Ben Tanaka

While we had a great time on our trip, the price we paid definitely did not match the level of service we were given. Ben was very responsive, but there were many setbacks we encountered during the vacation, the first of which being the moment we landed. When we arrived in Japan at 4 am our private airport transfer was nowhere to be found. After about 30 minutes of standing around and calling/messaging, we finally got in touch with KimKim and the driver who said he got the time wrong and he could be to the airport to pick us up in about an hour to an hour in a half. We were exhausted and opted for two taxis instead. We understood that misunderstandings like that can happen and appreciated that Ben rectified the situation the following day by having our guide reimburse us. On the topic of the guide, one of the two guides we had was wonderful; however, the other guide did not have any information about the sites he was taking us to, hardly knew how to get around/where we were going, and did not speak any English beyond basic conversational skills (despite being marketed as an English-speaking guide). We ended up cancelling him on the last day in favor of just exploring ourselves and had a much better, less hectic day overall.

In my opinion, securing a good guide is one of the two reasons to book through an agent though. The other major perk is having them plan out the logistics which they didn’t do well at all. We were back in the same neighborhoods many days in a row and our itinerary suggested we go to things on days they were closed, which we were not notified of until day-of by the guide and, in one circumstance, not at all (we only found out by looking it up ourselves while we were already en route).

Lastly, we requested certain experiences, like an authentic tea ceremony, and were given the most touristy options available. We were specifically trying to avoid things of that nature and were deeply disappointed upon entering. While it was nice to have sightseeing entrance fees and transit tickets already arranged and paid for, we could’ve easily handled our own transport and tickets and, in some cases, had to do so anyway due to the poor planning of our daily itineraries. The price simply isn’t worth the quality of planning. Lesson learned. Save your money.

Very responsive and open to our requests. Great communication with Ben before, during, and after trip.

We had an unforgettable family trip to Japan, traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka. Our local specialist Ben did such an amazing job planning our trip. He was so responsive to all of our questions and provided great suggestions. Our daughters were thrilled with the activities that were planned for us, from shopping for anime in Akihabara to petting capybaras. We were able to enjoy all of the beauty of Japan's temples, shrines and scenic landscapes and the KimKim team put together an absolutely beautiful trip for us. We had wonderful, knowledgeable guides, particularly Mr. Hiroyuki, who my daughters are still talking about after our trip has ended. I cannot express how much gratitude we have for everyone involved in our trip and I would definitely recommend the KimKim team to anyone travelling.

Hotel Reviews

The TOURIST HOTEL AND CAFE AKIHABARA

Tokyo

The TOURIST HOTEL AND CAFE AKIHABARA in Tokyo was a fantastic place to stay, particularly because of its convenient location. My kids were thrilled to be so close to Akihabara, which was perfect for their anime interests, and the proximity to the train station made getting around effortless. The convenience and location definitely enhanced our experience in Tokyo.

Yuno Yado Shoei

This was a beautiful, peaceful Ryokan. We enjoyed the traditional food in the restaurant, and I had a very nice massage. It was a great experience!

Authenticity & Character

The onsens were peaceful and the food was delicious.

Location

A little far from downtown Kyoto, but easily accessible by bus

Staff

Friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

🍜🏯✨ Osaka Castle, Cup Noodles Museum & Dotonbori Street Food Adventure（Guide, Public Transportation）

Osaka

While we loved all of the individual activities in this day, it was a lot to fit in and by the time we reached Dotonburi we were quite tired and did not get to enjoy it as fully. However, still a great day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Mr. Hiroshi was very helpful and patient with us

Transport

Hozugawa River Boat Ride and Arashiyama Exploration and Japanese tea ceremony (Private Guide &Public Transportation)

Kyoto

The boat ride on the Hoguzawa river was so fun. The boat drivers were entertaining! We also enjoyed our gift of a rickshaw ride through the Arashiyama bamboo forest, especially since it was a way to see the forest without the crowds of people. The tea ceremony was a beautiful experience, enjoyed by our entire family. My daughters were particularly thrilled with getting to dress in kimono

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Mr. Hiroshi was knowledgeable and friendly. The boat drivers were also very entertaining. The entire staff at the tea ceremony were welcoming and friendly.

Transport

Tokyo Family Adventure with Public Transportation: Akihabara + Sushi Making + Ghibli Museum+Capybara Café Cuteness Anime Quest

Tokyo

We had so much fun exploring Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We enjoyed our day with our guide Mr. Hiroyuki. The staff at the sushi making experience were also so friendly and great with our kids.

Transport

A Day Trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo (by private transfer)

Japan

We enjoyed this day, even though we were not able to see the top of Mt. Fuji, it was still beautiful. Our guide also had a wonderful suggestion for lunch where we got to enjoy some local udon.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We loved our guide Mr. Hiroyuki and our diver Mr. Tashiro, who was a familiar face as he had also picked us up from the airport

Transport

Although the drive was longer than expected due to traffic, it was still smooth and comfortable

Have Fun in Nikko (Full day by public transport)

Tokyo

This was a great way to enjoy the beauty of Japan through nature.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I found kimkim after a frustrating and disappointing experience with a local "luxury" travel agent. From the first trip survey and timely assignment to a local expert, I knew immediately I had found a fit.

I feel so fortunate that Ben was responsible for planning our trip because he clearly wanted to create a truly customized trip for my family - not regurgitate or cobble together other itineraries he'd already planned.

In our initial planning stage, Ben made sure to keep a momentum in our communication to ensure that we could secure any necessary activities or experiences in plenty of time. He also asked detailed questions and always took feedback to heart so that we could fine tune our overall plan and the activities for each day.

The kimkim itinerary system lists each part of the trip (transportation, hotel stay, experience, etc.) separately so it's very easy to do your own research of whether or not it's a fit for your needs and then provide your feedback and thoughts.

There were some very specific things that I wanted to include in the trip for our family that weren't typical and Ben found structured classes or local neighborhoods to explore for each one.

As the departure date for our trip approached, Ben made sure to provide all the necessary details and confirmation numbers we would need and the kimkim app made information easy to find whenever we wanted to check on specific details.

The guides that Ben assigned to us for each activity seemed hand-picked for the timing of the trip and specific goal.

Peter-san was calm and collected in the chaos of someone's first day in Tokyo as we moved through the city using public transportation.

Hitoshi-san took great care in mapping out a half-day bike tour through Takayama that allowed us to visit landmarks that would have otherwise taken a couple of days to see.

Amanda-san clearly loves sharing her vast knowledge of Kyoto along with accommodating some quick shopping requests since we had some extra time in our day.

At the end of our trip, Miki-san helped us navigate parts of Tokyo we hadn’t seen and shared daily trips and tricks that helped us enjoy the area like locals.

Akiko-san, our translator for the tofu making class, ensured we had clear instructions along with some added humor along the way. She also took the extra time we had after finishing class early to provide a quick walking tour of the area since she is an expert in that neighborhood.

Each person we interacted with was helpful, kind, and clearly enjoyed their role in the process.

Throughout the trip, Ben was in touch so even a minor hiccup could be addressed in a timely manner.

I highly recommend both kimkim and Ben!

Hotel Reviews

Karaksa Hotel Tokyo Station

Tokyo

This hotel is the perfect final destination in Tokyo because of its location and wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Kiyomizu Gojo

kyoto

This room was well appointed, had comfortable beds, and even had a bathtub!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Takayama Ouan Hotel

This was the only hotel that didn't seem in the same class as the others. Not only was the room an awkward layout, but it was well-worn and even a little dusty. It may be that we just got a room that needed a little TLC compared to the others,

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Onyado Yuinoshou

At first, I wasn't sure that we needed to spend the night in Shirakawa-go, but once we arrived at the hotel, we knew it was worth it. Since we stayed here at the midpoint of our trip, it slowed things down in a way that we didn't feel we had to be moving all the time. The property is gorgeous and the views of the valley, soothing. Everything you need to enjoy the baths is provided and they even have a variety of special pillows you can take to get a great night's sleep.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Onyado Nono Kanazawa Natural Hot Spring

Kanazawa

Not only was the location just what we needed to explore the sights of Kanazawa, but the room was a great size for a family of four. Our room even had a little sitting area which allowed us to organize and coordinate our plans and our packing. This hotel had a breakfast buffet instead of a standard meal so we were able to try a variety of freshly prepared dishes. After the hustle and bustle of Tokyo - both Kanazawa and this hotel provided a wonderful opportunity to slow down a little bit.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The TOURIST HOTEL AND CAFE AKIHABARA

Tokyo

This hotel was a great fit for us because we could enjoy the high energy of the Akihabara area then return to a quiet street and neighborhood to decompress after a long day. The rooms were designed to use space efficiently and had all the necessary amenities. The breakfast options provided something for everyone and since they were freshly prepared for each person, they provided a great start to our day.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

⚾️ Afternoon Baseball Game at Meiji Jingu Stadium

Tokyo

If you are a baseball fan, a game in Japan is a must! It's easy to take public transportation, but make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. You can bring food into the game so feel free to purchase some snacks while walking to the stadium. Or, there are plenty of food options once you arrive if you prefer.

Quality of Experience

🌿 Traditions in Tokyo: A Day of Tofu & Indigo Dyeing Experience

Tokyo

It's always fun to learn from experts. Kai-san's tofu workshop gave us the skills to make tofu at home. Akiko-san was the interpreter and the two worked so well together that it was seamless communication. Miki-san was our guide and she made sure to provide details about the area/neighborhood while helping us get to these smaller workshops located in places we may not have visited otherwise.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

🏯🍜 Kyoto Culture & Culinary Day: Kinkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji & Ramen Workshop

Kyoto

It was a great day in Kyoto with typical sightseeing and a quick food focus . Amanda-san is a highly knowledgeable guide who helped us navigate the Kyoto bus system while seeing the sights. We also got to make ramen noodles with Momo who clearly loves sharing the craft with anyone hoping to learn more. The ramen workshop also included lunch, so make sure to arrive hungry!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Cycling in Takayama

Takayama

Our guide, Hitoshi-san, took the time to hand-draw a map of our route and clearly explained it to us before we left. After all the walking we had done on the first part of the trip, it was nice to cover more ground on a bike and to experience Takayama in a different way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The public transportation from Shirakawa-go to Takayama

Japan

A beautiful ride through the hills.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip planning and recommendations by Ben were superb. The local guides (Yo, Roy and Ricky) were very friendly and went out of their way to ensure we say everything. 10/10.

Hotel Reviews

Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

Osaka

Incredible views from the Onsen.

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

Mercure Hida Takayama

Takayama

Laforet Club Hakone Gora Yunosumika

Hakone

Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Tokyo

Unbeatable location. The breakfast, while good, was not at the same level as the other hotels we stayed at and there are no public baths.

Activity Reviews

Osaka Exploration: Castle, Cuisine (Ramen Included), and Sky-high Views (Private Guide & Public Transportation

Osaka

Day in Arashiyama: Rickshaw Rides, Bamboo Strolls, Serenity at Three Temples, & Delightful Encounters at the Monkey Park with Tea Ceremony with Public Transportation

Kyoto

Day Trip Itinerary to Shirakawa-go from Takayama with Public Transportation

Takayama

Shirakawa-go is incredibly beautiful and it was a nice change from the big cities.

Private transfer from Tokyo to Hakone via Mt. Fuji

Japan

Tokyo Skytree, Sumo Experience & Michelin Tempura Tour with Public Transportation

Tokyo

Tokyo One-Day Public Transport Tour: Tokyo City Exploration: Tsukiji, Shibuya & Afternoon Independent Leisure

Tokyo

We went to Japan for 11 days. I will not lie to you and tell you that I was not nervous. However, been with kimkim made this so easy. We had amazing guides who all spoke English justice fluently as I do. We had drivers Medicine train stations and airports. They would not leave until they were ensured that we were checked into the hotel. I have not had a more seamless vacation in the United States and to have this kind of experience in a foreign country was nothing more than a miracle. I cannot tell you how skeptical I was about this, but our tour guide, Hal, in Tokyo had spent 12 years in Houston. Our tour guide in Kyoto, Khang, was actually in the United States Navy and grew up in California. Our tour guide in Osaka had spent eight years in United States. Not only do they speak the language, but they also helped us negotiate prices on things we were trying to buy. For example, my wife wanted to buy a fairly pricey purse at one of the resale shops in our tour guide, not only recognized that we were being up charged than negotiated down the price. I wish that I had done this years ago. If this is what traveling the world was like, then I have absolutely no reservation reservations.

Our trip was very well planned. Ben was amazing from the beginning of planning to the end of the trip. Any small hiccup was quickly fixed.

We feel we left Japan was a great appreciation for the country and its people. I know there is more to see. Maybe one day, we will be back.

This is my second trip with KimKim and will use them again next year.

guides

Guide’s Name: Ms Iris - very good. took great care of us. a little breakdown in communication.

Guide’s Name: Mr.Yukinori Hashimoto - great…really enjoyed our time together. Very patient… very empathetic to our needs

Guide’s Name: Mr.Ricky - ok…great guy. Some things were off. we would have loved to have dinner in Kyoto where all the action is. he was just going to leave us though.. I asked how do I get back to hotel… and didn’t get an answer. so we didn’t eat and followed him back to hotel on a long trek via public transportation.

I get japan now for their public transportation. but we seemed to have spent hours on it with him. when a taxi was available for a little more money.

Finally on our last day.. he seemed to hurry us off the island. we got done with kayaking…then he wanted to get through the temple. fine… but we were dehydrated, hungry, and had to go to bathroom. he lacked any kind of empathy for our needs. When we had to demand to eat.. we finally did. then he wanted to leave. I thought we were supposed to have private time. then we leave and get in tram for over an hour or o get back to hotel.

there were bright spots with him… but

Hotel Reviews

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

Hiroshima

nice. not my favorite, but nice

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Thousand Kyoto

Kyoto

really nice place.. no view and felt we weren’t in the middle of kyoto where all the action was… but very convenient to train station

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hyatt Centric Kanazawa

Kanazawa

nice for the night..

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan

definitely out of our comfort zone. but really fun

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hakone Hotel Kowakien Tenyu

Hakone

favorite.. just a cool place

Authenticity & Character

had that japanese character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

Tokyo

it was perfect

Authenticity & Character

easy… fun

Location

seemed in the middle of everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Miyajima Island One-Day Guided Tour (with Kayaking)

Japan

Great day… but rushed by our guide. there are things I would have loved to do.. but couldn’t. the guide literally walked us back to the ferry and then said.. is there anything else you want to do. he fell asleep on the 1.5 hour tram. maybe he was not feeling well

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip: Kyoto to Hiroshima with Cultural Sites & Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience（Private Guide, Public Transportation）

Hiroshima

Good fun day

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Kyoto's Timeless Treasures: Fushimi Inari Shrine，Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Market，Gion District and Geisha-Kaiseki Elegance

Kyoto

all good… hated being on bus for so long during day loved the Geisha!! and the taxis at night!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hozugawa River Boat Ride and Arashiyama Exploration and Japanese tea ceremony (Private Guide &Public Transportation)

Kyoto

boat ride was fun the rickshaw was really fun. climbed the mountains to see the monkeys was fun tea ceremony was great wish we could have gotten a good dinner… guide rushed us

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rural Charm to Refined Craft: Shirakawago and Kanazawa Gold Leaf Experience （Private car, Guide）

Japan

Fun day

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day E-Bike Tour through Takayama’s Countryside and Mountain Villages（Private Guide）

Takayama

we went everywhere

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Tokyo to Hakone: Lake Ashi Cruise & Owakudani Experience

Japan

rain out.. but guide and driver made the best of it

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Sumo , Anime, Art and Culinary Adventure day tour （Guide, Public Transportation）

Tokyo

Sumo was a blast. rest of day.. ok… again a little confusing on the plans

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo in Rhythm: Markets, Shrines & Taiko Beats（Private Guide, Public Transportation）

Tokyo

the market was fun. I wish iris would have laid out exactly what we were going to do… it made it a little confusing. the drum thing was t worth it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Both Pitt and Hideo were wonderful guides to the beautiful country of Japan, five stars for both. The trip was well organized and went very smooth thanks to the planning assistance. We just had to show up every day ready to roll and the guides took care of the rest! Would do it again!