Japan & South Korea Tour in the Koyo (Autumn Foliage) Season

We meet at Istanbul Airport at 22:45 on Friday, October 2, and after baggage and passport procedures depart for South Korea at 01:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK90. After a roughly ten-hour flight we land at Seoul's Incheon Airport at 17:40 local time, where our private vehicle and guide take us to our hotel. Following check-in and a boxed dinner, we spend the night at the hotel.

After breakfast our city tour begins at Gyeongbokgung Palace, dating from the Joseon dynasty era. We then take a cable car up Namsan Tower for panoramic views of Seoul and a photo stop, followed by a brief visit to the Itaewon Mosque. We have free time on the lively Myeongdong shopping street for shopping and street food, then spend the rest of the day in the modern Gangnam district, home to the famous Gangnam Style statue, libraries, and huge shopping malls. After dinner we return to our hotel.

After breakfast we visit the Namsangol Hanok Village, with its traditional Korean houses, and the Korean War Museum. We then have free time at Gwangjang Market to try local food, followed by shopping at the culturally rich Insa-dong historic market. At the end of the program we transfer to the airport and fly to Osaka at 19:10 on Korean Air flight OZ116, arriving about two hours later at 21:10. Our private vehicle takes us to the hotel, where we have dinner and stay overnight.

After breakfast we visit the Kushimoto Turkish Culture Center, which displays handicrafts and exhibits reflecting Turkish culture. We then continue on to Osaka, arriving in Dotonbori, one of the city's liveliest areas, where we shop, stroll along the river, and take photos among the colorful signs. After dinner at a restaurant we head to our hotel for the night.

After breakfast we set off early to Todai-ji Temple in Nara to see its giant Buddha statue. We then move on to Kyoto to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its colorful torii gates, and stroll through the gardens of Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Later in the day we take a walk through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. After dinner we head to our hotel for the night.

After breakfast we again head out early to the famous Todai-ji Temple in Nara for a close look at its giant Buddha statue. We then move on to Kyoto to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its colorful torii gates, and enjoy a walk through the gardens of Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Later we take a nature walk through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. After dinner we return to our hotel for the night.

After breakfast we visit the peaceful Meiji Shrine and take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. We then move to the Asakusa area to explore Senso-ji, one of Japan's most famous temples, with time for photos. Next we go up Tokyo Skytree to enjoy panoramic views of the city and take photos from the observation deck. Later in the day we have free time in the stylish, bustling Ginza district. After dinner we return to our hotel.

After breakfast we set out to see Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak at 3,776 meters. Our first stop is Oshino Hakkai Village, where we admire the view of Fuji, drink its icy spring water, and sample local food. We then see the Aokigahara Forest at the foot of Fuji before moving on to Lake Kawaguchi, considered the loveliest of Fuji's five lakes, where a boat trip gives us a full frontal view of the mountain. We finish with a visit to Chureito Pagoda, reached by climbing 400 steps and famous for its Fuji views, then return to Tokyo for dinner and an overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast we take a relaxing walk through Shinjuku Gyoen Park, one of Tokyo's peaceful green spaces. We then visit the Tokyo Mosque for a brief cultural experience. Later we head to Akihabara, a favorite spot for technology and anime fans, with free time to explore. At the end of the program we transfer to the airport and depart for Istanbul at 21:45 on Turkish Airlines flight TK199, spending the night on board and landing in Istanbul at 04:55 local time, bringing our tour to a close.