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Katsu Okada

Hello and "konnichiwa" My name is Katsu Okada. I was born in Japan, moved to Vancouver, Canada after graduating university in Tokyo. Since then I have been a tour operator, driven by my love for food, culture, and language drives my passion for travel, making me an ideal tour operator. As an avid traveler, I understand the unique experiences that different destinations offer, allowing me to curate unforgettable journey for others.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in immersive cultural experiences, culinary tours, and outdoor adventures in Japan. My expertise includes exploring traditional ryokans, guiding food enthusiasts through local markets, and organizing unique activities like hiking and cultural workshops. I focus on creating tailored itineraries that highlight Japan's rich heritage and natural beauty, ensuring each journey is memorable and authentic. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"Growing up in a family that ran a ryokan in Japan, hospitality is in my blood. This early exposure sparked my passion for travel, leading me to explore Japan, and later to travel across Canada and the USA. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"One unforgettable travel experience was witnessing the breathtaking autumn foliage in Nagano, where vibrant colours blanketed the mountains. I sat by a serene pond, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of birds, feeling as if I were in heaven.... Another memorable adventure was kayaking for 7 days in Northern B.C., traveling from island to island. With no electricity or phone reception, I immersed myself in nature, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of the landscape around me. "

Katsu is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents
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Recent trip reviews for Katsu

Katsu Okada-San of KimKim, Our lives are forever changed because of YOU and Japan.
Japan | Mar 31 - Apr 9, 2025

gay
gay b.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025
Katsu Okada-San of KimKim helped to create lasting memories on our first trip to Japan. This was our first visit to Japan; my ancestors are from Kumamoto-Ken. I daydreamed about Japan for years, cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji-san, sashimi and being enveloped by the culture. The experience changed my life and my family’s lives, and I owe this to Katsu Okada-san. He tailored our needs with definite care and excellent communication needed for a family traveling across the ocean to... Read more

Katsu Okada-San of KimKim helped to create lasting memories on our first trip to Japan.

This was our first visit to Japan; my ancestors are from Kumamoto-Ken. I daydreamed about Japan for years, cherry blossoms, Mt. Fuji-san, sashimi and being enveloped by the culture.

The experience changed my life and my family’s lives, and I owe this to Katsu Okada-san. He tailored our needs with definite care and excellent communication needed for a family traveling across the ocean to unfamiliarity.

Upon arrival at Kansai airport in Osaka, he arranged for a driver to take us to our hotel. He helped to arrange guides in Osaka, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Hakone and lastly, Tokyo. Detailed instructions were sent by email and tickets sent to our hotels in advance with handwritten, step-by-step itinerary to travel to and from places. He set us up with lovely Japanese-native, mostly English-speaking guides in each city. Here are their names and memories of them:

Sachi Oguchi-san in Osaka - she was kind, patient and flexible, and took us off course to the Osaka Natural History Museum. She encouraged us to try the foods Osaka is known for.
Noboru Narukawa-san in Kumamoto – He was the kindest and sunniest person; he reminded me of my Japanese family in Hawaii. We communicated with Google Translate.
Akiko Tonomura-san in Kyoto - She was just as wonderful as the other guides, fun, enjoyable to learn from and kind, kind, kind.
Eriko Ishiguro-san in Tokyo - So filled with tender care for our family and really got to know us personally. She helped us to get familiar with Tokyo’s transportation system; I’m envious of its efficiency.

Through continued correspondence with Okada-san before, during and after Japan, I got to know him almost as a friend, sharing stories and emotions evoked by them. That’s the part of this writing I wanted to emphasize, how someone so far could have so much impact across the miles.

Thank you, Okada-san, from my and my family’s heart, for doing what you do so well and for helping to change our lives and viewpoints of the world.

Local specialist: Katsu Okada
Katsu
Katsu Okada
Local specialist in Vancouver | Replied on Apr 28, 2025
Dear Gay Beseth -san and Beseth Family, Thank you so much for your incredibly heartfelt message. Your kind words truly mean the world to me.
Meeting through KimKim and helping create your family’s first journey to Japan was not just part of my work—it was a truly special experience that I will always treasure. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of such a meaningful trip, especially knowing your ancestral connection to Kumamoto.
I am especially grateful for all the beautiful photos... Read more

Dear Gay Beseth -san and Beseth Family,

Thank you so much for your incredibly heartfelt message. Your kind words truly mean the world to me.
Meeting through KimKim and helping create your family’s first journey to Japan was not just part of my work—it was a truly special experience that I will always treasure. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of such a meaningful trip, especially knowing your ancestral connection to Kumamoto.
I am especially grateful for all the beautiful photos you shared with me. They make me smile and brighten my day!Through our many messages and shared memories, I’ve come to feel a genuine connection with your family, and for that, I am truly thankful.
Please know that your journey touched my heart as much as it touched yours. I wish you all continued happiness and hope our paths will cross again soon!!

Warmest regards,
Katsu Okada

Read all Japan reviews

Amazing trip to Tokyo, Japan
Japan | Mar 25 - Apr 2, 2025

Esther
Esther H.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2025

We had a great time! Many thanks to Katzu who was so accommodating and patient with us, he coordinated everything for our trip to Tokyo. Thank you to Eriko, and Kazu the polite, friendly and knowledgeable guides in Tokyo. The hotels we stayed at were fantastic, we enjoyed delicious japanese food in each one. We were pampered at Hanoke's Fufu hotel with a private hot bath! we trully enjoyed all about Japanese culture and are looking forward to another trip there in the future.

Local specialist: Katsu Okada
Katsu
Katsu Okada
Local specialist in Vancouver | Replied on Apr 07, 2025
Dear Esther-san and Daniel-san,
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful message. I am truly happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Japan! It was an absolute pleasure to help coordinate your trip, and I’m glad everything went smoothly.
I’ll be sure to pass along your gratitude to Eriko and Kazu — they will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with them.
As someone who was born and raised in Japan, it brings me immense happiness that you chose to visit Japan... Read more

Dear Esther-san and Daniel-san,
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful message. I am truly happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time in Japan! It was an absolute pleasure to help coordinate your trip, and I’m glad everything went smoothly.
I’ll be sure to pass along your gratitude to Eriko and Kazu — they will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with them.
As someone who was born and raised in Japan, it brings me immense happiness that you chose to visit Japan and show interest in our culture. Your visit means a great deal to me, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to assist in making your trip memorable.
Thank you again for your kind words and trust. It was a pleasure working with you!
Sincerely,
Katsu

Read all Japan reviews

Bait and Switch
Japan | Mar 7 - Mar 12, 2025

S
Susan and S.
Northbrook, IL | Reviewed on Mar 19, 2025
While planning our trip, Katsu was wonderful. Very thorough and responsive. It seemed a bit expensive but with all his planning and ideas, we assumed it was going to be well worth it.
The ryokan he arranged for us in Hakone was run down but in a great location. He said it was one of he best in the all of Japan. Not true! Katsu did not tell us we would not have a private shower. The food at the ryokan was almost inedible. Katsu had said that he arranged for the hotel manager to take very good... Read more

While planning our trip, Katsu was wonderful. Very thorough and responsive. It seemed a bit expensive but with all his planning and ideas, we assumed it was going to be well worth it.
The ryokan he arranged for us in Hakone was run down but in a great location. He said it was one of he best in the all of Japan. Not true! Katsu did not tell us we would not have a private shower. The food at the ryokan was almost inedible. Katsu had said that he arranged for the hotel manager to take very good care of us. The man he named we never met.
The most disappointing part of the trip, however, was the private guided tour in Hiroshima. While Sanae was kind, she was also quite shy, had limited English and unfortunately, not very effective in her role. On the way to the garden, she did not explain anything about what we were seeing from the cab window. Once we arrived at the garden, she had no clear plan and simply followed us without being able to answer our questions. This could have been due to a language barrier, but it raises the question of why we were assigned a guide who wasn't fluent in English.
Our experience was similar on the bus ride to the museum. She remained silent and again did not know the answers to questions we asked as to what we were seeing from the window. When we arrived, she told us that talking was not allowed inside the museum, so she would wait for us at the exit. This left us wondering why she was with us in the first place if she wasn't able to guide us.
Afterward, we decided to continue exploring the park on our own and let her go home. We didn’t need her to accompany us further. She was supposed to accompany us to Miyajima the next day which we paid handsomely for but after the frustrating experience in Hiroshima we chose to do this on our own. We knew she would be unprepared for each site, nor be able to provide explanations. Our other guides we personally hired in Japan, didn’t just cover what we were seeing—they also connected it to Japanese culture, enriching our experience along the way. This is what we had come to expect and assumed, from what Katsu had said, would continue in Hiroshima.
Upon our return to the states, we explained all of this to Katsu and asked for a refund of the private tour of Hiroshima. His solution was to offer us another private tour when we return to Japan. It is very unlikely that I will return to Japan and if I did I would never use his services. Additionally, I will not recommend him or his company Next Japan Travel.

Hotel Review
Gora Onsen Gora Kansuiro
Hakone

This was in a great location and the staff were very kind, but the ryokan is expensive. Not worth the price as it is somewhat run down and the food is almost inedible. Additionally, we did have a private bath and toilet but not a shower. That was communal, something we are not comfortable with.

Authenticity & Character
It needs to be better cared for. Rundown
Location
Very close to town and the station
Staff
Very kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Because it was rundown it felt dirty. Additionally, it was very cold and the heat did not work well for the outside temperature leaving us very very cold to sleep and eat.
Local specialist: Katsu Okada
Katsu
Katsu Okada
Local specialist in Vancouver | Replied on Mar 29, 2025
Dear Susan-san and Brad-san,
First of all, I sincerely apologize for the delayed response regarding your review. I am truly sorry for the negative impact on your stay in Hiroshima and for not meeting your expectations at the Ryokan in Hakone. I have been investigating the situation since we received your feedback and have contacted both the guide and the Ryokan. As a result, we will no longer be recommending this Ryokan as a luxury option, and I will no longer be requesting the services of... Read more

Dear Susan-san and Brad-san,
First of all, I sincerely apologize for the delayed response regarding your review. I am truly sorry for the negative impact on your stay in Hiroshima and for not meeting your expectations at the Ryokan in Hakone. I have been investigating the situation since we received your feedback and have contacted both the guide and the Ryokan. As a result, we will no longer be recommending this Ryokan as a luxury option, and I will no longer be requesting the services of this guide.

As an apology for the issues you faced, as well as for the cancellation of your Hiroshima tour, I would like to offer you a refund of $1,200. Would you kindly accept this? I understand that money cannot undo the negative experience you had, but I hope it can serve as a small gesture of our sincere apology.
Katsu