Pearls of the Far East: South Korea & Japan - Eid al-Adha (ICN - NRT)

Day 1 — Istanbul - Seoul

Meeting at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal 3 hours prior to our flight. Following baggage, ticketing, and boarding procedures, departure for Seoul at 01:45 aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK90. Overnight on board. Following our arrival in Seoul at 17:40 local time, passport control, and baggage collection, transfer to our hotel in Seoul aboard our private coach waiting at the airport. Upon arrival at our hotel and following check-in procedures, we settle into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 2 — Seoul

Breakfast included

Free time following breakfast at our hotel. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at the time designated by our guide and begin our Seoul City Tour. Our first stop is Bongeunsa Temple, a traditional Korean Buddhist temple. The 23-metre Buddha statue inside will capture your interest. Afterwards, we head to Gangnam K-Star Road, world-famous for its dance phenomenon. In this area, home to Korea's most exclusive residences and living spaces, we will tour a delightful park. Afterwards, the Starfield Library at COEX and Lotte World Tower Mall are among the highlights to be seen. Our final stop is the Lotte Seoul Sky Observatory Tower, where you will have the opportunity to view Seoul from 500 metres above. Transfer to our tour hotel and settling into our rooms. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 — Seoul

Breakfast included

Free time following breakfast at our hotel. After the free time, we meet in the lobby at the time specified by our guide and depart from our hotel to continue exploring this beautiful city. Our first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace. The main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty was built in 1395 and is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of the royal family and the seat of government. Next, the National Folk Museum, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong Antique Street will be visited. Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area located in the Jongno District of Seoul, South Korea. It features numerous restored traditional Korean houses called hanoks, making it a popular tourist destination. Our next stop is HiKR Ground, a tourist information and culture centre located in Seoul, South Korea. Opened in 2022, it is the public-facing facility of the Korea Tourism Organization, featuring an interactive 4-storey centre with a K-Pop museum and multilingual information desks. Our final stop is the Myeongdong District. Following our tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 4 — Seoul – Osaka

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we transfer to Seoul Airport. After our flight to Osaka, we begin our Osaka City Tour. Our first stop is Osaka Castle. The castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks and played a significant role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. After seeing Osaka Castle, we visit Kuromon Market. Afterwards, we head to Dotonbori. Renowned as one of Osaka's principal tourist and nightlife districts, the area stretches along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba area of the city's Chūō district. We then proceed to Shinsaibashi, a district in the Chūō-ku area and the city's main shopping quarter. At its heart lies Shinsaibashi-suji, a covered shopping arcade situated north of Dōtonbori and Sōemonchō, running parallel to and east of Mido-suji Street. Following free time here, we return to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 5 — Osaka - Kobe - Osaka

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at the time designated by our tour guide and proceed to Kobe. In Kobe, one of Japan's most captivating cities nestled within the Rokko mountain range, we will see sites such as Meriken Park and Harborland along the Kobe waterfront—home to numerous photogenic buildings that provide the perfect setting for unforgettable photographs—as well as Sannomiya, the vibrant heart of Kobe brimming with restaurants and shopping centres. Following our tour in Kobe, we transfer to the Premium Outlets with free time for shopping. After our free time, return to Osaka. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 6 — Osaka - Nara - Kyoto

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel, we meet in the lobby at the time specified by our guide and depart to explore Kyoto and Nara. Our first stop is Nara Park, situated at the foot of Mount Wakakusa and home to more than 1,200 wild sika deer. Following our stroll through the park, we visit Todai-ji Temple, the world's largest wooden structure and home to the colossal Great Buddha (Daibutsu) statue. Following our Nara visit, departure for Kyoto. Our first stop is Fushimi Inari Shrine, the enchanting Shinto shrine renowned for its thousands of vermilion Torii gates. Following our visit, we head into central Kyoto to view Kyoto Tower (or an alternative Kyoto viewpoint to be selected), which offers panoramic views of the city. After the tour, transfer to our hotel in Kyoto, room allocation, and free time. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 7 — Kyoto

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel, we meet our guide and begin our full-day Kyoto tour. Our first stop is the renowned Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in the west of the city and the historic Togetsukyo Bridge. After a walk through the enchanting atmosphere of nature, we visit the Golden Pavilion — Kinkakuji Temple, the finest example of Kitayama garden design and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Around midday, the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho), the former residence of Japan's emperors, will be viewed from the outside/its gardens. The final stop of our tour takes us to Gion, Kyoto's historic geisha district. Following a walk through the historic streets and traditional tea houses (Ochaya) bearing the traces of Geiko and Maiko, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 8 — Kyoto – Hakone - Tokyo

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel, free time. After your free time, we meet in the lobby at the time specified by our tour guide and depart from our hotel. Following a journey on the world-famous Shinkansen, we arrive in Mishima. Upon our arrival in Mishima, we embark on our boat tour on Lake Ashi, where we can also admire Mount Fuji, the sacred symbol of Japan. Following our boat tour, we will enjoy an excursion through the Owakudani Valley. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Tokyo where we will stay overnight. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 9 — Tokyo

Breakfast included

Free time in the morning following breakfast at our hotel. After free time, we meet in the lobby at the time specified by our guide and begin our Tokyo City Tour. Our first stop will be the Main Palace, the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which comprises numerous buildings including the private residences of the imperial family, archives, a museum, and administrative offices. The Tokyo Imperial Palace was built on the site of an ancient castle where the Shogun resided in the 15th century. In the 19th century, when Emperor Meiji relocated the royal household from Kyoto to Tokyo, this became the property of the royal family. As most of the buildings were destroyed during the Second World War, the oldest artefacts remaining in the palace today date back only 50 years. Following the Imperial Palace, our next stop will be Asakusa Temple, also known as Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple regarded as one of Tokyo's oldest and most colourful temples. After visiting Asakusa Temple, built according to legend by 2 fisherman brothers to pay homage to Kannon, the goddess of mercy, we explore the shopping street known as Nakamise. Next, we proceed to our next stop, Tokyo Tower. At a height of 150 metres, you will be able to gaze out over Tokyo from above. Free time following the tour. After free time, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 10 — Tokyo - Istanbul Airport

Breakfast included

Following breakfast at our hotel in the morning, free time. After your free time, we meet our guide in the lobby at the designated time and check out of our hotel. Continuing our tour of Tokyo where we left off, our first stops are the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and Meiji Jingu Shrine. After visiting the world's most famous fish market, renowned for its million-dollar fish auctions, we proceed to Meiji Shrine. Located in Tokyo's Shibuya district, Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shōken. Next, we will explore Shibuya and Ginza. First, we will visit Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most bustling areas packed with numerous skyscrapers. Following Shibuya, we will explore Ginza, one of the city's most popular shopping districts filled with luxury boutiques as well as world-class cocktail and sushi bars. Following free time here, we will transfer to the airport. Upon arrival at the airport and completion of passport control, check-in, and customs procedures, departure for Istanbul at 21:15 aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK 301. Overnight on board.

Day 11 — Istanbul Airport

Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 04:40 local time and end of our tour.

Included services

• Economy class flights with Turkish Airlines between Istanbul – Seoul / Tokyo – Istanbul
• Economy class flight ticket between Seoul and Osaka
• Shinkansen bullet train journeys
• 3 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at a 3* hotel in Seoul
• 2 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 3* hotel in Osaka
• 2 nights' bed-and-breakfast accommodation at a 3* hotel in Kyoto
• 2 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at a 4* hotel in Tokyo
• All transfers
• All Tours Specified in the Itinerary
• Admission fees for all tours specified in the itinerary
• Airport and City Taxes
• Turkish-speaking guiding service (provided that the group size is a minimum of 15 people).
• TÜRSAB professional liability insurance

Not included

• All tours and entrance fees not specified as included in the tour itinerary
• Lunches and dinners
• Healthcare services and personal expenses
• Travel Insurance (a 100% surcharge applies to guests over 70 years of age.)
• Domestic connecting flights
• Excess baggage fees
• International departure tax
• Tips for the guide and driver (10 USD per person per day)