Japan and South Korea
Tokyo, Kamakura, Yokohama, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gangnam
PROGRAM
Day 1
Flight Sofia - Istanbul
Flight Istanbul - Tokyo.
Day 2
Arrival in Tokyo.
A 3-hour sightseeing program in Tokyo before checking into your hotel, including a visit to the Ginza area, the main shopping street famous for its many boutique shops and neon signs, and which has become known as the symbol of the city, as well as the Eastern Imperial Garden, consisting of Honmaru and Ninomaru, the castle and beautiful Japanese gardens where Edo Shogun spent his old age with his harem. Check in to the hotel and rest.
Evening sightseeing program in Tokyo - we will take the subway to Shinjuku Financial Center and there we will visit the observatory in the Tokyo City Hall building, located 202 meters high and offering a panoramic view of Tokyo.
Day 3
Breakfast. Tourist program in Tokyo, including a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market; Visit to the Asakusa Kanon Temple, dedicated to the goddess of mercy Kanon (the oldest temple in the city, built in 645 and a symbol of traditional Tokyo) and the shopping street Nakamise, over 200 m long, where small souvenir shops bring you into the atmosphere of old Tokyo.
The tour continues with a visit to the Shinto Meiji Temple, built 100 years ago in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shokeni. Free time in Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most vibrant and colorful areas. Full of shops, restaurants and nightclubs, Shibuya is considered the center of youth fashion and culture.
Return to the hotel. Optional dinner in Sumo restaurant at extra charge.
Day 4
Breakfast. One-day tour to Mount Fuji with lunch included: visit the sacred Mount Fuji - the symbol of Japan and the highest mountain in the country with its 3,776 m altitude. Ascend by bus to the 2nd or 3rd station on the mountain (weather conditions permitting). The program continues with Hakone National Park and a boat cruise on Lake Ashi with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains formed by volcanic activity more than 400,000 years ago and a ropeway ascent of Mount Komagatake, from where a beautiful panorama of Hakone Park can be seen.
Day 5
Breakfast. Day tour to Kamakura, one of the famous tourist destinations in Japan, located south of Tokyo on the Muira Peninsula, in Sagami Bay, famous for its temples and historical sites. Here you will visit the symbol of Kamakura, the "Great Buddha of Kamakura", a bronze statue of Amida Buddha located in Kotokuin Temple in 1252. With a height of 13.5 meters, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan. The tour will continue with the Hase Kanon Temple of the Jodo sect, famous for its statue of Kanon, the goddess of mercy, known for her 11 heads and 1,000 arms. At 9.18m tall, this gilded statue is the largest wooden statue in Japan. Next, we'll explore the Jurudaoka Hashiman Shrine, one of Japan's most famous shrines dedicated to the 15th Emperor of Japan, the deified god Hashiman, who according to legend brought the Emperor Ojin down from the heavens. The shrine features 3 figures: that of Emperor Ojin, his mother Chingu and his wife Himegami.
On the way back to Tokyo we will stop in the central part of the city of Yokohama, which is the largest port city in Japan and the administrative center of Kanagawa Prefecture. The city has a population of 3.5 million and a strong economy, mainly represented by maritime transport as well as biotechnology and semiconductor industries.
The city is located 30 km from the metropolis of Tokyo, for which it also serves as a "bedroom suburb".
Overnight in Tokyo.
Day 6
Breakfast. Visit the artificial islands of Tokyo Bay - Aomi, Daiba and Ariake, which are home to the largest showroom of Toyota, the Telecom Center, the Tokyo Fashion Mall, the modern buildings of many shopping malls, the Water City, the Venus Fort, the Rainbow Bridge and a number of charming restaurants along the waterfront boulevard.
Free time for lunch in the "city of electronics" Akihabara, famous for its numerous electronics, computer and video game shops.
Transfer to Tokyo Station. Depart for Osaka on the famous Shinkansen bullet train, the Japanese railway's spectacular engineering feat, travelling at 270 km/h.
Transfer to hotel and overnight in Osaka.
Day 7
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Osaka, including a cruise on the Okawa River and a visit to Osaka Fortress. In the afternoon we head to Nara visiting Todaiji Temple, home to the largest statue of the Great Buddha in all of Japan and the impressive Deer Park.
Overnight in Osaka.
Day 8
Breakfast. Full-day tour to the ancient capital Kyoto with a visit to the Golden Pavilion (the famous Kinkakuji Temple), the Imperial Palace, the Kiyomizu Buddhist Temple and the Geisha district of Gion.
Overnight in Osaka.
Day 9
Breakfast. Transfer to Osaka airport. Flight Osaka - Busan. Transfer to hotel. Check-in at hotel and walking tour of Haeundae Beach area, Busan's most prestigious waterfront district, famous for its many restaurants, shops and attractions.
Day 10
Breakfast. The full-day tour starts with a visit to the Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is considered a masterpiece of the Golden Age of Buddhist art. Visit the Seokguram cave temple. Next, stroll through Tumuli Park, home to more than 20 tombs of kings and senior officials who ruled Korea. Visit Cheomseongdae tower, the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia. The tour concludes with the artificial Lake Annapji, located in Jeju National Park. The lake was once an ornament of the royal palace of the ancient Silla dynasty.
Overnight in Busan.
Day 11
Breakfast. The program in Busan begins with a visit to the cultural village of Gamcheon, also known as the Korean Santorini. The area is famous for its winding maze-like streets and colourful houses. Next, visit the largest fish market in South Korea, Jagalchi. Next is a visit to Nurimaru APEC House, a prestigious international conference hall where a series of historic political meetings of world leaders have been held. The tour ends at the prestigious "The Bay 101" Yacht Club and Haeundae beach, visited mostly in the evening because of the beautiful reflection of the city lights in the water.
Transfer to the train station and depart for Seoul. Transfer to hotel and overnight in Seoul.
Day 12
Breakfast. Full-day sightseeing program in Seoul including Bongeunsa Temple, Coex Mall and Starfield Library and Namsangol Hanok Village where preserved Korean traditional houses add an authentic atmosphere to the area. Next, visit Seoul's "N" TV Tower and Myeong-dong Shopping Street, South Korea's most famous shopping destination.
Day 13
Breakfast. Full-day sightseeing program in Seoul, including the Blue House - the official residence of the President of South Korea, the Gyeongbok Palace and the National Museum of Korea, located on the palace grounds, a walk along Insa-dong Avenue, famous for its many souvenir and antique shops. Free time. Transfer to Incheon International Airport.
Flight Seoul Incheon - Istanbul (landing on 22 March).
Day 14
Flight Istanbul - Sofia.
Arrival in Sofia
SERVICE PACKAGE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
*Flight tickets Sofia-Istanbul-Tokyo; Osaka-Busan and Seoul-Istanbul-Sofia including airport taxes;
* Ticket for the high-speed train "Shinkansen" Tokyo - Osaka;
* Ticket for Busan - Seoul high speed train;
*All transfers described in the program;
*4 nights accommodation + breakfast in Tokyo in a double room in the selected hotel category;
*3 nights accommodation + breakfast in Osaka in a double room in the selected hotel category;
*2 nights + breakfast in a double room in Seoul in the selected hotel category;
*2 nights + breakfast in a double room in Busan in the selected hotel category;
*One day tour from Osaka to the ancient Japanese capitals of Kyoto and Nara;
*Guided tour of Central Tokyo described in the program;
*Visit the observatory in the Tokyo City Hall and the Shinjuku Financial Center;
*Visit the artificial island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay;
*One day tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone National Park;
*One day tour to Kamakura and central Yokohama;
*Visit Osaka Fortress;
*Half day tour to Kobe from Osaka;
*Cruise on the Okawa River in Osaka;
* Ground transportation in Japan and South Korea by bus specially chartered for the group;
*All meals and sightseeing tours in South Korea described in the program;
*Admission fees for all sites visited;
*Medical insurance with 10 000 Euro coverage.
* Accompanying interpreter who has been to Japan and South Korea many times.
PROGRAMME HOTELS:
Economy Package:
- Tokyo: APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi Ekimae or similar
- Osaka: Androoms Hommachi or similar
- Seoul: Hotel Midcity Myeongdong or similar
- Busan: Best Louis Hamilton Haeundae or similar
Standard Package:
- Tokyo: Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba or similar
- Osaka: The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji or similar
- Seoul: Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun or similar
- Busan: Paradise Hotel Busan or similar
