Marii McDonald

We just got back from Japan and everything was perfect! Mari worked with us to create the perfect experience. My husband got to forge a knife with a 7th generation knife maker in Kyoto. We incorporated private tours with small group tours. We loved our cooking class with Niko in Osaka. I would highly recommend KimKim Tours.
Mary from Ohio

Hotel Reviews

Palace Hotel Tokyo

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ace Kyoto

kyoto

Fun bar and great pizza!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Conrad Osaka

Osaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Tokyo Station Hotel

Tokyo

It was great to get off the train from Osaka and have a hotel employee meet us at the train platform.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

English-Speaking Assistant from Tokyo Hotel to Tokyo Station

Tokyo

Well worth it!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Japanese Knife Making Experience in Kyoto

Kyoto

A real “hands on” experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour (Adults only)

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Osaka Home Feast: Cooking, Culture & Sake Discovery

Osaka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

Kyoto

Great guide! Very crowded!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I wanted a once in a lifetime experience and my agent DELIVERED. The hotels were exquisite and perfect, the tours were well planned with the sites and guides being kind and informative.

Hotel Reviews

The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo

Tokyo

Graceful, beautiful, comfortable and the staff was gracious and welcoming

Authenticity & Character

The landscaping and view out the window of the restaurant was gorgeous

Location

Close to train station

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was perfect

Hakone Kamon

Hakone

A true japanese experience Such gracious kindness!

Authenticity & Character

It was like stepping back into another world

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hilton Kyoto

Kyoto

My grandson's favorite. Beautiful and spacious. Well located by shopping areas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

East Tokyo Highlights: Half-Day Private Tour with Guide & Vehicle

Tokyo

The market is overwhelming for first timers so it was helpful to have someone help us navigate to the hest stalls

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Watch Morning Practice at a Sumo Stable (Small Group Tour)

Tokyo

A highlight

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wagyu Beef & Sake Paring Foodie Tour in Ginza

Tokyo

Wagyu dinner was great. Tried sake The sweets were yummy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome (Irrashaimase) to Tokyo!

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Relaxing Evening: Private Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner

Hakone

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Kyoto Tour with English Speaking Guide & Vehicle

Japan

Kyoto was a favorite city

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Harajuku Meiji Shrine Walking Tour in Tokyo

Tokyo

The guide did a great job explaining the history and meaning behind the shrines and traditions

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Hakone Tour with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)

Hakone

A beautiful day to be in hakone

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We really did have such a wonderful time! The only feedback I would offer is that it would be helpful for the guides to have a deeper knowledge of the specific tours they’re leading.

Our most incredible guide was Yukiko—she was so knowledgeable, engaging, and just a joy to be around. We truly loved her! Takashi and Mayomi were also great, but Yukiko really stood out. She taught us so much, and it made the experience even more fun and meaningful.

Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into planning everything—it truly was an incredible experience. The hotels were amazing as well, especially the last one—The Patina…wow, it was so beautiful.

I also absolutely loved the hot springs. Such a unique and memorable experience, and we felt amazing afterward!

My daughter and I had an amazing time traveling from Osaka to Kyoto to Hakone and Tokyo. Marii was incredibly thoughtful in suggesting activities based on our interests and worked with the tour operators to accommodate her food allergy. The kimkim team was so helpful in sending daily reminders for activities, answering our questions while traveling and preparing tickets ahead of time. It made the trip much more relaxing while allowing us to fit in several cities over 8 days.

The time of year was lovely- pre cherry blossoms so fewer crowds- but we did see plum trees in bloom! The group tours were small and very personalized. It was nice to have time to ask questions. Our favorite activity was traveling from the Hakone hot spring (lovely!) to Tokyo with such a friendly driver who took us to several spots to view Mount Fugi, including by cable car and boat. We were fortunate with a clear, sunny day. It is a special site to see! Also highly recommended any tours to see the temples and Gion district in Kyoto and Osaka dotonbori district at night for the lights and food!

Activity Reviews

Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima by bullet train from Osaka

Osaka

Efficient way to see Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day but it did not felt rush. Incredible tour guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

O

Transport

Kyoto Casual Pontocho Evening Food Tour

Kyoto

Talk was an incredible guide a delightful to spend an evening with trying loc as l food and sake. He was particularly helpful quite navigating a food allergy. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hakone to Tokyo Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

No

Transport

Transfer from Odawara Train Station to Hakone Hotel

Hakone

Quality of Experience

M

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport