NOEL TIME – LAND OF THE RISING SUN: "JAPAN" | December 11 – December 19, 2026

Meeting at 12:25 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul Airport's international departures terminal. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we will fly to Tokyo on Turkish Airlines flight TK50 at 15:25. We will spend the night on the plane.

Arrival at Narita Airport at 08:45 local time. After passport and baggage procedures, we will proceed to central Tokyo with our waiting vehicle. Upon arrival in the city, after a free period for lunch, we begin exploring some of Tokyo's most iconic spots. The first place we will visit on our tour is Asakusa Temple, also known as Senso-Ji Temple, one of Tokyo's oldest and most colorful temples, which 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 few temples that survived the bombing raids 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, a shopping street in the area. Next, we continue our tour with a visit to Akihabara, one of Tokyo's most famous neighborhoods worldwide. Akihabara is an extremely busy shopping district renowned for its variety of electronics stores, ranging from small stalls to large shopping malls. Later in the day, we move to the Odaiba area, known for its modern architecture, shopping centers, and views of Tokyo Bay. Here, we take a short walk and a photo break. At the end of the day, we check in at our hotel in Tokyo and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo.

After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we continue our Tokyo tour. Throughout the day, we will explore key locations that reflect both the traditional and modern faces of Tokyo. Our first stop is Tsukiji Fish Market, considered the heart of Japanese cuisine. We will have free time in this area, famous for its lively atmosphere, seafood stalls, and local flavors. Afterwards, we visit TeamLab Planets Digital Art Museum, which showcases one of the most impressive examples of digital art, stepping into what feels like a virtual universe. TeamLab Planets Toyosu, 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. After the free time provided for lunch, we will take a panoramic tour around the Imperial Palace, the official residence of the Imperial Family of Japan. We will pause for photos amidst historic walls, bridges, and expansive gardens. Later in the day, we move to the Ginza district, one of Tokyo's most prestigious shopping and showcase streets. After shopping and free time among world-famous brands, Japanese stores, and stylish cafes, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo.

After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we continue our Tokyo tour. Our first stop will be the Shinjuku Kabukicho district, famous for its neon lights, nightlife, and modern city atmosphere. During our panoramic tour, we will have the opportunity to closely observe Tokyo's dynamic urban life. Then, we move on 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 see the Hachiko Statue, known for its loyalty. After the free time we will have for lunch, our first stop will be Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Then, we proceed to Harajuku and Takeshita Street, a small area with independent boutiques and cafes catering to young people. In this area, famous for its colorful boutique shops, anime-themed cafes, and street food, an enjoyable exploration awaits us. In the latter part of the day, we will visit Meiji Jingu Gaien Christmas Market, which stands out with its New Year's season atmosphere. After the tour, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Tokyo.

After having breakfast at the hotel, we complete our check-out procedures from our Tokyo hotel and head to the Hakone area. Here, we join a boat tour on Lake Ashi, where we will experience a magical encounter with nature. On clear days, we will also have the chance to see the unique silhouette of Mount Fuji from the lake. After the boat tour, you can take photos during the free time in the area and enjoy the natural surroundings. Later, we move to Gotemba Premium Outlet, one of Japan's most popular shopping destinations. Here, we will have the opportunity to shop for world brands at affordable prices and spend pleasant moments while enjoying views of Mount Fuji. At the end of the day, we depart from Gotemba and embark on a delightful journey to Kyoto aboard Japan's famous high-speed train, the Shinkansen. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to admire the impressive landscapes of the Japanese countryside. Upon arrival in Kyoto, we use our private vehicle to check into our hotel in Kyoto in the evening hours and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Kyoto.

Note: Large suitcases collected this morning will be transferred via cargo to our hotel in Kyoto and will reach us the following day. Therefore, we need to bring only essential items for tonight in a small bag.

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin the Kyoto Tour. Our tour starts 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 will visit 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 the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994 as an important cultural asset of the former capital, Kyoto. After free time for lunch at Nishiki Market, we will visit a Kimono shop where we will experience one of the most colorful moments of our tour. After putting on our kimonos, we will experience Japan's traditional tea ceremony. We return to our hotel at the time announced by our guide. Overnight stay at our hotel in Kyoto.

After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our Kyoto Tour. We follow a pleasant route covering Japan's most cultural and historical cities. First, we visit Kiyomizu Temple, one of Kyoto's most iconic temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the temple tour, we will have walking time and free time in Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets, famous for their traditional wooden houses, souvenir shops, and historic atmosphere.

Next, we visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple, renowned for its thousands of orange torii gates. In this area, one of Kyoto's most impressive and photogenic spots, we take a guided walk. After our tour, we head toward Nara. Upon arrival, after enjoying free time in the Naramachi district, known for its traditional ambiance, we will visit Todai-ji Temple, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Todai-ji not only houses the world's largest wooden structure but also contains the Daibutsu, the world's largest Buddha statue. Following Todai-ji, we visit Nara Park. Located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, Nara Park is a public park established in 1880 and is one of Japan's oldest parks. Over 1,200 wild Sika deer roam freely within the park, which is why it is also known as the Deer Park. At the end of the day, we head toward Osaka. After arrival, we check into our hotel and settle into our rooms. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka.

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our Osaka tour. Our first stop is Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines. After visiting this shrine, known for its unique architecture and peaceful atmosphere, we proceed to Osaka Castle, an iconic symbol of Osaka. The castle is situated within a park covering approximately two square kilometers, featuring extensive green spaces, sports facilities, a multi-purpose arena (Osakajo Hall), and a mausoleum dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Following a panoramic castle tour and photo break, we continue our tour. In the afternoon, after some free time for lunch at Kuromon Market, one of Osaka's most famous local markets, we will have walking time and free time in the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi areas, renowned for their neon lights, restaurants, and shopping streets. In the latter part of the day, we are given free time at Wonder Christmas Marche, set up at Umeda Sky Building, one of the city's modern landmarks. We enjoy pleasant moments amidst the New Year atmosphere, stalls, and lighting displays. After the tour, we return to the hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Osaka.

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. Transfer to Tokyo Narita Airport at the time determined by our guide. After completing ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, we will fly to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK87 at 22:50. Overnight stay on the plane.

Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 05:40 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