The Flower and Sun of the Far East: South Korea and Japan
Seoul (2 nights) – Tokyo (3 nights) – Hakone – Kyoto (2 nights) – Nara – Osaka (1 night)
All city tours, TeamLab Digital Art Museum, kimono rental, tea ceremony and entrance fees included. Flight between South Korea and Japan included. Travel experience on Shinkansen, the world's first high-speed train, included.
Ramadan Bayram Special Tour · 05 – 14 March 2027 · 8 Nights – 10 Days
In Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsangol Hanok Village, Aegibong Ecopark and N Seoul Tower; in Tokyo: TeamLab Planets, Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku; boat trip on Lake Hakone; in Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion and a tea ceremony in kimono; in Nara and Osaka: Todaiji Temple, Osaka Castle and Dotonbori will be visited.
Flights: TK20 (Istanbul–Seoul), OZ102 (Seoul–Tokyo), TK87 (Osaka–Istanbul). Scheduled flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
South Korea and Japan are two countries where courtesy and order come first. For a comfortable and trouble-free trip, we recommend reading the notes below in advance.
In early March, the weather in the Far East is cool and changeable, and the itinerary includes plenty of walking. We recommend packing your suitcase using a layering approach.
Meeting point at the Istanbul Airport international departures terminal, in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at 14:10. After our ticket, baggage and passport procedures, we will fly to Seoul at 17:10 with Turkish Airlines flight TK20. We will spend the night on the plane.
Landing at Seoul Incheon Airport at 09:05 local time. After our passport and baggage procedures, we will begin our tour with the vehicle waiting for us at the airport. The first stop on our tour will be Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395, the palace is considered the largest, as well as the most beautiful and magnificent, of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. Our next stop will be Namsangol Hanok Village. Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain, this village gives visitors a sense of journeying back in time with its restored traditional "hanok" houses, peaceful gardens, and authentic atmosphere. Here we will have the opportunity to closely observe Korean lifestyle and culture, architectural details, and traditional order. On the way, we will also see the former Blue House and Gwanghwamun Square in panoramic view. After our visit, we will move on to Insadong Street, famous for its traditional tea houses, art galleries, and souvenir shops. Free time will be given here. The last stop of our tour will be Myeongdong Street, one of Korea's most popular shopping and fashion streets. After exploring this lively district filled with cosmetics stores, local restaurants, and international brands, we will head to our hotel. We will complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Our overnight stay will be at our hotel in Seoul.
After breakfast at our hotel, our first stop will be Aegibong Ecopark. Located in the only Demilitarized Zone between South Korea and North Korea, the Aegibong Peace Ecological Park stands out as a symbol of peace and harmony. Where the Han River meets the Jogang River, which connects different histories and cultures, this point becomes even more meaningful. From here, we will have the opportunity to observe the North Korean Propaganda Village on the opposite bank of the Han River and the North Korean farmers working in the fields. We will also have the chance to drink our coffees at the first and only Starbucks in Korea with a view of North Korea. From the observatory, we will be able to see North Korean territory and the border line. Our tour will continue with N Seul Tower, which is a communications tower and observatory. After reaching the tower by cable car, we will be able to view the city from the highest point in Seoul. Then, we are setting off to see the Gangnam Style Statue. Afterwards, we will visit the Starfield Library, which is located very close by. Our next stop will be Bongeunsa Temple, which has a 1200-year history. Bongeunsa, which is accepted as a cornerstone of Korean Buddhism and is home to Maitreya, one of the largest statues in Seoul, and a library with 3479 sacred Buddhist books, is among the structures that attract tourists to the area. After our tour, we will return to our hotel. We will spend the night at our hotel in Seoul.
Meals: Breakfast
At the time indicated by our guide, we complete our check-out procedures and transfer to the airport. We fly to Tokyo at 09:00 with flight OZ102. We land at Narita Airport at 11:20 local time. After our passport and baggage procedures, we begin the Tokyo Tour from the airport with our vehicle. After the free time we have for lunch, we will visit Asakusa Sensoji Temple, one of the oldest and most important temples in the city, and the colorful Nakamise Shopping Street leading to the temple. Here we get to know Japanese culture up close and enjoy a pleasant time shopping for souvenirs. At the end of the day, transfer to our hotel. We complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. We spend the night at our hotel in Tokyo.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for our Tokyo tour. Our first stop is the TeamLab Planets Digital Art Museum, where we will enjoy an impressive art journey through digital art experiences in which light, water and sound come together in a unique harmony. This interactive exhibition, which appeals to the senses, offers visitors an unforgettable experience. After this striking experience, where light, sound and space merge, we move on to Akihabara, famous for its electronics stores, anime culture and pop culture shops. Here we experience the lively atmosphere of the district. After free time for lunch, we take a short stroll in the Ginza district. In the evening, we return to our hotel. Accommodation is at our hotel in Tokyo.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at our hotel, we travel by vehicle to the Shinjuku Kabukicho district, famous for its lights, entertainment venues and lively atmosphere. We experience the bustling character and modern city energy of the area on a short walk. Then we move on to Harajuku – Takeshita Street, the youth and fashion center of Tokyo. We explore the area with its colorful shops, boutiques and unique street culture. After the free time given for lunch, we head to the Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya Scramble Crossing), one of the first images that comes to mind when Tokyo is mentioned. After a photo stop at one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings, we see the Hachiko Statue, famous for its loyalty. At the end of the day, transfer to our hotel. We complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. We spend the night at our hotel in Tokyo.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at our hotel, we set off towards the Hakone region. Upon arrival, we enjoy a pleasant boat trip on Lake Hakone. Then, free time for shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlet. Following the free time for lunch at Gotemba Outlet, we transfer to Mishima Train Station and from there travel to Kyoto by bullet train. After arriving in Kyoto, we transfer to our hotel and complete our check-in procedures. Free time for the remainder of the day. Overnight stay at our hotel in Kyoto.
Note: The large suitcases collected this morning will be transferred by cargo to our hotel in Tokyo and will reach us the next day. For this reason, we need to take the items we need for tonight with us in a small bag.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off on the Kyoto Tour. Our first stop is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, famous for its impressive walking path where bamboo trees stretch up toward the sky. Next will be Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion), one of Japan's most dazzling structures with its gold-leaf covered exterior. During the walk through the temple gardens, the view of the Golden Pavilion reflected on the pond will add extra beauty to your photos. After lunch at Nishiki Market, we will experience a tea ceremony while wearing the Kimonos we have specially prepared for our guests; this activity will create an unforgettable moment both culturally and visually. Later in the day, we will explore the Gion district, one of the areas that best reflects Kyoto's historic texture. After our tour, return to our hotel and free time. Overnight stay at our hotel in Kyoto.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for the Kyoto Tour. The first stop is Kiyomizu Temple, located on the hillside of the city and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From its wooden terrace, we will have the chance to capture stunning photos while enjoying the view of Kyoto. Afterwards, we will stroll through the Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka streets, famous for their traditional Japanese houses, boutique shops and cafés. Here, accompanied by traditional shops, souvenirs and historic architecture, we will get a feel for the spirit of Kyoto. Next comes Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and one of Japan's most iconic structures. While walking along the shrine path, accompanied by both nature and a mystical atmosphere, we will be able to take unforgettable photographs. After the free time for lunch, we will leave Kyoto and head to Nara, one of Japan's former capitals. There, we first visit Todai-ji Temple, one of the country's most important temples, which houses the giant bronze Buddha statue. Then we will have the opportunity to spend some delightful moments with the adorable deer roaming freely in Nara Park. At the end of the day, we will continue our journey towards Osaka and check into our hotel. Free time after check-in. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for our Osaka city tour. Our first stop will be Osaka Castle, which has become the symbol of the city. We will have the chance to photograph this magnificent structure from the outside, which has witnessed some of the most important periods of Japanese history. Afterwards, we will have free time for lunch at Kuromon Ichiba Market, one of Osaka's most famous gastronomy stops. It will be an ideal stop for those who want to try Japanese street food. Later in the tour, we will visit the Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi area, known for its neon lights, entertainment venues and shopping streets. At the end of the day, we will transfer to Kansai International Airport. After check-in and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul at 22:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK87. Our overnight stay will be on the plane.
Meals: Breakfast
Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:40 local time and the end of our tour. We bid farewell and look forward to meeting you on our next enjoyable journey.