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active 34 mins ago

Angel Tang

I love exploring and have been traveling in Asian countries for more than fifteen years. As a Japan specialist, I have a deep affection for this country and I will use my knowledge and expertise to make your Japan trip an experience of a lifetime! Japan is a place where you can slow down your pace and heal your soul. It’s time for me to introduce this dream-like country to you.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in crafting immersive cultural tours tailored for culturally-minded travelers who have a passion for exploring Japan. My goal is to help them create an experience that aligns with their interests and desires, allowing them to absorb the rich history and culture of each carefully selected destination. Some highlights include UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Shirakawago Village and Nara 8.

For those seeking adventure, I offer walking excursions along the ancient Nakasendo Trail and the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route nestled in picturesque mountains.

Families looking to introduce their children to the wonders of Japan can anticipate a blend of exciting activities. From engaging with samurai and ninjas to the rhythmic beats of Taiko drumming, and from scenic hikes and bike rides to hands-on sushi classes, there's a diverse range of experiences to cater to every member of the family.
"

How did you get involved in travel?

"I graduated from university in the late 90’s, a tourism booming time. Cultural exchanges were very frequent. My sister married a Japanese man who also helped me with a lot of easy visits to Japan, and I made lots of friends there. That was when I started to have true feelings for the nice people there. Then I learned they also needed someone to guide them around, so I started to work as a tour guide and have been in travel since."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"For me, the trip to a remote village in the Vietnamese countryside is the most unforgettable. I visited a local family there and lived with them for several days. By the end of the visit, I was literally a member of that family! Today, the little girl of that family whose tuition I used to finance has already graduated from university. Travel is not only for experiencing the culture and seeing the breathtaking landscape but also for giving back to the local community!"

Angel is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Angel

Our amazing Japan trip
Japan | Jul 5 - Jul 19, 2024

Bob
Bob R.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024
My trip to Japan was an opportunity for my son and me to share some quality time together before he starts his first year of college. It was very important to me that everything went smoothly. Initially, I tried to plan the trip myself, but planning the trip was overwhelming. That’s when I discovered KimKim and decided to let them handle the planning. It turned out to be the best decision I made. KimKim organized an amazing trip for us. We visited six different cities in Japan (Tokyo,... Read more

My trip to Japan was an opportunity for my son and me to share some quality time together before he starts his first year of college. It was very important to me that everything went smoothly. Initially, I tried to plan the trip myself, but planning the trip was overwhelming. That’s when I discovered KimKim and decided to let them handle the planning. It turned out to be the best decision I made.

KimKim organized an amazing trip for us. We visited six different cities in Japan (Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama and Osaka), we had over six different tour guides that were so helpful and super knowledgeable, we had a bike tour in Osaka, we participated in a cooking class. Angel, our trip planner, was incredible—she reached out to us daily with our itinerary and had everything prearranged. Angel was truly AMAZING!

This trip was unforgettable.

Hotel Review
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

This hotel was so cool, it was located close to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore  Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Tower
Explore Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Tower
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Full Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Osaka Highlights Bike Tour
Osaka Highlights Bike Tour
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The bike ride was so fun
Osaka-Nara day trip
Osaka-Nara day trip
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Shirakawa-go Tour
Full Day Shirakawa-go Tour
Kanazawa

This was so authentic, and so beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi Cruise Tour
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi Cruise Tour
Fujikawaguchiko

Our tour guide Somo was knowlagble and so nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto Gion Kiyomizu
Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto Gion Kiyomizu
Kyoto

It was so interesting.

Quality of Experience
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Osaka Cooking Class
Osaka Cooking Class
Osaka
Quality of Experience
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Round Trip From Osaka)
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Round Trip From Osaka)
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang

Kuriko(Hakone day trip guide)was SUPERB. Prof...
Japan | Jul 10 - Jul 19, 2024

Ritu
Ritu T.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2024
Kuriko(Hakone day trip guide)was SUPERB. Professional,Well informed,patient,friendly and it was a pleasure to spend the day with her.
Melanie(Gion walking tour guide) was pleasant but did not give good information or history about the area. No depth of local knowledge.
Josh ,our Nara day trip guide was very good. Well informed, pleasant. Came very prepared for the day with lot of pictures in folders.
Amongst experiences:
Owl cafe
Sumo experience were both exceptional
Esp thanks to...
Read more

Kuriko(Hakone day trip guide)was SUPERB. Professional,Well informed,patient,friendly and it was a pleasure to spend the day with her.
Melanie(Gion walking tour guide) was pleasant but did not give good information or history about the area. No depth of local knowledge.
Josh ,our Nara day trip guide was very good. Well informed, pleasant. Came very prepared for the day with lot of pictures in folders.
Amongst experiences:
Owl cafe
Sumo experience were both exceptional
Esp thanks to Angel for quick responsiveness and well planned itinerary with attention to detail.

Hotel Reviews
Gora Kansuiro
Hakone
Authenticity & Character
Old world Charm, attention to detail.
Location
Scenic, lush green.
Staff
Polite,helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Great location, helpful staff. Good sized room(deluxe twin). Excellent breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo: Enter the Sanctuary
Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo: Enter the Sanctuary
Tokyo

This was an amazing experience!! The wrestlers and guides were so kind and helpful and fun to spend time with! They shared their history and profession with us, and we had a very fun afternoon with them. This is a MUST SEE experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jul 23, 2024

Dear Ritu,

Greetings from Angel and thank you for your feedback. We're so glad to hear that you had a great day with Kuriko and Josh, and that your experiences at the Owl cafe and Sumo were exceptional. We'll be sure to pass on your compliments to them. We're sorry to hear that you didn't have a great experience with Melanie, and we appreciate your honest feedback. We'll use this to improve our services in the future. Thank you for choosing us for your trip to Japan.

Wish you and your family happy life all the time.

Best regards,
Angel

Hotels and Train connections
Japan | Jul 10 - Jul 18, 2024

B
Berenice M.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2024

The Kim Kim company is great!! The guides are very professional and informative. Our main contact person Angela was very helpful every step of the way. She was able to make any requested last minute adjustments to make our trip more comfortable and convenient.

Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jul 23, 2024

Dear Berenice,

Hope you are doing great.Thank you for your positive feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had a fantastic experience with us and that our guides were able to provide you with professional and informative service. It's my great pleasure to make your trip more comfortable and convenient. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to serving you again in the future.

All the best,
Angel

Would Do It Again!
Japan | Jun 14 - Jun 20, 2024

Michelle
Michelle F.
| Reviewed on Jul 02, 2024
Our time in Japan exceeded all expectations and earns five stars across the board. KimKim travel took care of our adult group of 10 start to finish, and I would definitely use their services again. KimKim handled our travel and activity reservations as well as accommodations with professionalism and style. I cannot say enough good things about our local specialist, Angel, and our over-all experience. Each of our accommodations were clean and comfortable with excellent service, and the... Read more

Our time in Japan exceeded all expectations and earns five stars across the board. KimKim travel took care of our adult group of 10 start to finish, and I would definitely use their services again. KimKim handled our travel and activity reservations as well as accommodations with professionalism and style. I cannot say enough good things about our local specialist, Angel, and our over-all experience. Each of our accommodations were clean and comfortable with excellent service, and the local restaurant suggestions were ideal. Yumiko escorted us on a busy day visiting the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Nakamise-dori. Angel and Yumiko organized a traditional Kimono Tea Ceremony which everyone enjoyed. We loved exploring the Mt. Fuji region with Yumi and were grateful for a break in the clouds and a miraculous view of the summit. Yasuko spent three days with our group immersed in the commerce and culture of Osaka and Kyoto. Highlights were the Nara Tour, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Bamboo Grove, Monkey Park Tour, and Foodie Night Tour. She added so much to our experiences! The Shinkansen bullet train was the perfect way to cross the country, allowing us to visit Hiroshima and Memorial Peace Park for an impactful memory to end our trip to Japan. All of our guides were extremely knowledgeable and energetic about their subjects, and it was evident how passionate they and the people of Japan are about their heritage and country. Thank you for a wonderful time!

Hotel Reviews
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza gochome
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half Day Imperial Palace East Gardens and Senso-ji Tour
Half Day Imperial Palace East Gardens and Senso-ji Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and   Oshino Hakkai
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Oshino Hakkai
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Samurai Museum with Experience + Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo Maikoya
Tokyo Samurai Museum with Experience + Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo Maikoya
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Osaka Castle and Shinsaibashi Tour
Half Day Osaka Castle and Shinsaibashi Tour
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Nara Tour
Half Day Nara Tour
Nara
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jul 04, 2024
Dear Michelle, Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that your time in Japan with us exceeded your expectations across the board. From the meticulous planning of travel and activities to the comfortable accommodations and delicious restaurant suggestions, it sounds like your experience was truly exceptional. It's fantastic to hear that our guides' knowledge and enthusiasm for Japan's heritage and traditions shone through, making... Read more

Dear Michelle,

Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that your time in Japan with us exceeded your expectations across the board. From the meticulous planning of travel and activities to the comfortable accommodations and delicious restaurant suggestions, it sounds like your experience was truly exceptional.

It's fantastic to hear that our guides' knowledge and enthusiasm for Japan's heritage and traditions shone through, making your trip both educational and inspiring. We're honored to have been a part of your adventure, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable journey. Thank you again for choosing KimKim.

Best regards from Asia,
Angel

Angel with Kimkim did a fantastic job of maki...
Japan | May 20 - May 30, 2024

Natalie
Natalie L.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2024
Angel with Kimkim did a fantastic job of making sure we had an amazing vacation we will cherish forever. Our tour guides she set up were amazing and the hotels were great as well. I will definitely use Kimkim again for travel. Angel was great on getting back to us if we had any questions about our trip!
Thank you Angel and Kimkim.
Read more

Angel with Kimkim did a fantastic job of making sure we had an amazing vacation we will cherish forever. Our tour guides she set up were amazing and the hotels were great as well. I will definitely use Kimkim again for travel. Angel was great on getting back to us if we had any questions about our trip!
Thank you Angel and Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Groove Shinjuku
Tokyo

Loved how room is set up, and it had great views. It was in a very busy area of Tokyo but you could not hear any noises. I would stay there again if going to Tokyo.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Always were helpful and treated us great.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo

Loved it was more in neighborhood and that it had public baths for use as a guest.

Authenticity & Character
Zen gardens.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
Osaka

Loved sitting and having drinks in bar with the water feature.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near subway
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tokyo City Exploration ( private group ) & Sumo show with chanko nabe lunch ( join in, small group )
Tokyo City Exploration ( private group ) & Sumo show with chanko nabe lunch ( join in, small group )
Tokyo

It was fun and campy at same time. The food was good and I would recommend it to everyone.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
Day Trip to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi
Tokyo

Fun day and loved visiting the artist village.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Osaka Cooking Class
Osaka Cooking Class
Osaka

We had fun at this little ramen restaurant. It was delicious

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
No guide and it was difficult to find.
Transport
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka

Great food. Took us to eat 3 types of food local to Osaka, it was fun and delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with  Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and tea ceremony
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and tea ceremony
Kyoto

Very full day I think it would have been better to break this day up into 2 days. Loved the tea ceremony

Quality of Experience
All the amazing places visited
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Could have done with more transportation to sites.
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour For Families
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour For Families
Kyoto

Fun seeing the monkeys. We also went to Golden temple as well.

Quality of Experience
Golden temple and grounds were beautiful
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Used public transportation
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 07, 2024
Dear Natalie, Greetings from Angel. Thanks a lot for sharing your journey with us.It's my great pleasure to ensure your vacation unforgettable.The attention to detail with the tour guides and hotels speaks volumes about their dedication to customer satisfaction. It's also wonderful to hear about your positive impressions of Hotel Groove Shinjuku and the Full Day Kyoto City Tour. Your feedback about potentially splitting the Kyoto tour into two days is insightful—it's always valuable to... Read more

Dear Natalie,

Greetings from Angel. Thanks a lot for sharing your journey with us.It's my great pleasure to ensure your vacation unforgettable.The attention to detail with the tour guides and hotels speaks volumes about their dedication to customer satisfaction. It's also wonderful to hear about your positive impressions of Hotel Groove Shinjuku and the Full Day Kyoto City Tour. Your feedback about potentially splitting the Kyoto tour into two days is insightful—it's always valuable to find ways to enhance future travel experiences.You are so kind and considerate to share your further thoughts with us.We are looking forward to assisting you again with more journeys in the future.

Warm regards from Japan,
Angel

Fun Trip
Japan | May 12 - May 15, 2024

L
Lani A.
Hendersonville, NC | Reviewed on May 16, 2024
Angel was our local specialist who planned our 3 days in Kiso Valley in Japan. She was always very helpful, fast to respond and provided us lots of details to guide us through the trek. She arranged for Summer to transport us one day and we had a good time talking with her during the drive. We had a very positive experience working with KimKim on our trip. Read more

Angel was our local specialist who planned our 3 days in Kiso Valley in Japan. She was always very helpful, fast to respond and provided us lots of details to guide us through the trek. She arranged for Summer to transport us one day and we had a good time talking with her during the drive. We had a very positive experience working with KimKim on our trip.

Activity Review
Hike to Kiso-Hirasawa From Narai
Hike to Kiso-Hirasawa From Narai
Japan

This was more of a walk along roads, not a trek. It was not a long walk to the train station.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on May 16, 2024

Dear Lani,

Warm greetings from Angel. Thank you so much for your kind words regarding your Japan tour with us.

It's great to hear that you had such positive interactions with Summer. It's always a pleasure when travel arrangements go smoothly and you get to connect with friendly locals along the way.

Wish you continued happiness and memorable adventures.

Best regards,
Angel

Trekking the Nakasendo Trail with Stops in Kyoto and Tokyo
Japan | Apr 6 - Apr 14, 2024

Weston
Weston L.
AZ | Reviewed on Apr 23, 2024
Angel was super responsive both before and during the trip. She helped us curate the experience we wanted by combining aspects of a couple different trips. The price was worth it and by changing up some hotel accommodations, she was able to get us in the price range that we wanted. During the trip, Angel checked in daily with us to give us information regarding the next day and to make sure everything was going smoothly. This is our third trip with Kimkim and we have enjoyed every single... Read more

Angel was super responsive both before and during the trip. She helped us curate the experience we wanted by combining aspects of a couple different trips. The price was worth it and by changing up some hotel accommodations, she was able to get us in the price range that we wanted. During the trip, Angel checked in daily with us to give us information regarding the next day and to make sure everything was going smoothly. This is our third trip with Kimkim and we have enjoyed every single one, we will definitely continue using their service.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Fukinomori

Easily the best hotel we stayed at on our trip. The shuttle to get to and from was easy and arrived/departed as expected. The onsen was incredible and the meals (both dinner and breakfast) were personalized, adventurous and delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
APA Hotel Ningyocho Ekihigashi
Tokyo

Hotel was clean with friendly front desk staff. Rooms were incredibly small but well kept. Location was not ideal but with a close stop to the subway, we were able to get anywhere we wanted to go. Hotel was unable to store our bags for a couple days despite us staying at the same location on our way out of town which made us have to pay for luggage storage elsewhere.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 24, 2024
Dear Weston, Hope you are doing fantastic.It's wonderful to hear about your positive experience with us.It is my great pleasure to play a part of tailoring your trip to your preferences and ensuring everything went smoothly.It's also great to hear that you found the price worth it and that my adjustments helped to meet your budget. Your feedback on the hotels is greatly appreciated. It's fantastic that Hotel Fukinomori exceeded your expectations with its convenient shuttle service,... Read more

Dear Weston,

Hope you are doing fantastic.It's wonderful to hear about your positive experience with us.It is my great pleasure to play a part of tailoring your trip to your preferences and ensuring everything went smoothly.It's also great to hear that you found the price worth it and that my adjustments helped to meet your budget. Your feedback on the hotels is greatly appreciated. It's fantastic that Hotel Fukinomori exceeded your expectations with its convenient shuttle service, incredible onsen, and personalized meals. However, we apologize for the inconvenience you experienced with luggage storage at APA Hotel Ningyocho Ekihigashi. Some hotels offer complimentary luggage storage, while others may not provide this service. We'll take note of this when arranging accommodations for our travelers in the future.

Thank you for your continued trust in Kimkim for your travel needs. We look forward to assisting you with your future adventures.

Wishing you all the best.

Warm regards,
Angel

Japa
Japan | Apr 2 - Apr 16, 2024

J
Jay B.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 21, 2024
Under ordinary circumstances, I would have given the tour four stars, but as Robert Belafksy reported to you the day spent with Michi, driving two and a half hours each way to see the Edo village (not very interesting; boring in fact) was an absolute waste of time. Michi, as a guide was lack luster at best. The unfortunate thing was that there were so many other things we could have seen in Tokyo, for example the Tsukiji Market, that it was a shame we lost the day.
The hotels you booked us...
Read more

Under ordinary circumstances, I would have given the tour four stars, but as Robert Belafksy reported to you the day spent with Michi, driving two and a half hours each way to see the Edo village (not very interesting; boring in fact) was an absolute waste of time. Michi, as a guide was lack luster at best. The unfortunate thing was that there were so many other things we could have seen in Tokyo, for example the Tsukiji Market, that it was a shame we lost the day.
The hotels you booked us in were fine, though personally having been in the Ginza I would have preferred that upscale atmosphere.
Notwithstanding the one day mishap, I believe that the trip was a good value for the money

Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 24, 2024
Dear Jay, Hope you are doing well and thanks a lot for your sharing your feedback with us. We truly appreciate your honesty and we regret that this particular excursion to the Edo village did not meet your expectations. Your comments regarding the alternative sights in Tokyo, such as the Tsukiji Market, are duly noted, and we will take them into consideration for future trips.
We're glad to hear that overall, you found the hotels satisfactory and still believe the trip offered good value...
Read more

Dear Jay,

Hope you are doing well and thanks a lot for your sharing your feedback with us. We truly appreciate your honesty and we regret that this particular excursion to the Edo village did not meet your expectations. Your comments regarding the alternative sights in Tokyo, such as the Tsukiji Market, are duly noted, and we will take them into consideration for future trips.
We're glad to hear that overall, you found the hotels satisfactory and still believe the trip offered good value for the money. We strive to continuously improve our services, and your input helps us do that. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to have the opportunity to assist your next adventure in the future.

Wish you and your family all the best.

Warm regards,
Angel

Our Japan travel experience
Japan | Apr 2 - Apr 16, 2024

Robert
Robert B.
Haverhill, MA | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2024
Overall we had a wonderful experience visiting Japan. We were 4 senior adults, one with a bad knee problem. We notified Angel well before our arrival and except for one guide our expectations were either met or exceeded. Before the second day of our Tokyo visit I notified both Angel and our guide for the day, Michi, that we had been informed that wheelchair access to the Nikko Toshugo Shrine was not available. Both Angel and Michi had ample time to modify our schedule. However, we ended up... Read more

Overall we had a wonderful experience visiting Japan. We were 4 senior adults, one with a bad knee problem. We notified Angel well before our arrival and except for one guide our expectations were either met or exceeded. Before the second day of our Tokyo visit I notified both Angel and our guide for the day, Michi, that we had been informed that wheelchair access to the Nikko Toshugo Shrine was not available. Both Angel and Michi had ample time to modify our schedule. However, we ended up that day spending over5 hours in our vehicle while visiting a lake and tourist trap for which we paid an additional entrance fee of $40 per person. We were not given any options for that day either by Angel or our appointed guide, Michi, who did not offer us any potentially more enjoyable alternatives.
We found that during our trip planning, that Angel needed to be prodded into appropriate responses to our questions and concerns thus creating some overall doubt in her abilities to create the seamless, quality experience on the ground that we had been used to with Kimkim. Our doubts were justified through the experience described above.
Otherwise our KimKim experience met our expectations and we immensely enjoyed our travel in Japan. Our guides and drivers were professional and enjoyable. The transportation schedule was well planned and booked properly.
We will certainly consider KimKim again when planning travel.

Hotel Reviews
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Tokyo

A bit touristy for our taste but otherwise a decent spot to stay n Tokyo. Great hotel staff. We used concierge services to book restaurant reservations and were very pleased.

Authenticity & Character
Perhaps a hotel that catered lees to large tour groups would have been more to our liking.
Location
The Shibuya location was a good spot from which to experience Tokyo.
Staff
All staff and concierge services were great.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakone Kowakien TEN-YU
Hakone

Hakone Kowakien Ten-Yu is a quality Japanese Ryokan experience. The Tenyu dinner included in our stay was an excellent dining experience.

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

Great location at the Kyoto Station complex

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
All staff professional and courteous. We used concierge services for dinner reservations and all were very acceptable and met our requests,
Cleanliness & Comfort
Best hotel bathroom during our visit to Japan.
The Westin Osaka
Osaka

Located in a relatively quiet neighborhood of busy Osaka.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quiet neighborhood with walking access to good restaurants.
Staff
We again utilized the concierge for dinner reservations and were very satisfied.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour
Hakone
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Osaka
Kobe Sake brewery Visiting and Kobe Beef Sampling
Kobe Sake brewery Visiting and Kobe Beef Sampling
Osaka

Fair sake tasting experience at a touristy factory museum. Something more personal and better researched would have improved the day.

Quality of Experience
More personal sake tasting experience. This was dissappoionting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Great driver as per usual.
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Round Trip From Osaka)
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Round Trip From Osaka)
Japan

A great day on our tour. Yuji Abosji was a great guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Meiji Jingu Shrine
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo

Yuki was a very enjoyable guide and a good introduction to tour Japan travel experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto
Full Day Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji Tour
Full Day Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji Tour
Tokyo

Already shared in previous review. No options to this handicap inaccessible location.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver excellent. Guide poor.
Transport
Full Day Tour to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Full Day Tour to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto
Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 19, 2024
Dear Robert, Greetings from Heidi, the customer care manager. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughtful feedback. We're glad to hear that overall you had a wonderful experience visiting Japan. It is our great pleasure to play a part in customizing your Japan tour to your preferences. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused during your visit to Nikko Toshugo Shrine and for the lack of alternative options. We understand the importance of seamless and quality experiences for... Read more

Dear Robert,

Greetings from Heidi, the customer care manager.

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughtful feedback. We're glad to hear that overall you had a wonderful experience visiting Japan. It is our great pleasure to play a part in customizing your Japan tour to your preferences.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused during your visit to Nikko Toshugo Shrine and for the lack of alternative options.

We understand the importance of seamless and quality experiences for our travelers. It is a pity to know that the performance of Angel didn't meet your expectation during your trip planning. Please allow us some time to review the whole process and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

We are very pleased to know that our KimKim experience met your expectations and you immensely enjoyed your travel in Japan.

Thanks again for your feedback. We appreciate it a lot and look forward to welcoming you come back to Japan again.

Best regards,
Heidi

I can't remember the names of the guides bu...
Japan | Feb 26 - Mar 6, 2024

J
Jim C.
Wilmette, IL | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2024
I can't remember the names of the guides but they all were fantastic. If you want to know the high points of the trip just look back at our itinerary. The whole damn thing was exceptional. Read more

I can't remember the names of the guides but they all were fantastic. If you want to know the high points of the trip just look back at our itinerary. The whole damn thing was exceptional.

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Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
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Full Day Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji, Hamarikyu Gardens &Tokyo Tower Tour (Join-in)
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 Osaka Walking Tour (JTB join-in tour)
Osaka Walking Tour (JTB join-in tour)
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Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour(join-in )
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour(join-in )
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Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha (Join-in)
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Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka
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Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove & Arashiyama Walking Tour (Join-in)
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove & Arashiyama Walking Tour (Join-in)
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Sword smith factory visit and knife making class
Sword smith factory visit and knife making class
Kyoto
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Local specialist: Angel Tang
Angel
Angel Tang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Mar 08, 2024

Hi Jim,

Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you for sharing your incredible experience in Japan with us. We truly appreciate your review and are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time. It was a pleasure working and planning with you. We hope to welcome you back to Japan again.

Take care and keep exploring.

Warm regards,
Angel