Visa-free
6 Nights 8 Days
Semester SpecialVisa-free
Japan
South Korea & Japan
From Seoul's palaces to Kyoto's temples and the lights of Tokyo: two countries, nine nights
Seoul · Osaka · Kyoto · Nara · Tokyo · Hakone · Mount Fuji
From €2,899
per person in a double room
Overview
South Korea and Japan are only a short flight apart, yet each is a world of its own, from the food to the architecture. On this route we first explore Seoul's Joseon-era palaces, traditional hanok houses and streets that stay lively late into the night, then cross to Japan for Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo.
With departures timed around the semester break, the programme suits families too: the Seoul – Osaka flight, the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo, the city tours and the entry fees in the programme are all included. After a cruise on Lake Ashi in Hakone we drive up to Mount Fuji's 5th Station, weather permitting.
A Turkish-speaking tour leader travels with you from Istanbul, joined by local guides in every city. In all three cities we stay in well-connected 4★ hotels with breakfast included.
Highlights
- Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul and the royal guard changing ceremony
- A stroll among the traditional houses of Bukchon Hanok Village
- City views from N Seoul Tower and street food in Myeongdong
- Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto
- Nara Park's deer and the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
- A Lake Ashi cruise in Hakone with views of Mount Fuji
Itinerary
Day 1 Istanbul – Seoul
We meet our tour leader at Istanbul Airport and, after check-in, fly with Turkish Airlines to Seoul. The flight takes around 10.5 hours and we spend the night on board.
Day 2 Arrival in Seoul – Myeongdong
Our local guide meets us at Incheon Airport and a drive of about an hour takes us into the city. After checking in and resting, the evening is free in Myeongdong, packed with cosmetics shops and street stalls, to try Korean street food such as tteokbokki and hotteok.
Day 3 Seoul: Gyeongbokgung – Bukchon – Insadong
After breakfast we visit Gyeongbokgung, built in the late 14th century as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, and on ceremony days watch the changing of the royal guard. We then walk among the tiled-roof traditional houses of Bukchon Hanok Village on the slope between two palaces. The day ends with free time in Insadong, known for its tea houses and craft shops.
Day 4 Seoul: Namsan – N Seoul Tower
In the morning we head up Namsan Mountain and take in a bird's-eye view of the city and the Han River from the N Seoul Tower observation deck. We pause for photos on the terraces around the tower, covered in padlocks. The afternoon is free; we suggest Dongdaemun for shopping and Hongdae for a young, lively evening.
Day 5 Seoul – Osaka – Dotonbori
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for a flight of about 2 hours to Osaka, Japan. On the way from Kansai Airport to the hotel we stop briefly in the grounds of Osaka Castle. Free evening in neon-lit Dotonbori to try takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Day 6 Kyoto: Fushimi Inari – Kiyomizu-dera – Gion
A drive of about an hour takes us to Kyoto, the imperial capital for more than a thousand years. At Fushimi Inari we walk the path formed by thousands of vermilion torii gates, then visit Kiyomizu-dera with its wooden terrace overlooking the city. At the end of the day we wander the stone-paved lanes of Gion, known for its geisha culture.
Day 7 Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji – Nara
In the morning we see Kinkaku-ji, its upper floors covered in gold leaf and mirrored in the pond. In the afternoon, in Nara, Japan's capital in the 8th century, we walk among the park's free-roaming deer to Todai-ji and visit its giant bronze Buddha. Return to Osaka in the evening.
Day 8 Shinkansen to Tokyo – Asakusa
We board the Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka and reach Tokyo in about 2.5 hours. In the afternoon we explore Senso-ji in Asakusa, regarded as Tokyo's oldest temple, along with the Kaminarimon gate and its giant lantern and Nakamise Street. In the evening we check in to our hotel.
Day 9 Tokyo: Meiji Shrine – Harajuku – Shibuya
We visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and set within a wooded grove in the middle of the city. After colourful Takeshita Street in Harajuku, we move on to Shibuya Crossing and the Hachiko statue. Free evening in Shinjuku or Ginza.
Day 10 Hakone – Lake Ashi – Mount Fuji
An early start takes us to Hakone for a cruise on Lake Ashi, ringed by volcanic hills. Weather and road conditions permitting, we drive up to Mount Fuji's 5th Station at around 2,300 metres; if the road is closed, we visit viewpoints around Lake Kawaguchi instead. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 11 Tokyo – Istanbul
After breakfast we check out and transfer to the airport. We fly back to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, where our tour comes to an end.
Accommodation
In Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo you stay in 4★ hotels close to metro links, with breakfast included. Rooms in Japanese city hotels tend to be compact. Hotel names are confirmed 7 days before departure.
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Seoul4★ city-centre hotel
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Osaka4★ hotel near a metro station
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Tokyo4★ city-centre hotel
Transport
The outbound flight to Seoul and the return from Tokyo are scheduled Turkish Airlines services. We fly from Seoul to Osaka on a scheduled regional flight and take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo, with an air-conditioned private coach on touring days.
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Istanbul (IST)Seoul (ICN)
Flight · Evening flight · approx. 10 h 30 min
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Seoul (ICN)Osaka (KIX)
Flight · Daytime flight · approx. 2 h
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Osaka (Shin-Osaka)Tokyo
Train · Shinkansen · approx. 2 h 30 min
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Tokyo (HND/NRT)Istanbul (IST)
Flight · Return flight · approx. 13 h 30 min
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Per person | Single supplement | Child (2–12) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21–31 Jan 2027 | €2,899 | +€890 | €2,699 | Few seats left · Last 6 seats |
| 18–28 Feb 2027 | €2,899 | +€890 | €2,699 | Guaranteed |
| 25 Mar – 4 Apr 2027 | €3,549 | +€990 | €3,349 | Available |
Prices are per person in a double room and subject to availability.
What's Included / Not Included
What's Included
- Return Turkish Airlines economy flights Istanbul – Seoul / Tokyo – Istanbul (airline baggage allowance)
- Economy-class regional flight from Seoul to Osaka
- 9 nights in 4★ hotels in Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo
- Daily breakfast at the hotels
- Shinkansen bullet-train ticket from Osaka to Tokyo (standard car)
- Tours of Seoul, Kyoto, Nara, Tokyo and Hakone listed in the programme, with entry fees
- Airport – hotel – airport transfers and private coach on tour days
- Turkish-speaking tour leader from Istanbul and local guides in each city
- Compulsory professional liability insurance
Not Included
- Turkish departure fee (yurt dışı çıkış harcı)
- Travel health insurance (can be added on request)
- K-ETA application fee for South Korea (if required)
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Guide and driver service fee: €70 per person (paid in cash to the tour leader on day one)
- Entry fees not listed in the programme and personal expenses
Visa Information Visa-free
South Korea and Japan do not require a visa from Turkish citizens holding ordinary passports for short tourist visits. Before travelling to South Korea, an online K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) may be required; we recommend completing the application at least 72 hours before your flight. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date and have at least 2 blank pages. As requirements can change, current conditions are confirmed before departure.
Important Information
- The regional airline's baggage rules apply on the Seoul – Osaka flight; the current allowance is confirmed before departure.
- Before the Shinkansen journey, large suitcases are sent ahead to the Tokyo hotel by luggage forwarding service; we recommend packing a small overnight bag.
- Temperatures in Seoul can drop below freezing in January and February, so bring a warm coat, hat and gloves.
- The drive up to Mount Fuji's 5th Station depends on weather and road conditions; the road may close in winter, in which case alternative viewpoints are visited.
- The tour operates with a minimum of 15 participants; the child price (ages 2–12) applies when sharing a room with two adults.
Cancellation & Refunds
Bookings are confirmed with a written package tour contract finalised with our adviser. Cancellation charges based on the time remaining before departure, non-refundable items (visa fees, insurance, special-fare flights) and your rights if a tour is cancelled are explained on our Cancellation & Refund Policy page. Tour-specific terms are stated in the contract.
Cancellation & Refund PolicyGallery
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a K-ETA?
The K-ETA is applied for online through South Korea's official K-ETA website or mobile app, and a small fee applies. As exemptions can change from time to time, our adviser confirms the current rules after you book and guides you through the application.
Is the tour suitable for families with children?
Our late-January departure is timed to coincide with the Turkish school semester break, although exact holiday dates depend on the academic calendar. As the days involve plenty of walking, the tour is especially enjoyable for children aged 7 and over.
Can I travel during cherry blossom season?
The 25 March departure falls in late March to early April, when cherry blossoms usually open in Japan. As blooming times vary each year with the weather, they cannot be guaranteed.
Enquire about this tour
Fill in the form for availability, room options and current prices; our adviser will get back to you shortly. No payment is taken on the site.
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