer time. Transfer to Seoul Incheon Airport at the transfer time announced by our guide. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, flight to Istanbul at 23.20 with Turkish Airlines flight TK0091. Overnight on the plane.

 

Day 12 | Seoul – Istanbul

Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05.00 local time and the end of our tour. We say goodbye until our next distinguished and enjoyable trip.

 

Abbreviations: [B] = Breakfast, [L] = Lunch, [D] = Dinner