Elegant Japan 7 Nights with Turkish Airlines (FLY132)

1. Day ISTANBUL – OSAKA We meet at Istanbul New Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight (one day before the departure date). After baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight to Osaka begins on a scheduled Turkish Airlines service. 2. Day OSAKA Upon arrival in Osaka, we transfer to our hotel in Osaka by our private vehicle waiting at the airport, and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. 3. Day OSAKA After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our panoramic Osaka city tour. During our tour, Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and having played an important role in the unification of the Japanese nation, and Umeda Sky Building, consisting of two structures 173 meters long, are among the places to be seen panoramically. Umeda Sky Building is a magnificent high-rise located near Osaka and Umeda stations. The 173-meter-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 open-air deck. Later, on our journey to the hotel in the evening, we will witness a captivating city view accompanied by Osaka’s streets decorated with lights and the silhouettes of modern buildings illuminating the night. Colorful signs, sparkling streetlights, and the lively city atmosphere will add a visual feast to our journey. Transfer to our hotel in Osaka and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. 4. Day OSAKA – NARA DEER PARK – TODAIJI TEMPLE – DOTONBORI & SHINSAIBASHI – OSAKA After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Nara tour. We begin our tour with Todaiji Temple. Built in 752, the temple was established with the aim of becoming 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 earned a place in the record books as the world’s largest wooden structure. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu). Afterwards, we visit Nara Deer Park, a large park in the center of Nara. Founded in 1880, it is home to most 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. The fact that deer are considered messengers of the gods in Japanese mythology makes this place special not only visually but also culturally. While walking in the park, you will have the chance to create unforgettable memories and take photos with curious deer approaching you. Then we carry out our Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi tour, a popular nightlife, shopping, and entertainment district characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signs, although historically it was a theater district. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel in Osaka and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. 5. Day OSAKA – KOBE – ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST – KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE – GION – KYOTO After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Kobe city tour. We begin by enjoying the fresh atmosphere of Meriken Park. Then, after our photo stop in front of the famous Kobe Port Tower, we head up to the Kitano district and stroll through the streets where old foreign residences are located. Afterwards, we will enjoy a pleasant excursion in nature at the Nunobiki Herb Gardens. After our tour, we depart for our Kyoto city tour. During World War II, Kyoto was the only city in Japan that was not bombed. Kyoto is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. We begin our city tour with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Visitors to the bamboo forest are welcomed by a 500-meter walking path. During this walk, we will enjoy pleasant moments accompanied by the sound of the wind passing through the bamboo and you will be able to take pictures of the forest. After the free time we will have, Ryoanji Temple, a Zen temple, is among the places to be seen panoramically. The temple is home to Japan’s most famous rock garden. Originally the villa of an aristocrat during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. An interesting feature of the garden design is that at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer from any point. Then we visit Kiyomizudera (Pure Water) Temple, founded in 780 at the site of Otowa Waterfall in the forested hills east of Kyoto and named after the pure waters of autumn. Afterwards, we transfer to Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Boulevard between Yasaka Shrine to the east and the Kamo River to the west. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Kyoto and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. 6. Day KYOTO – GINZA – SHIBUYA – TOKYO After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Kyoto train station. We arrive in Tokyo by high-speed train. Upon arrival, we head to Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment district, home to numerous shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, and cafes. From 1612 to 1800, the present-day Ginza area was the site of a silver coin mint, which is why Ginza got its name, meaning “silver mint” in Japanese. We continue our tour with a lunch break. Then, we visit Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s 23 special wards. Located in one of the busiest parts of the city amid business and shopping centers, the crossing is considered the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. Note: On the morning of the tour day, when leaving the hotel, you need to take a small bag with you for one day. All other belongings left at the hotel will be transferred from Kyoto to the hotel in Tokyo. 7. Day TOKYO – OSHINO HAKKAI – MOUNT FUJI – HAKONE – LAKE ASHI – OUTLET – TOKYO After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Oshino Hakkai tour. Oshino Hakkai is a Japanese village hidden in the heart of nature at the foot of Mount Fuji. In this village, where crystal-clear spring waters come to life in eight sacred ponds, traditional Japanese houses, bamboo bridges, and the silhouette of Mount Fuji combine to offer peace, serenity, and the depth of Japanese culture. After our tour, we depart for our Hakone & Mount Fuji tour. With a height of 3776 meters, Mount Fuji, which earned a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2013, is the highest mountain in Japan and is known for its elegant conical shape. It is the sacred symbol of the country, and temples and shrines are found around and on the volcano. If weather conditions permit, using the fifth station, you will enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Fuji from above the clouds in a wonderful ambiance. Then, we head to Hakone. One of Hakone’s most distinctive features is the unique view it offers due to its proximity to Mount Fuji. Here, we will take a Lake Ashi boat tour together to enjoy this magnificent scenery. Afterwards, we head to the outlet. Gotemba Premium Outlet is a large outlet shopping center located in Gotemba city in Shizuoka Prefecture, at the foot of Mount Fuji. Opened in 2000, it is one of Japan’s largest outlets and stands out with its 290 stores. During our outlet visit, you can shop as you wish and enjoy free time. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. 8. Day TOKYO – AKIHABARA – NAKAMISE SHOPPING ARCADE – TOKYO After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our tour with a visit to Akihabara, one of Tokyo’s internationally famous districts. Today, in addition to the popular anime and manga symbols visible in the area’s shops, it is known as Akihabara Electric Town because it became a major shopping center for electronic household goods and the post-war black market shortly after World War II. After the free time we will have for lunch, we depart for our Nakamise & Shopping Arcade tour. During our stop on the shopping street, you can buy typical Japanese souvenirs such as various kimonos and folding fans, or taste the various traditional local snacks of the Asakusa area. After our tour, transfer to our hotel in Tokyo and free time for rest. Accommodation at our hotel. 9. Day TOKYO – ISTANBUL After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Tokyo Airport for our flight to Istanbul. After baggage, passport, and ticket procedures, we take our Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. With our arrival at Istanbul New Airport, our tour and services come to an end.