visa-free-with-costa-serena-to-the-pearl-of-the-far-east-japan-south-korea-2026-t29999

WITH COSTA SERENA THE PEARL OF THE FAR EAST JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA

**VISA-FREE**

Tokyo – Kobe (1) – Kochi – Kagoshima – Nagasaki – Busan –

Kanazawa – Hakodate – Tokyo (2)

**2 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN TOKYO**

FLYING WITH TURKISH AIRLINES – 13 NIGHTS 15 DAYS

06 OCTOBER 2026

DAY 01 ISTANBUL AIRPORT – TOKYO 06.10.2026

Meeting with our valued guests at 12:00 noon in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the International Departure Terminal of Istanbul Airport. After passport, ticket, and baggage procedures, we depart for Tokyo Narita Airport on Turkish Airlines flight TK50 at 15:50. Overnight on the plane.

DAY 02 YOKOHAMA (TOKYO) (EMBARK ON THE SHIP) 07.10.2026

Arrive in Tokyo at 08:55 local time. Transfer to our ship with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. After boarding the Costa Serena cruise ship, check-in to the cabins and free time. Guests who wish can participate in the "Tokyo Shopping Tour," which will be arranged by their guide as an optional extra. We will explore the largest shopping streets in Tokyo. In this tour, you can purchase many electronic items at very affordable prices, and you can also buy products from clothing brands that are not available in Turkey, like Uniqlo. We will meet at the time given by our guide and transfer back to the 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. After dinner, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can participate in the “Osaka & Kobe Night Tour under the Lights,” which will be organized as an optional extra by their guide. We start our tour by heading to Osaka. The city’s magnificent lights will dazzle you. Our first stop will be the garden area of Osaka Castle. Since the last entry time to the castle is at 17:00, we will not be able to enter. After taking photo breaks in the surrounding area, we will start our city tour. Our second stop will be the Dotonbori area, famous for its illuminated streets where you can experience the energy of Osaka through neon signs, riverside walks, and restaurants filled with street delicacies. We will return to our ship at the end of the tour. Next, we head back to Kobe. Our first stop in Kobe will be Mt. Maya Kikuseidai. This location offers one of Japan's three great night views. You can enjoy the spectacular lights of both Kobe and Osaka. After some free time in Kobe city center, we will set off for our ship. Our ship will remain in Kobe harbor tonight. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 04 KOBE (KYOTO) 09.10.2026

After breakfast, there will be free time for personal activities. Guests who wish can participate in the “Kobe City Tour,” which will be organized as an optional extra by their guide. Kobe is a city located in Japan's Hyogo prefecture, known for its famous Kobe beef. The city is notable for its modern structures, beautiful vistas, 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 the city. Then, we will visit Ikuta Jinja, one of Japan's oldest shrines and a part of Kobe's historical heritage. In this shrine, we will witness traditional Japanese worship rituals. Finally, we will take a cable car journey to the highest peak of the Rokko mountains, which provide a nice green backdrop to Kobe City. You will enjoy the panoramic views of the heavily urbanized Hanshin area (Kobe and Osaka) and have a chance to take photos. After visiting the Kobe Nunobiki Botanical Garden, Japan's largest plant garden, showcasing its constantly changing seasonal plants and flowers, 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 move with our private vehicle waiting at the port for a "Kochi Castle & Kochi City Tour." While visiting the two most respected symbols of the city, learn how Kochi became a center of pro-imperial ideology at the end of the feudal period. We first go to Kochi Castle from the pier. The main tower, or "donjon," built by the feudal lord Yamanouchi Kazutoyo over 400 years ago, offers the famous panoramic views of the entire city. Your tour will pass through the beautifully restored Tsumemon Gate connecting the castle to the inner hall and you won't consider your visit complete without seeing the living spaces, or "honmaru," which house local and historical treasures. After a walk around the castle grounds, you will board your bus and head for the beautiful Katsurahama Beach. Here, you will find the statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, one of Japan's most loved historical figures, known for transforming feudal Japan into a modernized, unified nation. After the tour, we will return to our ship. Our ship will depart from 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, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can join the “Kamikaze & Sanganen Japanese Garden Tour,” organized as an optional extra. Our impressive tour will first visit the Chiran Peace Museum, which tells the story of Kamikaze pilots and their planes, known to Americans but not publicly revealed until the end of World War II. Next, we will take a pleasant walk in Sanganen, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese gardens in the country. We will visit the home of the Shimadzu family, who cherished the garden for generations. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima volcano while learning about the lifestyle of Prince Shimadzu Tadayoshi, and see how distinguished guests from both Japan and overseas were entertained by the Shimadzu family in Sengan-en. Sengan-en and Shoko Shuseikan Museum were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The Shoko Shuseikan Museum is located in Japan's oldest stone factory built in 1865. This museum is right at the entrance of the gardens, where we will see how the history of the Shimadzu family has changed over more than 800 years and how their international relations led to the development of industrial modernization in Kagoshima, Kyushu, and Japan. Back to our ship from the main street in 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, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can participate in the “Nagasaki City Tour,” organized as an optional extra by their guide. Nagasaki is the capital and largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan. It is the second city in history to suffer a nuclear attack. Our city tour will start with a visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, which reminds us of one of the most painful memories in history. Next, we will visit Glover Garden, the oldest western style house in Japan built by Scottish trader Thomas Blake Glover. Finally, we will explore Nagasaki Chinatown, the Chinese Quarter, and afterwards enjoy free time in the city center before returning to our ship. Our ship will depart from 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, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can participate in the "Busan City Tour," organized as an optional extra. We will first visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the few coastal Buddhist temples in South Korea, among the temples, royal tombs, and the scars of the Japanese occupation and the Korean War that this city has experienced. Later, we will see Haeundae Dalmaji-gil Road, famous for its blue ocean, white sandy beaches, Camellia tree forest, and pine tree forest, Dongbaekseom Island, and visit the Mermaid statue representing the legendary heart-wrenching love story of Princess Ayuta. We will also visit the UN Memorial Cemetery, where soldiers from 16 countries who died in the Korean War of 1950-1953 are buried, including 2 Turkish Martyrs. Busan Gamcheon Culture Village, known as the "Machu Picchu of Busan," will be included in our visit. We will explore Busan Tower, surrounded by affordable local shops in Nampodong, the city's old central area, where we can enjoy a paradise of street delicacies. After giving free time at 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, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can participate in the "Kenrokuen Gardens & Samurai Village Tour," organized as an optional extra by their guide. We will first visit Kenrokuen Garden, one of the city's most important symbols. Kenrokuen is one of Japan's "Three Great Gardens," designed to be beautiful in every season based on the six principles of excellence in Chinese landscape garden design. Then, we will visit Kanazawa’s famous samurai district, Nagamachi, and one of its most important houses, the Nomura Samurai House. This house has hosted several generations of the Nomura samurai family. While exploring the house, you can feel the simple elegance of the family, see the armors and weapons inherited from ancestors, and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the immense garden. After uncovering the hidden treasures of Japan, we will return to our ship. Our ship will depart from the port at 23:00. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 10 DAY AT SEA 15.10.2026

This day will be spent sailing at sea, during which our ship will offer you many alternatives. Those who wish can benefit from the outdoor and indoor pools, jacuzzis, and sunbathing areas of the ship. If you like, you can shop at duty-free stores, try your luck at the casino, or enjoy various music and entertainment at 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, there will be free time for personal activities and shopping. Guests who wish can join the "Hakodate City Tour," organized as an optional extra by their guide. We will leave the ship to explore the city. Our first stop will be Goryokaku Tower, where we will enjoy the panoramic view of Goryokaku and learn more about the city's history. Afterwards, we will have the opportunity to take a walk in Goryokaku Park. Next, we visit Hachimanzaka to breathe the old atmosphere of Hokkaido and see historical buildings. We will head to Eki Market to taste local specialties and enjoy shopping. Here, we can experience Hokkaido’s famous seafood and other local products. We will climb Hakodate Mountain and take the cable car down. We will spend time in the city where you will admire the influence of other cultures (Russian Orthodox and Christian churches). Our tour will proceed to Daimon Yokocho, where we will sample local foods in traditional restaurants. Then we will visit Funadama Shrine to learn more about Japanese traditions and culture. In the serene atmosphere of the shrine, we will find peace. We will break at Cha Cha Nobori Daisan-saka (Southern Mountain Monument) and have the chance to discover the city's natural beauties and rest. Our ship will depart from the port at 18:00. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 12 DAY AT SEA 17.10.2026

On the final day at sea of our tour, enjoy the ship’s comforts as we sail from the Japan Sea to the Pacific Ocean. You can unwind at the spa, participate in activities organized by the animation team, or enjoy the view from the deck. A farewell dinner and enjoyable 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 our private vehicle waiting for us. After approximately 2 hours of travel, our first stop will be the Owakudani Valley, formed after an eruption 3000 years ago, where active volcanic gas emissions can still be observed. Here, you will have the opportunity to see the famous 'Black Eggs' and capture the unique view of Mount Fuji from above (depending on weather conditions). After a lunch break in the area, we will take a boat tour on Ashi Lake, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a restful cruise in the serene atmosphere of the crater lake, there will be free time. At the end of the tour, we will transfer to our hotel. After check-in procedures, there will be free time. Overnight at our hotel.

DAY 14 TOKYO (HOTEL ACCOMMODATION) 19.10.2026

After breakfast, there will be free time. Guests who wish can participate in the “Tokyo City Tour,” organized as an optional extra by their guide. The first visit will be to the Imperial Palace, which contains many buildings such as the personal residences of the imperial family, archives, museums, and administrative offices. The Tokyo Imperial Palace is built on the site of an old castle where the Shogun resided in the 15th century. In the 19th century, when Emperor Meiji moved the royal house from Kyoto to Tokyo, it became the property of the imperial family. Most of the buildings were destroyed during World War II, so the oldest relics left from the palace are only 50 years old. The second stop will be Ginza, one of the city's most popular shopping areas filled with luxury boutiques as well as first-class cocktail and sushi bars. Ginza hosts countless tourists from all over the world as one of the world's most luxurious shopping areas. Then we will visit the Asakusa Temple, a Buddhist temple considered one of Tokyo’s oldest and most colorful. Also known as Sensoji Temple, Asakusa is a favorite among both tourists and locals. It is one of the few temples that survived the bomb attacks in the final years of World War II, which is why its original structure remains intact. The temple also hosts the Santa Festival held every May. Legend has it that the Asakusa Temple was built by two fisherman brothers in honor of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. After the Asakusa Temple, we will see Nakamise, the shopping street, followed by a visit to Akihabara, one of the world-famous neighborhoods in Tokyo. Akihabara is a bustling shopping area known for its various types of electronic stores ranging from small stalls to large shopping centers. After free time, we will return to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 15 TOKYO - ISTANBUL AIRPORT 20.10.2026

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we will transfer to Tokyo Narita Airport with our waiting private vehicle. After passport control and check-in procedures, we will depart for Istanbul on flight TK51 at 10:25. Arrive at Istanbul Airport at 17:40 local time, and this concludes our tour.