2027 SAKURA SEASON | THE FLOWER AND SUN OF THE FAR EAST: "SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN" | SEOUL (2 NIGHTS) - OSAKA (1 NIGHT) - NARA - KYOTO (2 NIGHTS) – HAKONE - TOKYO (3 NIGHTS) | ALL CITY TOURS, TEAM LABS DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, KIMONO RENTAL, TEA CEREMONY, AND ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED | ROUND-TRIP FLIGHT BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN INCLUDED | SHINKANSEN EXPERIENCE ON THE WORLD'S FIRST HIGH-SPEED TRAIN INCLUDED | APRIL 1–11, 2027
2027 SAKURA SEASON
THE FLOWER AND SUN OF THE FAR EAST: "SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN"
SEOUL (2 NIGHTS) - OSAKA (1 NIGHT) - NARA - KYOTO (2 NIGHTS) – HAKONE - TOKYO (3 NIGHTS)
ALL CITY TOURS, TEAM LABS DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, KIMONO RENTAL, TEA CEREMONY AND ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED. FLIGHT BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN INCLUDED
EXPERIENCE TRAVEL ON THE WORLD'S FIRST HIGH-SPEED TRAIN, SHINKANSEN, INCLUDED
Round-trip economy class airfare on the Istanbul-Seoul/Tokyo-IST route with Turkish Airlines scheduled flights
One-way economy class airfare on the Seoul/Osaka route with Asiana Airlines scheduled flights
Airport taxes
Journey via Shinkansen high-speed train
Total 8 nights accommodation at specified or similar hotels
Morning breakfasts as specified in the program
Aegibong Ecopark tour
Seoul Tour (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsangol Hanok Village, Bongeunsa Temple, Insadong Street, N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong Street)
Osaka Tour (Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Todaiji Temple, Osaka Castle, Kuromon Ichiba Market)
Kyoto Tour (Kiyomizu Temple, Gion District, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tour)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tour
Nara Park Tour
Tokyo Tour (Asakusa Temple, Nakamise, Akihabara, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku)
Hakone Tour (boat cruise on Lake Ashi)
Outlet Tour
Kimono Rental Experience
Tea Ceremony Experience
TeamLab Digital Art Museum
Airport – hotel – airport transfers
All tours and entrance fees specified in the program
Turkish-speaking guide service
Professional liability insurance (in accordance with Law No. 1618)
Exit tax
K-ETA South Korea electronic travel authorization
Personal expenses
Tour guarantee and travel health insurance
All services not explicitly included in the tour program
Tips (5 EUR per person per day, to be collected by the guide)
Japan is an island nation in East Asia consisting of 6,852 islands. Located in the Pacific Ocean, the country extends from the Sea of Japan eastward to China, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia, from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The kanji characters that form Japan's name mean "sun" and "origin." Therefore, Japan is also known as the "Land of the Rising Sun." The country is divided into 47 prefectures across eight regions. Most of the islands are mountainous, and some consist of volcanoes. Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak, is a volcano. With a population of 126 million, 98.5% of whom are Japanese, Japan is the eleventh most populous country in the world.\n\nSouth Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. The name Korea originates from Goguryeo, one of the powerful kingdoms of ancient East Asia that, under King Gwanggaeto the Great, ruled over the Korean Peninsula, most of Manchuria, parts of the Russian Far East, and some regions of Inner Mongolia. Its capital, Seoul, is a major global city; more than half of South Korea's 51 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area, home to the world's fourth-largest metropolitan economy.\n\nVisa Information\n\nNo visa is required for Turkish citizens traveling to Japan.\n\nA K-ETA application is mandatory for travel to South Korea. Since the K-ETA application contains personal information, it must be completed by the traveler themselves via the link below. Please note that any errors such as typos or missing letters in the K-ETA application may result in denial of boarding. This applies to all travelers, including those holding green passports. Payment is made by credit card; on the final screen, the site automatically converts the fee into the user's local currency.\n\nhttps://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/apply/viewstep1.do\n\nAll passengers must possess a chip-enabled passport. Old dark blue chipless passports are not accepted. For this tour, a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the tour is required. Passengers whose passports do not meet this validity requirement may be denied boarding by the airline. Immigration authorities have the right to refuse entry to any passenger. In such cases, all responsibility lies with the passenger.\n\nIMPORTANT NOTES:\n\nOur tour program operates subject to a minimum participation requirement. If sufficient participants are not secured for a package tour, the tour may be canceled up to 30 days prior to departure. Cancellations due to insufficient participation will be communicated to you.\n\nWhen only category information is provided without specific hotel names in the tour program, and/or when multiple options exist for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by our agency no later than 48 hours before the tour departure.\n\nThis price list and program remain valid until a new price list is issued, at which point this version becomes entirely void.\n\nAll prices in our package programs are limited to a maximum of 10 participants per group. Additional participants beyond this number may incur price increases. Please inquire about pricing details.\n\nIn the case of normal passports issued more than 10 years ago, or other passport types issued more than 5 years ago, travelers acknowledge that Sora, acting solely as an intermediary and not as the operator, bears no liability for service deficiencies arising from such passport issues. All international departures requiring customs clearance must be attended by the passenger at the port of departure at least three hours prior to the scheduled tour departure time. Especially for guests arriving from other cities via domestic flights to ports or airports, flight schedules must be adjusted accordingly to ensure timely arrival. Consequently, any delays or failure to join the tour due to late arrival are the sole responsibility of the passenger, and Sora has no obligation to provide compensation.\n\nSora acts as an intermediary between airlines and passengers and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. Flight times may change prior to departure. All flight times must be confirmed by the passenger at least 48 hours before the scheduled tour departure. By purchasing the tour, passengers acknowledge and accept that flight details may change.\n\nTriple rooms are allocated based on hotel availability. In such rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed and one additional bed. Since additional beds are foldable or convertible (often referred to as coach beds), participants booking triple occupancy (third adult and/or child) are deemed to have accepted potential room crowding and the type of bedding used. Child discounts apply only to one child per room accompanying two adults, within the appropriate age range. Due to limited availability of TWIN rooms (two separate beds) in hotels, please verify your TWIN room request prior to booking.\n\nChildren under 18 who are not legally considered adults must carry notarized consent forms signed by at least one parent throughout the entire duration of the tour if traveling without both parents.\n\nPanoramic city tours are 2–3 hour sightseeing tours designed to introduce cities and do not include entrance fees to museums or historical sites. These tours may be rescheduled on different dates, provided their content remains unchanged. Extra tours are conducted based on a minimum number of participants determined by the tour leader. If this minimum is not met, extra tours may proceed with an additional charge, and their timing may be adjusted by the tour leader according to the program schedule. Tours may be canceled due to weather conditions. No visits or tours will be conducted to locations where local authorities prohibit access for any reason. Sora cannot be held liable for the inability to conduct such tours.\n\nPassengers must carry documentation regarding any health issues, pregnancy status, medications they regularly use, and relevant medical reports related to these medications.\n\nTour details, airport representative information, tour leader contacts, and hotel notifications will be provided 48 hours prior to tour departure.\n\nA passport is an official document. Immigration authorities have the right to deny entry if the passport is damaged, stained, torn, or otherwise compromised. In such cases, all responsibility lies with the passenger.\n\nFor this tour program, a visa is required for Turkish citizens. Even with a valid visa, immigration authorities retain the right to deny entry. In such instances, all financial and legal responsibilities rest with the passenger. Please carefully review your passport information and details.\n\nWhen departing from Turkish border crossings, regardless of nationality (Turkish or foreign), all passport holders must possess a passport valid for at least six months from the date of travel. Our agency will not approve bookings for passports failing to meet this requirement. Sora bears no liability for compensation if passengers are unable to join the tour due to insufficient passport validity.\n\nGuests who do not participate in included tours as specified in the program are not eligible for any refund.
Meeting at the Turkish Airlines counter in front of the Istanbul Airport international departures terminal at 13:50. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we will fly to Seoul on Turkish Airlines flight TK20 at 16:50. We will spend the night on the plane.
Arrival at Seoul Incheon Airport at 08:35 local time. After passport and baggage procedures, we begin our tour with a vehicle waiting for us at the airport. Our first stop on the tour will be Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395, it is not only the largest of the Five Grand Palaces constructed by the Joseon Dynasty but also considered the most beautiful and magnificent. Our next stop will be Namsangol Hanok Village. Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain, this village offers visitors a sense of traveling back in time with its restored traditional "hanok" houses, peaceful gardens, and authentic atmosphere. Here, we will have the opportunity to closely observe Korean living culture, architectural details, and traditional layouts. Passing by, we will also see the former Blue House and Gwanghwamun Square panoramically. After the sightseeing, we will proceed to Insadong Street, famous for its traditional tea houses, art galleries, and souvenir shops. Free time will be provided here. The final stop of our tour will be Myeongdong Street, one of Korea's most popular shopping and fashion streets. After visiting this lively area filled with cosmetic stores, local restaurants, and international brands, we will head to our hotel. We will complete check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Seoul.
After breakfast at our hotel, our first stop will be Aegibong Ecopark. Located in the only Demilitarized Zone between South Korea and North Korea, Aegibong Peace Ecological Park stands out as a symbol of peace and harmony. The confluence of the Han River with the Jogang River, which connects different histories and cultures, makes this point even more meaningful. From here, we will have the opportunity to observe the North Korean Propaganda Village on the opposite bank of the Han River and North Korean farmers working in the fields. Additionally, we will have the chance to enjoy our coffee at the first and only Starbucks in Korea with a view of North Korea. We will be able to see North Korean territory and the border line from the observation deck. Our tour will continue with N Seoul Tower, which serves as both a communication tower and an observation deck. After reaching the tower via cable car, we will enjoy panoramic views of Seoul from its highest point. Next, we will head to see the Gangnam Style Statue. Then, we will visit Starfield Library, located just nearby. Our next stop will be Bongeunsa Temple, which has a history spanning 1,200 years. As a cornerstone of Korean Buddhism, Bongeunsa is one of the structures that attract tourists to the area, featuring one of Seoul's largest statues, Maitreya, and a library housing 3,479 sacred Buddhist texts. After our tour, we will return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Seoul.
At the time announced by our guide, we will complete our check-out procedures and transfer to the airport. We will fly to Osaka on flight OZ112 at 07:55. We will land at Osaka Kansai Airport at 09:40 local time. After completing passport and baggage procedures, we will begin our Osaka tour from the airport with our vehicle. Our first stop will be Osaka Castle, built in the 16th century and playing an important role in the unification of the Japanese nation. The castle is located within a park covering approximately two square kilometers, featuring abundant green spaces, sports facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall), and a mausoleum dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From there, we will continue our tour to Kuromon Ichiba Market. This large market offers free time for shopping and lunch, with vendors selling street food, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, and souvenirs. After the free time, we will visit Dotonbori, which has become Osaka's entertainment hub. Following visits to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, the city's main shopping district, we will transfer to our hotel. We will complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka.
After having breakfast at our hotel, we will complete our check-out procedures and depart for the Nara Tour and Kyoto Tour. Our Nara tour begins with Todai-ji Temple. In addition to being the world's largest wooden structure, Todai-ji houses the world's largest Buddha statue, known in Japanese as Daibutsu. Following Todai-ji, we will visit Nara Park. Nara Park is a public park located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. Established in 1880, it is one of Japan's oldest parks. The park is home to over 1,200 wild Sika deer roaming freely. Due to these deer, Nara is also known as Deer Park. After our Nara sightseeing, we continue our journey toward Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, we will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, a Shinto shrine said to have been founded by Hata-no-Iroko in 711. After free time for lunch, we will proceed to Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. The temple is internationally recognized as a perfect example of Kitayama garden design art. Thanks to these features, it has been included on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1994 as an important cultural asset of the former capital, Kyoto. At the end of the tour, we will be transferred to our hotel. We will complete our check-in procedures and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Kyoto.
After breakfast at our hotel, we continue to the Kyoto Tour. Our tour begins with a visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. In this grove, which features a 500-meter walking trail, we will be able to walk, listen to the sounds created by the wind passing through the bamboo, and feed wild monkeys. Next, we head to a kimono rental shop where we will experience one of the most colorful experiences of our tour. After renting our kimonos, we experience Japan's traditional tea ceremony. Following the free time given for lunch, we visit Kiyomizu Temple, one of Kyoto's most iconic temples listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The temple offers numerous cherry blossom and maple trees that burst into a sea of colors in spring and autumn, as well as beautiful views of the distant city of Kyoto. The main hall, built without using nails along with the stage, houses the temple's main object of worship, a small statue of the thousand-armed, eleven-faced Kannon. After our temple visit, we will have walking time and free time in the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets, famous for their traditional wooden houses, souvenir shops, and historical atmosphere. Then, we will visit Gion, Kyoto's famous geisha district. During our visit to Gion, we will see places such as shops, restaurants, and Ochaya (tea houses) where Geiko (the name given to geishas in Kyoto) and Maiko (Geiko apprentices) entertain and shop. After the program, we return to our hotel in the evening hours with free time. Overnight at our hotel in Kyoto.
In the early morning, after completing our check-out procedures from our hotel in Kyoto, we embark on a pleasant journey to Odawara Station aboard Japan's famous high-speed train, the Shinkansen. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Japanese countryside. Upon arrival in Odawara, we transfer to Hakone via our private vehicle. Here, we join a boat tour on Lake Ashi, offering a magical experience immersed in nature. On clear days, we may also catch a glimpse of the unique silhouette of Mount Fuji from the lake. After the boat tour, you are free to take photos and enjoy the natural surroundings during the leisure time in the area. Later, we head to Gotemba Premium Outlet, one of Japan's most popular shopping destinations. There, we will have the chance to shop at world-class brand stores at affordable prices while enjoying views of Mount Fuji. At the end of the day, we depart from Gotemba and transfer to Tokyo, considered the heart of Japan. In the evening, we check into our hotel in Tokyo and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our Tokyo hotel. Note: Large suitcases collected this morning will be transferred by cargo to our Tokyo hotel and delivered to us the following day. Therefore, please bring only essential items for tonight in a small bag.
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Tokyo Tour. Our tour begins with TeamLab Planets Digital Art Museum, one of the most impressive examples of digital art, where we step into a virtual universe. TeamLab, one of the most unforgettable stops on our tour, is not just an exhibition; it is an interactive digital art universe created with light, sound, water, color, and movement. Next, we move to Ginza, Tokyo's most luxurious shopping district, where we experience the modern Tokyo atmosphere up close. After free time for lunch, we continue our tour with a visit to Akihabara, one of Tokyo's world-famous neighborhoods. Akihabara is an extremely busy shopping area famous for its variety of electronic stores, ranging from small street stalls to large shopping malls. Then, we will visit Asakusa Temple, also known as Senso-ji Temple, which is considered one of Tokyo's oldest and most colorful temples and is a Buddhist temple. Also called Santa-jama (Temple of the Three Gods), this temple attracts significant interest from both tourists and locals. It is one of the rare temples in Tokyo that survived the bombing attacks in the final year of World War II, and for this reason, the building's original structure remains unaltered. Built in 1649, the temple was reportedly constructed to honor three deified brothers who found a statue of the goddess Kannon in a river. We will also see Nakamise, the shopping street in the area. At the end of the day, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo.
After having breakfast at our hotel, we will complete our check-out procedures and continue to the Tokyo Tour. Our first stop will be Meiji Shrine, a Shinto temple dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Then, we will move to Harajuku and Takeshita Street, known for its small, youth-oriented independent boutiques and cafes. In this area, famous for colorful boutique shops, anime-themed cafes, and street food, an enjoyable exploration awaits us. After the free time given for lunch, we will proceed to Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya Scramble Crossing), one of the first images that come to mind when Tokyo is mentioned. After taking a photo break at one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings, we will see the Hachiko Statue, renowned for its loyalty. Then, we will visit the Shinjuku area, famous for its entertainment, restaurants, and neon lights. At the end of the day, we will return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo.
After breakfast at our hotel, you will have free time for the rest of the day. Transfer to Tokyo Haneda Airport at the time determined by our guide. After completing ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, you will fly to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK199 at 21:45. Overnight stay on the plane.
Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:05 local time and the end of our tour. We say goodbye, looking forward to meeting again on our next enjoyable trip. Explanations of abbreviations >>> (K): Breakfast | (A): Dinner | (Ö): Lunch