Japan & Korea Adventure Tour with Emirates Airlines, 9 Nights HND-ICN

ISTANBUL –DUBAI – TOKYO 

We meet three hours before the flight at Istanbul Airport’s international departures terminal. After baggage, ticketing, and boarding procedures, we depart for Dubai at 23:20 on Emirates Airlines flight EK118. Upon arrival at 04:50 local time, after our transfer, we depart for our flight to Tokyo on Emirates Airlines flight EK312 at 07:45. We spend the night on the plane.

TOKYO 

After our arrival at 22:25 local time, we transfer to our hotel with our private bus waiting for us. After checking into the hotel, free time to rest.

TOKYO – SHIBUYA – TOKYO

After breakfast, we begin our Tokyo tour. Our first stop is Shibuya, known as the center of entertainment and cultural experiences. One of Tokyo’s most famous and lively districts, Shibuya is home to one of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings (Shibuya Scramble Crossing). To feel Tokyo’s energy, the hundreds of people moving all at once with every change of the light offer a unique experience. We will see the Hachiko Statue, built in memory of a dog known for its loyalty, which is also a popular meeting point for locals and tourists, as well as many famous shopping centers, and enjoy our free time. In addition, during our tour, Ueno Park and Tokyo Tower are among the places we will see panoramically. At the end of the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

TOKYO SENSOJI – YODOBASHI ELECTRIC TOWN AKIHABARA– GINZA - TOKYO

After our breakfast, our guests who wish may join the Extra Tokyo & Sensoji & Akihabara & Ginza Tour (150€). First, we go to Sensoji Temple, built in 645 and considered Tokyo's oldest temple, as well as one of Tokyo's most important religious centers since the Edo period. After our tour here, we head to Yodobashi Electric Town, where we can find hundreds of electronics brands together at affordable prices. After the time we will spend for shopping, we move on to Ginza, which can be described as the area reflecting the sophisticated side and elegance of modern Japan. Following our tour in the area filled with world-famous brands, Tokyo's largest shopping centers, and the best restaurants, we will have free time for dinner. Transfer to our hotel at the time announced by our guide and free time to rest.

TOKYO – MOUNT FUJI – HAKONE BOAT – OSHINO HAKKAI - TOKYO

After breakfast, guests who wish may join the full-day Extra Mount Fuji & Hakone & Oshino Hakkai Tour (200€). We set out to go to Mount Fuji, one of the symbols of the city, located southwest of Tokyo on Honshu Island and the highest mountain in Japan. First, we head to Hakone, located in the Kanagawa region, famous for its views of Mount Fuji and natural beauty. We take a boat ride on Lake Ashinoko with the unique view of Mount Fuji, and from there we board the cable cars and climb to the Mototsumiya Shrine observation hill. After our photo break, we continue by bus to Oshino Hakkai, a region where melting snow combines with underground waters to form natural pools. As the water passes through volcanic rocks, it is naturally filtered, making the pools crystal clear. These pools, each of different sizes and depths, allow you to capture a magnificent reflection of Mount Fuji in the water. After our tour with our guide, we set out for Gotemba Premium Outlet, one of Japan's largest outlet shopping centers. Transfer to our hotel at the time determined by our guide and free time to rest.

TOKYO – (SHINKANSEN) – DOTONBORI – OSAKA 

After breakfast, at the time determined by our guide, we depart from our hotel and head to the train station for the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) journey to Osaka. We only take our daily-use belongings with us. (Our large suitcases will be transferred separately to our Osaka hotel by the transfer company arranged by our firm.) After approximately a 2.5-hour journey on the high-speed train, which can reach speeds of up to about 320 km per hour, we arrive in Osaka. We will take our Osaka city tour, Osaka being Japan's second-largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. During our tour, the Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two structures 173 meters long, is among the sights to be seen. The Umeda Sky Building consists of two 173-meter-high, 40-story towers. These towers are connected at the top by an “observation platform.” During our tour, we will go up to the observation deck on the 39th floor and see Osaka's panoramic view. After the Umeda Sky Building, we proceed to the Dotonbori area, which became famous during the Edo Period for theater stages and performing arts and has today become a lively and entertaining tourist attraction that blends traditional Japanese culture with a modern sense of entertainment. Osaka is known as Japan’s culinary capital, and the Dotonbori area is full of restaurants that confirm this title. After the enjoyable free time allotted for the area, transfer to our hotel and free hours to rest.

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

After breakfast, our guests who wish can join the full-day Extra Kyoto & Bamboo Forest & Kinkakuji Temple & Kiyomizu Dera & Fushimi Inari Tour (200€).. We set off for Kyoto, the former capital of Japan and one of the best-preserved centers of its traditional culture, famous for its temples, gardens, and traditional neighborhoods. After approximately 1 hour of travel, we begin our city tour. During World War II, Kyoto was the only city in Japan that was not bombed. Kyoto is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. We start our city tour with 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 with the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo and will be able to take pictures of the forest. Then, we continue with our Kinkakuji Temple tour. Located in northern Kyoto, Kinkakuji Temple, a Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered with gold leaf, is also known as the Golden Pavilion. Overlooking a large pond, the impressive structure’s each floor represents a different architectural style. Then we move on to Kiyomizu-dera.  Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto. The temple, one of the historical monuments of ancient Tokyo, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Otowa Waterfall is located just below the main hall, and its waters flow into a pond through 3 channels. According to belief, these channels symbolize knowledge, health, and longevity, respectively. Then we proceed to Fushimi Inari, another important temple of the city. After our visit to this temple, which is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines and is especially known for its thousands of orange Torii gates, we go to our final stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After our temple visit with a beautiful Kyoto city view, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

OSAKA –  OSAKA CASTLE - NARA – TEA CEREMONY–  OSAKA

After breakfast, our guests who wish may join the Optional Osaka Castle & Nara and Tea Ceremony Tour (200€). First, we visit Osaka Castle. After seeing Osaka Castle from the outside and taking a photo break, we depart for our panoramic Nara tour. We begin our tour with Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was constructed with the aim of being the head of all Buddhist temples. As its influence grew over time, the temple began to affect politics in the 8th century as well. Todaiji's main hall has also made its name in 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). Afterwards, 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 wandering around, we participate in the traditional Tea Ceremony wearing Kimono, the local clothing of Japan. After the pleasant time allotted for the region, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest. After our temple visit, transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

OSAKA – SEOUL  

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel. At the time announced by our guide, we transfer to the airport. We fly to Seoul with the local airline. Upon arrival in Seoul, we begin our panoramic city tour. Departure for our Gangnam Square tour. Meaning “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,” places that can be seen panoramically include Cheongdam fashion street, Gangnam Station, Bongeunsa Temple, and Starfield Library. After our shopping, dining, and photo break, free time until the transfer time to be announced by our guide. Then transfer to our hotel and free time to rest.

SEOUL - DUBAI – ISTANBUL

After our breakfast, we complete the check-out procedures at the hotel. Guests who wish can join the Seoul City Tour (150 €). During our tour, Gyeongbokgung Palace, 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, and it is commonly referred to as the North Palace because its location is the northernmost when compared with the neighboring palaces Changdeokgung (East Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (West Palace). After that, we will carry out our Bukchon Hanok Village tour, whose name means Northern Village. Hanok are Korea's traditional houses, and there are approximately 700 Hanok in this village. Then, transfer to Myeongdong, Korea's most famous shopping and fashion district. On this street, which has shopping and cosmetics stores and many restaurants, you can do the shopping you wish before leaving the country and taste local delicacies. At the end of the tour, transfer to the airport at the time to be announced by our guide. Our flight to Dubai with Emirates Airlines flight EK323 will depart at 23:55. After our arrival in Dubai at 04:25, our next flight, EK 123, will depart for Istanbul at 10:40. After our arrival in Istanbul at 14:25 local time, the tour ends.

We hope to meet again on another trip..