* VISA-FREE * JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA WITH COSTA SERENA - 2026
WITH COSTA SERENA THE PEARL OF THE FAR EAST JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA
**NO VISA REQUIRED**
Tokyo – Kobe (1) – Kochi – Kagoshima – Nagasaki – Busan –
Kanazawa – Hakodate – Tokyo (2)
**2 NIGHTS HOTEL STAY IN TOKYO**
WITH TURKISH AIRLINES – 13 NIGHTS 15 DAYS
06 OCTOBER 2026
DAY 01 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – TOKYO 06.10.2026
Meeting with our esteemed guests at the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal at 12:00 noon. After passport, ticket, and baggage procedures, departure to Tokyo Narita Airport at 15:50 on Turkish Airlines flight TK50. Overnight on the plane.
DAY 02 YOKOHAMA (TOKYO) (EMBARKING THE SHIP) 07.10.2026
Arrival in Tokyo at 08:55 local time. Transfer to our ship with a private vehicle waiting for us at the airport. After boarding Costa Serena and settling into cabins, free time. Guests wishing to participate in the "Tokyo Shopping Tour," organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. We will visit the largest shopping streets in Tokyo. In this tour, you can buy many electronic items at very reasonable prices, as well as products from clothing brands not available in Turkey, like Uniqlo. We will meet at the hour specified by our guide and proceed back to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 19:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 03 KOBE (KYOTO) 08.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Kobe Port at 18:00 in the evening. After dinner, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests wishing to participate in the “Osaka & Kobe Night Tour Under the Lights," organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. We will first head to Osaka. The magnificent lights of Osaka will dazzle you. Our first stop will be the garden section of Osaka Castle. As the last entry time for the castle is at 17:00, we won't be able to enter. After taking photos in the surrounding area and garden, we will start our city tour. Our second stop will be Dotonbori, famous for its sparkling streets filled with neon signs, walking along the canals and restaurants full of street delicacies where you will feel all the energy of Osaka. After our tour, we will return to our ship. Then we will return to Kobe. Our first stop in Kobe will be Mt. Maya Kikuseidai. This spot offers one of Japan’s three great night views, where you can see the magnificent lights of both Kobe and Osaka. We will visit the city center for free time before returning to our ship. Our ship will remain anchored at Kobe port tonight. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 04 KOBE (KYOTO) 09.10.2026
After breakfast, free time for personal activities. Guests wishing to participate in the “Kobe City Tour” organized by our guide for an additional fee may join. Kobe is a city located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, known for its famous Kobe beef. It draws attention with its modern structures, beautiful views, and historical richness. Our tour will first visit the Kobe Port Tower, a unique red-painted steel structure that has become a symbol of the port and city. Then we will proceed to Ikuta Jinja shrine, one of Japan's oldest temples and part of Kobe’s historical heritage. We will witness the traditional Japanese worship rituals at this shrine. Finally, we will take a cable car journey to the highest peak of the Rokko mountains, providing a panoramic view of the heavily urbanized Hanshin region (Kobe and Osaka) for taking photos. After visiting the Nunobiki Botanic Gardens in Kobe, where we will see seasonal plants and flowers that change continuously, we will return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 20:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 05 KOCHI (JAPAN) 10.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Kochi port at 07:00. After breakfast, we will depart with our private vehicle waiting at the port for a "Kochi Castle & Kochi City Tour." Learn how Kochi became a center of pro-imperial ideology by visiting the two most respected symbols of the city. We will go from the pier to Kochi Castle. The "donjon" or main tower, built over 400 years ago by feudal lord Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, is worth climbing to enjoy the famous panoramic views of the entire city. Your tour will take you through the beautifully restored Tsumemon Gate, which connects to the second castle within the complex, and no visit is complete without seeing the living quarters or "honmaru," which house local and historical treasures. After a walk around the castle grounds, we’ll hop back on our bus and head to the beautiful Katsurahama Beach. Here stands the statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, one of Japan’s most beloved historical figures, known for modernizing Japan from a feudal state into a unified nation. After our tour, we will return to our ship. Our ship will leave the port at 16:30. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 06 KAGOSHIMA 11.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Kagoshima port at 09:00. After breakfast, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests wishing to participate in the “Kamikaze & Sanganen Japanese Garden Tour,” organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. This impressive tour begins at the Chiran Peace Museum, which tells the story of the Kamikaze pilots and their planes that fearlessly went to their deaths for their country during World War II, even knowing it was their final mission. Afterwards, we will enjoy a pleasant walk in Sanganen, one of the finest traditional Japanese gardens in the country. We will visit the house of the Shimadzu family, who cherished this beautiful art for generations while enjoying the special view of Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima volcano. We will learn about the lifestyle of Prince Shimadzu Tadayoshi. The Sengan-en Gardens and Shoko Shuseikan Museum, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, illustrates over 800 years of the Shimadzu family's history and the international relations that facilitated the industrial modernization of Kagoshima, Kyushu, and Japan. We will return to the ship from the main street of Kagoshima. Our ship will depart from the port at 19:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 07 NAGASAKI 12.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Nagasaki port at 08:00. After breakfast, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests wishing to participate in the “Nagasaki City Tour,” organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. Nagasaki is the largest city and the capital of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan, and historically one of two cities that suffered a nuclear attack. The first stop of our city tour will be the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, to remember one of the most painful memories in history. Afterwards, we will visit Glover Garden, Japan's oldest surviving western-style house, built by Scottish merchant Thomas Bloke Glover. Finally, we will explore Nagasaki's Chinatown, experiencing free time in the city center before returning to our ship. Our ship will leave the port at 19:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 08 BUSAN (SOUTH KOREA) 13.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Busan port at 07:00. After breakfast, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests wishing to participate in the “Busan City Tour,” organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. We will visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the few coastal Buddhist temples in South Korea that witnessed the Japanese occupation and the Korean War. Following our visit, we will see the beautiful Dalmaji-gil Road with its blue ocean, white sandy beaches, camellia forest, and pine tree forest views, as well as visiting Haeundae beach, Dongbaekseom Island, representing the heartbreaking love story of the Mermaid statue, and finally the UN Memorial Cemetery, where UN soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 lie, including two Turkish martyrs and a monument. We will then visit Gamcheon Culture Village, known as “Busan's Machu Picchu,” Busan Tower, the old downtown area of Busan filled with shops of various brands and reasonably priced local stores. Among the streets, there is a paradise of street food. After visiting the Gukje Market, which has become Busan's largest market, we will return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 16:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 09 KANAZAWA 14.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Kanazawa port at 15:00 in the afternoon. After lunch, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests wishing to participate in the “Kenrokuen Gardens & Samurai Village Tour,” organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. Our tour will first visit the Kenrokuen Garden, one of the "Three Great Gardens" of Japan, designed based on the six principles of "excellence" in Chinese landscape garden design, ensuring beauty in every season. Next, we will explore the famous samurai district of Kanazawa, Nagamachi, and one of the most important residences in this area, the Nomura Samurai House. This house hosted several generations of the Nomura samurai family. While exploring the house, you can feel the simple elegance of the family’s lifestyle and see their ancestral armors and weapons, as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery in the immense backyard. After uncovering the hidden treasures of Japan, we will return to our ship. Our ship will leave the port at 23:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 10 AT SEA 15.10.2026
This day at sea will offer you many options. Those interested can enjoy the open and closed pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas on the ship. You may shop at duty-free stores, try your luck at the casino, or enjoy various music and entertainments in the bars. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 11 HAKODATE 16.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Hakodate port at 07:30. After breakfast, free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests wishing to participate in the “Hakodate City Tour,” organized by the guide for an additional fee, may join. We will leave the ship to explore the city. Our first stop will be Goryokaku Tower. From here, we will enjoy the panoramic view of Goryokaku and learn more about the city’s history. We will then have the chance to walk in Goryokaku Park. Next, we will visit Hachimanzaka, experiencing the old Hokkaido atmosphere and seeing historic buildings. We will then head to the Ekini Market to taste local delicacies and shop. Here, we can try Hokkaido's famous seafood and other local products. We will ascend Mount Hakodate by then. We will return down via a cable car. You will experience the influence of other cultures (Russian Orthodox and Christian churches) in this beautiful city center. During our tour, we will visit Daimon Yokocho to taste local foods in traditional restaurants. Finally, we will visit Funadama Shrine to delve deeper into Japanese traditions and culture. We will find peace in the serene atmosphere of the shrine. We will take a break at Cha Cha Nobori Daisan-saka (Southern Mountain Monument) to explore the city's natural beauty and rest. Our ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 12 AT SEA 17.10.2026
On the last day at sea, you can enjoy the ship while sailing from the Japan Sea to the Pacific. You may relax in the spa, take part in activities organized by the animation team, or enjoy the view on deck. A farewell dinner and final preparations await you. Dinner and overnight on board.
DAY 13 TOKYO (HOTEL ACCOMMODATION) 18.10.2026
Our ship will dock at Tokyo Port at 08:00. After breakfast and disembarkation procedures, we will depart for the 'Hakone & Fuji View Ashi Lake Tour' with a private vehicle waiting for us. After approximately 2 hours of journey, our first stop will be the Owakudani Valley, formed by an explosion 3000 years ago and still showing volcanic gas emissions. Here you will see the famous 'Black Eggs' and have the opportunity to take photos of Mount Fuji's unique view from above (depending on the weather). After a lunch break in the area, we will embark on a boat tour on Lake Ashi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a relaxing cruise in the crater lake's serene atmosphere, free time follows. After the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. After check-in procedures at the hotel, free time. Overnight at our hotel.
DAY 14 TOKYO (HOTEL ACCOMMODATION) 19.10.2026
After breakfast, free time. Guests wishing to join the “Tokyo City Tour” organized by the guide for an additional fee may join. The first place we will visit is the Imperial Palace, which includes many buildings such as the residence of the imperial family, archives, museums, and administrative offices. The Tokyo Imperial Palace was built on the site of an old castle that served as the residence of the shogun in the 15th century. In the 19th century, when Emperor Meiji moved the imperial family from Kyoto to Tokyo, this area became royal property as well. Most of the buildings were destroyed during World War II; therefore, the oldest items remaining from the palace are only 50 years old. Our second stop will be the Ginza district, one of the city’s most popular shopping areas full of luxury boutiques and first-class cocktail and sushi bars. Ginza hosts countless tourists from around the world as one of the most luxurious shopping areas globally. Next, we will visit the Senso-ji Temple, considered one of Tokyo’s oldest and most colorful temples. Also known as Santa-jama (Three Gods Temple), Asakusa attracts significant attention from both tourists and locals. It is one of the rare temples remaining intact after the bombings in World War II; therefore, the building's original structure has not been compromised. The temple also hosts the Santa Festival held every May. According to legend, it was built by two fisherman brothers in honor of the goddess of mercy, Kannon. Following the Asakusa Temple, we will see Nakamise, a shopping street. We will then proceed to Akihabara, one of the most famous neighborhoods in Tokyo. Akihabara is a very crowded shopping area known for its various electronic stores, ranging from small street stalls to large shopping centers. After the tour, we will return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 15 TOKYO - ISTANBUL AIRPORT 20.10.2026
After breakfast and check-out procedures from the hotel, we will transfer to Tokyo Narita Airport with our private vehicle. After passport and check-in procedures, we will depart for Istanbul at 10:25 on flight TK51. Arriving in Istanbul Airport at 17:40 local time, our tour concludes.
What's Included
- Economy class flights with Turkish Airlines between Istanbul Airport - Narita // Narita - Istanbul Airport.
- 11 nights and 12 days of FULL BOARD accommodation in the selected cabin category on the Costa Serena cruise ship.
- 2 nights accommodation with breakfast in a 4-star hotel in Tokyo.
- Transfers as specified in the program.
- Airport and port taxes.
- Hotel accommodation tax.
- Experienced Turkish-speaking Tour Leader Service (if the group is at least 15 people).
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the ship.
- Buffet and drinks from vending machines located in various areas of the ship.
- Entertainment and shows on the ship.
- Use of fitness and sports facilities.
- Mandatory travel insurance (Professional liability insurance).
Not Included
- Service fees. Approximately €11 per person per day. (To be paid on board.)
- All land tours specified in the program
- Ket-a Visa
- Health services. / Personal expenses.
- Alcoholic / special drinks from bars and restaurants
- Domestic connecting flights.
- International departure tax (You can pay to the relevant banks or at the finance office at the airport).
CANCELLATION REFUND CONDITIONS
From the time of reservation; up to 180 days before, 10% per person / 179-150 days 15% / 149-120 days 25% / 119-90 days 30% / 89-60 days 50% / 59-45 days 60% / 44-30 days 75% / 29-10 days 90% / less than 9 days 100%