Kimkim Trip Reviews for Japan

This was our first trip to Japan and my wife and I were looking for an active and immersive cultural experience in addition to exploring the traditional tourist destinations such as Tokyo and Kyoto. I had read about the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail network in the Kii Peninsula and thought that would be the perfect choice combination of a challenging activity within a more rural area of Japan. It was quickly apparent that I would need a travel specialist to help me understand the options, logistics and booking of accommodations while on the Kumano Kodo. I heard about Kimkim through a Condé Naste article no thought to give them a try. What a great decision to contact Kimkim! I was connected to Stefaan in their Kyoto office and it was an easy and enjoyable experience to plan and book the trip from that point on. We were on the trail for six nights and Stefaan booked a selection of small hotels/onsen ryokans and guesthouses which were each an amazing experience in Japanese hospitality and cuisine. Kimkim partnered with Oku Japan to book and organize the hiking trail maps, transportation logistics and accommodations and everything was exactly as promised and exceeded our expectations. We hiked a total of 72 km and 3,600 m of vertical elevation gain over five days on the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo and it was a fantastic experience. I unreservedly recommend Kimkim and Oku Japan to as travel specialists to explore this unique and special part of the world!

We had an amazing time visiting Japan. Cory was fully present and extremely helpful from start to finish of our trip. I appreciate her organization of paperwork, bullet train tickets, chronological order of documents, and specific instructions on using each. This made getting around easy. We loved our guides, especially Pam. She is generous and kind and took us to places not on our itinerary. All the food tours were unique and enjoyable. Cory tweaked our itinerary based on our requests and offered unique experiences. I will recommend her services to friends. I appreciate having to ways to see Mt Fuji since Hakone gave us a foggy day when the ropeway wasn’t running. Along our journey people we met often asked about our favorite experience, a question I could not answer because each moment offered something special. That’s a credit to Cory. I do think it would be helpful to tweak itineraries a bit based on seasons as December days are shorter than spring and summer.

Hotel Reviews

Shiba Park Hotel

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Love the library decor and display of paper products.

Location

An easy walk to a station to catch the train.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Suiun

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima-ekimae

Authenticity & Character

This hotel is part of a high rise and has exceptional views but is very modern.

Location

Great location in relation to Hiroshima Station but a ways from attractions.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

A bit off the beaten path.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy to walk to major attractions.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Miyako City Tokyo Takanawa

Even though the room was small, it was organized well and offered a good view and seating. Love the wet room and efficient use of space.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A good place to start given the Gateway across the street.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Japan

We were the only ones in this tour, and it felt as though the guide was going through the motions. The entire experience was rushed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Nara Day Trip with Half Day Walking Tour (Lunch included)

Japan

The deer are aggressive!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Wearing (Higashiyama)

Japan

Quality of Experience

You might discover you like matcha tea.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our host was fascinated by the size of my husband’s hands. 🤣

Private Kyoto Temples & Gion Tour

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pam is an amazing guide. She knows all the best photo spots.

Transport

Discover the secret gems of Kanazawa - Private Walking Tour

Kanazawa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Izakaya food tour in Shinjuku (14 small tastings)

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Max was very knowledgeable and personable.

Meiji Jingu Shrine with Private Guide

Tokyo

Our guide knows a lot about the Shinto religion and made it possible for us to attend a service offered only a few times a year. This was a special day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included

Tokyo

Tons of fun and laughs w/ excellent audience participation. Very good food and service, too. They give you a photo and a gift bag.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Dori with Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Tokyo

Loved visiting the temple but felt a bit rushed by our guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide needs to know the exchange rate. I think he gave me the Euro or British pound rate when I asked. I should have checked the rate myself.

Transport

Sandy planned and supported our family trip to Japan (a food-focused itinerary with Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hokkaido), and I can honestly say she made the whole experience feel effortless — even when it wasn’t.

From the planning stage she was proactive and transparent: she flagged when hotels were selling out, offered alternatives quickly, explained things like ryokan room sizes and shared bathrooms, and matched accommodation to the kind of “Japanese experience” we wanted (inns, futons, breakfasts, onsen where possible). She also gave practical advice that genuinely mattered on the ground — luggage rules for the Shinkansen, what to expect at onsen (and tattoo limitations), and what we needed for arrival procedures.

What impressed me most was her care and problem-solving once we were travelling. We changed plans and added an extra night in Tokyo; she immediately worked through options and locked in rooms for all five of us. We hit payment limits and she offered solutions (split payments / alternate options) so we could keep moving. When a booked cooking class had to be cancelled due to a genuine emergency at the host’s home, she reorganised our day and processed the refund quickly. When we spotted an airport mix-up in the itinerary, she corrected it straight away. When we asked last minute about extra luggage for a flight transfer, she upgraded us to a van so we weren’t stressed or late. She also helped with special requests (including securing rugby tickets and train travel) that weren’t part of the original plan.

Throughout the trip she checked in, sent clear day-by-day details, and made sure we had contacts and instructions — so we could relax and enjoy being together rather than constantly troubleshooting. Sandy made our first organised tour abroad a genuine breath of fresh air. We’d use her again in a heartbeat and recommend her to anyone who wants a trip that’s well planned and well supported.

Part 2 from Emily G: A few highlights and recommendations from this trip: Hakone - spend at least two nights and days in Hakone - hot springs area. A great place to wind down at the end of the trip. Lovely. Go to the Open Air Museum! Leisurely enjoy the baths. Ride the gondola (ropeway) and take walks. Loved MIyajima Island (after a sobering and important day in Hiroshima). Had only one night and wished we had 2. Much to explore and at a slower pace. Loved Takayama - much more than Kanazawa. 3 nights there is good. Bike ride outside of town with Tomo! Dinner at Alba! (tiny place, make a rez, tell Juske you learned about it from the women from San Francisco, etc). Two days walking on the Nakasendo Trail. So beautiful to be out walking in nature most of the day and not too hard at all - but i would add a 3rd day if you have time. All of our hotels were comfortable EXCEPT don't stay at ACAI in Kyoto. Too "hip", tiny rooms, you can do better. Of course you will visit the many shrines, temples and castles and I enjoyed them much more than I expected - and you will go to Tokyo (explore the neighborhoods), Osaka, Kyoto (go to the Philosophers Walk) if this is your first visit; and we heard of SO many other places to explore. One more thing - among the many benefits of working with KimKim are the many guided excursions and day trips/city tours that they plan. Every guide was Excellent! and went above and beyond in many ways, Ask for Yumi in Tokyo; Sumi in Kyoto; Fumi in Kanazawa. Ernesto in Nara; Mayumi in Nara and Hiroshima. Arigato! BTW, this trip went so well that we are already planning a second KimKim trip in February in New Zealand and impressed with the help of our specialist, Michelle!

We worked with Adeline at Kim Kim to plan our first trip to Japan, and the experience exceeded every expectation. She handled all hotels, transportation and created a recommended daily itinerary with lots of travel tips. While not totally stress free as Japan is intimidating with its size, language barriers and cultural nuances, everything went smoothly and logically.

Our hotels in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto were close to train stations, clean and quiet. Only change I would have made is location of hotel in Kyoto. Since our time there was short it, we would have preferred to stay in the heart of the tourist area. However it did have a public bathing pool which was awesome at the end of a ten-mile walking day.

This was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. Kim Kim delivered exactly what they promised and will absolutely use them again.

Hotel Reviews

The Blossom Kyoto

Kyoto

Room was smaller and no view. Loved shower, bathing pool and snack area. Location was not ideal for what we ended up doing but that was our fault as we changed our itinerary.

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

Hiroshima

Beautiful hotel and location to train station. Wonderful food buffet and staff. Hotel was so quiet and fast elevators considering how large it is.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi / Tokyo Station

Excellent location and breakfast. Would have upgraded to a larger room if one was available.

Activity Review

Half Day Private Guide in Tsukishima

Tokyo

Carol was a fantastic guide. It was our first morning in Japan and we ended up not going to Tsukishima but to Asakusa and Shibuya and Meiji Jingu followed by a wonderful lunch off the beaten path. She showed us so much and gave us tips and places to explore on our own. Wish we had more time with her.

My trip to Japan was an incredible experience from start to finish. Planning everything through Kimkim was smooth and stress-free, and Eleanor made sure every detail was taken care of. I had three guides throughout my journey — each one was warm, knowledgeable, and made me feel welcome everywhere I went.

We explored Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and each city offered something unique — from Tokyo’s energy and food to Kyoto’s temples and history, to Osaka’s lively street culture. The most memorable part of the trip was visiting Hakone — the views, the peaceful atmosphere, and the onsen experience were truly unforgettable.

Overall, this trip exceeded my expectations. Everything ran seamlessly, and I can’t thank Eleanor and the Kimkim team enough for helping make it such a meaningful adventure. Highly recommend!

The guides we had in Japan were amazing and they provided excellent experiences. Our hotels were great. We loved our trip.
Our contact at KimKim was not resident in Japan. It seems like he was working off a menu as opposed to experience. Some experiences were given as 4 hours long but in reality less than 2. Excursions were changed between days after we agreed on a specific day. It is important to pay close attention while planning.

Hotel Reviews

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier

Kyoto

The hotel in Kyoto was great for our four-night stay. Both Tokyo and Kyoto hotels had fantastic breakfast buffets offering both continental and Japanese options.

Mt. Fuji View Onsen Ooike Hotel

The room was fine with a little garden. Initially, the front entrance was hard to find due to a lack of signage. Once inside, the hotel was nice. Louise prefers bathtubs and this hotel lacked one, but it was manageable for two nights.

Yufuin Baien Garden Resort

Yufu

We selected this hotel on recommendation s from a friend and it did not disappoint. The rooms were spacious and clean the private outdoor and indoor bathing areas were wonderful and made for a special experience.

Authenticity & Character

A truly Japanese experience

Location

A private setting a short walk into the village

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome

Tokyo

Great hotel with comfortable rooms. The breakfast buffet is excellent with western as well as Japanese food available. All fresh. On a clear morning we could even see Mt Fuji from our table. It is an easy walk to catch a local train or the subway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Nishiki Market Food Experience

Kyoto

We did enjoy the Hidden Gardens experience. Our guide, we called him Kay, was great, and we enjoyed the interaction with him.

Half Day Imperial Palace East Gardens and Senso-ji Tour

Tokyo

This was our first temple visit in Japan. Very interesting!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was knowledgeable and helped me to get a stamp.

Osaka Castle with guided tour

Japan

I loved this tour. Osaka Castle is beautiful and has a lot of history. Well set up to see

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide is descended from samurai and very knowledgeable

Transport

We took the JR to close to the castle

Half Day Arashiyama Cycling Experience

Kyoto

This was fun but a little hairy riding through traffic for part of it. Going to see the monkeys (macaques) was a bit of a hike up.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was fun and gave a good explanation of the Japanese

Transport

Bikes are in good shape - 15 speeds

Lake Kawaguchi Cruise Tour

Fujikawaguchiko

We did the half day tour and it was not even that long, maybe 2 hours, not including the wait.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sumi-e(ink painting) Experience in a relaxing green tea shop in Tsukiji, Tokyo

Tokyo

I wish I was a better artist, not having done this before but the class was fun anyway. You have a choice between an ink painting on a board or coasters

Quality of Experience

Kyoto hidden Gardens walking tour

Kyoto

The gardens are beautiful especially with the fall colors.

Half Day Arakurayama Sengen Park and Mt.Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Fujikawaguchiko

As Mt Fuji was covered in clouds, our guide for the two days suggested we wait until the next day do the Ropeway and boat cruise the next day and we were rewarded with beautiful sunny skies. Instead the guide took use to the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum and it was amazing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nikko - Day trip

Tokyo

This was not part of KimKim’s original plan but they provided a driver and a great guide which made it extra special

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It is a bit of a drive from Tokyo but it gave use a chance to chat with the guide

Peter was our guide in Tokyo, and Hiroshi was our guide in Kyoto. Both men were wonderful!!! Very knowledgeable, polite, and blended into our family.

Leny was fantastic prepping for the trip. After numerous live calls we adjusted our itinerary to our needs and timing. Leny was patient and made all the necessary adjustments. The trip was fantastic and every day we had a text outlining our day and travel. Just an awesome experience and Leny was the best

Bastien was wonderful and very cooperative. He is not a local specialist to the level that I would expect - but I am a very experienced traveler who is looking for very specific experiences. Once we arrived in Japan, the guides he had arranged were excellent and were the kind of local specialist we needed as part of the planning. My suggestion is to introduce the traveler to the in-country guides earlier in the process - it would have avoided some confusion on our end and un-necessary back and forth in the planning.

Having said all of that - we had an amazing trip. Bastien and Kim Kim saved us an enormous amount of time and the in-country guides and resources were excellent.

Kind regards,
Louise

Angel was the best! She patiently worked with us over many months of planning our trip to Japan, giving us expert advice while also responding to our requests. During the trip, she checked in with us every day, making sure that we had the information that we needed. And when we had to make big changes, due to the illness of one of our group of four, she worked tirelessly to adjust the itinerary. It was like being taken care of by a trusted friend or family member! In several cities, we had tours with excellent local guides, including in Tokyo, Kanazawa/Shirakawago, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima/Miyajima. We did a very fun guided bike ride outside of the charming town of Takayama, as well as a wonderful self-guided two days of walking on the Nakasendo Trail. Only the two food tours were disappointing. The hotels were all nice too, with the exception of the one in Kyoto. Our stays in Hakone, Takayama and Miyajima were especially memorable. My friends and I would highly recommend working with Angel!

Hotel Reviews

ASAI Kyoto Shijo

Authenticity & Character

It was too busy, with a crowded and noise restaurant and lobby area.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms very small. Breakfast choices very limited and the food not very good.

Mercure Hida Takayama

Takayama

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Osaka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Cycling in Takayama

Takayama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shirakawago Day Trip by public transportation

Kanazawa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tokyo City Tour

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

What an incredible experience! As a first-time female solo traveler in Asia, I couldn’t have asked for a smoother, more enjoyable trip. The Kimkim team was fantastic, and a huge shoutout to Leny, my amazing Kimkim agent, who was always just a message away with helpful insights, restaurant suggestions, and even quick itinerary tweaks while I was in Japan. Truly a godsend!
My journey took me through Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Takayama, Kanazawa, and back to Tokyo over the span of two weeks. The big cities were so much fun to explore—especially with the thoughtfully chosen hotels that made each stay comfortable and convenient. The smaller towns gave me a completely different perspective on Japanese culture that I never would have discovered on my own.
Every hotel was excellent, the food was out of this world, and the tours were exactly what I hoped for—most ended up being private, which made everything feel so personal. The tour guides were incredible and really brought each destination to life.
If you’re a female solo traveler wondering if this is doable—it absolutely is! Kimkim made it stress-free and enjoyable from start to finish. 10/10 would recommend, and I’m already planning my next trip to Japan!

Hotel Reviews

Park Hotel Tokyo

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa

Kanazawa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mercure Hida Takayama

Takayama

The public baths are a huge win! What a great hotel and location. But beware, there are a LOT of tours that stay here too, so there tend to be long wait times to the elevators or breakfast in the mornings.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Thousand Kyoto

Kyoto

Really such a fantastic location to get anywhere you need in Kyoto and beyond. In the center of it all!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Matsuzakaya Honten

Kanagawa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo with Chanko-nabe Lunch

Tokyo

Wow, wow, wow—this experience was absolutely amazing! Learning about sumo wrestling directly from retired sumos was unforgettable, and then having them cook a delicious lunch for us? How cool is that! The sumos were hilarious, passionate, and so eager to share the history and culture of the sport. After the meal, we even practiced and had a match in the ring with them—which was hysterical fun and such a unique memory. 10/10 recommend, especially because our tour guide, Mayu, was so personable and an excellent translator, making the whole experience seamless and enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

Kyoto

My tour guide, Ayuri, was absolutely amazing! I loved this entire tour—it gave me the chance to see areas that most travelers overlook because of the usual “tourism blinders.” Ayuri’s knowledge and passion made the experience unforgettable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono wearing and Tea ceremony (Sado) in Kyoto (Private)

Japan

I can’t rave enough about this Tea Ceremony experience! The women running the tea house were incredibly kind and generous with their time. What was supposed to be a 30-minute visit turned into an hour and a half of conversation, laughter, and exchanging stories with the staff. This was truly the highlight of my entire trip—an authentic, heartfelt experience that I’ll never forget. If you’re considering it, don’t hesitate. I recommend it 100%!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Relaxing Evening: Private Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner

Hakone

Hakone is a beautiful and fun destination, but I realized that traditional ryokans aren’t for me. While the experience is unique and deeply rooted in Japanese culture—complete with traditional clothing and footwear—I personally found it a bit uncomfortable. For travelers who want an authentic cultural stay, I highly recommend trying a ryokan at least once. However, if you prefer familiar comforts, this experience might push you out of your comfort zone and could feel a little stressful. The site itself was amazing and the staff incredibly attentive.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ghibli Museum & Ghibli Film Appreciation Bus Tour (Round Trip from Shinjuku)

Tokyo

As a huge Studio Ghibli fan, visiting the museum was an absolute dream come true. My tour guide, Michico, was incredible—so knowledgeable and passionate, and it made the experience even more special knowing she was a fellow Ghibli fan. She was truly a highlight of the trip! The museum itself is something beyond words—magical, whimsical, and full of surprises. It’s a must-visit for any Ghibli lover. I spent hours exploring, letting my inner child lead the way, and loved every minute of it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ken was a great tour guide and made the experience so fun and personal! 10/10 for Magical Trip

Transport

The trip was great - seamless and a lot of on the ground help once we got to Japan. We had fun learning about the metro system and generally walking all over. And some of the guides were terrific. The Kyoto visit was by far the most incredible part of the week. Thanks for your help!

Hotel Review

Patina Osaka

Osaka

Absolutely amazing! Brand new, right on Osaka Castle... A little walk to the metro but not bad. Breakfast was incredible. We will definately stay here again!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Experience Old and Nostalgic Tokyo: Yanaka Walking Tour

Tokyo

Very neat learning about this neighborhood. The guide Michiko Aoyama was incredible - she was tireless and took us all over, to all the alleys of the neighborhood finding millinium old shrines. Great tour! And wonderful tour guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

Kyoto

Incredible. the guide Akira Itoh was knowledgable and very friendly. An incredible visit!

Quality of Experience

Food

Tofu lunch was a bit boring

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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.

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

Takayama Full-Day Walking Tour

Takayama

This was an enjoyable walking tour of the marketplace and walks along the river. Tomoko san comes from that area, so our tour was more personal because she gave us information as a native of the city. She stopped often and offered to take photos of us at scenic places. She took us to a family operated noodle shop, which was a real treat. We enjoyed Takayama very much.

Full Day Shirakawa-go Tour From Kanazawa to Takayama

Kanazawa

We really enjoyed Shirakawago. The history of the village and the tour of the Temple and the museum were fascinating. I took many photos with hopes that some research now will give me a better understanding about the silkworm business. Naoko san was an excellent guide, speaking English and educating us about the history of the World Heritage Village and offering to take many photos of us. This was high on our list of places we visited. Our driver was prompt and very patient.

1 Day Historic Obuse and Hokusai Mad Man of Art Tour in Nagano

Nagano

We learned quite a lot about Hokusai and were able to see some of Hokusai's work and learn about his history. Our guide was very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our time with him.

Full Day Snow Monkey Park Tour (Join-in) & Sake Tasting

Nagano

Sake is not my drink of choice, but I did settle on a sake that I liked. We were given many choices. Staff at the sake brewery were pleasant and helpful. The Monkey Park was a nice hike up the mountain trail, and we were grateful that one monkey was there to entertain us.

Hike from Magome to Tsumago

Magome

This was the initial reason for going to Japan, but it left me the most disappointed. Tour guide was not astute enough to realize that I was recovering from bilateral Quadriceps strain from climbing the 5 tier pagode in Osaka a few days earlier. I am 84 years old and was carrying a backpack with overnight necessities. She walked rapidly, leaving me about 25 yards behind and then having to rush to "catch up." At one point, I asked her "May I ask a favor of you? Can you walk slower?" As a result of not walking a steady, slower pace, I was unable to physically complete the last bit of the trail to Tsumago. It required a taxi to get to our hotel. Although she stayed with us to register at the hotel, we did not require that help. That added time made her late for her train connection and she had to stay in a hotel that night. We offered to pay for her overtime, but she declined. I am disappointed that I couldn't complete the final part of the Nakasendo Trail.

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

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

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

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)

Kyoto

Very beautiful trees and meticulously maintained garden.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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.

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.

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.

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

Kyoto

Fun and relaxing

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tokyo

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

Guides, Drivers and Staff