Kimkim Trip Reviews for Japan

4.7
Based on 444 ratings
Read 444 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Japan on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Everything went off just as planned!
Japan | Oct 7 - Oct 28, 2025

Susan
Susan G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 03, 2025
Everything went off just as planned, and we were all pleased. Our guides were all great and went out of their way to see that we saw more, especially when they found out that we were not interested in the more highly crowded places. They patiently answered our questions and saw to our needs. Ben, our specialist, could not have been more attentive to our frequent questions and concerns. He was able to change events based on our interests even as the date of our departure approached. The only... Read more

Everything went off just as planned, and we were all pleased. Our guides were all great and went out of their way to see that we saw more, especially when they found out that we were not interested in the more highly crowded places. They patiently answered our questions and saw to our needs. Ben, our specialist, could not have been more attentive to our frequent questions and concerns. He was able to change events based on our interests even as the date of our departure approached. The only thing I would have changed is deleted some of the more crowd-impacted locales such as Nikko and put in more off the beaten path trips like our monastery stay in Minobu and the marvelous animated Festival Float museum in Takayama that our guide added in when he picked up on our interest. We learned and enjoyed much more in the less crowded venues, but this is Japan where it is truly hard to avoid the hoards of tourists. Overall, it was a wonderful trip. This is the second time Ben has helped us with a trip, and I will certainly turn to him again for any future trips.

Hotel Reviews
Takayama Ouan Hotel

The rooftop onsen was amazing. We so enjoyed looking out on the city at night. Breakfast offered some Western items that were much appreciated.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ryokan Yaeikan
Hakone

What a treat to have our own private onsen and dining area! This was a truly unique experience, and one we are so glad that we did. The food was interesting and diverse which made the menu printed in English very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Temple Lodging Shukubo Kakurinbo

Everyone was attentive to our needs in this quiet and peaceful establishment. We very much enjoyed speaking with the son of the monk of this temple, meeting his girlfriend and his brother's family. The onsen was always free when we wanted it which was a delight. We optioned to take the guided tour which was very interesting. After a stay in busy, crowded Tokyo, 2 nights in this peaceful locale was just what we needed. Definitely, we felt the love and care that those who worked and lived here felt for this temple lodging.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day Trip to Himeji Before Leaving : Exploring Japan’s First Famous Castle and Tranquil Gardens (By Private Transfer)
Day Trip to Himeji Before Leaving : Exploring Japan’s First Famous Castle and Tranquil Gardens (By Private Transfer)
Japan

If I had known that the drive to Himeji from Osaka was 2 and more hours, I would have suggested an alternative. Over 4 hours of driving in a car just to see one site was not worth the time. We are glad, however, that we went by car and not by train. A visit to a block printing museum which had been offered as a special treat could not be done due to the traffic. Not realizing how the timing was going to play out, we spent way too much time at the castle and should have been hustled along which we would have readily done since that block printing museum was something we looked forward to seeing. The castle was definitely interesting, but not worth the time we spent there or the time it took to get there and back. We ended up beingdropped off at the airport much earlier than expected, but not having enough time to slip in the museum.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
More forethought into timing and distance to be traveled should have been considered.
Transport
Guided Day tour to a Tea Farm in Uji by public transport
Guided Day tour to a Tea Farm in Uji by public transport
Kyoto

Due to rain and cold, we did not go to the tea farm. However, our guide was very resourceful and took us to a tea museum which gave us all the information on tea growing and processing that we had hoped to get at the tea farm in a much more comfortable setting. The rain, which could have hampered us, did not, and we had a thoroughly enjoyable day both at the museum and strolling around Uji..

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
 Hozugawa River Boat Ride and Arashiyama Exploration and  Japanese tea ceremony (Private Guide &Public Transportation)
Hozugawa River Boat Ride and Arashiyama Exploration and Japanese tea ceremony (Private Guide &Public Transportation)
Kyoto

The River Boat ride was much too long and not all that interesting, though the boat guides were animated and fun to watch. The bamboo forest surpassed our expectations, mainly because we road through it on rickshaws which allowed us to be on what felt like a private path away from the maddening crowds on the broader boulevard. It was quiet on that path allowing us to absorb the beauty of the forest. The tea ceremony was quite interesting with the kimono dress up. Unfortunately, none of the three of us could sit on the floor, and the young man doing the ceremony did not act pleased with us. It felt like we were reluctantly given small stools or chairs to use, but even these were extremely uncomfortable for our 77-yr old knees. Though we enjoyed watching the ceremony, it was a torture to sit through.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day tour by public transport in Kyoto: Golden Pavilion,Fushimi Inari Shrine, Traditional Arts Performance,  Pontocho Alley
Day tour by public transport in Kyoto: Golden Pavilion,Fushimi Inari Shrine, Traditional Arts Performance, Pontocho Alley
Kyoto

Seeing photos of the Golden Pavilion is better than actually viewing it in real life, and it actually looks more impressive in photos than it does in person. Much too crowded, though seeing the large, golden Buddha was interesting. We felt the guides at the temple were a bit surly when one chastised one of us for putting her hand on a railing to balance herself when taking off her shoes. There were no places to sit or to balance offered. I guess with all the crowds, they have to be super vigilant. The Fushimi Inari Shrine was worth the visit even though very crowded, and one cannot help being impressed with the amount of love and devotion that went into the many torii placed there. We also enjoyed walking the grounds afterwards. The Art Performance was very well done, and our trip to Pontocho Alley proved to be our spot for two dinners while in Kyoto.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kanazawa Highlights Guided Tour by Public Transportation : Kenroku-en Garden and Samurai District in Public Transportation
Kanazawa Highlights Guided Tour by Public Transportation : Kenroku-en Garden and Samurai District in Public Transportation
Kanazawa

The Kenroku-en Garden was wonderful, and we enjoyed walking its many paths. Touring Kanazawa Castle was also very interesting. We were continually amazed at the amount of effort that has been put into restoring and maintaining so many of Japan's heritage sites. Learning more about the Samurai history was fun. Unfortunately, we did not get to visit the old Samurai house, for a lengthy wait for a bus to the site prevented us from getting there on time. Here a taxi would have been the way to go, for we soon discovered that splitting the taxi fare to most locations made in feasible economically and certainly saved a lot of time and inconvenience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We missed visiting the Samurai house due to an overly long wait for a bus. Looking at the time, our guide should have opted for a taxi. We would have gladly paid rather than wait what seemed like 30 minutes for the bus.
Day trip : Takayama to Kanazawa with Unique Experiences
Day trip : Takayama to Kanazawa with Unique Experiences
Japan

I am not sure that we needed to see both Gokayama and Shirakawago. The visit the day before to Hida Folk Village was a delight. It was so peaceful walking through the grounds and seeing the village as it had once been. Gokayama and Shirakawago were a bit of a disappointment, for the old buildings are mixed in with new and there was too much emphasis on attracting the tourist through the many shops which ruined the ambiance of the place. The two villages are so similar that visiting one is probably enough. We did thoroughly enjoy our visit to the 500-year old Iwase House, for this was unique and the couple that run it took their time talking to us and answering our questions. We loved the experience with the old instruments and the short performance of the old song they did for us.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
private car is the way to go
1-Day Guided Tour from Takayama Ouan Hotel: Kokubun-ji Temple, Hida Folk Village & Hida Great Limestone Cave
1-Day Guided Tour from Takayama Ouan Hotel: Kokubun-ji Temple, Hida Folk Village & Hida Great Limestone Cave
Takayama

All was very interesting, and our guide was wonderful. When he discovered how much we had enjoyed the Festival Museum in Takayama, he took us to another such museum in an old quarry in the hills above the Hida Folk Village. This museum offered animated action on the floats which were fascinating. Without him, we would not have found this place, for it does not readily show up on a Google search. The Limestone Cave was interesting and very well done, but if you have been to such caves, it was just like all the others.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private car is the way to go
Private transfer from Tokyo to Minobu enroute tour to Mt. Fuji
Private transfer from Tokyo to Minobu enroute tour to Mt. Fuji
Japan

Perfect -- though not surprisingly, we did not see Mt. Fuji!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Have Fun in Nikko (Full day by private transfer)
Have Fun in Nikko (Full day by private transfer)
Tokyo

Too many people and too much to see. It is all a jumble in our minds with nothing of the amazing temples and shrines standing out in our memory or photos. Fortunately, our guide knew a quiet spot for lunch which we greatly enjoyed. We are also so very glad we were in a private car for this trip which was much more comfortable and relaxed than the trains would have been. In retrospect, it might have been a better idea to spend a night or two here to allow one a more relaxed visit to the various spots so that they did not all run into each other seeing one on top of another.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour
Tokyo

Unfortunately, there are two columns outside the train station where we were to meet. Arriving by taxi and not by the train, we were dropped off at the wrong spot and did not realize that until past the meeting time. Thankfully, our Tokyo guide was able to sort everything out, though even after being dropped off near the restaurant we still had trouble locating the guide. It turned out that the food tour guide was waiting for us, but as she only held her sign at waist height, in the crowds, we totally missed her. Once we connected with the group, all was well. They allowed us time to catch up with the rest of the group, and we enjoyed a delightful evening.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tokyo Highlights: Market, Temple and Gardens
Tokyo Highlights: Market, Temple and Gardens
Tokyo

Walking through the gardens on our first day in Tokyo was the perfect choice for us, and we enjoyed have tea on the island in the Hamarikyu Gardens. Unfortunately, we could not do the river cruise as the high tides (due to full moon) prevented the boat from going under the bridges. Our guide knew a bit about the gardens which was appreciated by the two garden enthusiasts in our group. She also was very informative about the Shinto and Buddhist religions and how they interact with the Japanese. The market was every bit as crowded as we expected, but our guide knew a quiet place for us to stop and have lunch.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very attentive and eager to meet our expectations, though we struggled at times to understand what she was saying.
Transport
Transport was by local trains which often required a lot of walking and waiting. After we discovered that splitting the taxi fare 3 ways made traveling by taxi feasible and much easier than taking the trains, that is the way we traveled when on our own.
Local specialist: Ben Tanaka
Ben
Ben Tanaka
Local specialist in Japan, China | Replied on Nov 04, 2025
Hi Susan, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review! I’m truly happy to hear that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed your trip — especially the quieter, more off-the-beaten-path experiences like Minobu and Takayama. It means a lot to know that the guides and I were able to make the journey more personal and enjoyable for you. Your feedback about avoiding more crowded spots is really valuable, and I’ll be sure to keep that in mind for your next... Read more

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review! I’m truly happy to hear that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed your trip — especially the quieter, more off-the-beaten-path experiences like Minobu and Takayama. It means a lot to know that the guides and I were able to make the journey more personal and enjoyable for you.

Your feedback about avoiding more crowded spots is really valuable, and I’ll be sure to keep that in mind for your next adventure — maybe to China this time! There are so many fascinating, peaceful, and culture-rich places there that I think you’d really love.

It’s always a pleasure working with you, and I truly appreciate your trust once again. Looking forward to helping you create your next unforgettable journey!

Warm regards,
Ben

JAPAN: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Japan | Oct 8 - Oct 17, 2025

A
Adrienne F.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Nov 02, 2025
The itinerary had early mornings and it presented some challenges particularly on hotel-change days, you’re up early, you arrive at the next destination, and then end up losing a lot of time just waiting around. Check out time is typicallt 10:00am and check in time is 3:00pm. Hotels allow for early bag drop off which is great but you're dropping off your bags, lined up with everyone in the same area as those checking out. By then you’re usually tired from the travel itself and could really... Read more

The itinerary had early mornings and it presented some challenges particularly on hotel-change days, you’re up early, you arrive at the next destination, and then end up losing a lot of time just waiting around. Check out time is typicallt 10:00am and check in time is 3:00pm. Hotels allow for early bag drop off which is great but you're dropping off your bags, lined up with everyone in the same area as those checking out. By then you’re usually tired from the travel itself and could really use a shower or short rest, but instead you’re stuck filling the day — until check-in time. The result is you start the evening already exhausted, with little energy left for anything social.
As an example, I arrived in Osaka at 10:30 am, couldn’t check in until 3:00 pm, walked around for hours, had lunch, and by the time I finally got into my room, my feet were sore, I was overheated, and just wanted to shower and rest. I unpacked, repacked for the next day, and ended up too tired to go out my last night — which became a theme of this trip. I definitely packed too much into each day and would recommend doing less each and extending your time in each city.
That pacing would give more time to actually enjoy each city rather than rushing through it. Frequent hotel changes really take a toll!

Even though I didn't travel during peak season, the crowds were intense. Kyoto was especially overwhelming — Kiyomizu-dera Temple were shoulder-to-shoulder, and after 4 hours I still hadn’t reached the actual temple. In the Gion district, the narrow alley ways were intensely crowded to the point of being frustrating. I eventually gave up and found a tiny English pub — something I could easily do back home :(

One last note — tattoos are still a challenge in Japan. I was stared at or ignored in several places, including restaurants and at both tattoo friendly sento and onsen, which left me feeling self-conscious - with that said there were more moments of feeling welcomed. I often ended up eating lunch and dinner from convenience stores — the food there was great, varied and affordable but I missed out on restaurant experiences. It might be worth mentioning to other solo female travellers with visible tattoos that they could face that kind of reaction, just so they’re prepared.

Eleanor my travel coordinator was exceptional and went WAY beyond my expectations in her attention to care and accommodation. Thank you again Eleanor for all the care and detail you put into planning this trip — you’ve been wonderful - before / during and after my Japan adventure

Hotel Review
Yuno Yado Shoei

My stay at Yuno Yado Shoei was an absolute highlight of my trip — a deeply traditional and genuinely restorative experience. From the moment I arrived, the hospitality was warm, attentive, and unhurried in that distinctly Japanese way that makes you feel truly welcomed The ryokan itself is elegant and peaceful, with every detail — from the tatami rooms to the onsen — designed for comfort and calm. The meals were beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared, offering a real taste of regional Kyoto cuisine. I also appreciated how quiet and respectful the entire atmosphere was; it created a sense of stillness that’s rare to find while travelling If you’re looking for an authentic ryokan stay that honours tradition without feeling touristy, Yuno Yado Shoei is the perfect choice. I left feeling grounded, rested, and grateful for the experience 🖤

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Private Tokyo City Tour with Cemetery & Harajuku
Private Tokyo City Tour with Cemetery & Harajuku
Tokyo

Yumi was absolutely integral to my Tokyo experience. As a solo traveller, I couldn’t have asked for a better guide — warm, knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely charming. She instantly made me feel at ease and curated the tour perfectly to my interests, blending local history, hidden neighbourhood gems, and everyday cultural moments in a way that felt natural and immersive Her storytelling and humour brought Tokyo to life, and the day flowed effortlessly — never rushed, always intentional. We ended the tour sharing sake together, which was the perfect way to wrap up such a meaningful experience. It felt less like a guided tour and more like spending the day with a dear friend who loves her city and wants you to love it too Exploring Tokyo with Yumi was unforgettable — thoughtful, personal, and full of heart 🖤

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yumi!!!!
Transport
Transit in Tokyo is extremely organized and easy to navigate - even for English only speakers
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Nov 03, 2025

Hi Adrienne,

Thank you so much for your lovely review and for sharing your feedback!!! It was such a joy working with you (I truly felt like I was on this wonderful journey right alongside you 😊). I'll share your kind words with Yumi; your appreciation will mean so much to her and keep her inspired to share her city with more travelers! Thanks again!

All the best,
Eleanor

Whenever I return to Japan, Sandy is the firs...
Japan | Oct 26 - Oct 26, 2025

Sabrina
Sabrina P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 01, 2025
Whenever I return to Japan, Sandy is the first person I will contact for planning support. Her kindness, meticulousness, and attentiveness have always stood out — especially during my solo travels as a woman. Read more

Whenever I return to Japan, Sandy is the first person I will contact for planning support. Her kindness, meticulousness, and attentiveness have always stood out — especially during my solo travels as a woman.

Activity Review
Tokyo Private Driver One-Day Itinerary (updated-2)
Tokyo Private Driver One-Day Itinerary (updated-2)
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 04, 2025
Hi Sabrina, Your message truly made my day — thank you so much for your kind words. It has been such a pleasure assisting you with your travels in Tokyo, and I’m deeply touched that you felt supported and cared for throughout your journey. I also want to say that you have been an absolutely wonderful traveler — so understanding, thoughtful, and easy to communicate with. It really makes the planning process a joy! I’ll be so happy to help you again whenever you return to Japan — it would be... Read more

Hi Sabrina,

Your message truly made my day — thank you so much for your kind words. It has been such a pleasure assisting you with your travels in Tokyo, and I’m deeply touched that you felt supported and cared for throughout your journey.

I also want to say that you have been an absolutely wonderful traveler — so understanding, thoughtful, and easy to communicate with. It really makes the planning process a joy!

I’ll be so happy to help you again whenever you return to Japan — it would be wonderful to plan your next adventure together.

Wishing you all the best until then!

Warm regards,
Sandy

Spot on Trip Planning!
Japan | Oct 16 - Oct 30, 2025

Chris
Chris O.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 31, 2025
Kimkim made our trip to Hokkaido and Osaka so easy and enjoyable! We were able to customize the experience to what our interests were and our guide in Hokkaido, Jenny, absolutely was one of the best parts. Jenny was observant to our needs and informative about the local culture. Being a little detail-oriented, it gave me a little anxiety of 'letting go' from planning the whole trip however, Angel was extremely responsive and able to assist with any questions, whenever we needed help. Read more

Kimkim made our trip to Hokkaido and Osaka so easy and enjoyable! We were able to customize the experience to what our interests were and our guide in Hokkaido, Jenny, absolutely was one of the best parts. Jenny was observant to our needs and informative about the local culture. Being a little detail-oriented, it gave me a little anxiety of 'letting go' from planning the whole trip however, Angel was extremely responsive and able to assist with any questions, whenever we needed help.

Hotel Reviews
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Tokyo

The location is near the center of Ginza so lots of convenient shopping/dining.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

This hotel is convenient to the Hommachi train station and is centrally located for all of your Osaka activities. We had a Superior Double Room and the accommodations are cozy but comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms are a bit cozy and there's really no closet so you end up living out of your suitcase but they do an amazing job.
Noboribetsu Onsen Dai-ichi Takimotokan

I wish we could have stayed here longer. Our room was spectacular, with a private onsen on our balcony, overlooking Hell Valley and the beautiful color-changing foliage! The Premium Twin room was spacious, the amenities were first-class and the Kaiseki dinner and set breakfast were out of this world.

Authenticity & Character
You could wear your provided yukata to your meals.
Location
Our room, in the West Building, overlooked Hell Valley and beautiful fall foliage.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nozo Hotel
furano

We had a Deluxe King room which had a little sitting space. The team at this property was so welcoming and helpful. We took advantage of the in-room massages with Naomi and she did an outstanding job with relaxing us after a long day of sightseeing. Their Sugi Spa is beautifully designed. There is a dry sauna and a cold plunge, which was extra enjoyable to unwind with.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The staff at this hotel went out of their way to accommodate your needs. We had arrived by private car so did not have transportation to get around town. The front desk agent called us a cab to go to the cheese factory one afternoon and they had us call them to order a cab for the return ride. It was convenient and made it easy for us! They were also responsive to our requests for the in-room spa appointments. The restaurant staff was super enjoyable to converse with.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cross Hotel Sapporo
Sapporo

This property is centrally located with lots to do in the area and easy to get to the train station. Make sure to take time to enjoy the beautiful onsen! There's a nice quiet space next to the onsen that overlooks the city. The breakfast buffet was well done as well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was close to the train station.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

We had a great time experiencing the local foods with Hide!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hide was genuine and a wonderful guide!
Transport
Full Day Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Date Jidaimura Tour
Full Day Noboribetsu Hell Valley and Date Jidaimura Tour
Noboribetsu

We went to see a couple of the shows at Date Jidaimura, the Samurai show along with a Geisha show. Both were interesting and the staff did a nice job. Jenny helped capture some nice photos of us and took us to the foot bath near Hell Valley.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Biei Discovery: Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls
Biei Discovery: Blue Pond and Shirahige Falls
Biei

We really enjoyed seeing the Pond and Falls. We happened to catch it on a good day when the sun was out but I understand that the color changes with the weather so you may want to be mindful of that.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Immerse in A Sea of Flowers: Farm Tomita Tour
Immerse in A Sea of Flowers: Farm Tomita Tour
Furano

Although the weather was a bit rainy and cold, it was still beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Leather goods experience in Otaru
Leather goods experience in Otaru
Otaru

We had a personalized experience, making a key chain as well as a tray and the overall experience was fun and we came away with a couple of useful souvenirs. It would have been nice to know the relevance of the leather to Otaru.

Quality of Experience
Any information on what makes the leather so important to Otaru.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
More information
Sapporo City Discovery with Genghis Khan BBQ and Sapporo Beer Tasting
Sapporo City Discovery with Genghis Khan BBQ and Sapporo Beer Tasting
Sapporo

We loved learning more about Sapporo with Jenny! We were able to see many different sights and Jenny was helpful and made it a fun experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 31, 2025
Hi Victor & Chris, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you had an amazing time exploring Japan and that the trip went smoothly across all the cities. It was a pleasure working with you to bring your itinerary together, and I’m happy to know that our support made your experience enjoyable and stress-free. I will share more guidance and resources in some self-guided activity sections, so that people can better understand and plan... Read more

Hi Victor & Chris,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you had an amazing time exploring Japan and that the trip went smoothly across all the cities. It was a pleasure working with you to bring your itinerary together, and I’m happy to know that our support made your experience enjoyable and stress-free.

I will share more guidance and resources in some self-guided activity sections, so that people can better understand and plan these parts according to their needs.

The English proficiency of our drivers also needs to be improved a bit. We will immediately bring this suggestion to the supplier's attention so that our clients can have a better experience.

Once again, thank you for taking the valuable time to share your opinions and suggestions with us.

Wishing you and your family all the best in your future travels, and I hope we’ll have the chance to plan another adventure together!

Warm regards,

Angel

great itinerary for our Japan hike
Japan | Oct 23 - Oct 29, 2025

Courtney
Courtney F.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 30, 2025

Ilse set up a great itinerary for our Japan hiking and Kyoto trip. The hotels were a perfect fit for us and it was sooo easy to travel by train because she’d set up all the tickets. We always had the correct fare!
On our Nakasendo trail hike the directions with pictures of each turn and the GPS track made for a relaxed experience. Pre booked taxis were invaluable because it turned out some towns only had a few drivers to transport all the hikers!
Thank you for such a great service.

Local specialist: Ilse Montald

Above expectations!
Japan | Oct 15 - Oct 28, 2025

Carol
Carol M.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2025

The service provided by Shona was above expectations. She responded immediately to all our questions and requests and kept in touch with us throughout our trip. Having train transportation arranged and ticketed in advance was very helpful. We particularly enjoyed the smaller towns/cities we visited, including Tsumago, Matsumoto, Kanazawa and Kurashiki.

Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 04, 2025

Hi Carol,

Thank you for your kind words! Shona and our team are overjoyed to know we made your trip smooth and memorable—especially with the train arrangements and those charming towns. We can’t wait to welcome you back for more discoveries!

All the best,
Shona

Fantastic Trip to Japan
Japan | Oct 12 - Oct 27, 2025

Harold J
Harold J G.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2025
The trip to Japan was fantastic. Best of all was our local specialist Leny who was on top of every decision and need that we had. She remained in contact with us throughout the trip to make sure that things were running smoothly and to fix them if there was a glitch. She is absolutely great and anyone would be very lucky to have her as their specialist.
Our guides were all good on different levels. They were all enthusiastic and they all knew their stuff. One of them was hard to understand...
Read more

The trip to Japan was fantastic. Best of all was our local specialist Leny who was on top of every decision and need that we had. She remained in contact with us throughout the trip to make sure that things were running smoothly and to fix them if there was a glitch. She is absolutely great and anyone would be very lucky to have her as their specialist.
Our guides were all good on different levels. They were all enthusiastic and they all knew their stuff. One of them was hard to understand but the rest were fine. We would like to mention a couple of them (Ray who worked with Arigato Travel and took us on a food tour, Kazuyasu Hakata who took us to a beautiful waterfall, Aya who led us in Hiroshima, and Masa who drove us to Mt. Fuji). The hotels were all first rate except one (Candeo in Osaka) which was disappointing due to a surprising "we don't care" staff attitude. Candeo also had the smallest room, would not allow room charges, and had an overpriced restaurant. This was definitely an exception since everyone else in Japan and in every hotel was so nice. Two special events were the stay at the Japanese Inn (ryokan) and the Maiko dinner. Overall it was a terrific trip. Thanks, Leny.

Hotel Reviews
The Blossom Hibiya
Minato

The room was a bit small and the location is not central. The staff was very nice and friendly. Breakfast buffet was okay--not great but not bad.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Not much around the area.
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower
Osaka

Very disappointing. The only staff in Japan that was unfriendly and unhelpful. Hotel restaurant was very expensive and the staff there was not helpful. Would not even allow us to charge our meal to our room. Breakfast buffet was ok but not memorable. Also location is in the middle of a concrete jungle in Osaka--not much around the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Just large buildings in the area. Not convenient.
Staff
Had a "we don't care" attitude.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel
Hiroshima

Very large room. Lots of modern conveniences. Great breakfast buffet. Really nice stay in every way.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near railway station.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Thousand Kyoto
Kyoto

Very nice room with excellent staff. Good buffet breakfast. If you order anything from the front desk, it is delivered to your room quickly and efficiently by a robot that rings your room bell, greets you, and leaves with "have a nice day." Worth the stay for the experience of the future.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Convenient at railway station.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel
Tokyo

Great location. In the center of a very busy and active part of central Tokyo. Lots of people out all the time. Not noisy since the hotel starts on the 17th floor and goes up from there. The staff is good but the room is small. As usual for Japan the space is well allocated. Fine place to stay. Good breakfast with large buffet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Matsuzakaya Honten
Kanagawa

The experience at this Inn is fantastic and well worth the out-of-the-way trip. We arrived late in the afternoon and would have enjoyed a few extra hours to enjoy the private insen (hot springs hot tub). They serve a wonderful, colorful, delicious dinner. Relax and enjoy the experience if you have the opportunity.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Definitely worth the visit
Activity Reviews
Sayonara Japan!
Sayonara Japan!
Japan

Ride to airport was efficient and uneventful. On time--no problem.

Half-Day Osaka Tour with English-Speaking Guide (Private)
Half-Day Osaka Tour with English-Speaking Guide (Private)
Japan

Osaka Castle is nice to see but the Meiji era museum was the best part of the day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Hiroshima & Miyajima with English Guide (Private)
Full Day Hiroshima & Miyajima with English Guide (Private)
Hiroshima

An important visit certainly for Americans who share this historical moment with Japan. Moving and worthwhile. Miyajima is very pretty if a bit touristic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Aya was a wonderful and thoughtful guide.
Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour (Small Group)
Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour (Small Group)
Kyoto

Very special experience with Geisha (Geiko) who answered questions openly and gracefully. Another do not miss moment.

Quality of Experience
Traditional Tea Ceremony at Tondaya Machiya
Traditional Tea Ceremony at Tondaya Machiya
Kyoto

Delightful insight into old Japanese tradition. Loved the experience.

Quality of Experience
Relaxing Evening: Private Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner
Relaxing Evening: Private Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner
Hakone

Definitely a highlight of the entire trip. Beautiful Japanese Inn with private onsen and delicious and colorful private dinner (Kaiseki). Totally not to be missed.

Quality of Experience
Amazing is a good word for this experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Masa was driver--excellent English and nice person.
Transport
by car--hard to get there otherwise
Tokyo to Hakone Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver
Tokyo to Hakone Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver
Japan

Spent several hours watching the clouds over Mt. Fuji. Relaxing, fun, and well worth the time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Masa was the driver and it was delightful to spend the day with him.
Transport
Good driver and nice person.
Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
Tokyo

Very old part of Tokyo is so different from the center of the city. Many quiet streets and also cemeteries. Very nice contrast and learned a lot. NIce guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
on foot but that is the only way to see the neighborhood
Full Day Kamakura & Yokohama Tour with English Speaking Guide (Private)
Full Day Kamakura & Yokohama Tour with English Speaking Guide (Private)
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Worth seeing the Great Buddha statue
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very good.
Transport
Best Of Shibuya Food Private Tour - Evening
Best Of Shibuya Food Private Tour - Evening
Tokyo

We were not sure what to expect and we were surprised how great it was. The guide (Ray from Arigato Travel) took us to local restaurants in Tokyo that specialize in foods from other parts of Japan. Best sushi we had the whole trip. It was great fun and definitely recommend it.

Quality of Experience
Food was delicious and fun at the same time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ray of Arigato Travel is a delight and enthusiastic.
Transport
on foot made it more fun as you see the neighborhood
Welcome (Irrashaimase) to Tokyo!
Welcome (Irrashaimase) to Tokyo!
Tokyo

The group that was supposed to pick us up went to the wrong terminal and we waited over an hour. That was not fun after the long flight from the U.S.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 29, 2025
Hi Harold, welcome back home. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I appreciate that most of your comments were positive, and I also value your honesty in expressing your disappointment with the Candeo Hotel in Osaka. I’ll keep this in mind for future trip planning. Regarding the pickup on October 12th, we’ll review this thoroughly with our local partner. It would have been helpful to know about the issue upon your arrival so we could have assisted you immediately and... Read more

Hi Harold, welcome back home.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I appreciate that most of your comments were positive, and I also value your honesty in expressing your disappointment with the Candeo Hotel in Osaka. I’ll keep this in mind for future trip planning.

Regarding the pickup on October 12th, we’ll review this thoroughly with our local partner. It would have been helpful to know about the issue upon your arrival so we could have assisted you immediately and coordinated a solution with the transfer provider. My apologies for the inconvenience caused. We will investigate this matter in detail with our partner to understand what went wrong and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to assist with your trip. We’ll share your feedback with both the Candeo Hotel and the transfer partner to help improve service quality moving forward.

Warm regards,
Leny

Japan with a baby -- a few hiccups, but overall good
Japan | Oct 10 - Oct 21, 2025

Megan
Megan L.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2025
Despite some challenges working with Shona, our local specialist, we had a great family trip to Japan as a young family with a 14 month old baby. We felt that some of the suggestions and bookings by Shona were not family or child-friendly and that she would always say "no" at first to everything we asked, and gaslighted us about some of the bookings that we never approved being our fault. When we booked 3 months in advance, she told us that she could help with restaurant recommendations... Read more

Despite some challenges working with Shona, our local specialist, we had a great family trip to Japan as a young family with a 14 month old baby.

We felt that some of the suggestions and bookings by Shona were not family or child-friendly and that she would always say "no" at first to everything we asked, and gaslighted us about some of the bookings that we never approved being our fault.

When we booked 3 months in advance, she told us that she could help with restaurant recommendations and reservations, but 2 weeks before the trip she switched and told us that she doesn't do this and requires an additional service fee to help with reservations. We're big foodies, so this was really stressful leading up to our trip, scrambling to get into restaurants we'd want to try. She also told us 3 weeks in advance of our trip that some of the experiences she advertised were not available -- some were sold out (but why? She had 3 months advance notice to book them!), some because she hadn't actually fully researched if they'd be open the day she suggested we'd do them.

But the kimkim team helped overcome many of these difficulties with great customer service, some necessary refunds, easy communication, and generally made our trip much easier and better.

We had a lovely time in Tokyo with our guide Sarah at Senso-Ji temple, and then by ourselves at Team Lab Planets and the Studio Ghibli museum. Sarah was flexible when we were dealing with jetlag, and helped us re-arrange our tour schedule on a day our baby really needed a nap.

Teresia was an amazing guide in Kyoto and Nara, also super understanding when we had to switch up our schedule and take the baby to the hotel for a nap early -- we got to see some parts of Kyoto we hadn't originally planned to see, but were some of our favorite experiences!

The drivers were always punctual, easy to communicate with, kept our car stocked with water bottles, didn't mind us playing Sesame Street music on our phones to soothe our baby, and got us to all our reservations on time or early.
Overall we'd use kimkim again, but be more careful and direct with out local specialist about our needs with a small child.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel New Otani Osaka
Osaka

It was fine -- we'd been staying at 5 star hotels our whole trip -- this one was noticeably older and less great. Little things missing like access to an outlet for both sides of the bed. The beds were ROCK hard. The buffet food wasn't very good -- didn't feel very fresh or delicious. I liked the idea of the morning coffee service, but in practice, the coffee was weak. They also charge $40 USD for late checkout, even though we'd booked a suite.

Location
Right next to a train station and across the street from some solid food options
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was clean but not very comfortable. Would love more accessible outlets next to the bed and a more private/separate living room and bedroom situation.
Hilton Kyoto
Kyoto

Beautiful hotel, really great amenities for suite level bookings, very kid-friendly

Location
Walking distance to the Nishiki Market! Right next to a 7/11 and a laundromat
Staff
They were so sweet with our baby, they gave her a little present that she loved
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu
Hakone

Really pretty hotel, lovely location. Their shuttle service was helpful, but they should add more shuttle pick up spots. The room had a bit of a musty smell, but probably due to people walking in it with wet feet from the onsen on the balcony. The buffet was huge and a bit intimidating, but I felt like most of the food was pretty good.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The musty smell from the onsen was pretty bad, but they did have a room air purifier, which helped.
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Tokyo

Great service and breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
not very close to the train, a bit of a drive to everything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half Day Nara Park & Todai-Ji Temple
Half Day Nara Park & Todai-Ji Temple
Japan

The deer are wild and pretty aggressive but very cute, and the temple was magnificent -- the Buddha is huge!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Kyoto

The Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple were so cool to see! The Temple was our favorite we saw on our trip -- a beautiful Japanese garden and pond, lots of places to walk barefoot. It felt super cool -- and we loved learning that it used to be a villa! The Bamboo Grove was so crazy crowded though -- glad we went to see it and take photos, but it wasn't a relaxing experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Sightseeing Tour with Sake Tasting
Kyoto Sightseeing Tour with Sake Tasting
Kyoto

We didn't have a sake tasting, and we actually didn't want one since we have a baby with us. But we loved seeing the Golden Pagoda and Fushimi Inari Shrine this day! Teresia our guide was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Whisky Tasting
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Whisky Tasting
Tokyo

We did not do the Whisky Tasting because it was actually not available the day we were there (regularly closed on that day). This is something Shona our local specialist should have researched before offering it to us as an option when we booked. We didn't actually see Mt. Fuji, and Lake Kawaguchi isn't really that exciting without the view.

Quality of Experience
Didn't really feel like worth our time because we couldn't see Mt. Fuji. The Lake cruise is just out & back for 30 mins, which was fun for our baby, but not really that exciting or eventful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We thought Sarah and our driver were great and answered all our questions. They made the day nice, even if the tour/experience wasn't so good
Transport
Sushi Making Masterclass in Tokyo: Learn Techniques from Experts in Asakusa
Sushi Making Masterclass in Tokyo: Learn Techniques from Experts in Asakusa
Tokyo

Not kid-friendly. They didn't have any high chairs so our toddler was running around the whole class. They had another couple there, so they were teaching at a fast pace while my husband and I were trying to take turns learning and taking care of the baby. They didn't provide her with any entertainment or really anything, so she picked up their broom and started sweeping and pulling things off of shelves. We thought they'd give her something like rice and seaweed to touch and play with and also that they'd go slowly and make sure we understood the steps before moving on, but they didn't and we felt rushed. Also they wouldn't allow us to take any of the sushi we made home with us, and our baby was ready to go about 3/4 of the way through the 2 hour class, so we didn't get to eat much of what we made.

Quality of Experience
They actually have a youtube channel where they teach all their skills. Maybe just look at that instead of going to this class.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The location they sent us to at first was wrong, there was a sign in the old location pointing to the new location down the street. The staff at this experience were not able to customize or help us as parents to get the same experience anyone else who took this class would have.
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 29, 2025
Hi Megan
The Kimkim staff member you mentioned is our customer service manager, Lisa. I’m glad to hear that you found her helpful. Since there were some points I explained to you but you still found unclear, I asked her to assist me in communicating with you.
Thank you for your honest feedback — we’ll continue to work hard to improve our service quality. However, some aspects, such as restaurant reservation service fees, are charged by the reservation platform, not by us. I’ve explained this... Read more

Hi Megan
The Kimkim staff member you mentioned is our customer service manager, Lisa. I’m glad to hear that you found her helpful. Since there were some points I explained to you but you still found unclear, I asked her to assist me in communicating with you.

Thank you for your honest feedback — we’ll continue to work hard to improve our service quality. However, some aspects, such as restaurant reservation service fees, are charged by the reservation platform, not by us. I’ve explained this to you several times, and I hope you can understand it now.

Also, regarding your request for precise information on whether each sightseeing spot’s restroom has a diaper-changing table — unfortunately, we truly cannot provide exact details for every location.

I understand that you have some doubts about my service, but I really have done my best — including arranging fruit and snacks for your baby in advance and covering the driver’s service fee to take you to your dinner location for free. In Japan, all labor and services must be properly compensated.

We genuinely hope your trip has been enjoyable, and if it still didn’t fully meet your expectations, we’ll keep striving to do better.
Best
Shona

Japan was the 4th trip that we've booked thro...
Japan | Oct 5 - Oct 19, 2025

Judy
Judy J.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 27, 2025
Japan was the 4th trip that we've booked through KimKim! Greg arranged the best trip we've had so far! In working with Greg, we could tell that he wanted to give us the best possible experience of Japan and it's culture, and he delivered!! We had a mix of private guided tours, small group tours, exploring on our own, as well as some select private experiences (Japanese Afternoon Tea at the Palace Hotel, decorating Lacquered Japanese Bowls as well as Japanese Calligraphy). The hotels... Read more

Japan was the 4th trip that we've booked through KimKim! Greg arranged the best trip we've had so far! In working with Greg, we could tell that he wanted to give us the best possible experience of Japan and it's culture, and he delivered!!

We had a mix of private guided tours, small group tours, exploring on our own, as well as some select private experiences (Japanese Afternoon Tea at the Palace Hotel, decorating Lacquered Japanese Bowls as well as Japanese Calligraphy).

The hotels that Greg suggested, were all located in areas close to public transportation as well as sites we could walk to, in some cases. We opted to have breakfast included at each hotel, and the selection of both Western and Japanese style offerings was outstanding.

We spent 2 weeks total in Japan Tokyo (4 nights), Kanazawa (2 nights), Kyoto (5 nights) ,Hiroshima (2 nights) and
Hakone (1 night)

We came away from our experiences in Japan with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Japanese culture - thank you Greg, for making this possible!!

Hotel Reviews
Suiun

This was our first experience staying in an Onsen. Definitely something one should try at least once when they visit Japan! From leaving your shoes at the front door to picking out a kimono to wear while on-site, each experience was new. Dinner was served over several courses in your own private space in the dining area. Breakfast was in the same space, with many dishes offered. The beds were comfortable and the room was spacious and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Wearing kimonos was a very nice touch! The rooms had that old world feel with modern amenities, of course!
Location
The Onsen was within walking distance from the Open Air Art Museum (not to be missed!) and the cable car when returning from Ōwakudani Station and Gora Botanical Gardens.
Staff
Friendly but professional staff. They guided us through the check-in (tea provided) and off to our room where they explained how to use the soaking tub!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Well maintained property that you can see the staff cares about!
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima South Gate

We weren't sure when we were first presented with the idea to stay in a hotel located within the train station in Hiroshima, but it turned out to be one of the best stays! The room was on the smaller side (bed right up against the wall), but we didn't spend much time there, as we were out seeing the historical sites. Breakfast in the on-site restaurant was outstanding with many local and western items to choose from. We caught the streetcar steps from the hotel door, and when we were leaving to head back to Tokyo, the Shinkansen platform was just at the other end of the train station. Easy Peasy!

Authenticity & Character
This felt more like a business hotel, which isn't a bad thing...
Location
Just steps to catch the local streetcar or trains to other cities. There was a shopping mall located within the train station, and there were several food courts and dessert shops located right next to the hotel!!
Staff
The staff were very helpful answering our questions for catching the streetcar and provided us maps and timetable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was comfortable and the view over the city was nice.
KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle
Kyoto

We really enjoyed our 5 night stay at this hotel. The room was a nice size with a comfortable bed, and a relaxing shower that was separate from the sink and toilet (which was in it's own space!). The breakfast was outstanding, with many different dishes to try. The location was near a laundromat, restaurants and public transportation. The Nijo Castle was a short walk away and well worth the visit!

Authenticity & Character
Bamboo flooring, calm muted colors, it was just a pleasant place to come back to each day!
Location
While public transportation was available, we found it much quicker to have the front desk request a taxi for us when we wanted to see some of the sights (a 40 min bus ride with transfers became a 15 min taxi ride to the Bamboo forest).
Staff
The front desk staff was very helpful requesting taxi's for us and giving us bottled water, always with a smile!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was very comfortable and the room was large enough that you could relax.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa
Kanazawa

We stayed two nights in this hotel. The room was large enough to have space on both sides of the bed!! On-site restaurant offered a delicious breakfast with something for everyone. The location was walking distance to many sites and public transportation.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel was comfortable.
Location
The Omicho Market and many temples/shrines were within walking distance, as well as the Kanazawa Castle and the Samurai district.
Staff
The staff were helpful in holding our luggage until we could check in later in the day.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was comfortable and the room and hotel in general were very clean.
Hotel the Celestine Tokyo Shiba
Tokyo

We enjoyed 4 nights at this hotel. The room was a bit smaller than we were thinking it would be (bed was against the wall and one of us had to crawl over the bed each night to sleep. The view from the room however, was amazing! We were on the 17th floor and had a city view with gorgeous sunsets. The on-site restaurant had an outstanding breakfast with many local and western dishes to try! The location was excellent being close to many subway stations and temples. We went to a 6:00 a.m. Buddhist service that was a 10 min walk from the hotel. We would definitely stay here again!

Authenticity & Character
While this hotel was part of a chain, it didn't feel cookie cutter at all. They had a beautiful Kimono on display in the lobby.
Location
Close to many subway stations and temple
Staff
Staff were very polite and helpful, though we had to resort to Google Translate often.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was cleaned daily and the bed was very comfortable. You could tell that the property was well cared for.
Activity Reviews
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

We've been on many food tours, and this one was pretty good. We had a small group of 6 for this tour, which was a good size. Our guide, Yuma, was nice and showed us some local history and a small temple where you wouldn't have expected to see one!. The local food was good.

Ultimate Osaka Private Walking Tour (Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori)
Ultimate Osaka Private Walking Tour (Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori)
Japan

We were fortunate to have Pam once again as our guide! She met us at our hotel and we took a taxi to the train station to catch a local express from Kyoto to Osaka for the day. Dotonbori and Shinsekai were short subway rides away from Osaka Castle. There were so many shops to explore in these districts! The castle was beautiful, though we didn't go inside as there was a huge line.

Japanese Calligraphy Experience (Nara)
Japanese Calligraphy Experience (Nara)
Japan

When this experience was first presented, I didn't think we would appreciate it as much as we did. Hisae and her mother were excellent, patient teachers. Japanese Calligraphy is very different from English calligraphy. For this class, we used a thicker brush to write out different symbols. Who knew a couple downward strokes and cross bars were a word! The brush strokes are performed in a style unique to Japanese Calligraphy. Hisae's mother was very gracious and wrote out our grandchildren's names in Japanese calligraphy for us to present to them as something special from Japan.

Quality of Experience
This class was held in Hisae's home so you were able to see another side of Japanese culture outside of hotels.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hisae and her mother are true Japanese calligraphy artist who are well know in the community.
Stunning Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Secluded Temples with Private Guide
Stunning Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Secluded Temples with Private Guide
Japan

Our guide, Pam, was the best! She walked us down some back roads to see some off the radar temples before heading to the bamboo grove. The bamboo is never cut in this area, so it's quite dense and beautiful!

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pam was very personable and all around fun to tour the sites with! She was always happy to answer our many questions, and increase our knowledge of that area of Japan!
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)
Japan

What a fun experience! It's like getting ready for the prom. You pick out your kimono and the ladies help you get it wrapped the correct way. Then they do your hair and add accessories to your hair to make you shine! Then it's off to take pictures in the garden. Once you're done, you are led to the tea room where a lovely lady explains and demonstrates how to make Matcha tea. This experience was something even my husband enjoyed. There is also an option to wear your kimono all day as you wander around the Gion area.

Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour
Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour
Japan

Akira was our guide for this half-day tour. We toured around the Rokuharamitsu-ji and Kiyomizu-dera temple. What amazing buildings! Our next stop was in the Gion area of Kyoto. So much history and streets to wander down!

Private Maki-e Experience: Lacquered Chopsticks or Japanese Bowls
Private Maki-e Experience: Lacquered Chopsticks or Japanese Bowls
Kanazawa

We had a lot of fun with the guest artist decorating Japanese bowls to keep - we were pleasantly surprised how well our bowls turned out! The location was close to where we were staying and was in a one room building, which is also used for other activities. Lots of light and a welcoming location.

Discover the secret gems of Kanazawa - Omicho Market & Samurai District - Private Walking Tour
Discover the secret gems of Kanazawa - Omicho Market & Samurai District - Private Walking Tour
Kanazawa

Our guide, Rimiko, took us all around the Omicho Market where we tried some raw oysters, Crab and pork croquettes, local Wagyu beef freshly grilled as well as some favorite desserts of Rimiko that she introduced us to. We stopped at the Oyama Shrine on the way to the Samurai district and saw where the Samurai lived at one time, though the area has been gentrified.

Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included
Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included
Tokyo

This actually turned out to be a fun experience. The retired sumo wrestlers had a good rapport with the audience and knew how to work the crowd!

Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

This was a small group tour with 7 of us (an Australian family of 5 and my husband and myself). The guide spoke very good English - she had lived in Australia for a time, which was very helpful as we had lots of questions. The tour actually took place in parts of the red light district of Tokyo. What an eye-opening experience that was. Often food tours will inundate you with 7-10 stops .This tour was nice in that we only went to 3 spots. The first stop was to a restaurant where we had tempeh and sushi. The second stop was the best - Korean barbeque wagyu beef we grilled at the table - delicious! Last stop was to see the lights over the city and have some gelato. The tour guide was fun and the group had a good time!

Quality of Experience
Location, food
Food
Korean barbeque wagyu beef!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide spoke good English and was knowledgeable.
Transport
This was a walking tour, so not an easy question to answer.
Morning at Meiji Jingu and Harajuku with Private Guide
Morning at Meiji Jingu and Harajuku with Private Guide
Tokyo

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Masa-san, our guide the first full day in Tokyo! Masa-san was very knowledgeable about both the Buddhist and Shinto temples we explored. He was enormously helpful in showing us how to navigate the subway system and using our Suica card.

Quality of Experience
We got a good introduction to Tokyo with this tour.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Masa-san was a personable and knowledgeable guide - we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him!
Transport
We've been on subways from New York to Paris, but Tokyo subways are heads above all the rest! They are fast, on-time and very clean.
Local specialist: Greg Varga
Greg
Greg Varga
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Nov 05, 2025
Hi Judy and Steve, Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot to hear that this was your best trip yet and that I could help make your time in Japan so special. I loved working with you on this itinerary, and I’m really glad the mix of guided tours, personal experiences, and great locations worked well for you. I hope we can plan another adventure together soon! Thank you so much for your kind words and the detailed review. It really means a lot to hear that this was your... Read more

Hi Judy and Steve,

Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot to hear that this was your best trip yet and that I could help make your time in Japan so special. I loved working with you on this itinerary, and I’m really glad the mix of guided tours, personal experiences, and great locations worked well for you. I hope we can plan another adventure together soon!

Thank you so much for your kind words and the detailed review. It really means a lot to hear that this was your best trip yet and that I could help make your time in Japan so special. I loved working with you on this itinerary, and I’m really glad the mix of guided tours, personal experiences, and great locations worked well for you. I’m so glad it all came together in a way that gave you a deeper connection to the culture. I hope we can plan another adventure together soon!

Thank you so much for your kind words and the detailed review. It really means a lot to hear that this was your best trip yet and that I could help make your time in Japan so special. I loved working with you on this itinerary, and I’m really glad the mix of guided tours, personal experiences, and great locations worked well for you. I'm especially happy to know it all came together in a way that gave you a deeper connection to the culture. I hope we can plan another adventure together soon!

Greg
You Could Travel team

Great customer service! Highly recommend
Japan | Oct 7 - Oct 24, 2025

Jonas
Jonas H.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Oct 24, 2025

We had an amazing time in Japan and would highly recommend KimKim travel. We were there for 17 nights and spread across 7 different cities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and the northern mountains. It was a busy itinerary and we were so glad to have Kimkim’s help. Olivia was a huge help both in planning our trip and assisting us whenever needed along the way!

Friendly, professional, and prompt! Highly recommend booking with this company!

Local specialist: Olivia Luang
Olivia
Olivia Luang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 26, 2025

Hi Jonas,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you had an amazing time exploring Japan and that the trip went smoothly across all seven cities. It was a pleasure working with you to bring your itinerary together, and I’m happy to know that our support made your experience enjoyable and stress-free.

Wishing you and your family all the best in your future travels, and I hope we’ll have the chance to plan another adventure together!

Warm regards,
Olivia

First time in Japan.
Japan | Oct 2 - Oct 21, 2025

M
Maritie B.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025
All planned stops were great and the people were wonderful this was my first trip to Japan. Read more

All planned stops were great and the people were wonderful this was my first trip to Japan.

Hotel Review
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Full Day Trip to Mt. Fuji with  Fugaku Fuketsu Wind Cave & Shiraito Falls
Full Day Trip to Mt. Fuji with Fugaku Fuketsu Wind Cave & Shiraito Falls
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Oct 30, 2025

Hi Maritie,

Hope you are doing great.

Thanks so much fjor your feedback and I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed your first trip to Japan!

Looking forward to help your next trip plan in the further.💕💕

All best
Eleanor

A wonderful experience of collaboration for personalized tour of Japan
Japan | Oct 4 - Oct 21, 2025

J
Jeffrey S.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025
This was our first experience with KimKim, based on recommendation from friends. After many years of self-managed independent travel, what a wonderful experience! We wanted to design our own itinerary for Japan after previous travels there. It was a true collaboration with many iterations and exchange of ideas. The result was a unique experience, much of it to out-of-the-way places. KimKim's management of lodging, travel, drivers and guides was excellent. The final detailed itinerary... Read more

This was our first experience with KimKim, based on recommendation from friends. After many years of self-managed independent travel, what a wonderful experience! We wanted to design our own itinerary for Japan after previous travels there. It was a true collaboration with many iterations and exchange of ideas. The result was a unique experience, much of it to out-of-the-way places. KimKim's management of lodging, travel, drivers and guides was excellent. The final detailed itinerary guided us every step of the way. Specialist Sandy had great knowledge, made many helpful suggestions to improve our plans, and then was on the spot every day of travel to address any concern. We feel this was a good value and produced one of our best travel experiences.

Hotel Reviews
Onyado Nono Namba Natural Hot Spring
Osaka

Excellent location for tourism in Osaka. A busy property, small but comfortable room, good breakfast, no evening restaurant - but it the center of unlimited dining places.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
Kyoto

A medium sized chain hotel, well-run and well-located for touring Kyoto and environs.

UNO HOTEL
Okayama, Tamano

Modern building just across from Uno station. Not fancy but functional, and very good restaurant attached. Baths a short walk away - a separate facility more like a US spa, but many good bathing facilities and other amenities. However, for exploring Naoshima, not the best choice, as ferry schedule limits time on the island. If Naoshima is the objective, stay on Naoshima.

Yunagi no Yu Hotel Hanajyukai

Extraordinary place, high on a hill with panoramic views of Takamatsu and inland sea, and private outdoor granite baths for every room. Yet convenient by taxi at reasonable cost to Ritsurin Garden and other tourist sites.

Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi
Kanazawa

A small, quiet, and beautifully designed modern building well-located in Takayama. The room was small but so carefully designed that it was one of the better places we stayed.

Wanoyado Hotel Iya Onsen Natural Hot Spring
Miyoshi

Spectacular location in remote Iya valley. Older buildings, rambling layout, very good food, beautiful baths at the bottom of the canyon, rooms high above with great views. Hard to get to but worth the journey, and well-located for Oboke gorge exploration.

Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama
Takayama
Hotel Fukinomori

After a day of hiking on Nakasendo trail, a beautiful and serene place, both modern and traditional. Excellent food, great bathing facilities, a nice common room, well-designed traditional room. Remote location with good shuttle service to train station and local village. Would have liked to stay on.

Gora Kansuiro
Hakone

A traditional design, older property, with excellent location close to Gora station and cable car. Beautiful outdoor bath, comfortable traditional room. Chosen to begin our Japan trip, it was excellent. Property a little worn, and food not the very best we had, but very good and overall the location and atmosphere make this an excellent place both for relaxing in place, and for touring the Hakone area.

Authenticity & Character
A true traditional construction with extensive grounds.
Location
Ideal both for quiet and for proximity to station and cable car.
Staff
Very welcoming and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
A little worn, but attractive and comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Day tour from  Takamatsu to Iya valley
Day tour from Takamatsu to Iya valley
Miyoshi

Oboke George scenic boat ride is short but spectacular with stunning views and important geology. Vine bridge we expected to be trivial, but turned out to be a wonderful piece of engineering: now with steel cables hidden in the structure, but the design of the fiber structure is a wonder.

Katsura Imperial Villa
Katsura Imperial Villa
Kyoto

We visited Katsura 30 years ago, and it was our most memorable experience in Japan. This time, the garden is still an extraordinary example of design - one of the finest gardens of the world. The feeling is both ancient and modern - as though Frank Lloyd Wright went back a few centuries. But the tour felt rushed, the group of 20 was too large, the English speaking guide was full of information but careless about whether her group could hear it. It seems they are trying to get as many people through as possible, timing the tour to 60 minutes, with no time for reflection or calm. Yet, if this is the only way one can see Katsura today, the experience is still worth it.

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 27, 2025
Hi Jeff, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience on your trip to Japan and that the itinerary we created together resonated so well with your interests. It was truly a pleasure to work with you. I’m also delighted that you connected so well with most of the tour guides. They are truly wonderful, and I’m so glad they made your experience even more special. It’s always our goal to create unforgettable experiences, and your... Read more

Hi Jeff,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience on your trip to Japan and that the itinerary we created together resonated so well with your interests. It was truly a pleasure to work with you. I’m also delighted that you connected so well with most of the tour guides. They are truly wonderful, and I’m so glad they made your experience even more special. It’s always our goal to create unforgettable experiences, and your feedback makes everything worthwhile.

We look forward to helping you plan your next adventure with Kimkim.

Wishing you all the best and warmest regards from Japan,
Sandy

We had an amazing honeymoon and really loved ...
Japan | Oct 4 - Oct 19, 2025

A
Andrea P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2025
We had an amazing honeymoon and really loved the entire experience, could not thank Greg more for all his help! He consistently helped throughout as we needed, responded quickly and went above and beyond with all the details and recommendations in the itinerary, everything went so smoothly! It was a pleasure for us to have him help make our honeymoon trip so great! Read more

We had an amazing honeymoon and really loved the entire experience, could not thank Greg more for all his help! He consistently helped throughout as we needed, responded quickly and went above and beyond with all the details and recommendations in the itinerary, everything went so smoothly! It was a pleasure for us to have him help make our honeymoon trip so great!

Activity Review
Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour
Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour
Japan

Pam was so amazing and we could not recommend her more! We had an incredible experience walking through Kyoto, eating great food, and learning about its history. Definitely enjoyed every minute of this tour and would recommend to anyone considering it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Greg Varga
Greg
Greg Varga
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Oct 27, 2025

Hi Andrea and Ricardo,

Thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm really happy to hear that you had such a fantastic honeymoon in Japan. I shared your kind words with Pam, and she was so excited to hear them. She also sends her best wishes to you both.

It was truly a pleasure to help plan your honeymoon. If you ever decide to come back to Japan, I’d love to help again.

Our first trip to Japan
Japan | Sep 30 - Oct 13, 2025

Mona
Mona B.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2025
Our first trip to Japan and it was a bit of a culture shock but in a good way. Very friendly, helpful people. The food was amazing, even my husband who doesn't like fish too much was loving the food. The tour guides we had were very experienced, informative and friendly in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, we enjoyed the tours and all the knowledge they had to give. The hotels that Olivia had chosen for us were perfect for what we needed and were doing while we were there, close to the train stations... Read more

Our first trip to Japan and it was a bit of a culture shock but in a good way. Very friendly, helpful people. The food was amazing, even my husband who doesn't like fish too much was loving the food. The tour guides we had were very experienced, informative and friendly in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, we enjoyed the tours and all the knowledge they had to give. The hotels that Olivia had chosen for us were perfect for what we needed and were doing while we were there, close to the train stations and sight seeing venues. Olivia was really good at getting back to us if we had questions. There was a bit of confusion with one of our tours but it was quickly remedied. The drivers and quides that we had would always text us the day prior to let us know where to meet and to give us any further information we'd need. The only thing I wish is that we would have seen the fall colours but the heatwave they were having during our stay caused the leaves on the trees to stay green so alas that was not meant to be. Next time.....

Hotel Reviews
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji
Osaka

Nice quiet hotel, very helpful friendly staff. Nice rooms which were clean and quiet. Buffet was not the greatest but we made due.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kyoto Century Hotel
Kyoto

Nice hotel, and located very close to Kyoto station. Buffet was good and the rooms were clean and quiet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ryokan Aura Tachibana
Hakone

This hotel is a bit older but clean, we had our own private open air bath and a wonderful view! Nice and quiet and within walking distance to town and the train station.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tokyo Prince Hotel
Tokyo

Very nice helpful staff. Nice clean rooms and great service. The restaurants were lovely. Close to the train station we needed and to Tokyo tower.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the train station we needed and to Tokyo tower.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
Japan

This tour on the island Miyajima which they also call oyster island so if you go you need to try the oysters. I am not an oyster fan but did try them there and quite liked them. Hiroshima museum was extremely packed and because of this we did not get to see as much as we would have liked. They really should do timed entrance times but they do not. So expect to be packed in there like sardines.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Depends on where you stay but can get there by bus or taxi
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

This was a really good tour, I would recommend to anyone who likes food and wants to try food they have probably never had.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Garden Walking Tour (Join-in)
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Garden Walking Tour (Join-in)
Kyoto

The bamboo forrest was really cool. Did not know that bamboo grew that quickly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto

Our guide was very knowledgeable and we had a great time getting to know Kyoto.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
1-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Join-in Bus Tour with Lunch (Departs from Shinjuku, Disband in Hakone)
1-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Join-in Bus Tour with Lunch (Departs from Shinjuku, Disband in Hakone)
Tokyo

Would have been an awesome trip, we however didn't actually get to see Mt. Fuji due to the bad weather, thanks Mother Nature! The bus was comfortable and the guide and driver were great. Lunch was provided and it was authentic so maybe not for everyone but okay with us.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo
Samurai Ninja Museum Tokyo
Tokyo

The museum is quite small but the staff are nice and know their history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not too hard to find.
Tokyo: Sumo Show Experience with Chicken Hot Pot and a Photo
Tokyo: Sumo Show Experience with Chicken Hot Pot and a Photo
Tokyo

This was fun, a bit cheesy but still a good time. Food was okay.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Make sure you have google maps to find the place
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo

Great way to see the history and culture of Tokyo, our quide was awesome and even helped us to navigate the crazy train station. Had a great sushi lunch at her favorite sushi restaurant that was awesome!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very nice, knowledgable and fun.
Transport
Our guide met us in the lobby of our hotel which was perfect.
Local specialist: Olivia Luang
Olivia
Olivia Luang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 22, 2025

Hi Mona,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review! We’re truly happy to know that our team’s service made your trip memorable. We also really appreciate your kind words and your valuable suggestions for improvement. Wishing you all the best, and we hope to welcome you again in the future!
Best wishes,
Olivia

Professionalism and attention to detail
Japan | Oct 9 - Oct 17, 2025

L
LAROC K.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2025
This was our first trip to Japan and it was an amazing experience! Katsu and his team of guides: Eriko (Hakone & Tokyo); Sachi (Kyoto); Midori (Hiroshima) were all extremely professional, on-time, knowledgeable, accommodating, and friendly. We felt like we were discovering Japan with family members as guides! Katsu helped us plan the itinerary; following up with video meetings to nail down trip details was very helpful and appreciated. When a typhoon closed the Yokohama port, delaying our... Read more

This was our first trip to Japan and it was an amazing experience! Katsu and his team of guides: Eriko (Hakone & Tokyo); Sachi (Kyoto); Midori (Hiroshima) were all extremely professional, on-time, knowledgeable, accommodating, and friendly. We felt like we were discovering Japan with family members as guides! Katsu helped us plan the itinerary; following up with video meetings to nail down trip details was very helpful and appreciated. When a typhoon closed the Yokohama port, delaying our initial arrival by two days, Katsu was able to make adjustments to our itinerary quite quickly... allowing very little impact to our experience. All members of the team were able give us insights into the Japanese culture that greatly enhanced our visit!
We highly recommend this team to help travelers discover Japan! A great experience, indeed!

Local specialist: Katsu Okada
Katsu
Katsu Okada
Local specialist in Vancouver | Replied on Oct 21, 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful message!
I am truly happy to hear that your first trip to Japan was such a memorable experience.
Your kind words mean a lot to us, and I will be sure to share your warm comments with all the local staff, Eriko, Sachi, and Midori will be delighted to hear them.
It was truly our pleasure to assist you with your Japan journey, and I am so grateful for your trust and kindness throughout the planning and during your stay.
We all hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Japan again in the future!
Warm regards,
Katsu

A 1 travel partners Leny /KimKim
Japan | Oct 6 - Oct 14, 2025

A
Anita D.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2025
Leny /KimKim delivered an exceptional A 1 travel experience. I rate their company 5 stars.
Leny and team were my travel partners.
They designed a unique dream adventure to Japan and Korea.
There were so many bonus excursions and surprises!
The biggest surprise was a birthday cake presented by a Maiko.
I am forever grateful.
AD
Read more

Leny /KimKim delivered an exceptional A 1 travel experience. I rate their company 5 stars.
Leny and team were my travel partners.
They designed a unique dream adventure to Japan and Korea.
There were so many bonus excursions and surprises!
The biggest surprise was a birthday cake presented by a Maiko.
I am forever grateful.
AD

Hotel Reviews
G2 Hotel Myeondong
Seoul

Mr.Kong and staff over and above accommodating

Authenticity & Character
Nice big room
Location
Clean good location
Staff
4 star luxury
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean big spacious room
Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Kyoto Karasumaoike

Excellent 4 star Centrally located

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very nice helpful staff like Mr.Kong
Staff
Very caring staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone

Magic made with Onsen

Authenticity & Character
Location
In room dinner and breakfadtv
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Risveglio Akasaka
Tokyo

Great time

Authenticity & Character
Thanks very courteous
Location
Thanks
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 17, 2025

Hello Anita,

Thank you for sharing your lovely feedback! My team and I are so happy to hear that your birthday trip went wonderfully, and that the Maiko (Geisha apprentice) with the surprise cake made your trip even more special.. We’d love to assist you again with your next Japan or South Korea adventure.

Warm regards,

Leny

This was a terrific trip. Enough things to d...
Japan | Oct 8 - Oct 17, 2025

Madelyn
Madelyn I.
Estero, FL | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2025
This was a terrific trip. Enough things to do with enough time to catch our breath. Eleanor did a good job making recommendations and ti ing our activities. Our guides, Hector, Irony, and kihora were first rate and each was both knowledgeable and thoughtful in customizing our time together. We especially loved our private Okebana lesson with Seanacey. Hotel recommendations were in good locations and comfortable. Read more

This was a terrific trip. Enough things to do with enough time to catch our breath. Eleanor did a good job making recommendations and ti ing our activities. Our guides, Hector, Irony, and kihora were first rate and each was both knowledgeable and thoughtful in customizing our time together. We especially loved our private Okebana lesson with Seanacey. Hotel recommendations were in good locations and comfortable.

Hotel Reviews
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima-ekimae
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda
Osaka

Great hotel especially for Hilton Honors gold members. Good benefits.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Forza Shijo Kawaramachi
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Solid hotel with good breakfast and location.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Oct 20, 2025

Hi Maddy,

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! I'm really touched to hear that you enjoyed the trip and felt it was well-paced. It makes me so happy that the planning and choices we made helped you relax and enjoy every moment. Your kind words truly mean a lot and it's such a joy to hear that the trip left a good memory for you. Thanks again for choosing us, and it's been so wonderful working with you!

All the best,
Eleanor

An amazing memorable trip
Japan | Oct 7 - Oct 12, 2025

ANITA
ANITA R.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025
An amazing memorable trip put together by Greg. It was a very busy and exhausting 5 days, and a great opportunity to see and do as much as I could of Tokyo and Kyoto. Read more

An amazing memorable trip put together by Greg. It was a very busy and exhausting 5 days, and a great opportunity to see and do as much as I could of Tokyo and Kyoto.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Yuraku Kyo-yasaka
Kyoto

An amazing Japanese style hotel. The room was a very good size with great amenities kits. Loved the shower and Onsen. Very close to historical and quaint area with lots of shrines, temples, restaurants and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi / Tokyo
Tokyo

A very pleasant and centrally located hotel. Access to trains, restaurants and shops were very close. Asian breakfasts. Staff very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)
Japan

The Tea Ceremony was an amazing experience. Getting dressed into a kimono was fun. I think I actually looked good in it. The tea ceremony was very spiritual and culturally sensitive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

The young guide was terrific. Very friendly and knowledgeable of the area. Food from the various restaurants was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sushi Making Cooking Class near the Tokyo Tower
Sushi Making Cooking Class near the Tokyo Tower
Tokyo

I was the only one in my session, so it was a private.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Greg Varga
Greg
Greg Varga
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Oct 17, 2025

Anita, thank you so much for your lovely note. I’m really happy to hear the trip was such a memorable experience for you. I know it was a packed five days, but I’m glad you were able to take full advantage of your time and really soak up the energy and beauty of both Tokyo and Kyoto. It was a pleasure helping you plan it, and I’m so grateful you trusted me with your adventure. If you ever decide to come back and explore more of Japan, I’d love to help you plan your next chapter.

Greg and the team at KimKim orgainsed a super...
Japan | Sep 19 - Oct 9, 2025

C
Colin F.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025
Greg and the team at KimKim orgainsed a super3 week trip. They liaised closely with us so that our particular likes (temples, culture, tradition...walking in the countryside) were integrated with their recommendations. Transport links, accomodation and local guides worked without a hitch. We visited bustling Tokyo, traditional Kyoto, along with Nagano, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, Hiroshima and Miyajima. We stayed in ultra modern hotels and traditional ryokans. We had guides to Geisha... Read more

Greg and the team at KimKim orgainsed a super3 week trip. They liaised closely with us so that our particular likes (temples, culture, tradition...walking in the countryside) were integrated with their recommendations. Transport links, accomodation and local guides worked without a hitch. We visited bustling Tokyo, traditional Kyoto, along with Nagano, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, Hiroshima and Miyajima. We stayed in ultra modern hotels and traditional ryokans. We had guides to Geisha districts, food markets, and to Hiroshima. Greg was no more than a text away to clarify any issues. It was great.

Hotel Reviews
the b ginza

Nice hotel. Well located for Ginza and shopping.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Miyajima Grand Hotel Arimoto

Super traditional hotel. Great onsen. Helpful staff. Well located on a lovely island.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Blossom Kyoto
Kyoto

Super hotel. Great breakfast. Helpful staff. Well located.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nikko Style Nagoya

Super hotel. Great breakfast. Helpful staff. Well located.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa
Kanazawa

Super hotel. Helpful staff. Well located.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jizokan Matsuya Ryokan
Nagano

Super traditional hotel. Great food. Attentive staff. Well located.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Blossom Hibiya
Minato

Super hotel. Great breakfast. Helpful staff. Well located.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiroshima City Private Walking Tour
Hiroshima City Private Walking Tour
Japan

A visit to the Peace Park, a Hiroshima-speciality lunch and a moving visit to the atomic bomb-related museum.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour
Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour
Kyoto

Enjoyable trip to see and sample the delights of the busy market. Knowledgeable and interesting guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Japanese Calligraphy Class (Nara)
Japanese Calligraphy Class (Nara)
Japan

A delightful hour spent trying to handle the calligraphy brush, with a souvenir of handywork to take home

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)
Japan

A valubale introduction to the nature and purpose of the Tea Ceremony.

Quality of Experience
Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Expert Guide
Takayama Half-Day Private Tour with Expert Guide
Takayama

Enjoyable trip into Geihsa and Samurai history. Knowledgeable and interesting guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Discover the secret gems of Kanazawa - Private Walking Tour
Discover the secret gems of Kanazawa - Private Walking Tour
Kanazawa

Enjoyable tour. Knowledgeable and interesting guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Matsumoto Private One Day Tour from Nagano (Tour w/ Public Transport)
Matsumoto Private One Day Tour from Nagano (Tour w/ Public Transport)
Japan

Enjoyable trip. Knowledgeable and interesting guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

Enjoyable trip to hidden restaurant and bar. Knowledgeable and interesting guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Greg Varga
Greg
Greg Varga
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Oct 18, 2025
Colin and Ali, thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot to hear that you had such a wonderful experience. It was a real pleasure working with you to shape this trip, and I’m so glad we were able to create something that felt personal and meaningful — blending your love of tradition, culture, and nature with some really special places. Knowing that everything flowed smoothly, from the guides to the transport and accommodations, makes me so happy. I’m really grateful you... Read more

Colin and Ali, thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot to hear that you had such a wonderful experience. It was a real pleasure working with you to shape this trip, and I’m so glad we were able to create something that felt personal and meaningful — blending your love of tradition, culture, and nature with some really special places. Knowing that everything flowed smoothly, from the guides to the transport and accommodations, makes me so happy. I’m really grateful you trusted me to help plan such a big journey. If Japan ever calls again, I’d love to be part of the adventure.

Ben did an amazing job.
Japan | Oct 4 - Oct 11, 2025

J
Janice D.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2025
Ben was always quick to respond to our questions. He worked with us initially to design the perfect trip in Japan. Many thanks for all of your hard work. Read more

Ben was always quick to respond to our questions. He worked with us initially to design the perfect trip in Japan. Many thanks for all of your hard work.

Hotel Reviews
Sotetsu Fresa inn Yodoyabashi
Osaka

Close to restaurants and shopping in Osaka.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Metro station in basement of hotel; very convenient.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Park Hotel Hiroshima Riverside

Close to train station, which was very convenient

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to river and train station.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Kiyomizu Gojo
kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
THE KANZASHI TOKYO ASAKUSA

Great location; close to the metro stop, shopping and restaurants. Excellent breakfast choices for an American traveling in Japan.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to metro, shopping, restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Osaka Exploration: Castle, Cuisine, and Sky-high Views (full day tour by public transport)
Osaka Exploration: Castle, Cuisine, and Sky-high Views (full day tour by public transport)
Osaka

We went to Osaka Castle in the morning - very impressive, and then walked and took public transport to the sky-high views. Very nice. Then Ursula took us to a famous shopping area where we bought things to take home.

Quality of Experience
Food
We ate some snacks leaving the castle; got to taste a 10Yen cake. I think that day lunch was included; we said we weren't hungry, so it all worked out fine.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ursula returned us to our hotel using public transport that had a station under our hotel.
Hiroshima's Legacy: Peace Memorial & Okonomiyaki(public transport)
Hiroshima's Legacy: Peace Memorial & Okonomiyaki(public transport)
Hiroshima

The Peace Memorial is something everyone should see. It was heartbreaking to see the pain and suffering of so many Japanese people. It was a beautiful day, and after the museum we enjoyed walking the grounds, and got to see school children bringing chains of cranes to the memorial dedicated to a girl who died as a result of her injuries. It was a very meaningful experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ursula took us to an additional place on the way back to the hotel to see a turret that was part of a castle. I was worried about getting back on time; she had it all handled and we arrived at the train station with 20 minutes to spare!
Transport
Arashiyama Hidden Gems & Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience by Public Transport
Arashiyama Hidden Gems & Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience by Public Transport
Kyoto

Ursala took us to a temple area, and then to a beautiful garden area developed by a famous Japanese actor of the early 1900s. It was a lot of walking, but that is fine with us. The tea ceremony was definitely a highlight of our time in Japan. I had no idea I would be dressed in a kimono; it was a detailed experience and we really enjoyed it!! I was a bit nervous about getting to the train station in time to retrieve our luggage and get on the train to Hiroshima. Ursula stayed with us at the tea ceremony location to be sure we got where we needed to be and on time.

Quality of Experience
The tea ceremony was fantastic
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ursula did a good job making sure we got where we needed to be on time.
Transport
Travel by train and taxi; worked well.
Afternoon tour: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion District  (Public  transport)
Afternoon tour: Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion District (Public transport)
Kyoto

Ursala met us at the train platform; she communicated that her train had been delayed. Kyoto was HOT; and we enjoyed the tour and took enough breaks to make it enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ursala did a good job guiding and providing excellent information.
Transport
Public transport worked fine.
 A Day Trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo (by private transfer)
A Day Trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo (by private transfer)
Japan

I liked the transport; we visited the museum and did a cool Virtual Reality tour of climbing Mt. Fuji. We didn't see Mt. Fuji (it was cloudy), but Peter did all he could for us to have a good experience. The cable car to a viewing site was great.

Quality of Experience
If we had seen Mt. Fuji I'd give it an amazing rating.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again Peter (and the driver today) did a great job.
Transport
Fanciest van we've ever ridden in. Excellent!
Guided Tour in Tokyo:  Temple, Sumo Show and Anime Adventure with Public Tranportation
Guided Tour in Tokyo: Temple, Sumo Show and Anime Adventure with Public Tranportation
Tokyo

Lots of areas of Tokyo were covered, we enjoyed the Sumo Show, and were amazed at the Anime area - we've never seen anything like it!

Quality of Experience
Food
The sumo show food was good; a hot pot and other Japanese delicacies
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Again, public transport, worked well.
Guided Tokyo Culture Tour by public transport from port :Ueno Park,Tokyo National Museum ,Meiji Shrine, Omotesando district
Guided Tokyo Culture Tour by public transport from port :Ueno Park,Tokyo National Museum ,Meiji Shrine, Omotesando district
Tokyo

The day we took this tour turned out rainy at times, but Peter was a great guide. The museum was interesting; he was able to show us so many part of Tokyo!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Peter really helped us see so much!!
Transport
all of transport was public transportation. It worked well.
Local specialist: Ben Tanaka
Ben
Ben Tanaka
Local specialist in Japan, China | Replied on Oct 15, 2025

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a kind review—it means the world to us! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear quick responses and the initial trip design for Japan met your expectations. Knowing you had a great experience makes all our hard work worthwhile. If you ever plan future travels or have friends looking for trip recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you lots of happy memories from your Japan journey!

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