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active 6 hours ago

Eleanor Chen

Hello from Japan! I'm Eleanor, your local specialist with over a decade of experience in creating memorable travel experiences. With my passion for food, culture, and nature, I thrive on customizing itineraries that unveil the true essence of Japan in all its beauty! Whether you're craving the bustling streets of Tokyo, the serene vibe of Kyoto, or the vibrant energy of Osaka's dynamic cityscape, I've got you covered!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Japan! I specialize in tailoring culture visits, nature sightseeing, mountain hikes, and foodie tours in Japan for travelers of all kinds. My mission is to engage you in Japan's rich tapestry of traditions, foods, and hidden gems while ensuring a seamless, worry-free trip. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I always love to travel, learn about the culture, and eat! That is why I started my career in the travel industry as a local specialist and have rooted with passion for over 10 years. I was very lucky to live on what I love after graduating. Chatting with people from all around the world, helping them with their travel, and listening to their happy travel experiences bring me a ton of satisfaction and enjoyment. Until now, I have helped travelers from more than 30 countries tailor-make their trips to Japan."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I'll never forget the amazing experience of exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo's Shinjuku district at night! The neon lights, bustling crowds, and eclectic mix of shops and restaurants created an electrifying atmosphere unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Navigating the labyrinthine alleys filled with izakayas (Japanese pubs) and karaoke bars, I felt completely captured by the energy of the city. Sampling delicious street food and interacting with locals added to the excitement, making it a night to remember forever."

Eleanor is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Eleanor

Family Trip to Japan
Japan | May 26 - Jun 9, 2025

M
Margaret O.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025
First time using KimKim and the service was exactly what we were looking for. Eleanor did an amazing job curating the trip + tours based on our interests. Eleanor checked in every day of our trip and was so helpful when we left a personal item at a hotel -- she coordinated having it sent to our last hotel stay. Our tour guides in Tokyo (Yumi), Kanazawa (Fumi) and Kyoto (Hiroko) were all wonderful. We especially enjoyed our tours in Kanazawa and Kyoto -- both Fumi and Hiroko were so... Read more

First time using KimKim and the service was exactly what we were looking for. Eleanor did an amazing job curating the trip + tours based on our interests. Eleanor checked in every day of our trip and was so helpful when we left a personal item at a hotel -- she coordinated having it sent to our last hotel stay. Our tour guides in Tokyo (Yumi), Kanazawa (Fumi) and Kyoto (Hiroko) were all wonderful. We especially enjoyed our tours in Kanazawa and Kyoto -- both Fumi and Hiroko were so knowledgeable and it felt like a friend was showing us around! We will definitely use KimKim and Eleanor for future travel!

Hotel Reviews
Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Excellent hotel, great location in Asakusa. Would stay here again!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Kanazawa Zoushi
Kanazawa

Our favorite hotel of the trip! The staff was so kind & the location was on a beautiful, quiet street. We loved the suite + amenities - very comfortable & cozy!

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

Wonderful hotel; more remote but enjoyed the spacious room + museum inside the hotel. Wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Wood Takayama
Takayama

We had issues with our initial, but Eleanor and the hotel were quick to move us to a different room! Wonderful amenities and central location.

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

Great hotel & convenient location in Kyoto!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
Tokyo Highlights Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
Tokyo

Great tour with Yumi!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle & Tea Culture Tour
Full Day Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle & Tea Culture Tour
Kanazawa

Wonderful tour with Fumi who was our guide for 2 days. Fumi curated our tour based on our interests and shifted to off the beaten path, indoor activities when it started to rain. We highly recommend tours with Fumi!

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

We had a wonderful 2 day tour with Hiroko. She was very knowledgable and shared so much history on the various sites. Hiroko also adjusted the tour based on our interests which made the tour even more memorable. Hiroko also worked magic taking photos of us without crowds in the background.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen

Eleanor organised everything beautifully for ...
Japan | May 24 - Jun 6, 2025

K
Karenr R.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2025

Eleanor organised everything beautifully for us.
The private guides in Hiroshima, Okayama and Matsue were all excellent as were the hotels.
Many thanks to all.

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience in Japan.It was a joy to organize everything for you, and I truly appreciate your kind words about the guides and hotels.

Wishing you many more amazing adventures ahead!

Warm regards,
Eleanor

Eleanore made Japan a very good experience for us
Japan | May 13 - May 26, 2025

Steven
Steven P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 02, 2025
Our group of six had a very good experience in our recent two week trip to Japan, and we enjoyed visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Eleanore was our Kimkim trip specialist and we are grateful for her help in planning and making arrangements for tours, bullet train tickets, private drivers, and well informed English speaking guides in all cities. She was attentive and listened to our concerns. She addressed each concern and provided excellent and timely advice before and during our... Read more

Our group of six had a very good experience in our recent two week trip to Japan, and we enjoyed visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Eleanore was our Kimkim trip specialist and we are grateful for her help in planning and making arrangements for tours, bullet train tickets, private drivers, and well informed English speaking guides in all cities. She was attentive and listened to our concerns. She addressed each concern and provided excellent and timely advice before and during our trip. We handled our own hotel reservations and dining arrangements. I am confident we were able to have such a wonderful cultural and educational experience was in large part due to the amount of information and behind the scenes work she did on our behalf. Thank you to Eleanore and the Kimkim team for your guidance and support.

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Jun 05, 2025

Hi Steven,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughtful and generous feedback. I'm absolutely delighted to hear that you and your group had a wonderful and enriching experience in Japan.It was a real pleasure working with you to bring your trip to life.

Your kind words mean a lot to me and the entire kimkim team. We are so grateful for the opportunity to support your travels and help create memorable cultural experiences. If your future adventures ever bring you back to Japan—I would be thrilled to assist you again.

Warmest regards,
Eleanore

We had an incredible experience! From the beg...
Japan | May 8 - May 17, 2025

K
Kaya W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on May 22, 2025
We had an incredible experience! From the beginning we felt heard and considered in what we were planning. We felt our trip was made to reflect our passions and desires while also trying new things. The little things really shown through in how Eleanor picked things for us and the tiny details we wouldn’t have known to consider ie booking trains after hotel check out times so we didn’t have big gaps where we had to lug bags around, booking our trains tickets closest to the door so we could... Read more

We had an incredible experience! From the beginning we felt heard and considered in what we were planning. We felt our trip was made to reflect our passions and desires while also trying new things. The little things really shown through in how Eleanor picked things for us and the tiny details we wouldn’t have known to consider ie booking trains after hotel check out times so we didn’t have big gaps where we had to lug bags around, booking our trains tickets closest to the door so we could find them easier.. we really felt as though she thought of us and ease of travel in a new place. She communicated so well throughout the trip but just enough for us to know she was there supporting us if needed.

Hotel Reviews
the b asakusa
Tokyo

Kind wonderful staff, lovely location and easy for travel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quieter walkable neighborhood near the temple
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei
Kyoto

Incredible spot. We were so cozy and loved the quiet space by the canal and river. The staff was amazing and we loved the traditional Japanese touches.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Forza Osaka Kitahama
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

Fun food tour! A bit rushed and crowded at moments

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour
Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour
Tokyo

Really fun walking tour to explore the different neighborhoods of Tokyo. Our guide was informative and his insight into different foods to try was wonderful!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wonderful Day in Uji & Nara
Wonderful Day in Uji & Nara
Kyoto

Wonderful day! Loved our guide and had an amazing experience in Uji and Nara

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Tokyo

Amazing day! We had an incredible day on this tour. Our guide was AMAZING and we learned so much from her. Thank you for a wonderful day at Mt Fuji!

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

Fun experience!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour
Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour
Japan

Super fun! Loved that we got away from the crowds and learned so much from our guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on May 27, 2025

Hi Kaya,

Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! I'm so happy that you enjoyed this trip :). I would also like to thank you for the small details you posted on the hotels and activities, which will be a great help to me in making everything even better! Will also relay your compliments to our guides, and I'm sure they will be more than glad.

Have a nice day,
Eleanor

Eleanor did excellent planning fir our tour...
Japan | Apr 9 - Apr 24, 2025

Sailesh
Sailesh P.
West Palm Beach, FL | Reviewed on May 18, 2025
Eleanor did excellent planning fir our tour and she is very professional Read more

Eleanor did excellent planning fir our tour and she is very professional

Hotel Reviews
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
SIGNIEL SEOUL

Nice hotel with very modern facilities, staff was very nice and humble.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location
Center in downtown
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Thousand Kyoto
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Tokyo
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Josun Busan

Great locstion

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Nishiki Market Food Experience
Nishiki Market Food Experience
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Transport
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gamcheon Cultural Village, Songdo Sky Walk and Jagalchi Fishery Market Tour
Gamcheon Cultural Village, Songdo Sky Walk and Jagalchi Fishery Market Tour
Busan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Scenic Railway & Tenryuji Temple
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Sagano Scenic Railway & Tenryuji Temple
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Haedong Yonggungsa, Haewundae Beach and Traditional Market Tour
Full Day Haedong Yonggungsa, Haewundae Beach and Traditional Market Tour
Busan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Gyeongju Tour with Bulguksa Temple and National Museum
Full Day Gyeongju Tour with Bulguksa Temple and National Museum
South Korea
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Seoul City Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village
Full Day Seoul City Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village
Seoul
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Seoul Han River Moonlight Music Cruise
Seoul Han River Moonlight Music Cruise
Seoul
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience
Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience
Seoul
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on May 31, 2025

Hi Sailesh

Thank you so much for your kind words — I’m truly grateful for your feedback!

It was such a pleasure helping you plan your Japan and Korea trip, and I’m so glad to hear you had a great experience. If you ever start dreaming about your next adventure, I’d be more than happy to assist again.

Wishing you all the best in the meantime, and thank you once again!

Warm regards,
Eleanor

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Japan....
Japan | Apr 15 - Apr 22, 2025

Melanie
Melanie d.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on May 04, 2025
We had a wonderful time on our trip to Japan. Eleanor was helpful and booked the perfect locations and tours for us to be able to explore and learn all about Japan. All of our tour guides were helpful, enthusiastic, and made us feel comfortable. Akiko and Nori were wonderful and made us feel as though we were travelling with family. Noo and Matt brought our small group tours together for an amazing time. Finally, Yuji was phenomenal and truly helped us to learn and understand Japan. He went... Read more

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Japan. Eleanor was helpful and booked the perfect locations and tours for us to be able to explore and learn all about Japan. All of our tour guides were helpful, enthusiastic, and made us feel comfortable. Akiko and Nori were wonderful and made us feel as though we were travelling with family. Noo and Matt brought our small group tours together for an amazing time. Finally, Yuji was phenomenal and truly helped us to learn and understand Japan. He went above and beyond for us and was all around awesome. Some notable places we visited include Uji, Miyajima, and Senso-Ji. An all-around excellent trip and we can't wait ot book our next trip with KimKim!

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on May 05, 2025

Hi Melanie,

Thanks so much for your authentic and positive review. I'm more than happy that you enjoyed the trip so much!

Great appreciation for your wonderful compliments of all our guides, and this can definitely promise their continued passion for the career.

Can't wait to work with you for another fantastic trip in the further

All the best,
Eleanor

Osaka & Nara
Japan | Apr 20 - May 3, 2025

A
Aline D.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 04, 2025
Eleanor took care to arrange our trip full of tours we requested. She also checked in during the trip to make sure we had everything we needed. We especially loved our tour guides in Nara.
Thank you!
Read more

Eleanor took care to arrange our trip full of tours we requested. She also checked in during the trip to make sure we had everything we needed. We especially loved our tour guides in Nara.
Thank you!

Hotel Review
Osaka Tokyu REI Hotel
Osaka

Breakfast was amazing. We got a room with 1 bed that was definitely too small for 2 people.

Authenticity & Character
Hotel was clean & modern, but not special
Location
Close to transportation
Staff
Helpful and caring
Cleanliness & Comfort
Small beds, get a room with 2 beds if you're sharing
Activity Review
Exploring Yoshino: A Journey through Mount Yoshinoyama and Historic Temples
Exploring Yoshino: A Journey through Mount Yoshinoyama and Historic Temples
Nara

Our guide was wonderful, knowledgeable & interesting. She clearly knew all about the area and had great lunch recommendations. Yoshino is beautiful & peaceful in the off season.

Quality of Experience
It was beautiful & our guide was lovely
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Comfortable clean ride
Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on May 04, 2025

Hi Aline,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to me to hear that you enjoyed your trip, and I’m so happy to know the guides in Nara and Yoshino left a positive impression. It was a pleasure planning your journey and staying in touch throughout—I always want to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I’m especially glad that you had a peaceful experience in Yoshino, and that the local food recommendations hit the mark! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever plan another trip to Japan—I’d love to help you again.

Warmest regards,
Eleanor

Great trip to Japan
Japan | Apr 11 - Apr 20, 2025

C
Colin B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025

Great Itinerary and and we really enjoyed the trip. Eleanor was really helpful throughout our trip and could always rely on her to respond to any questions or queries we had.

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Apr 27, 2025

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review, Colin! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed your trip and that I could be there to support you whenever you needed. It was a real pleasure working with you, and I hope to help you create another amazing journey in the future!

Eleanor helped plan a trip to Japan for me (s...
Japan | Mar 28 - Apr 7, 2025

Victoria
Victoria B.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 21, 2025
Eleanor helped plan a trip to Japan for me (senior citizen) and my adult son. We said we are interested in art and food, and Eleanor suggested some activities that fit our interests. The Zentis hotel in Osaka was lovely and in a very good location. Our guide, Yuki, was knowledgeable and kind. She showed us how to use the public transportation, which was very helpful. We enjoyed the cooking class and the foodie tour and the day at Meiji Castle and Kobe. Our trip was planned to fit with my... Read more

Eleanor helped plan a trip to Japan for me (senior citizen) and my adult son. We said we are interested in art and food, and Eleanor suggested some activities that fit our interests. The Zentis hotel in Osaka was lovely and in a very good location. Our guide, Yuki, was knowledgeable and kind. She showed us how to use the public transportation, which was very helpful. We enjoyed the cooking class and the foodie tour and the day at Meiji Castle and Kobe. Our trip was planned to fit with my son's work schedule, but it turned out that we arrived one day after the start of cherry blossom season, very beautiful but also very crowded. Our Kyoto guide, Mr. Tanaka, is a Kyoto native, very knowledgeable and professorial. In addition to showing us some of the famous tourist sites, he suggested great, typically Japanese restaurants for lunch. The one negative thing for me was our hotel in Kyoto. It is a very busy tourist hotel, which could have been in any city in the world.

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Apr 22, 2025

Hi Victoria,

I'm glad that you & Mike liked most of the experiences and accommodations for this trip :). Your detailed feedback is a great help in improving all future trips. I will reply to your compliments to Yuki and Tanaka, and they will surely be happy and proud! For the Kyoto hotel, we will replace it for any travelers with similar preferences. Great appreciation for all the authentic comments and suggestions!

Have a nice day,
Eleanor

Incredible cultural family trip
Japan | Mar 29 - Apr 11, 2025

Queenie
Queenie C.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2025
We have just returned from our once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Japan. Travelling with two young children is not meant to be a relaxing adventure but Eleanor’s pre trip planning has taken the stress out. We were able to focus on soaking up the atmosphere (cherry blossom season-yay!), the culture, meet amazing local people, drown in the incredible food and feel comfortable knowing the rest is taken care of. Eleanor was very receptive to our needs travelling with a baby and a 4 year old. Our... Read more

We have just returned from our once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Japan. Travelling with two young children is not meant to be a relaxing adventure but Eleanor’s pre trip planning has taken the stress out. We were able to focus on soaking up the atmosphere (cherry blossom season-yay!), the culture, meet amazing local people, drown in the incredible food and feel comfortable knowing the rest is taken care of. Eleanor was very receptive to our needs travelling with a baby and a 4 year old. Our accommodation needs and transfer assistance between hotel/ train stations/ airport were spot on. She was available every step of the way.
We have fallen in love with Japan and we will definitely be back.

Local specialist: Eleanor Chen
Eleanor
Eleanor Chen
Local specialist in Japan and China | Replied on Apr 21, 2025
Hi Queenie, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a memorable experience in Japan during cherry blossom season. It's great to know that my planning made your trip more enjoyable and stress-free, especially while traveling with young children. We appreciate you sharing your fantastic photos with us—it's always a joy to see our guests fully immersing themselves in the culture, food, and natural beauty of Japan. We would love to... Read more

Hi Queenie,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a memorable experience in Japan during cherry blossom season. It's great to know that my planning made your trip more enjoyable and stress-free, especially while traveling with young children.

We appreciate you sharing your fantastic photos with us—it's always a joy to see our guests fully immersing themselves in the culture, food, and natural beauty of Japan. We would love to help you create another unforgettable adventure on your next visit.

Looking forward to welcoming you back soon!

Warm regards,
Eleanor