Shona Zhang

A huge thank you to Shona for keeping up with the last minute changes and odd requests. Our last day of travel wasn't clear and a bit confusing, which almost made us miss our train. Thankfully, I Googled how to get to our final destination and saw that we had to travel to a different train station with barely enough time to get on the Shinkansen.

I think we had the best guides ever! Moto, Yasuko, and Fuji. We had so much packed in on the first day, Moto didn't miss a beat and we were able to do everything on our list and then some. We were especially thankful to Fuji for allowing extra time wherever there was water to allow my son to hang out with the fish for a bit.

All-in-all, it was a great trip and so much less stressful than if I had tried to plan it myself. We had no issues, great communication with everyone, fantastic hotels, lovely breakfasts, and a trip we will never forget.

Hotel Reviews

KOKO HOTEL Tsukiji Ginza

Tokyo

We were so busy that we didn't have time to use the amenities that the hotel offers except breakfast and the laundry. The breakfast wasn't as luxurious as some of our other hotels we stayed at, but again, this hotel isn't as big and for the size, the breakfast was perfect. There was enough "western" type foods that we could eat and the Japanese type foods were really good. The laundry was cheap and unlike bigger hotels, not as crowded, so we had no issues using 1 of the 2 machines. I would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A quick walk to the subway and the river.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

This was a great place to stay. The rooms were modern and nice. The breakfast was amazing. So many yummy options. They get extra points for having massage chairs (paid) especially after a long day of walking around. Located so close to the train station, you don't have to go far to find anything you need.

Authenticity & Character

I thought this hotel was extremely modern and besides the toilet, you wouldn't know you were in Japan. I didn't have any issues with that though because it was extremely comfortable and nice, which is what you want on a long trip.

Location

Right across from the train station!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

Osaka

I enjoyed the location of this hotel. It is a bit of a walk to the train station, but if you get on the street side, you can look over the city a bit which was a lot of fun for us. It was a tad loud when sirens or loud cars went down the road, but honestly, I thought that was all part of the experience. Ear plugs helped too. The breakfast buffet was absolutely amazing. We weren't here long enough to use any of the amenities, but what we did use, we enjoyed.

Authenticity & Character

It was your typical modern hotel. I didn't have any issues with it because it was comfortable.

Location

A bit of a walk from the train station and noisy, depending on what side you're on.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Nara City Tour: Nara Park, Todai-Ji Temple and More

Kyoto

Feeding the deer is one thing, but just being able to be next to them and pet them like it's no big deal is another. Such an amazing experience to get so close to those magical creatures.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Yasuko knew exactly what to do when we get to Nara to make sure our experience was a good one.

Transport

Japan has their public transportation figured out!

Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour

Kyoto

The bamboo is gorgeous, the hike up the mountain was pretty, and the monkeys were amazing. Getting to feed the younger monkeys was my favorite.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fuji was great!

Transport

Public transportation for the win!

Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Akihabara district 1.

Tokyo

This was a looong day. We basically had to speed walk everywhere to fit everything in. I would recommend if this is on your itinerary, to do it the first day you are there because you won't have the steam to this much stuff later on in your trip. We even had our guide take us on a side quest to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, which he graciously did.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Moto was fantastic!

Transport

Public transportation for the win!

Samurai and Ninja Museum with Experience

Kyoto

I like this museum because it was just enough. I didn't realize we got a tour guide once we were in there, so that was a bonus.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide in the museum was funny and spoke decent English.

Transport

We walked there, which was such a great walk. We found some great stuff on the way that we would've missed had we drove.

Half day: Gion Kagai Art Museum and Nijo Castle

Japan

The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because I think the Art Museum wasn't all that great. The museum itself is really small, but being able to see the geiko perform was worth going! What an amazing experience. Nijo Castle was really cool. Some stuff on TV was shot there, so it was neat to see it in person, but also, just being in there thinking how they used to live and operate, was cool.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fuji was amazing!

Transport

Public transportation for the win!

Thank you, Shona.

Shona did a wonderful job crafting a personalized itinerary for our family. She was patient through multiple revisions to ensure everything was just right, and the result was the trip of a lifetime, filled with memories we will cherish forever!

Tokyo: We loved the Keio Plaza Hotel’s convenient location, helpful staff, and exceptional breakfast buffet. Highlights included the mesmerizing TeamLab Borderless, an outstanding hands-on sushi-making class led by Yummy and Rinako, and a full-day tour with Bea Hirata. Bea was professional, friendly, and attentive, seamlessly guiding us through Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Tsukiji Market, Meiji Shrine, and Harajuku. Exploring Tsukiji with her was especially memorable, with incredible fresh food and local specialties.

Hakone: This was where Shona and her team truly demonstrated their value. With a typhoon approaching, they quickly adjusted our plans, ensuring Bea and our driver got us safely to Hakone before the storm. Although some activities were canceled, we enjoyed a longer, relaxing onsen experience at the spectacular Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu. The private in-room onsen, mountain views, and outstanding crab and wagyu beef shabu-shabu dinner made this a trip highlight. Without the team’s quick thinking, we might have missed Hakone altogether.

Kyoto and Nara: The Cross Kyoto Hotel was comfortable, well located, and offered an excellent breakfast. Our guide, Hideki (Hal) was good-natured and thorough. He showed us Kyoto’s highlights, including Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Tenryuji Temple, and Nijo Castle. In Nara, our daughter loved the deer, and Todaiji Temple’s Great Buddha was among the most impressive sights of our trip. Fushimi Inari’s iconic torii gates were unforgettable. We also enjoyed a wonderful calligraphy class with Aya and a magical evening walking tour of Gion with Sophia, whose insights into geisha culture made the experience especially memorable.

Kanazawa and the Countryside: The Hyatt Centric Kanazawa was convenient, comfortable, and close to the station. Nozomi introduced us to a talented ceramic artist and guided us through the samurai and geisha districts, enthusiastically sharing her extensive knowledge of Japanese history. Our final excursion to the UNESCO-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama with Ian was a wonderful way to experience Japan’s beautiful countryside. Ian was attentive, conscientious, and gave us a unique western perspective of life in Japan. He further enriched our cultural immersion by taking us to a well-preserved Gassho-zukuri house, where the owners brought history to life through storytelling and a traditional folk-art dance.

Seamless Logistics and Exceptional Support: Shona arranged excellent private transfers and Shinkansen tickets, making travel between destinations effortless. Our drivers were punctual, professional, and reliable, and the vehicles were immaculate. Shona’s team checked in daily, and our guides and drivers communicated clearly throughout the trip. Most importantly, when unexpected challenges arose, we knew we had knowledgeable, dependable support on the ground.

Overall, we cannot recommend Shona and Kimkim highly enough. From thoughtful planning to flawless execution, their expertise made our family’s Japan adventure truly exceptional. Japan is fascinating, and with the right team, it is an unforgettable destination. Good luck with your trip!

This was a beyond wonderful trip to Japan… Memories will last the remainder of my life.
The guides were professionally excellent, always punctual, pleasant, flexible, and very informative.
I would not hesitate for a second to recommend kimkim. We will definitely use your services for our next international trip.

Hotel Reviews

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Great location and excellent service.

Authenticity & Character

Darken floors

Location

Asakusa convenient neighborhood

Staff

Everyone

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hakone Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Best hotel onsen

Location

Surrounded by natural beauty

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

Great hotel. Public bath and breakfast buffet in particular.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the toilet and shower

Location

Located a few hundred feet from Kyoto Station

Staff

Everything

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wonderful amenities… Even a pull down privacy screen.

Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

Osaka

Great hotel, and even better breakfast

Location

Centrally located

Activity Reviews

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oshino Hakkai

Japan

Great day in Mount Fuji vicinity with boat ride on lake.

Quality of Experience

All good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wonderfully professional guide

Transport

Vehicle luxury

Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Kyoto

Amazing castles, and shrines. Kinkaku-ji shrine amazing

Quality of Experience

Amazing history

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable and pleasant

Transport

Great subway system

Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride , Bamboo Grove & Monkey Park

Kyoto

Park is beautiful. Loved the monkeys.

Tokyo Highlights Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market

Tokyo

Fish market is amazing. Could have spent more time there.

One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Kyoto Return Trip)

Japan

Miyajima island is wonderful with Shinto shrines and a great shopping area. Hiroshima is a sobering experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide as usual

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Very enjoyable, getting dressed in authentic Japanese kimonos for the ceremony. Fun learning how to make authentic Matcha tea.

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

Amazing castle and surrounding grounds.

World Heritage Himeji Castle & Kōko-en, Kobe tour

Japan

Castle is amazing. Not enough time allotted to Nunobiki Ropeway.

Our trip to Japan was fantastic. Shona did a wonderful job catering to our requests for a balance of historical places and modern experiences. We especially liked Nijo Castle and Shinjuku.

Our individual guides, Miwa Aoki and Katsumi Ishikawa, were amazing. I would highly recommend both for Tokyo and Kyoto, respectively.

All of our transportation, travel and bookings went well. If anything, we could have done more on a day than what was planned or coordinated to make some trips more efficient.

Activity Reviews

Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo: Enter the Sanctuary

Tokyo

10/10, would recommend to everyone!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Hands-on Cooking Experience: Nigiri Sushi and More

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

When my friends and I started planning the trip to Japan, it wasn´t clear exactly where to begin. Fortunately for us, we discovered Kimkim, and shortly after completing the preferences survey, Shona got back to us with an itinerary proposal in no time. Since then, she has remained actively engaged with us through the rest of the planning, the trip, and up to the end.

In the planning phase, Kimkim´s itinerary chat allowed everyone on both sides of the chat to make and take into consideration others´ suggestions and recommendations. Shona let us know the requirements, addressed our concerns, and kept us up to date on bookings and reservations at every step, and we worked together to plan the best trip based on our budget. Thanks to this coordination, the itinerary was complete a long time before the trip. This breathing room ahead of the trip allowed for last-minute adjustments, which Shona actively managed for us.

During the trip, Shona and her team at Odynovo did not waver. From the moment we left for our trip up to when we returned, her team of coordinators, guides, and drivers was in constant communication with us. They made sure everything went smoothly, checking in to make sure we were where we planned to be and when we planned to be there; despite the language barrier.

The trip flowed seamlessly, a testament to their thoughtful planning. It was evenly paced, neither rushed nor laggy, considering the many activities we did and places we got to visit in a few days. The order of activities was well put together too. In every new place we visited, the guided days came first, followed by the self-guided days. Our tour guides were engaging and enthusiastic, intuitively showing us around, thereby boosting our morale to manoeuvre on our own and explore freely.

Leading up to the end of the trip, we only wished we had planned for more time. Shona and her team set a benchmark, a high bar, to which all trips to come, to Japan and other places around the world, will be compared. Japan is an interesting place, with a lot to offer in many aspects, and this trip, great as it was, was only an introduction, a momentous one. We look forward to returning sometime in the future, and we hope it will be just as amazing, if not more.

So, if you´re planning to visit Japan, and Shona is your agent, you´re in good hands. Actively participate in planning, remain engaged, and keep an open mind. Thanks, Kimkim, Odynovo, and thank you, Shona!

Hotel Reviews

Asakusa Tobu Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

It´s close to great local places to explore for a tourist.

Staff

Welcoming and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Overall, well-maintained.

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

You can walk around the local area and discover a lot with little effort.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

Osaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great views from the higher floors.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Tokyo City Tour

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji Temple

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Samurai Sword Experience for Adults in Kyoto

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Authentic Sake Tour in Fushimi: Sake Tastings & Explore Historic Breweries

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour

Kyoto

Our guides (Tomoe in Tokyo and Mitch in Kyoto) were super knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure our family was happy.

Our 16-day adventure through Japan was an incredible experience, and we truly appreciate the time and effort Shona put into helping us plan such a memorable trip. She listened to our interests, understood our family’s travel style, and provided recommendations for experiences, accommodations, and transfers that made our journey special.

There were, however, a few areas where the planning and support could have been improved. We did not receive our finalized itinerary until about five days before departure, which limited our ability to arrange some additional activities we would have liked to include.

We also experienced a significant issue with our hotel in Okinawa. Before departing Texas, we specifically asked about the itinerary description stating “2 twin beds and room perfect for a couple getaway” because we were traveling as a family of four. Shona reassured us that the hotel had confirmed the room would be large enough to accommodate all four of us. Unfortunately, upon arrival, the room provided was not suitable for our family. Although the issue was eventually resolved by moving us to another property, the stress involved and the time lost during our vacation were disappointing and could have been avoided.

Communication during unexpected situations was another challenge. While traveling, two typhoons were approaching our route, and we reached out to Shona for guidance on whether we should continue to our next excursion/destination or adjust our plans. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach her directly and again had to use the emergency support number. While the emergency assistance was appreciated, having direct access to Shona during these important moments would have provided additional confidence and reassurance.

Overall, we had an amazing trip and are grateful for Shona’s expertise, recommendations, and the effort she put into planning our Japan adventure. The trip itself was wonderful, and her guidance helped create many unforgettable memories. With earlier delivery of the final itinerary and more reliable direct communication when unexpected issues arise, the overall experience would have been exceptional.

Yumi and Taku were outstanding! The trip was well planned and took a lot of the stress of a first time trip to Japan away. We all would love to go back.

Hotel Reviews

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tokyo City Tour

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Samurai Sword Experience for Adults in Kyoto

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport