ELEGANT JAPAN with Turkish Airlines, 7 Nights

We meet at the international departures terminal of Istanbul New Airport three hours before departure (the day before the flight date). After completing baggage, ticketing and boarding formalities, we depart for Osaka on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight.

Upon arrival in Osaka, we transfer to our hotel in Osaka by private vehicle waiting at the airport, followed by free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our panoramic city tour of Osaka. Sights on our panoramic tour include Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and instrumental in the unification of Japan, and the Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two 173-metre-high structures. The Umeda Sky Building is a magnificent high-rise near Osaka and Umeda stations. The 173-metre-high building consists of two towers connected by the "Floating Garden Observatory" on the 39th floor. The observatory offers wonderful views of the city through its windows and from its open-air deck. Later, on our evening journey back to the hotel, we will enjoy an enchanting cityscape of illuminated streets and the silhouettes of modern buildings lighting up the night. Colourful signs, glittering streetlights and the lively urban atmosphere will add a visual feast to our journey. Transfer to our hotel in Osaka and free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Nara tour. We begin with Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was intended to serve as the head of all Buddhist temples. As its influence grew, it also began to affect politics in the 8th century. Todaiji’s main hall has entered the record books as the world’s largest wooden structure. The enormous building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). We then visit Nara Deer Park, a large park in central 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. Considered messengers of the gods in Japanese mythology, the deer make this area special both visually and culturally. As you stroll through the park, you will have the chance to create unforgettable memories and take photographs with the deer as they approach you with curious gazes. We then tour Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi, historically a theatre district and now a popular nightlife, shopping and entertainment area characterised by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signs. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel in Osaka and free time to relax. Overnight accommodation at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Kobe city tour. We begin by enjoying the fresh air of Meriken Park. After a photo stop in front of the famous Kobe Tower, we head up to the Kitano district and stroll through streets lined with former foreign residences. We then enjoy a visit surrounded by nature at Nunobiki Herb Gardens. After our tour, we depart for our Kyoto city tour. Kyoto was the only place in Japan not bombed during World War II. The city of Kyoto is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. We begin our city tour at Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, which welcomes visitors with a 500-meter walking trail. As we walk along the trail, you can enjoy the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo and take photographs of the forest. After free time, we enjoy a panoramic view of Ryoanji, a Zen temple. The temple is home to Japan’s most famous rock garden. Originally an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. An interesting feature of the garden’s design is that at least one rock is always hidden from the viewer, regardless of the viewing point. We then visit Kiyomizudera (Pure Water) Temple, founded in 780 at the site of Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto and named after the pure waters of autumn. Next, we transfer to Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine to the east and the Kamo River to the west. After our tour, we transfer to our hotel in Kyoto and enjoy free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Kyoto railway station. We travel to Tokyo by high-speed train. Upon arrival, we head to Ginza, Tokyo's most famous district for luxury shopping, dining and entertainment, home to numerous shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs and cafés. From 1612 to 1800, the present-day Ginza district was the site of a silver coin mint, giving Ginza its name, which means "silver mint" in Japanese. We then take a break for lunch. Next, we visit Shibuya Crossing, renowned as one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in Shibuya, one of the 23 special wards of Japan's capital, Tokyo. Located amid business and shopping centres in one of the city's busiest areas, it is known as the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and enjoy free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

Note: When leaving the hotel on the morning of the tour, you must take a small bag with everything you need for one day. All other belongings left at the hotel will be transferred from Kyoto to the hotel in Tokyo.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Oshino Hakkai tour. Oshino Hakkai is a Japanese village nestled in nature at the foot of Mount Fuji. In this picturesque village, crystal-clear spring waters fill eight sacred ponds, while traditional Japanese houses, bamboo bridges, and the silhouette of Mount Fuji create an atmosphere of peace, tranquility, and rich Japanese culture. After our tour, we depart for our Hakone & Mount Fuji tour. Standing 3776 meters tall and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013, Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain, known for its graceful conical shape. It is a sacred symbol of the country, with temples and shrines on and around the volcano. Weather permitting, we reach Mount Fuji via the fifth station, where magnificent views above the clouds create a wonderful atmosphere. We then depart for our Hakone tour. One of Hakone’s most distinctive features is its exceptional scenery, thanks to its proximity to Mount Fuji. Here, we take a Lake Ashi boat tour together to enjoy these magnificent views. We then head to the outlet. Gotemba Premium Outlet is a large outlet shopping center at the foot of Mount Fuji in the city of Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Opened in 2000, it is one of Japan’s largest outlets, featuring 290 stores. During our outlet visit, you can shop as you please and enjoy free time. We then transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and enjoy free time to relax. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our tour with a visit to Akihabara, one of Tokyo's most internationally renowned neighbourhoods. Today, popular anime and manga characters feature prominently in local shops. The area is also known as Akihabara Electric Town, having become a major shopping hub for household electronics and the post-war black market shortly after World War II. After free time for lunch here, we depart for our Nakamise & Shopping Arcade tour. During our stop on the shopping street, you can purchase typical Japanese souvenirs such as kimonos and folding fans, or sample a variety of traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and enjoy free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Tokyo Airport for our flight to Istanbul. Following baggage, passport and ticketing procedures, we depart on a scheduled Turkish Airlines flight. Our tour and services end upon arrival at Istanbul New Airport.