Grand Japan Tour with Dilara, 7 Nights 9 Days, Direct Flights with Turkish Airlines

Day 1 – November 25, 2026, Wednesday | Istanbul → Tokyo (Direct Flight)

Our journey begins with a meeting in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, 3 hours before departure. After completing ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Tokyo at 15:25 on THY flight TK0050.

Flight: IST 15:25 – NRT (next day) 08:45 · Economy, TK0050 · Return flight: Thursday, December 3, 2026, KIX 22:50 – IST (next day) 05:40, Economy, TK0087

Note: The hotels mentioned in the program are not final; accommodation will be made at these or similar hotels, and the hotels may vary.

Day 2 – November 26, 2026 | Tokyo City Tour

We arrive in Tokyo at 08:45 and head to the city center after collecting our luggage. Our first stop is Asakusa Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Shinto shrine (founded in 645), famous for its massive lanterns that capture the city's atmosphere. Passing under the giant Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), you can buy gifts for your loved ones and try local street flavors on the authentic Nakamise Street, considered Japan’s first open-air shopping mall, featuring over 70 shops.

Next, we move to Ginza, Japan’s luxury shopping district and one of the world’s most famous streets. Until 1800, this area served as Japan’s silver mint; after the Great Kanto Earthquake, it transformed into a luxury shopping hub. Its name derives from the combination of the kanji characters for “silver (gin)” and “place (za).” At the end of our tour, we walk alongside thousands of people at Shibuya, home to the world’s most well-known pedestrian crossing and the Hachiko statue. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel.

Accommodation: Tokyo – Hotel Route-Inn Grand Tokyo Toyocho, Candeo Hotels Ueno Park, etc. · Lunch and dinner: Served at locations determined by the guide, available as an extra during free time · Hotel check-in: Approximately 19:00, depending on traffic conditions

Day 3 – November 27, 2026 | Kamakura & Yokohama

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Kamakura, one of Tokyo’s oldest historical cities; this was the region where the shogunate system was first established. We begin our visit with Kotoku, a Buddhist temple belonging to the Jōdo-shū sect; the temple is famous for the Great Buddha statue of Kamakura, one of Japan’s most iconic symbols. We experience the fabric of the city by visiting Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, and walking through Komachi-dori street.

Next, we move on to Yokohama, which has a population of 3.7 million and is one of Japan’s three major cities. We tour Yokohama Chinatown, Japan’s largest Chinese district with a 160-year history, followed by a visit to the famous Cup Noodle Museum. At the end of the day, we have free time in the Minato Mirai area, one of the central locations offering views of the city’s atmosphere. Afterward, we transfer to our hotel.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in the tour price · Lunch and dinner: Extra during free time · Route: Tokyo–Kamakura 66 km, Kamakura–Yokohama 32 km, Yokohama–Tokyo 35 km · Accommodation: Tokyo (same hotels) · Hotel check-in: approx. 18:30

Day 4 – November 28, 2026 | Mount Fuji & Hakone

After breakfast, we set off on our tour to Hakone & Mount Fuji. Standing at an altitude of 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013; it is Japan’s highest mountain and sacred symbol, known for its elegant conical shape, with temples and shrines located around and upon it. We first arrive at Oshino Hakkai, one of Japan’s most beautiful villages with stunning mountain views, taste water from Mount Fuji, and sample local delicacies; we recommend trying the freshly made Japanese mochi mugwort rice cake.

Next, we take a boat tour on Lake Ashi to enjoy this magnificent scenery. We ride the cable car up to the top and visit Owakudani Valley, which means “Great Boiling Valley.” Then, we transfer to our hotel in Tokyo.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in the tour price · Lunch and dinner: Extra during free time · Route: Tokyo–Oshino Hakkai 101 km, Oshino Hakkai–Lake Ashi (Hakone) 47 km, Hakone–Tokyo 85 km · Hotel check-in: approx. 18:30

Day 5 – November 29, 2026 | Tokyo → Osaka (Shinkansen)

After breakfast, we depart for Osaka by the high-speed Shinkansen train. Upon arrival, we begin our tour of Osaka, Japan's third-largest city and renowned as the capital of gourmet food, with our waiting vehicle. Our first stop is Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to unify the nation and believed to have employed approximately 100,000 workers during its construction—one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture. Next, we visit Dotonbori, Osaka's popular dining district, where we experience the vibrant atmosphere characterized by iconic neon signs, street food, and shopping venues. After free time in the city, we transfer to our hotel.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in the tour price · Lunch and dinner: Extra during free time · Accommodation: Osaka – Hotel Osaka Plaza, Osaka Castle Hotel, etc. · Route: Tokyo–Osaka 498 km (Shinkansen) · Check-in at hotel: approx. 18:30

Day 6 – November 30, 2026 | Wakayama

After breakfast, we head to Wakayama. In the city of Shirahama, Senjojiki is a picturesque rock formation along the Pacific Ocean coast that resembles tatami mats stacked on top of each other (Senjojiki means “1,000 tatami mats”). This flat plateau made of white, soft sandstone extends from Setozaki Cape toward the ocean; this landscape, shaped by waves over thousands of years, has been designated as part of the “Engetsu Island (Takashima)・Senjojiki・Sandanbeki” National Natural Monument.

At Kuroshio Market, you can watch a live tuna cutting demonstration at 12:30 PM every day and sample seafood rice balls (additional fee applies). We also visit a factory that produces traditional plum wine, umeshu, have the experience of making your own umeshu, and take great photos in the 1,000-square-meter Japanese garden.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in tour price · Lunch and dinner: Free time, additional cost · Route: Osaka–Wakayama–Osaka · Accommodation: Osaka (same hotels) · Hotel check-in: estimated 18:30

Day 7 – December 1, 2026 | Kyoto

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin a full-day tour of Kyoto. First, we visit Kinkakuji, the Zen temple on UNESCO's World Heritage List, renowned as the pinnacle of its kind with its lotus pond garden design and two upper floors entirely covered in gold leaf. Then we explore Fushimi Inari Shrine, featured in the filming of "Memoirs of a Geisha"; dedicated to Inari, the rice god, this shrine features over a thousand torii gates and fox statues considered messengers of the deity Inari, showcasing Japan's ancient roots.

After exploring Gion, Kyoto's historic district famous for its geishas, we visit the bamboo forest park before returning to our hotel in Osaka.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in the tour price · Lunch and dinner: Extra during free time · Route: Osaka–Kyoto–Osaka 56 km · Hotel check-in: approx. 18:30

Day 8 – December 2, 2026 | Nara & Kobe

After breakfast, we continue our tour to Nara, Japan's first capital (710), home to its largest and oldest temples. First, we visit Todaiji Temple, which houses one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu) in the world's largest wooden structure. Then, we meet the deer in sacred Nara Park, considered messengers of the gods; you will feed these deer, which do not shy away from humans, with crackers sold nearby.

Next, we head to Kobe, a port city and one of Japan's ten major cities, famous for its beef and for producing the most sake in Japan. Our first stop is Kobe Mosaic, a shopping and entertainment center, where we shop and sample local flavors. Then, we visit the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum: realistic depictions of the earthquake's devastation, a documentary about the recovery process, information on earthquake and disaster prevention, and interactive games await you. At the end of the tour, we transfer to our hotel.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in the tour price · Lunch and dinner: Extra during free time · Route: Osaka–Nara 32 km, Nara–Kobe 63 km, Kobe–Osaka 33 km · Hotel check-in: approx. 18:30

Day 9 – December 3, 2026 | Rinku Outlet → Istanbul

After breakfast and free time, we head to Rinku Premium Outlet, one of Japan’s largest outlet centers featuring a wide range of stores; you’ll have free time to find international and Japanese brands at affordable prices. Afterwards, we transfer to the airport. After completing ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK0087 at 22:50, arriving in Istanbul the next day at 05:40. We look forward to seeing you on your next trip.

Breakfast: At the hotel, included in the tour price · Lunch: Extra during free time