Kimkim Trip Reviews for Japan

4.7
Based on 477 ratings
Read 477 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.

I cannot express how amazing this trip was! O...
Japan | Nov 12 - Nov 22, 2025

Kelsy
Kelsy B.
Honolulu, HI | Reviewed on Dec 04, 2025
I cannot express how amazing this trip was! Olivia planned such an amazing itinerary based off of the things we were interested in. Her expertise made our trip so easy and fun. Our guide Yoshiko was the absolute best! She went above and beyond and made our days so fun. I hope KimKim gives her a raise because she is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Sonny was also awesome! Our hotel Sakura Terrace was a lovely stay. They have an amazing ceramic plate sauna, and massage chairs in... Read more

I cannot express how amazing this trip was! Olivia planned such an amazing itinerary based off of the things we were interested in. Her expertise made our trip so easy and fun. Our guide Yoshiko was the absolute best! She went above and beyond and made our days so fun. I hope KimKim gives her a raise because she is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Sonny was also awesome!

Our hotel Sakura Terrace was a lovely stay. They have an amazing ceramic plate sauna, and massage chairs in the lounge.

I don’t think our trip could’ve gone better and I will definitely be using this company again.

Hotel Review
Sakura Terrace -Adult Only

Amazing hotel, and exceptional service

Location
Local specialist: Olivia Luang
Olivia
Olivia Luang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Dec 04, 2025
Hi Kelsy,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I’m truly delighted to hear that you had such an amazing trip and that the itinerary matched your interests perfectly. It was my pleasure to help plan your journey.
I’m especially happy to hear that Yoshiko made such a positive impact on your experience—she is indeed fantastic, and I’ll be sure to share your kind words with her and with our team. I’m also glad Sonny took great care of you during your trip. It’s great to know you... Read more

Hi Kelsy,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I’m truly delighted to hear that you had such an amazing trip and that the itinerary matched your interests perfectly. It was my pleasure to help plan your journey.

I’m especially happy to hear that Yoshiko made such a positive impact on your experience—she is indeed fantastic, and I’ll be sure to share your kind words with her and with our team. I’m also glad Sonny took great care of you during your trip.

It’s great to know you enjoyed your stay at Sakura Terrace as well, especially the ceramic plate sauna and the massage chairs!

Your satisfaction means a lot to us, and I’m thrilled to hear you’ll be traveling with us again in the future. I look forward to helping you plan your next adventure!

Warm regards,
Olivia

With many thanks and appreciation to Ada for ...
Japan | Oct 30 - Nov 17, 2025

R
Rose T.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2025
With many thanks and appreciation to Ada for planning an itinerary that included most everything that we requested. Ada was there with support from start to finish. Hotels were booked within walking distance to the rail stations, and our rail tickets were sent to our first hotel location. Drivers and guides were prompt, professional, and kind. Ada's attention to detail was amazing. She even helped us to contact and visit with relatives that we initially had no information of their... Read more

With many thanks and appreciation to Ada for planning an itinerary that included most everything that we requested. Ada was there with support from start to finish. Hotels were booked within walking distance to the rail stations, and our rail tickets were sent to our first hotel location. Drivers and guides were prompt, professional, and kind. Ada's attention to detail was amazing. She even helped us to contact and visit with relatives that we initially had no information of their whereabouts. That was the highlight of our trip. Thank you, Amazing Ada!

Hotel Reviews
Daiwa Roynet Hotel KANAZAWAEKI-NISHIGUCHI
Kanazawa

Very conveniently located. Clean, comfortable room. Wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Authenticity & Character
Location
Location
Staff
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness & Comfort
THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO

Hotel was convenient. Many shops nearby for shopping. Clean, comfortable room. Breakfast was wonderful. Very friendly staff member offered to take photos of us in the indoor garden.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Around Takayama, Ascend Hotel Collection
Takayama

Convenient for our walking tour of the city. Comfortable, clean room. Wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chisun Grand Nagano

Very, very convenient to public transportation. Clean, comfortable room. Delicious breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Taoya Kisoji
Tsumago

Lovely setting. Clean, comfortable room. Wonderful breakfast!

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

Room was clean, comfortable, located conveniently for our activity. Delicious breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
高野山 真田坊 蓮華定院 -Koyasan Sanadabo Rengejoin-
Kota

Luxurious lodging! Wonderful opportunity to attend evening meditation and morning service. Breakfast and dinner were incredible, very interesting, very delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Forza Osaka Kitahama
Osaka

Very friendly staff. Great location. Amazing breadkfasts.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Enjoy Temples & Bamboo Grove in Kyoto
Enjoy Temples & Bamboo Grove in Kyoto
Kyoto

Hector was a wonderful tour guide who taught us so much about the history of the area as well as of Japan. We will remember him warmly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Learn the Secrets Behind Ramen in a Cooking Class
Learn the Secrets Behind Ramen in a Cooking Class
Osaka

This was a fun class. Certainly will attempt to put to use what we learned about ramen and gyoza.

Osaka Day Trip: Shitenno-ji Temple, Hozenji Yokocho, Kuromon Ichiba Market
Osaka Day Trip: Shitenno-ji Temple, Hozenji Yokocho, Kuromon Ichiba Market
Osaka
Local specialist: Ada Huang

Perfectly planned and executed! Judy was an ...
Japan | Nov 23 - Nov 30, 2025

Hong
Hong d.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2025
Perfectly planned and executed! Judy was an amazing to work with. She customized our 9 day trip to Japan with our family of four. The trip was comprehensive and all inclusive of hotel, transportation and activities, less airfare. All the hotels were of excellent quality and all centrally located. All tour guides and transportation specialists communicated at least one day in advance to confirm all our bookings throughout the trip. They were all very knowledgeable and provided superb,... Read more

Perfectly planned and executed! Judy was an amazing to work with. She customized our 9 day trip to Japan with our family of four. The trip was comprehensive and all inclusive of hotel, transportation and activities, less airfare. All the hotels were of excellent quality and all centrally located. All tour guides and transportation specialists communicated at least one day in advance to confirm all our bookings throughout the trip. They were all very knowledgeable and provided superb, quality service. Judy had recommendations and answered all our questions. She was available and communicated throughout the whole trip. I would highly recommend KimKim and would definitely use them again for our next trip to Japan or Asia. Our trip went as perfectly as can be!

Hotel Reviews
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji
Osaka

Great hotel. Our hotel got two people and had do split up our family of 4 into two connecting rooms which worked out okay too. Rooms were smaller than other hotels but clean, classy. Located in a business district. Hotel is more for professionals and business. One subway stop away from Umeda which is the big central station with shops. Overall very nice hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO
Kyoto

Very nice hotel. Nice, clean, green, modern. Great breakfast. Spacious room to fit our family of 4. Located in the center of action, shops and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
&Here TOKYO UENO

Perfect for families. Love that Ueno Park is across the street for a stroll. Safe. Clean. Spacious. Centrally located. Kids loved the bunk beds.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Across the street from Ueno Park, near zoo and central to transportation
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was the most knowledgeable guide we have evee experienced.
Transport
Bonsai Garden at Hoshun-in Temple (Daitokuji Temple)
Bonsai Garden at Hoshun-in Temple (Daitokuji Temple)
Kyoto

Very beautiful trees and meticulously maintained garden.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Nice experience of Japanese customs and tradition. We did this with our 8 and 11 year old. The event is very formal and very respectful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Kids-Friendly Tokyo City Tour with Akihabara
Full Day Kids-Friendly Tokyo City Tour with Akihabara
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Judy Zhang
Judy
Judy Zhang
Local specialist in Seoul and Japan | Replied on Dec 02, 2025

Hi Hong,

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind review — it truly made my day! I’m very happy to hear that you and your family had such a wonderful time in Japan. It was my pleasure planning this trip for you, and I’m grateful for your trust throughout the entire process.

If you ever plan another trip to Japan or anywhere else in Asia, I’ll be more than happy to assist you again. Thank you once more for your warm words — they mean a lot to me!

Warm regards,
Judy

Eleanor was always available for help and wa...
Japan | Nov 14 - Dec 1, 2025

Greg
Greg S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2025

Eleanor was always available for help and was able to sort things out when needed. She checked on us during our trip to ensure everything was going well. All of the local guides and were very nice. It was great to experience both the urban and rural parts of Japan.

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Dec 02, 2025

Hi Greg,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
It was truly a pleasure supporting you throughout your trip.Communicating with you was always a pleasure, and I truly appreciate your flexibility and understanding with the adjustments we had to make along the way. I’ll also be sure to share your kind words with our local guides.

If you ever decide to visit Japan again, you’re always welcome — and I would be very happy to help plan your next adventure!

Warm regards,
Eleanor

Over-priced, not worth the money
Japan | Nov 21 - Nov 29, 2025

R
Rachael M.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2025
I booked a trip for our family (two daughters, ages 9 and 11) and husband. My husband and I are both well-traveled (60+ countries, with and without travel agents, staying anywhere from camping/ hostels to 5-star relais chateaux properties). I used KimKim because I wanted to maximize our limited time and make the trip smoother with our girls. Over-all we had a fantastic trip and experienced the culture. We loved many of the recs the agent made: the onsen (3 nights! Worth it), which felt... Read more

I booked a trip for our family (two daughters, ages 9 and 11) and husband. My husband and I are both well-traveled (60+ countries, with and without travel agents, staying anywhere from camping/ hostels to 5-star relais chateaux properties). I used KimKim because I wanted to maximize our limited time and make the trip smoother with our girls. Over-all we had a fantastic trip and experienced the culture. We loved many of the recs the agent made: the onsen (3 nights! Worth it), which felt authentic, the Sumo experience, visiting the shrines and temples. We could have passed on visiting Akihabara area (overstimulating) and we added the Mpig cafe and TeamLabs (both shouldn’t be missed and so fun w kids) on our own. The agent was responsive, polite- we had no trouble contacting her. Despite a very successful trip, my over-all rating of KimKim is poor: The massive mark-up (over 30%!) was not justified.

Stupidly, I didn’t double-check prices before booking (in the past, when I’ve used agents, there has only been a 10% +/- markup and I assumed this was standard) and realized much later that there was an over 30% mark-up. I kept hoping the exorbitant price would be made up for by care and attention to detail, but sadly, this was not the case. Here are some examples:

* Booking through the agent made things worse
* We arrived in Tokyo at 9pm, tired and jet-lagged, and informed that our hotel was booked for 3 instead of 4 nights. The hotel was full, and the extra night couldn’t easily be added on, and we were told we would have to change rooms (and downgrade!). Additionally, they had no locked storage area- presenting some logistical challenges and burden. I knew what happened: The original itinerary I booked had us in Tokyo for 3 nights; however, the agent overlooked a small detail- that Sumo was not offered on Sundays (something clearly stated on the website-a red flag then), resulting in a whole itinerary change, adding a night in Tokyo. Apparently, my name was misspelled, and the 3+1 nights were not linked. They said they upgraded us for the 3-night stay, but the room they gave us was identical to the one in our itinerary photo, so that didn’t make sense. Regardless, it ended up working out- someone “cancelled”, we kept the room, but it was stressful and a very disappointing way to start the trip: not worth 30% markup!
* The agent sent us to the wrong location for the sushi-making experience. The new site was several blocks away, and the Sushi place said that they emailed us about the change, but, having not made the booking myself, I was never informed. We ran to the new site and made it a few minutes late.
* The agent sent us to the wrong location for the Samurai sword experience, and it wasn't booked long enough and was heavily overbooked (I think they made a mistake, as the staff looked stressed). This resulted in missing part of the experience. KimKim did refund us that portion of the experience without hesitation- they knew it was a screw up.
* For the Sumo experience, they emailed us photos, but because I didn’t make the reservation, the photos didn’t get sent directly to me, and I had to request them from the agent to get them- not a huge deal, but not VIP. Not worth paying an extra 30%!

* Luggage storage in Kyoto train station was like Hunger Games! We had to store our luggage for a day at the train station so we could make our tours and have time for lunch. I specifically asked the agent if it was easy to find lockers, knowing we had 5 pieces of luggage, and she reassured me they were readily available. Well, 30 minutes of frantically searching in the train station, we secured 5 lockers all apart from one another. Not a big deal, but certainly not worth 30% markup.

* Our two guides were kind, patient, and prompt but they were average in knowledge. They knew the brochure information but did not offer any in-depth knowledge of the areas. No one knew the best places to get food (my husband is vegetarian) or had that back-alley, in-the-know experience that exceptional guides have. Not worth the 30% markup.

* Food recs were non-existent. The agent offered no specific food recommendations based on personal experience, nor did the guides. No one had firsthand knowledge of the restaurants in the heavily touristed areas we were in. The onsen has a very challenging menu as well - we braved it one morning with the Japanese breakfast, but it was so fishy and pickled, it was inedible to us (I normally am an adventurous eater, but this was too much!). The western breakfast was price-fixed with soupy scrambled eggs, weird cuts of meat… For some, this might be a luxury, but for most Western folks, especially those with kids, this is not worth the money. It would’ve been nice to have that firsthand information and have someone give us some recs of nearby restaurants that were open early (very few were open before 9 or 10 am in Arashiyama). Again, all issues we expect while travelling, but by using an agent with a huge markup, these details needed to be managed.

* Hotel recs were hit and miss. We loved the onsen (except the breakfast) because it felt local and authentic. We slept so well! The Karaksa chain hotels were good hotels- clean, good breakfast, but I struggled with the locations. They were convenient next to the train station, but they were not close to cool areas of town, and there weren’t a lot of dining options near the hotel in Osaka.

Over-all, we had a wonderful trip but I would not book through KimKim again- If they are going to charge these prices, every small detail should be managed and they simply were not…. (and even then, 30+ % markup! I blame myself for being so gullible and not fact checking…) All of our tours/ experiences could have easily been booked through GetYourGuide or basic website searches- there was nothing special that KimKim offered that couldn’t be done on your own. Don’t make my mistake! Do your homework on pricing first.

Hotel Reviews
Karaksa hotel grande Shin-Osaka Tower
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to train station but few restaurants
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kadensho, Arashiyama Onsen, Kyoto - Kyoritsu Resort

Clean, authentic experience. The breakfast was inedible- both Japanese and Western. I recommend going to nearby cafes for breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
karaksa hotel colors Tokyo Yaesu

Clean, good breakfast, convenient near train station

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Dec 03, 2025
Hi Rachael, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. I’m truly glad to hear that your family enjoyed many parts of the trip—especially the onsen stay, the sumo experience, and the cultural activities—and that your daughters had wonderful moments during your visit to Japan. At the same time, I am very sorry that several issues during the trip created stress and fell short of the level of care you expected. I truly appreciate your honesty, and I... Read more

Hi Rachael,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful review. I’m truly glad to hear that your family enjoyed many parts of the trip—especially the onsen stay, the sumo experience, and the cultural activities—and that your daughters had wonderful moments during your visit to Japan.

At the same time, I am very sorry that several issues during the trip created stress and fell short of the level of care you expected. I truly appreciate your honesty, and I take your feedback very seriously.

About the hotel booking issue
The hotel did upgrade your room for the first three nights out of goodwill, and we were ultimately able to secure the same upgraded room for the fourth night as well. Unfortunately, the upgrade process ended up creating unexpected complications and stress during check-in. I completely understand how this affected your first night in Tokyo, and we absolutely should have handled the reservation linkage more carefully.

Regarding the incorrect activity locations and communication gaps
You are absolutely right—receiving incorrect meeting points and missing updated information is unacceptable. Although the suppliers changed locations, I failed to notice the address change in their email, and I sincerely apologize for this oversight. I also truly appreciate your understanding and acceptance of our compensation. Regarding the sumo experience photos, we weren’t able to send them immediately because we booked through our email rather than yours to manage communication directly with the supplier on your behalf. Our intention was to save you time and effort.

About the guides and dining recommendations
Thank you for sharing your expectations. Your comments highlight areas where we can improve—both in ensuring guides provide deeper local insight and in offering more personalized dining recommendations, especially for families and travelers with dietary preferences. Regarding the onsen breakfast, as you noted, it was a very authentic onsen,so the breakfast is authentic as well( not adapted for international tastes), I understand it may have been challenging for first-time visitors, and I regret that it did not meet your expectations.

About pricing and expectations
I completely understand your perspective regarding the markup. Kimkim’s pricing includes full trip management, supplier coordination, ongoing support, and troubleshooting—but I also appreciate that the perceived value must align with the cost. Your feedback helps us identify areas where we need to better communicate expectations upfront and strengthen the level of service delivered throughout the trip.

Your review is incredibly helpful. I am committed to using your feedback to improve our process.

I also want to say that I truly appreciated how pleasant and flexible you were throughout our communication. Despite the challenges, I’m grateful that your family still created many special memories in Japan.

Thank you again for your candid feedback—it will genuinely help us improve future trips.

Warm regards,
Eleanor

Sandy did a phenomenal job of planning our tr...
Japan | Nov 6 - Nov 13, 2025

J
Jane B.
Summit, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 01, 2025

Sandy did a phenomenal job of planning our trip to Japan. Never having experienced Japan I knew nothing of best places to go for our interest and methods of traveling. The hotels were picked to our specifications, we care about both location and quality. We had expert private guides who took us places and helped us manage where to eat for our special diets. Everything went according to plan and we are currently planning another trip with KimKim.

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Dec 02, 2025

Hi Jane,

Hope you are doing great.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! I am happy that you had a great Japan experience with your guides and everything was going fantastic. Thanks so much for choosing Kimkim again and wishing you a wonderful trip to Australia with us.

All best
Sandy

Great activities and great peace of mind
Japan | Nov 16 - Nov 30, 2025

Timothy
Timothy H.
Kearny, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 01, 2025
Genuinely incredibly well done, I almost wish I asked for less freedom some days because basically everything planned was awesome. I plan on coming back to japan in the not-so-distant future and hope to use the service again then. Read more

Genuinely incredibly well done, I almost wish I asked for less freedom some days because basically everything planned was awesome. I plan on coming back to japan in the not-so-distant future and hope to use the service again then.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Keihan Tsukiji Ginza Grande
Tokyo

Cool eco conscious hotel

Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
Osaka

Cool spot with train access, cool local area is far from shin osaka but central to all sights

ALA HOTEL KYOTO
Kyoto

Spitting distance from the station, nice vibe and staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi
Tokyo

Kind staff, very stylish

Shin Kado Ya

Awesome. Just really great very traditional, be careful walking around though this place is kind of a maze.

Authenticity & Character
Just really classic vibe and service
Location
Hill top view of the sea in private bathroom, come on now
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Have a go at kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art concept
Have a go at kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art concept
Kyoto

Fun and relaxing

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Homely Experience of Cooking Okonomiyaki with a Japanese Grandmother
Homely Experience of Cooking Okonomiyaki with a Japanese Grandmother
Osaka

Fun again not sure if I just got lucky with my group or not but it wound up being really enjoyable

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Japanese Tea Ceremony at a Space  Enveloped in Japanese Beauty in Kyoto
Japanese Tea Ceremony at a Space Enveloped in Japanese Beauty in Kyoto
Kyoto

This is the quintessential tea experience, no need to look further, its perfect here.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Izakaya Tour in the Lively Nightlife of Shinjuku
Izakaya Tour in the Lively Nightlife of Shinjuku
Japan

Did not go into this with high expectations, maybe we just had a great group, maybe we got lucky with friendly locals but it was blast

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Scenic Hakone Adventures and Transfer to Kyoto
Scenic Hakone Adventures and Transfer to Kyoto
Japan

Hakone is beautiful but be warned if you start at the point I did it takes several hours to get to odawara for the train in just travel time, plan where you will stop accordingly.

Go on a hike and Take a closer look into the depths of Fushimi Inari
Go on a hike and Take a closer look into the depths of Fushimi Inari
Kyoto

Fun, need to be fit enough for it though which thankfully I was. But it is not a easy trial at the end.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
 Guided Tour of Kyoto: Timeless Beauty & Cultural Highlights
Guided Tour of Kyoto: Timeless Beauty & Cultural Highlights
Kyoto

My guide was awesome and we managed to get on some hidden paths to avoid the crowds at thier worst

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Watch a Live Sumo Show Up Close with Local Hotpot
Watch a Live Sumo Show Up Close with Local Hotpot
Tokyo

Not bad, only one I wasn't over the moon over, felt like a medieval times style gimmick but that could be me being too harsh

Full-Day Guided Tour of Tokyo: Iconic Sights, Culture & City Vibes
Full-Day Guided Tour of Tokyo: Iconic Sights, Culture & City Vibes
Tokyo

Awesome , just great fun got to glimpse everything and we could dodge crowds

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Hiroshi Tsuji

Japan was a trip of a lifetime!
Japan | Nov 22 - Nov 29, 2025

Hannah
Hannah B.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Nov 30, 2025
Japan was a trip of a lifetime! The Japanese sure know how to cook, loved all the food we tried! We especially appreciated how smooth our guides made the trip- Hal was a great historian in Kyoto to explain the history of Japan during the rule of the Sho-Gun. Safi was especially helpful explaining how the trains work in Tokyo and navigated us around Tokyo seamlessly and gave us a great recommendation for ramen in Harajuku. Tomi was very knowledgeable about the Toyota company foundings and... Read more

Japan was a trip of a lifetime! The Japanese sure know how to cook, loved all the food we tried! We especially appreciated how smooth our guides made the trip- Hal was a great historian in Kyoto to explain the history of Japan during the rule of the Sho-Gun. Safi was especially helpful explaining how the trains work in Tokyo and navigated us around Tokyo seamlessly and gave us a great recommendation for ramen in Harajuku. Tomi was very knowledgeable about the Toyota company foundings and provided a great recommendation for hitsumabushi in Nagoya. If we had a do-over, we probably would want to spend more time in Nagoya after having visited, it’s a lovely city and we appreciated the smaller size compared to Tokyo.

Hotel Reviews
The Thousand Kyoto
Kyoto

The lobby smelled nice when you enter, of lavender! We spent two nights here, loved the proximity to the train station. There is a very nice ramen restaurant that we found near the hotel to enjoy our thanksgiving dinner at. The hotel breakfasts, both Japanese and western style were yummy.

Authenticity & Character
Once we figured out how the iPad in the hotel controlled the room, that was a nice feature. It had lots of info on the restaurants in the hotel, services, room lights etc.
Location
Proximity to trains, made it very easy for our return trip home
Staff
All of the staff were great, very accommodating for letting us drop off our smaller luggage and hold at the desk while we explored Kyoto in the day time.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was extremely clean
Hilton Nagoya Hotel
Naka-ku Nagoya

Very nice hotel, they had a cool train display for the holidays in the lobby! Staff were friendly and the breakfast was very good! We were only here one night and enjoyed our brief stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We were able to enjoy a nice walk to the train station from the hotel!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Again, extremely clean room.
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, A Pan Pacific Partner Hotel

Loved the closeness to the Shibuya station for exploring around Tokyo. The staff were all extremely helpful when we had questions about setting up a cab or shipping our luggage to Kyoto. The bar on the 40th floor made really good cocktails and the Japanese breakfast was so yummy.

Authenticity & Character
Very modern hotel with lots of nice amenities
Location
Closeness to train station, food and shopping
Staff
Extremely polite and patient
Cleanliness & Comfort
Enjoyed the turn down service with tea and chocolates provided
Activity Reviews
Museums Exploration in Nagoya
Museums Exploration in Nagoya
Nagoya

My husband loved this! He was like a kid in a candy shop at the automobiles museum. It was very cool learning about how Toyota originally started as a textile company and then became an automobile maker- especially enjoyed how the Industries museum noted different events occurring in the world as they became a car maker company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi & Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi & Oishi Park
Japan

Even though the weather was not the most cooperative, we had a good time. It was impressive to see how a 12,000 foot mountain can be completely hidden with what I’m assuming is snow clouds. Enjoyed the 400 stair walk to the pagoda that overlooks the Mt Fuji valley and learning about its construction during WW2 for missing and injured Japanese soldiers (was nice to get a Japanese perspective on events in the pacific theater). We bought some cool souvenirs and tried pizza with sweet potatoes as a topping!

Quality of Experience
The fall foliage was stunning- even though we could not see the mountain, we could still enjoy the fall foliage
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Having a private driver was nice, especially to be able to nap on the return trip to Tokyo while still adjusting to the jet lag. Again, very nice to do this with Safi again, we liked the continuity of the guides as she was with us in Tokyo.
Transport
Nice and smooth, the Alphards are nice vehicles to travel in.
Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central
Tokyo Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Market & Senso-ji - East & Central
Tokyo

Loved trying the food- only thing I wish we would have done is to have had a smaller breakfast. We were both pretty full by the time we started exploring the fish market but were able to enjoy some really nice matcha and crab. I especially enjoyed the deep fried sweet potatoes in the market from Asakusa.

Quality of Experience
Liked seeing all the activity in the market and trying Japanese snacks
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Safi was fantastic! We enjoyed running around the city with her, she’s a very fun person and easy to communicate with.
Transport
Loved riding all the trains
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Dec 02, 2025

Hi Hannah,
Thank you for your great feedback! 😊
It is my pleasure to assist you with the trip and I am very glad to hear that you are having a lovely time with us.
I look forward to being at your service again for your future trip!
All the best,
Angel

Structure and Customization for perfect balance!
Japan | Nov 7 - Nov 23, 2025

Nicole
Nicole B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025
Bastien really went above and beyond and we had an amazing trip to Japan. This was our first time and we didn't want to have too many activities or too little and felt this trip met the perfect balance! All of our tours and guides were the top tier and we had so much fun with them. Traveling with KimKim is always the best because it is customized and also structured to provide the perfect balance for a vacation! Read more

Bastien really went above and beyond and we had an amazing trip to Japan. This was our first time and we didn't want to have too many activities or too little and felt this trip met the perfect balance! All of our tours and guides were the top tier and we had so much fun with them. Traveling with KimKim is always the best because it is customized and also structured to provide the perfect balance for a vacation!

Hotel Reviews
Cross Hotel Osaka
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shisui, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara
Nara
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Authenticity & Character
A little old school type hotel!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa
Hakone
Authenticity & Character
This hotel is so perfect, warm, cozy and inviting!
Location
Staff
10/10 staff! So on top of everything!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
So close to so many train lines! Great spot!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Flower Arrangement "IKEBANA" in YANAKA/Taito-ku /TOKYO
Flower Arrangement "IKEBANA" in YANAKA/Taito-ku /TOKYO
Tokyo
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Senso-ji Temple
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Elizabeth Ei Ma

Memorable trip to Japan - thanks to Greg at KimKim.
Japan | Nov 7 - Nov 22, 2025

E
Edward C.
Mill Valley, CA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
It was a pleasure working with Greg, Japan specialist with KimKim. He was flexible and accommodating. Based on our discussions, he put together a full itinerary packed with great activities and excellent hotels. Except for a couple of minor snafus and delays which prevented us from doing everything, the choices Greg made were generally excellent. At our request, Greg arranged for private tours in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The hotels selected were generally excellent. He... Read more

It was a pleasure working with Greg, Japan specialist with KimKim. He was flexible and accommodating. Based on our discussions, he put together a full itinerary packed with great activities and excellent hotels. Except for a couple of minor snafus and delays which prevented us from doing everything, the choices Greg made were generally excellent. At our request, Greg arranged for private tours in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The hotels selected were generally excellent. He prearranged all train tickets between cities and provided good guidance in explaining how to navigate local transportation. The best guided tours were the Shinjuku food tour (absolutely top notch sushi (I think the guide's name is Takeshi)) and in Kyoto ( our guide Pam was one of the best guides we've ever had - highly engaged, great sense of humor and extremely accommodating). The private tea ceremony and small group session with a geisha (who conversed with us, played a game and performed a traditional dance) in Kyoto were very special and particularly memorable. We found crowds somewhat overwhelming in popular spots in Kyoto and the Hiroshima peace museum (absolutely packed and could not really see the exhibits well). But all-in-all the planned activities were well worth it, and the package was very well organized. One piece of advice - do as much research on your own in advance so that you can make sure any particular items of places of interest will be included in the agenda which can be custom tailored to your interests, and leave some free time in order to relax, explore on your own, etc.

Activity Reviews
Private Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Private Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

Guide took us to a relatively obscure sushi restaurant featuring a private session with a sushi chef who explained and prepared everything before us. Sushi was fresh. Probably the best I've ever had!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included
Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included
Tokyo

Entertaining and educational. But not a true sumo match. Still worth it.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Greg Varga
Greg
Greg Varga
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Nov 28, 2025
Hi Ed, Thanks so much for sharing such a thoughtful review. I’m really glad to hear the itinerary, hotels, and overall planning worked out well for your trip, and that the private guides made a strong impression. I’ll definitely pass your kind words along to Takeshi and Pam. I also appreciate your flexibility along the way. I’m sorry about the minor delays and the crowds in some spots. Your feedback is really helpful, and I’ll keep it in mind when planning trips during the busier... Read more

Hi Ed,

Thanks so much for sharing such a thoughtful review. I’m really glad to hear the itinerary, hotels, and overall planning worked out well for your trip, and that the private guides made a strong impression. I’ll definitely pass your kind words along to Takeshi and Pam.

I also appreciate your flexibility along the way. I’m sorry about the minor delays and the crowds in some spots. Your feedback is really helpful, and I’ll keep it in mind when planning trips during the busier seasons.

Thanks again for traveling with You Could Travel. It was a real pleasure helping you put this journey together, and I’d love to help you plan another adventure to Japan sometime.

Greg
You Could Travel team

A hearty mix of tourist traps and great experiences
Japan | Nov 15 - Nov 22, 2025

J
Josh V.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
A lot of the events on our itinerary felt like tourist traps or promotional items that KimKim is paid to advertise. For example, on one occasion, we grabbed lunch at a random hotel, and did a food tour where one of the restaurants was staffed by people who barely spoke Japanese. Our tour guides were great; locals who were much more skilled at Japanese than English, for better and for worse, and offered us amazing recommendations for places to go and restaurants to eat at... only to take us to... Read more

A lot of the events on our itinerary felt like tourist traps or promotional items that KimKim is paid to advertise. For example, on one occasion, we grabbed lunch at a random hotel, and did a food tour where one of the restaurants was staffed by people who barely spoke Japanese. Our tour guides were great; locals who were much more skilled at Japanese than English, for better and for worse, and offered us amazing recommendations for places to go and restaurants to eat at... only to take us to the restaurant booked by KimKim, which they had very little to say about. However, on one occasion, KimKim let us pick the restaurant we ate at, which was pretty amazing. That same tour hit a bunch of authentic temples, which while deeply over-commercialized, were great to see. I'm biased toward that tour because we saw more nature than shops. If there's a tree on Mount Fuji, we didn't drive anywhere near it... but Kiyomizu was breathtaking.

The reason for the stars off is primarily the amount of tour that felt like a cookie-cutter, copy-and-paste operation. We adjusted our itinerary to be close to family and friends, but the parts that we moved made me question our guide's experience. Because we were further away from the usual events, our typical day began a little after 7AM with an hour or more of transit. Sure, we incurred that when we asked to be further from some of them... but as an example, we were closer to Mt Fuji than her normal tour. She had us leave our hotel at 6AM sharp to be to Tokyo station in time to catch the shuttle... right back to where we started. Literally we drove past our city on the way back to Mount Fuji. This is the sort of thing I paid a planner *specifically* to prevent, and it wasn't an isolated incident: We had to leave the very next day at 7:25 AM to catch a bullet train between our two hotels... which allowed us to arrive *over two hours* before we were able to check in. After we were back in the city from the copy/paste itinerary, things smoothed out. But basically, just look up someone else's itinerary! KimKim won't do a good job on customizations.

My group had a lot of fun on this trip. The rating is because I genuinely believe we'd have had *more fun* if we just planned it all ourselves.

Hotel Reviews
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Kyoto

This hotel was pretty amazing, but it was more of a roller coaster. The breakfast bar was great; I'd have been blown away had I not just been at a Keio Plaza that set my expectations sky-high. This hotel's breakfast had most of the same stuff, though our other hotel literally had a soft serve ice cream machine... how do you compete with that? Additionally, this hotel's restaurants had very weird hours. Some were only open alternating Tuesdays/Thursdays, for example. The dinner restaurant required reservations... at a hotel. Otherwise, the amenities were on point, and I particularly appreciate the hotel shuttle to Kyoto Station. The rooms had a good deal of floor space but were short on furniture, meaning there weren't many places to set things, so luggage just had to sit on the floor. At least doing so left plenty of walkway. The fixtures (showers and toilets) were all great, there were no problems with water temperature or pressure, and the hotel had blackout curtains and other lighting control. The hotel paid a lot of attention to aesthetics; the lobby was stunningly beautiful. However, there was only one set of elevators in the whole hotel, so we managed to stop on every floor on our descent from level 6, just to watch people elect to wait for the next elevator.

Authenticity & Character
Stunning lobby, good Japanese breakfasts
Location
Very close to a cool temple, and within a comfortable commute of Kiyomizu and many others.
Staff
Helpful and friendly staff, very accommodating for English speakers
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were comfy and the whole hotel was very clean, neat, and pretty. More room to set stuff would have helped.
Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji
Tokyo

This hotel's breakfast bar is carrying it. It was that wonderful. The hotel had water pressure problems and the shower flailed wildly between unpleasantly cool and painfully hot. But I worked around that by drawing a bath, and I'd do that every day for the breakfast bar, which blew the other hotel from our trip out of the water. The beds were comfortable, though on the firm side, which I believe many will appreciate. Beyond that, our experience was perfect. The rooms were small but there was space to put our stuff under tables and on a shelf above the beds' headboards, so we did better here than at our other hotel which had more floor space but no furniture to put things on.

Authenticity & Character
Features fancy Japanese toilets and modern lighting fixtures. Blackout curtains, good lighting control with multiple color temperatures. American hotels could learn a thing or two.
Location
We wanted to be in Hachioji specifically, so this was convenient for us. If you're vacationing mostly in Tokyo, this will not be convenient for you.
Staff
Very friendly and accommodating to English speakers.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was neat and tidy. Housekeeping did great.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto

This experience really made the trip for me. Kiyumizu was breathtaking; a real must-see among the temples. We actually hit multiple on this tour, and our guide was so friendly and accommodating; she made plenty of time for all the stuff we wanted to do. Dinner selection was on us, which was also stunning. If I ever book through KimKim again, I'd just tell them I want more of this. It was night and day in so many respects. We met the guide at our hotel, at an hour we set; she provided us bus passes so that we didn't have to worry about transit for these events (or anything else that day), we did everything we wanted at the temples, had a great meal, and left ecstatic.

Quality of Experience
Everything about it. The places, the guide, the pacing, the meetup.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was fantastically accommodating; beyond what I'd ever expect, especially given our other tours.
Transport
Transport was provided; everything was included.
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Experience oozed authenticity; any deviation from that was carefully noted by our hostess. Good for tourists as there was time for photo shoots in our kimono, which was strongly encouraged. The place featured a small "zen garden" kind of structure for it, and while said garden was pretty much in the heart of the city where I'm not sure grass can actually grow, they made it work. Sitting on my knees is hard, but the hostess was very accommodating in that respect.

Quality of Experience
The authenticity of the experience, along with how sharable a moment it is (from a tourist point of view).
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and informative, with good English skills.
Transport
We brought ourselves, so N/A
Mt. Fuji & Arakurayama Sengen Park Standard Lunch Course (Round Trip from Shinjuku  or Tokyo Station)
Mt. Fuji & Arakurayama Sengen Park Standard Lunch Course (Round Trip from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station)
Japan

The tour guide was friendly, spoke great English, and took us through some basic Japanese language and culture lessons, which was cute. These stops were over-commercialized tourist traps that managed to be all about Mount Fuji while exhibiting surprisingly little nature (our final stop was better, as it was a shopping center located next to a very scenic lake). The stops on Fuji itself were just tourist traps that charge you (separately and individually) to so much as use the restroom (there *is* a free one on site, as well). I was told to avoid Mount Fuji because it's a tourist trap, and I accepted the risk because hey, I'm a tourist. What I didn't expect is some extremely poor planning on the part of KimKim that made the whole day a huge pain. We had to leave our hotel before breakfast opened (which would have been at 7AM) to make it to the meetup point on time (a bit after 8 AM). To add insult to injury, the bus we boarded in Tokyo passed within a few hundred meters of said hotel an hour later. I was livid. My party constituted three of the five individuals on this tour, and the other two were from a separate stop; KimKim should have arranged a stop for us. Breakfast was not provided on the tour, nor did we have time to catch any before departure. Lunch was some sad prepackaged meal offered at a random hotel along the way. I enjoyed our time by the lake, though.

Quality of Experience
Better scheduling with our existing itinerary.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was wonderful; friendly, informative, helpful, patient.
Transport
We were on a bus most of the time. How much walking we did was up to us, and we didn't need to worry about rail.
Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour
Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour
Tokyo

A lot of good sights, especially the thunder temple, and a good guide to tell us about them. Japan has largely over-commercialized these temples, but it doesn't feel so bad because it's all cheap, all done on the honor system (within the temples; stands around them are pretty touristy), and all deeply rooted in their culture (even most of the local shops and food stands). Some of the pacing could be improved; I'd rather walk and talk when possible, but this tour still left some wiggle room so we could do what we wanted in the area, and the guide made time for photos and helped us out with them. The tour also left us plenty of time to structure the rest of our day around it.

Quality of Experience
Flexible schedule, friendly guide, and good food at a quality restaurant.
Food
Food quality was good, quantity was acceptable, and timing was such that we could do what we liked in town afterward.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very friendly and helpful, spoke English pretty well, and did his best to make the experience great for us.
Transport
Guide told us where to go, we just had to provide bus fare
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

Our guide was great. The choice of eateries was questionable. The food selection was predetermined, rather than just setting a budget, so some members of our group left after eating very little (of the 8 pieces of sushi and 3 tempura that were offered at the first joint). The second joint seemed to be higher quality and was far more impressive. We actually bailed on the third place because it was just some type of ice cream and our group was falling asleep, nearly out of phone battery, by that point in the day.

Quality of Experience
Restaurant selection, food variety
Food
Variety, selection... these were two of the three worst restaurants we ate at on our whole trip. They weren't *bad,* there were just *better,* all around.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very friendly and informative. We learned a lot from him.
Transport
Most of this experience was just walking somewhere to eat two fistfuls of food, the pacing of meals and stops was terrible, and we had no time to adjust for things the group was actually enjoying.
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 24, 2025
Hi Josh and friends, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We genuinely appreciate your insights as they help us improve our services. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed certain aspects of the trip, especially the recommendations from your local guides and the breathtaking sights like Kiyomizu and Mount Fuji. However, we're truly sorry to learn that some parts of the itinerary felt less personalized and more like standard tourist experiences because they are join in group and have... Read more

Hi Josh and friends,

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We genuinely appreciate your insights as they help us improve our services. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed certain aspects of the trip, especially the recommendations from your local guides and the breathtaking sights like Kiyomizu and Mount Fuji.

However, we're truly sorry to learn that some parts of the itinerary felt less personalized and more like standard tourist experiences because they are join in group and have the meeting points and they are far away from your hotel. I will pay more attention on the distance beteen hotel and meeting point. Thanks so much for your feeback about it. We strive to create unique journeys that cater to our travelers' specific interests, and it's disappointing to hear that we fell short in your case. It sounds like there were some frustrating logistical issues as well, and we understand how that can detract from the overall experience.

Your comments about the restaurant choices and the journey planning are noted, and we will address these concerns with our team to ensure we enhance the customization process in the future. We appreciate your honesty and hope to have the opportunity to create a more tailored experience for you or others in the future. Thank you again for your feedback, and we’re glad to hear your group had fun overall!

Best regards
Sandy

Perfect 2 week trip to Japan
Japan | Nov 9 - Nov 22, 2025

Charlotte
Charlotte B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
This is was a trip of a lifetime. Every city was different and memorable. All of our guides were knowledgeable and timely. We are not big shoppers so they were able to accommodate our extra time with additional sights. Shona, our local specialist, was able to help us adjust a train ticket within an hour and helped us navigate minor bumps during our trip. Read more

This is was a trip of a lifetime. Every city was different and memorable. All of our guides were knowledgeable and timely. We are not big shoppers so they were able to accommodate our extra time with additional sights. Shona, our local specialist, was able to help us adjust a train ticket within an hour and helped us navigate minor bumps during our trip.

Hotel Reviews
Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel
Tokyo

This hotel was very basic but location could be a huge draw for some people because it is right off of shibuya crossing and near the large train station.

Authenticity & Character
Pretty basic hotel.
Location
For us the location was very loud and busy which we do not love. But some people might like how busy it is.
Staff
When checking on the computer the staff brought me to I told the staff member helping me I had paid for breakfast already. She said I did not and so I bought 2 additional breakfast vouchers. Our local guide had to call the front office and ask for a refund which they did but seems like a situation that could have been avoiding.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but basic
Miyako City Osaka Hommachi
Osaka

Best hotel we stayed in while on our trip. Room was by far the biggest out of any location. Very nice lobby with a great luggage locker and coffee/drink machine.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Not as close to any metro station but easy walk to main tourist spots
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable bed
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima-ekimae
Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima

Very new hotel. Breakfast selection was great. Very convenient to the train station and local train cars.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful views of the mountains and the city for our room
Location
So close to the major train station with lots of food options
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Hotel was nice. They had a fitness room and a coin laundry facility. Location was good near a metro

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right near a metro station
Staff
Kept rooms clean and friendly in lobby
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and rooms were clean.
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone

This hotel has potential to be a great place to stay for the right people. The onsens are great but there is no tattoos allowed so my husband could not enjoy. The rooms are outdated with peeling wall paper and old bathrooms. The dinner and breakfast was included which in theory sounds great but the menu is fixed. The food is definitely for a particular person who values presentation over taste. I would be surprised if a kid would enjoy any of the food because it is heavily raw fish.

Authenticity & Character
This is hotel is authentic. When going to meals you were encouraged to wear a yukata provided by the hotel. Beds were comfortable but room did not have properly working AC.
Location
Hotel is on the river in Hakone which is nice. Easy to get to town and right near a 7-11
Staff
The person who checked us in did not mention we were supposed to wear the yukata to each meal so we showed up in our normal street clothes which was awkward. Also, we had to cancel a dinner due to a reservation which led to multiple confusing phone calls from various staff and we even had someone enter our room despite having a do not disturb sign on the door.
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC did not function properly
the b ginza

Overall a nice hotel. Rooms were small but that is standard in Tokyo. The breakfast was good but the sitting area could only accommodate a certain amount of people so most mornings there was a 5-15 minute wait to get in.

Authenticity & Character
They had a coffee machine and pancake machine in the lobby which was nice
Location
Near a metro and a lot of great shopping
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel was clean but bed was pretty firm.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour
Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour
Hiroshima

A day full of beautiful views and a beautiful memorial. Miyajima is very pretty but I would advise getting there early to avoid big crowds. The memorial was hard to see but was so well done.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Fun learning about tea ceremonies. This is not a full tea ceremony but you still learn a lot.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Scenic Railway & Tenryuji Temple
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Scenic Railway & Tenryuji Temple
Kyoto

Arashiyama was great. We did a scenic train ride that was pretty but if you are sitting on the wrong side of the train you barely get any views. Bamboo forest was cool but way over crowded

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan

Our local guide Yoko was great. There is so much to see in Kyoto and she was able to bring us to all the highlights. We had extra time and she was able to bring us to an extra temple with 10001 Buddha sculptures.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
1-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Tour [Return by train] With Lunch, From Shinjuku
1-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Tour [Return by train] With Lunch, From Shinjuku
Tokyo

Nice day trip with 3 key experiences. We were able to see Mt Fuji which made the experience. We went up to station 5 so we actually got to be on Fuji which had great views of surrounding mountains. Lunch was decent, food was cold but had variety. Then we headed to a scenic boat ride which was short and I could have done without but some people really enjoyed it. Then we went up to a shrine on the top of a mountain using a cable car. Great views and cool shrine.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Hands-on Cooking Experience: Nigiri Sushi and More
A Hands-on Cooking Experience: Nigiri Sushi and More
Tokyo

The beginning of the class was a little awkward because it seemed like that were training a new hire to lead the class. The second half ran really smoothly and was fun. Sushi and quality of products were great. You end up eating everything you make and it’s a lot of food

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo

Had a great time seeing the highlights of Tokyo lead by Yumi. She was knowledgeable and was able to tailor the day to what we preferred.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 30, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback with us. Reading that this was "a trip of a lifetime" is the highest compliment we could receive—it’s exactly what we strive to create for every traveler. We’re delighted to hear that each city left a unique and memorable impression, and that our guides’ expertise and punctuality enhanced your experience. It’s especially rewarding to know that we could adapt the itinerary to your preferences, replacing shopping time with extra... Read more

Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback with us. Reading that this was "a trip of a lifetime" is the highest compliment we could receive—it’s exactly what we strive to create for every traveler. We’re delighted to hear that each city left a unique and memorable impression, and that our guides’ expertise and punctuality enhanced your experience. It’s especially rewarding to know that we could adapt the itinerary to your preferences, replacing shopping time with extra sightseeing opportunities—that’s the true essence of personalized travel. A special shout-out to Shona for her swift resolution of your train ticket and her support throughout the trip. Our local specialists take great pride in turning potential hurdles into smooth transitions, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with her,hope our paths will cross again in the future.

Greg planned an amazing 11-day trip for us in...
Japan | Nov 5 - Nov 15, 2025

Debbie
Debbie H.
South Plainfield, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
Greg planned an amazing 11-day trip for us in Japan. We got to see a lot of Japan, do a whole range of activities, eat a bunch of local foods (often via food tours), and travel around the country like locals on Japan's awesome public transportation. Some of Greg's instructions on how to get places, and what our timing was, were a bit confusing, but he offered to get on a call with us, which we did, and were able to clear up the confusion. So make sure you're clear on all of the details and... Read more

Greg planned an amazing 11-day trip for us in Japan. We got to see a lot of Japan, do a whole range of activities, eat a bunch of local foods (often via food tours), and travel around the country like locals on Japan's awesome public transportation. Some of Greg's instructions on how to get places, and what our timing was, were a bit confusing, but he offered to get on a call with us, which we did, and were able to clear up the confusion. So make sure you're clear on all of the details and know where to find what you need either on the KimKim app or from other source given to you by the travel agent.
One of the real highlights was that the company Greg used for our tours (Magical Trips) keeps the groups very small and uses local guides. We got to ask all sorts of questions of the guides and really connected with them, as well as the other person or people who were in our group. Through those conversations we learned the most about Japan's culture and daily life and this really made our trip.

Activity Reviews
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Small Group Tour
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Small Group Tour
Japan

The store was excellent because it took us off the beaten path so that we got to see some temples and gardens that we never would’ve seen. It also got us away from the crowds in the bamboo forest. We learned a lot and and really enjoyed talking to our guide Ayuri.

Sushi Making Cooking Class near the Tokyo Tower
Sushi Making Cooking Class near the Tokyo Tower
Tokyo

We thoroughly enjoyed this class! We had taken a sushi making class at home, but this one blew it away. Not only did we learn how to make sushi like a pro but the sushi we made was some of the best we’ve ever had. Our instructor was great and fun and knowledgeable and spoke English perfectly. Definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience
The instruction, the instructor, the food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Greg Varga
Greg
Greg Varga
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Nov 28, 2025

Hi Debbie,

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughtful review. I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed such a wide variety of experiences across Japan and that the small-group tours and local guides helped you connect more deeply with the culture. I appreciate your note about the instructions, too, and I’m glad the call helped clear things up before your trip. Your feedback means a lot, and I’m grateful you took the time to share it. If you decide to visit again, I’d love to help make it just as special.

Greg
You Could Travel team

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Anniversary Trip to Japan — Perfectly Crafted by KimKim
Japan | Nov 3 - Nov 14, 2025

Ray
Ray S.
Paradise, NV | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2025
We just returned from our anniversary trip to Japan, and I can say with complete confidence that booking through KimKim was one of the best travel decisions we’ve ever made. In fact, this is our third trip using KimKim. From the very first planning email to the final farewell in Osaka, the entire experience was seamless, personal, and unforgettable.
Ben, our travel specialist, was phenomenal. He helped us build the perfect itinerary—listening to everything we wanted, adding thoughtful...
Read more

We just returned from our anniversary trip to Japan, and I can say with complete confidence that booking through KimKim was one of the best travel decisions we’ve ever made. In fact, this is our third trip using KimKim. From the very first planning email to the final farewell in Osaka, the entire experience was seamless, personal, and unforgettable.
Ben, our travel specialist, was phenomenal. He helped us build the perfect itinerary—listening to everything we wanted, adding thoughtful suggestions, and tweaking the schedule along the way to fit our style. Thanks to him, our trip struck the perfect balance of culture, food, adventure, relaxation, and those “wow” moments we’ll be talking about for years.
And then there were our guides: Peter and Ursula.
These two were an absolute gift to our journey.
Peter, our Tokyo & Hakone guide, made navigating Japan’s transportation system feel effortless. He taught us subway skills worthy of a Mario Bros. level-up, showed us how to experience Shibuya Crossing like locals, and gave us incredible historical context at temples and shrines. He even congratulated me on my sumo match at the lunch show (yes… I stepped into the ring and no, my training was not focused enough 😂).
Ursula, our guide through Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, was equally fantastic. From sake tastings in Fushimi to zen moments at the Golden Pavilion, she blended humor, storytelling, and deep cultural knowledge in a way that made every day feel like traveling with a friend. She helped us navigate the language barrier, made sure we didn’t get lost on trains, and offered endless tips to help us blend in better than we probably deserved. Both guides were great to pack in as much adventure each day while still leaving us with free time to roam and explore on our own.
Every single day was packed with memorable highlights, many of which KimKim helped coordinate:
✨ Sushi-making with a 4th-generation master (we are now “certified” Nigiri makers and have enough footage for a full-length documentary).
✨ A tea ceremony and learning to whisk our own matcha at a university.
✨ Visiting a capybara at a café—one of Emily’s bucket list items.
✨ Riding the bullet train to Kyoto with snacks in hand and Mt. Fuji peeking through the clouds.
✨ Walking through Arashiyama’s bamboo forest and a rickshaw ride through its historic streets.
✨ A full cultural immersion day in Fushimi Inari, weaving through the famous vermilion torii gates.
✨ A relaxing soak and stay in Hakone with incredible views of Mt. Fuji.
✨ Exploring Osaka Castle and ending our trip at the Umeda Sky Building with panoramic nighttime views.
And beyond the excursions, the guides helped us handle everything—from ordering meals to using the Suica card. They answered every question, solved every hiccup, and made us feel completely supported the entire way.
KimKim didn’t just plan a trip—they helped create a collection of memories that feel like a chapter from our own personal, globe-trotting storybook.
If you’re considering a trip to Japan—especially if it’s a special occasion—book with KimKim. Ask for Ben, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get Peter and Ursula too. They helped make our anniversary adventure everything we dreamed of…and then some.
Arigatou gozaimasu, KimKim team.
We’re already thinking about following the green light to our next chapter.
—Ray & Emily

Local specialist: Ben Tanaka
Ben
Ben Tanaka
Local specialist in Japan, China | Replied on Nov 25, 2025
Dear Ray and Emily, What a delight it was to receive your heartwarming message about your Japan anniversary trip – our whole team was absolutely over the moon! Thank you so much for taking the time to share all those wonderful details and such kind words with us. We’re truly touched that this is your third time choosing KimKim for a custom trip, and to have played a part in turning this special milestone into a fairytale-like memory is something we can hardly put into words. I’ve always... Read more

Dear Ray and Emily,

What a delight it was to receive your heartwarming message about your Japan anniversary trip – our whole team was absolutely over the moon!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all those wonderful details and such kind words with us. We’re truly touched that this is your third time choosing KimKim for a custom trip, and to have played a part in turning this special milestone into a fairytale-like memory is something we can hardly put into words.

I’ve always taken great pride in crafting highly personalized itineraries, and hearing that I struck the perfect balance of cultural experiences, food adventures, exciting activities and relaxing downtime for you. It’ll keep me smiling for a long time, and this feedback will inspire me to keep moving forward!

As for Peter and Ursula, they were absolutely beaming when we shared your feedback with them. Whether you’re keen to revisit Japan or explore a whole new corner of the world, we’ll be right here to create another trip just as special for you.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for trusting us with your anniversary journey, and for being such lovely members of our travel family. We’re already counting down the days until we welcome you back again!

Warm regards,
Ben

1 week with in Japan
Japan | Nov 4 - Nov 10, 2025

Vincent
Vincent E.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2025

I visited Japan with my best friend I've known since middle school. Ben has been very responsive with planning out the trip. Maru-san was our guide in Kyoto and he was awesome. He knew so much history everywhere we went. Betty-san was our guide in Hakone and Tokyo and she was a lot of fun as well! She knew all the great places to take a good photo.

Local specialist: Ben Tanaka
Ben
Ben Tanaka
Local specialist in Japan, China | Replied on Nov 21, 2025

Hi Vincent,

Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m really glad to hear that you and your friend enjoyed your trip to Japan. Maru-san and Betty-san will be very happy to hear your feedback — they truly enjoyed guiding you both.

It was a pleasure planning this journey for you, and I’d be delighted to help with any future trips.

Best regards,
Ben

Wonderful Japan Experience with Excellent Support and a Few Lessons Learned
Japan | Oct 13 - Oct 20, 2025

Lisa
Lisa G.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2025
I recently organized a group trip to Japan for 15 travelers through KimKim and worked directly with Angel as our specialist. This was my sixth time working with KimKim and once again the level of customer service, communication, and genuine care stood out in a major way. Even though I did not travel with this group myself, Angel and her team were responsive, patient, and committed to supporting a very full itinerary across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Managing a group of this size with many... Read more

I recently organized a group trip to Japan for 15 travelers through KimKim and worked directly with Angel as our specialist. This was my sixth time working with KimKim and once again the level of customer service, communication, and genuine care stood out in a major way.

Even though I did not travel with this group myself, Angel and her team were responsive, patient, and committed to supporting a very full itinerary across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Managing a group of this size with many moving parts is not easy, and overall the coordination, accommodations, and activities were excellent.

Our hotels in all three cities were beautiful, centrally located, and convenient for exploring on foot or by train. The activities chosen for the group were engaging and memorable. TeamLab Planets was a highlight for many and became one of the most talked about experiences of the entire itinerary. Travelers also enjoyed the castles, shrines, markets, and cultural touches throughout the journey.

We did encounter a few hiccups during the trip, which I believe are helpful to name for growth on both sides. Some of the full day excursions were too long and packed too tightly, which made the days feel rushed for travelers who wanted more time to absorb the history and culture. Time management and pacing are especially important for first time visitors to Japan, and future itineraries would benefit from shorter days, more breaks, and a bit more built-in flexibility.
We also had inconsistent experiences with local guides. One of our female guides was phenomenal, thoughtful, and highly communicative. Another guide struggled with communication and cultural expectations, which created some strain during one of the full day tours. That said, Angel was receptive when this was brought to her attention and took action to support the group.

There was also an issue with the tea ceremony and samurai museum tickets not being booked in advance even though they had been paid for. This was understandably frustrating for travelers who were looking forward to these activities. I appreciate Angel and Sandy stepping in quickly to help resolve this, and I am currently processing reimbursements on my end with their support. Mistakes happen, and I appreciate the team’s transparency and willingness to correct it.

Despite the challenges, what impressed me most was the care, grace, and helpful attitude Angel consistently demonstrated. She was in daily communication with our trip leaders, monitored the group’s needs closely, and made every effort to keep things running smoothly. Her dedication did not go unnoticed by the travelers or by me.

Overall, this was a meaningful trip for my community. My travelers experienced Japan through culture, food, history, and shared connection. The minor issues do not overshadow the fact that KimKim curated a beautiful journey for us, and our group made incredible memories together.

I would absolutely work with KimKim again and with Angel again. With a few adjustments to pacing and guide selection, I know future Japan itineraries will be even stronger. Thank you, Angel and Sandy, for your time, flexibility, and support through the entire process.

Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 24, 2025

Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your great feedback! 😊
It is my pleasure to assist you with the trip and I am very glad to hear that you are having a lovely time with us.
I look forward to being at your service again for your future trip!
All the best,
Angel

Ben helped our family plan to the trip of a Lifetime
Japan | Sep 5 - Sep 15, 2025

Christopher
Christopher C.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2025
Ben was very helpful planning the trip. When asked, he made a number of helpful suggestions which were all well thought out and were a good fit for us. When we forgot some clothing at our hotel in Hakone, Ben worked with the hotel and the clothes were delivered to us a couple of days later. The guides(Peter and Ursula) were both great. We loved our trip and would not hesitate to use KimKim again. Highest recommendation!! Read more

Ben was very helpful planning the trip. When asked, he made a number of helpful suggestions which were all well thought out and were a good fit for us. When we forgot some clothing at our hotel in Hakone, Ben worked with the hotel and the clothes were delivered to us a couple of days later. The guides(Peter and Ursula) were both great. We loved our trip and would not hesitate to use KimKim again. Highest recommendation!!

Activity Reviews
Day Trip to Miyajima Island: Floating Torii Gate & Hiking
Day Trip to Miyajima Island: Floating Torii Gate & Hiking
Hiroshima

The island was beautiful, we enjoyed the hike and cable cars we took to get to the top.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day trip to Hiroshima by public transport
Day trip to Hiroshima by public transport
Japan

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the Peace museum . Very moving experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto to Osaka via Nara by private transfer
Kyoto to Osaka via Nara by private transfer
Japan

Nara was beautiful. Seeing the Great Buddha and feeding the deer were highlights.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Arashiyama:  Rickshaw Ride , Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park and Tea Ceremony in Kimono
Day Trip to Arashiyama: Rickshaw Ride , Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park and Tea Ceremony in Kimono
Kyoto

Taking a rickshaw through the bamboo forest was a real treat. The monkey park was a pleasant though challenging hike, and great views of Kyoto.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
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

The Fushimi Inari shrine and Golden Pavillion were beautiful and very interesting, not too crowded.,

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Fuji Five Lakes Tour, Transfer to Hakone
Fuji Five Lakes Tour, Transfer to Hakone
Japan

Beautiful scenery, spectacular views of MT. Fuji. The museum was also very interesting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
local knowledge
Transport
 Explore Tokyo's Rich Heritage: Tsukiji Outer Market,Imperial palace,Sushi Making Class,  Ghibli Museum by public transport
Explore Tokyo's Rich Heritage: Tsukiji Outer Market,Imperial palace,Sushi Making Class, Ghibli Museum by public transport
Tokyo

The sushi making class we great fun, The tour of the fish market and Ghibli musuem were also execellent!

Quality of Experience
Food
Great sushi!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ben Tanaka
Ben
Ben Tanaka
Local specialist in Japan, China | Replied on Nov 19, 2025

Hi Christopher,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your trip and that our suggestions, as well as Peter and Ursula’s guidance, made your experience memorable.

It was our pleasure to assist with your clothing delivery in Hakone—we’re glad everything worked out smoothly. Your kind words mean a lot to us and the team!

We hope your memories from Japan continue to bring you joy, and we would be delighted to help you plan another adventure anytime in the future. Wishing you and your family all the best!

Warm regards,
Ben

Planned the perfect trip
Japan | Oct 27 - Nov 14, 2025

Beverly
Beverly G.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 17, 2025
Ilse was incredibly responsive and planned an amazing trip for us. We enjoyed Japan and had a huge variety of experiences. Oku Japan was very helpful with some minor mishaps we needed help with. They really came through for us when we left our passports in a hotel safe. We had all the vouchers and information we needed and the trip had a beautiful flow and tempo. I highly recommend Kimkim and Oku Japan Read more

Ilse was incredibly responsive and planned an amazing trip for us. We enjoyed Japan and had a huge variety of experiences. Oku Japan was very helpful with some minor mishaps we needed help with. They really came through for us when we left our passports in a hotel safe. We had all the vouchers and information we needed and the trip had a beautiful flow and tempo. I highly recommend Kimkim and Oku Japan

Hotel Review
Taoya Kisoji
Tsumago

Very large resort hotel in the mountains. Very different experience from our ryokans but incredible . The most beautiful onsens you can imagine set in lovely Japanese gardens. Room was luxurious and buffets were extensive with all you can drink.

Authenticity & Character
Not personable; very large facility
Location
Mountain setting
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Kyoto - At leisure
Kyoto - At leisure
Kyoto

So much to see in Kyoto. Nara was a bit too crowded and touristy. Would not do that again. Fun to walk around neighborhoods.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ilse Montald

Japan 2025
Japan | Nov 4 - Nov 13, 2025

Jennifer
Jennifer G.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 16, 2025
My son and I took a trip to Japan and planned it through kimkim. Our local agent Angel was amazing to work with and connected us with the best tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto. She stayed in touch with us throughout the trip and made sure we had all the information we needed to travel efficiently. We could not have asked for a better experience. I definitely will use kimkim again when booking a custom luxury vacation. Read more

My son and I took a trip to Japan and planned it through kimkim. Our local agent Angel was amazing to work with and connected us with the best tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto. She stayed in touch with us throughout the trip and made sure we had all the information we needed to travel efficiently. We could not have asked for a better experience. I definitely will use kimkim again when booking a custom luxury vacation.

Hotel Review
Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Could tell it was an American brand
Location
Near train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride and Bamboo Grove
Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride and Bamboo Grove
Kyoto

Due to weather our boat ride got cancelled but our guide made sure to keep us busy with other sites. In addition to the bamboo forest we visited another site that was not on our list but one that I had heard about. Yoshiko was very accommodating.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Driver was extremely professional and very accommodating
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

This was so much fun! I loved getting dressed in the kimono and learning about the traditional tea ceremony customs.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
 Samurai and Ninja Museum with Experience
Samurai and Ninja Museum with Experience
Kyoto

Although this was interesting, the museum was very crowded and was my least favorite part of the trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff and guides at the museum felt rushed.
Transport
Fushimi Inari Taisha and  Kinkakuji Temple
Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji Temple
Kyoto

Our guide in Kyoto, Yoshiko, was such a pleasure to tour with. She was very knowledgeable and despite the rain (and crowds) she made this day interesting and memorable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gion Geisha  Walking Tour
Gion Geisha Walking Tour
Kyoto

This tour was very informative. Our guide gave us a ton of historical information about the area and the Geisha culture. We didn’t get to see everything I would have liked to see but still very interesting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Drive to Hakone  from Tokyo
Drive to Hakone from Tokyo
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vehicle was extremely comfortable
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour with Hakone Tozan Railway
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour with Hakone Tozan Railway
Japan

This was one of my favorite days. Motoki was once again very accommodating and made sure we got to see everything we wanted. Our driver was also very accommodating and there to pick us up whenever we were ready to move on to the next stop.

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

Minnie was a great guide and the food was incredible. Loved that it was a small group and we got to know our guide and the other couple in the tour.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour - East & West
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour - East & West
Tokyo

Our tour guide Motoki was fantastic. He made sure that we got to see and do all that we wanted in addition to what was on our itinerary. He also shared stories of the Japanese culture that added to our experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Motoki was the BEST!
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 27, 2025

Hi Jennifer,

Hope you are doing well and happy thanksgiving💕

It's wonderful to hear that you and your son had such a fantastic trip to Japan! It sounds like our Kimkim team really went above and beyond to ensure you had an unforgettable experience. I am happy that the right local guides Tokyo and Kyoto made you a difference experience. Thanks so much you will choose Kimkim in the future and looking forward to your next adventure.

Take care!
Angel

Touring Japan with great friends
Japan | Oct 16 - Nov 6, 2025

K
kevin O.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 16, 2025
If you're seeking to create a private tour of Japan, then Shona of kimkim can provide you with the resources to develop, coordinate and create an experience that will be unique as you desire. We enjoyed 22 days of adventure as a party of four staying in seven locations with accommodations of four star arranged by both kimkim and ourselves. Shona was instrumental in providing us with private professional guides, bike tours, foodie tours, event tickets, private transfers and purchasing rail... Read more

If you're seeking to create a private tour of Japan, then Shona of kimkim can provide you with the resources to develop, coordinate and create an experience that will be unique as you desire. We enjoyed 22 days of adventure as a party of four staying in seven locations with accommodations of four star arranged by both kimkim and ourselves. Shona was instrumental in providing us with private professional guides, bike tours, foodie tours, event tickets, private transfers and purchasing rail tickets with reserved seating located strategically for convenient luggage storage. We began and ended our adventure in Tokyo with stops in Nikko, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Koyasan and Hakone. There were a variety of day trips that allowed us to experience the beautiful countryside. We had a very active itinerary which required close collaboration from all parties in order for it to flow and be successful. Our trip to Japan was so memorable and we wouldn't have been able to do it without the assistance of kimkim.

Hotel Reviews
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
莲华定院 (Ren'gejo-in Temple (Pilgrim's Lodging))

We had a amazing room with a private bathroom garden view named waterfowl.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa
Kanazawa

Amazing breakfast buffet with so many options for a Japanese or Western taste

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chuzenji Kanaya Hotel

Location is bit isolated unless you have your own transportation

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza PREMIER
Tokyo

Room was tiny and breakfast was ok

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka

Need to update the meeting location. It was raining hard and we had to walk for twenty minutes to the new meeting location

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka via Nara
Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka via Nara
Japan
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
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half Day Fushimi Inari Taisha to Tofuku-ji Temple Hiking Experience
Half Day Fushimi Inari Taisha to Tofuku-ji Temple Hiking Experience
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show
Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Kanazawa Full Day Walking Tour
Kanazawa Full Day Walking Tour
Kanazawa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Shirakawago Day Trip
Shirakawago Day Trip
Kanazawa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nikko 33km Scenic Cycling + Farmhouse Lunch (Approx. 5 Hours)
Nikko 33km Scenic Cycling + Farmhouse Lunch (Approx. 5 Hours)
Nikko
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Night Tour of Kanawaza With  Dinner
Night Tour of Kanawaza With Dinner
Kanazawa
Quality of Experience
Food
Very interesting venue
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Wasn't that much to see at night
Get a Taste of Nikko's Nature and Culture: Toshogu Shrine.
Get a Taste of Nikko's Nature and Culture: Toshogu Shrine.
Nikko
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
Quality of Experience
Weather was so good that day
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Dec 04, 2025

Hi Kevin,
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us a good review. We truly appreciate your feedback and are very glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us.

Your comments are extremely valuable, and they help us continue improving our services so we can provide an even better experience for you next time. If there is anything more we can do or if you have additional suggestions, please feel free to share them with us—we are always happy to assist.

Thank you again for choosing us. We hope to welcome you back on another trip in the future.
Best
Shona

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.