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Japan Travel KK

Founded in 2015 we specialize in providing a wide range of inbound tourism solutions.
Our main offices are located in the heart of Tokyo, our team which is made up of experts in different areas of Japan will help you create your tailor-made tour and an ideal trip to the land of the rising Sun!
Making your visit one of a kind!
We are happy to continually collaborate with a large network of local partners in different prefectures of Japan which helps us provide a great reach and competitive quality in our services, helping us reach our mission to contribute to Japan’s inbound tourism and true potential.

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent Trip Reviews for Japan Travel KK

We worked with Myaen who was very accommodati...
Japan | Jun 27 - Jul 7, 2024

A
Angelee M.
El Salvador | Reviewed on Jul 18, 2024
We worked with Myaen who was very accommodating of my preferences and questions. I traveled with my 2 teenage girls throughout Japan, and we wanted something we'd all enjoy - meaning very few temples and lots of teen-friendly activities. We also wanted to experience traditional accommodations and lots of great food. Myaen came through with meeting all of our requests, and her team was available to help navigate through issues once we were in the country. Had a good experience overall! Read more

We worked with Myaen who was very accommodating of my preferences and questions. I traveled with my 2 teenage girls throughout Japan, and we wanted something we'd all enjoy - meaning very few temples and lots of teen-friendly activities. We also wanted to experience traditional accommodations and lots of great food. Myaen came through with meeting all of our requests, and her team was available to help navigate through issues once we were in the country. Had a good experience overall!

Activity Reviews
Welcome to Kanazawa
Welcome to Kanazawa
Kanazawa

We really liked the smaller town, and it was a good way to start the trip by getting used to transportation and customs of Japan.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-gō
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-gō
Japan

This was one of our favorite sites in Japan because at the time of our visit, we didn't have to be among too many other tourists. We also enjoyed seeing the traditional homes and roaming through them at our own pace.

Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono
Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono
Japan

This was our favorite activity. Not only did we enjoy putting on the kimonos, but we also loved learning about the meaning behind the ceremony and the picture taking opportunities in the gardens.

Day trip to Nara
Day trip to Nara
Kyoto

Very cool to interact with the deer and to be in a peaceful forest setting.

Izakaya Food Tour
Izakaya Food Tour
Tokyo

The tour and district were a bit too "adult" for my teens who could not participate in the saki tastings and perhaps didn't need to see the redlight district. Otherwise, the food was good and plentiful.

Get close to Mount Fuji at Kawaguchiko
Get close to Mount Fuji at Kawaguchiko
Tokyo

It was a beautiful view from the bottom of the hill, as we did not make the climb to the temple at the top. We were already tired from the trip to begin with, and wished we would have known there were 500+ steps to climb. Instead, we took pictures from the viewpoint at the bottom and enjoyed the soft serve ice cream sold there.

Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo

It was a great visit, and it was good that we went when it opened in the morning before it got too busy. It started filling up quickly after that.

Tsukiji Fish Market Visit with Sushi Making Experience
Tsukiji Fish Market Visit with Sushi Making Experience
Tokyo

Our guide clearly wanted us to have a good experience and tried to make the most of a very hot day. She made sure to give us breaks in air-conditioned parts of the market and provided electrolyte candies to make sure we were not overcome by the heat. We enjoyed trying the free samples and looking for the treats my kids had heard about on the internet. The private sushi-making class was also good and happened at our own pace.

Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa

A singular Japanese experience for my family.
Japan | Jun 30 - Jul 12, 2024

S
S A.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2024
Our family vacation to Japan was fantastic and Myaen was so thoughtful and did a great job of conceiving and preparing a trip that had the right balance of guides and self-exploration as well the right mix of contemporary / modern Japan and traditional sights. Throughout the trip our guides (Junko, Haruki, Momoko and others) were quite amazing and did a great job of catering a tour to our needs that day. Read more

Our family vacation to Japan was fantastic and Myaen was so thoughtful and did a great job of conceiving and preparing a trip that had the right balance of guides and self-exploration as well the right mix of contemporary / modern Japan and traditional sights.

Throughout the trip our guides (Junko, Haruki, Momoko and others) were quite amazing and did a great job of catering a tour to our needs that day.

Activity Reviews
Izakaya Food Tour
Izakaya Food Tour
Tokyo

Our guide Haruki did a great job of creating a fun welcoming atmosphere and took us to some fantastic places in Kabukicho.

Quality of Experience
Our guide (Haruki?) was amazing and the food was fantastic! Exceeded my expectations.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Haruki was amazing.
Sumo Practice Viewing in Tokyo
Sumo Practice Viewing in Tokyo
Tokyo

I thought we would be touring an actual sumo stable. Instead we got a fairly sanitized sumo exhibition with slapstick comedy. The show itself was fun but much less authentic than we were expecting. .

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tsukiji Fish Market Visit with Sushi Making Experience
Tsukiji Fish Market Visit with Sushi Making Experience
Tokyo

An excellent tour of the “old” Tsukkiji fish market area. Sampling the fresh fish was quite amazing. But overall was a bit disappointed by the size of the market and how touristy the experience was.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Traditional Kyoto Tour
Traditional Kyoto Tour
Japan

Our guide Junko was quite phenomenal. It was unbearably hot in Kyoto the days we were there and Junko did a Teriffic job of adjusting the itinerary to accommodate for the heat. She offered up a new sequence of temple visits to be outdoors during the early AM and then offered some new indoor outings for us in the PM.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Junko was a fabulous tour guode who accommodated my family when my son was not feeling well.
The Golden Pavilion and Magnificent Views in Arashiyama
The Golden Pavilion and Magnificent Views in Arashiyama
Kyoto

Our guide Junko was quite phenomenal. It was unbearably hot in Kyoto the days we were there and Junko did a Teriffic job of adjusting the itinerary to accommodate for the heat. She offered up a new sequence of temple visits to be outdoors during the early AM and then offered some new indoor outings for us in the PM.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Junko was a fabulous guide.
Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa

Leo was a very good guide. He was most helpfu...
Japan | May 15 - May 26, 2024

R
Robert G.
Basking Ridge, NJ | Reviewed on May 27, 2024

Leo was a very good guide. He was most helpful in getting to and from the various sites. He was knowledgeable and patient with us. The food tours and the guides were also excellent

Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa
Myaen
Myaen Verzosa
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on May 28, 2024

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! It absolutely warms my heart to hear how Leo made your experience truly special with his helpfulness, knowledge, and patience. And I'm thrilled that your culinary adventures were such a hit! Here's to countless more amazing journeys ahead for you and your family. Wishing you all the best!
Best regards,
Myaen of Japan Travel

Experience the best of Japan
Japan | May 6 - May 16, 2024

Lorraine
Lorraine H.
Kuwait | Reviewed on May 19, 2024
The overall trip was great. The first three days in Tokyo were relatively unplanned, but Myaen offered wonderful suggestions for visiting sights. We enjoyed having the unscheduled time. Leo, our tour guide in Kyoto, was knowledgeable and friendly. Visiting Nara was one of the highlights of our tour. The bowing deer were adorable and the Toda-ji Temple was my favorite temple. I also thought the Golden Pavillion in Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest were trip highlights. The Iwatayama... Read more

The overall trip was great. The first three days in Tokyo were relatively unplanned, but Myaen offered wonderful suggestions for visiting sights. We enjoyed having the unscheduled time. Leo, our tour guide in Kyoto, was knowledgeable and friendly. Visiting Nara was one of the highlights of our tour. The bowing deer were adorable and the Toda-ji Temple was my favorite temple. I also thought the Golden Pavillion in Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest were trip highlights. The Iwatayama Monkey Park was not my favorite experience, the trek up is rigorous for minimal interaction and is very crowded. Our favorite guide was Ako, who took us to Miyajima Island. She was a thoughtful, knowledgeable guide, even bringing tea and snacks up to the top of the mountain for us to enjoy the beautiful view.

We requested a minimum of four-star hotels, and they were, for the most part, very nice. The hotel in Hakone, Hakone Airu, is traditional and a beautiful facility. The food was amazing! In a traditional hotel room, we slept on mats and didn't have raised seating, which might be physically uncomfortable. The ensuite onsen was delightful. I wish we had more time in the town because it was truly charming.

My least favorite hotel was the Hotel Vishio, only because the hotel had no restaurant or bar. The shared baths were very nice, and the room was large and comfortable, but since we were out all day on tours, we could have used some on-site dining. It is conveniently located across from a shopping center with a large Don Quixote (worth checking out).

I highly recommend the JR pass. Taking the trains was incredibly easy, affordable, and comfortable. Be sure to have your passports to make seat reservations through the kiosk.

Having your passport for shopping is also necessary because many stores will not charge tax if you have your passport.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel GrandBach Tokyo Ginza
Tokyo

Like most rooms in Japan, it is small but comfortable. The bathroom is great, with a full bathtub. The staff here were super helpful and friendly. The breakfast menu is limited.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to subway lines
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakone Airu
Hakone

The hotel facilities are beautiful, and the dinner and breakfast were amazing. However, it was very slow to check in and check out. We had limited time in Hakone, and a significant portion of the time was spent waiting for service support. This hotel has a lot of potential.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
It took a long time to check in and out
Cleanliness & Comfort
It's an authentic traditional hotel, which means sleeping on the floor and floor seating. Therefore, it may not be easy for anyone with physical needs.
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

The hotel room was spacious for Japanese standards. It is new and modern. It doesn't have an on-site restaurant (except for breakfast—which was GREAT!) or bar. There are shared gender-specific bathing facilities. The staff is less helpful. For example, they couldn't help us with dinner reservations or suggestions.

Location
Near a shopping mall with plenty of food choices and a wonderful Don Quixote.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
THE KNOT HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima

This hotel has a beautiful rooftop bar with a great view—perhaps the best thing about the hotel. Breakfast is a set menu and wasn't really to my liking. The restaurant on the first floor is quite good but book ahead for reservations. Having the reception area on the 14th floor is a bit inconvenient, and only having access to toiletries on the first and 14th floors was a bit of a pain.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Within walking distance of the Peace Park.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi

The rooms were very small, and the beds were against the wall. However, the bathroom and shower are amazing. This was the only hotel with a coffee maker in the room. The bed was also the softest and most comfortable. Most hotel beds in Japan are pretty hard.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the subway
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa
Myaen
Myaen Verzosa
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on May 20, 2024
Hi Lorraine,
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback and kind words!
I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip overall and that my suggestions for Tokyo were helpful.
I’m glad Leo-san and Ako-san made a positive impact on your experience, especially with their knowledge and thoughtfulness. Your feedback on the Iwatayama Monkey Park and Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA is very much appreciated and will be taken into consideration for future recommendations.
Thank you again for...
Read more

Hi Lorraine,
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback and kind words!
I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trip overall and that my suggestions for Tokyo were helpful.
I’m glad Leo-san and Ako-san made a positive impact on your experience, especially with their knowledge and thoughtfulness. Your feedback on the Iwatayama Monkey Park and Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA is very much appreciated and will be taken into consideration for future recommendations.
Thank you again for sharing your experience, Lorraine. It was a pleasure assisting you with your trip, and I look forward to helping you with your future travels to Japan!
Many thanks again from me and the whole Japan Travel KK team!
Best regards,
Myaen

All our guides were great!
Japan | Apr 6 - Apr 14, 2024

C
carolyn w.
Lancaster, CA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
All our guides were great! Read more

All our guides were great!

Hotel Reviews
Genji Kyoto
Kyoto
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Aoyama Grand Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Claudia Martinez Sierra
Claudia
Claudia Martinez Sierra
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on May 01, 2024

Planning Carolyn's dream trip to Japan was a nice experience, we are delighted to hear you had a great time in each location as well as enjoyed the private tours, accommodations and restaurant selection planning. Hope we see you again in Japan anytime soon!

Wonderful Visit to Japan
Japan | Mar 22 - Mar 31, 2024

D
David S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2024

Kim Kim did an amazing job of planning, organizing, and communicating both before and during our trip to Japan. Myaen was always in contact wanting to ensure that we were prepared and understood our timetable. We would absolutely use Kim Kim again in the future.

Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa
Myaen
Myaen Verzosa
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on Apr 02, 2024

Hi David,
Thank you very much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us. Your feedback means a great deal to us, and we're genuinely thrilled to learn of your positive impression. Knowing that you'd consider entrusting kimkim with your travel plans again in the future brings us immense joy. It was our pleasure to assist you and your family in creating memorable experiences in Japan, and we look forward to the opportunity to assist you again whenever you're ready to plan your next adventure.
Best regards,
Myaen

Couldn’t have planned it better!
Japan | Mar 19 - Mar 27, 2024

Camille
Camille C.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024

We had the greatest trip. We had enough going on everyday but not too much that we felt overwhelmed or rushed. We had a good variety of activities. Myaen was the greatest. We planned everything together, gave me all the information I needed and checked in on us periodically through the trip. Couldn’t have asked for a better time in Japan and we are so excited to return!

Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa
Myaen
Myaen Verzosa
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on Mar 29, 2024
Hi Camille,
I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible time during your trip to Japan!
It was truly a pleasure planning your trip with you, and ensuring you had all the necessary information and support along the way was my priority. I'm delighted that you felt supported throughout your journey.
Thank you for your kind words and for trusting us with your travel plans. Knowing that you're excited to return to Japan is the best compliment we could receive. Whenever you're ready to...
Read more

Hi Camille,
I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible time during your trip to Japan!
It was truly a pleasure planning your trip with you, and ensuring you had all the necessary information and support along the way was my priority. I'm delighted that you felt supported throughout your journey.
Thank you for your kind words and for trusting us with your travel plans. Knowing that you're excited to return to Japan is the best compliment we could receive. Whenever you're ready to plan your next adventure, we'll be here to assist you every step of the way.
Wishing you and Jon many more unforgettable travels ahead!
Best regards,
Myaen

Our trip to Japan. Kim ...
Japan | Oct 15 - Oct 25, 2023

narayana
narayana r.
India | Reviewed on Oct 27, 2023

Our trip to Japan. Kim Kim and Myaen We had heard a lot about this unique country, Japan, for various reasons while we visited so many, many countries across the globe, we could travel to Japan only in October 2023. KimKim as travel agent was suggested as ideal by our son Ashwin, he and his wife , Priyanka Roy, frequently use the services of this agency and had always found them to deliver very well. So we went on to the website and filled in our details and... Read more


Our trip to Japan. Kim Kim and Myaen

We had heard a lot about this unique country, Japan, for various reasons while we visited so many, many countries across the globe, we could travel to Japan only in October 2023. KimKim as travel agent was suggested as ideal by our son Ashwin, he and his wife , Priyanka Roy, frequently use the services of this agency and had always found them to deliver very well. So we went on to the website and filled in our details and requirements. We were give Myaen as coordinator for our ten day trip. From then on Myaen was super active. She suggested an itinerary and addressed every concern we had. If the budget was going beyond our expectations, she edited some of the items, every which way Myaen made every effort to tailor our trip to our needs. For Hakone she felt we would do well to have a guide with us for a day. Akira, an English speaking guide was a God send, but for her, we would never have enjoyed and seen Hakone the way we did. Every hotel that Myaen booked for us, each little activity , be it the tea ceremony or the calligraphy session was most enjoyable and gave us great insight into the culture of the country. Also the day to day itinerary Myaen had suggested, we followed it almost to the end and we were never disappointed. She was also on the phone to convey immediate messages and extremely prompt to respond to our very many queries no matter what time of the day. A most memorable trip in all, many thanks to KimKim and Myaen.
Our only disappointments, again not to do with KimKim or Myaen …..the inability to communicate with most people, including the hotel staff , as they barely spoke or understood English, and the absolute lack of vegetarian food. Hotels had been informed, but they could at best only provide a few variants in bread and sometimes, salad.

Jaya and Narayana Ramanathan

Hotel Reviews
karaksa hotel TOKYO STATION

front desk was helpful, could speak english, which is more than front desk staff in the other hotels. despite prior intimation that we were vegetarians, they made little effort to provide any veg food except bread.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakonenomori Okada
Hakone

front desk least helpful. no drinking water in the room was shown a vending machine and asked to buy. coulnt even arrange for a taxi the previous evening. however, they did make an effort to provide us vegetarian food for dinner.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
SAKURA TERRACE THE GALLERY
Kyoto

communication was imposible with the front desk. refused to make any changes in their dishes to give us veg.food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel GrandBach Tokyo Ginza
Tokyo

as always no communication was possible.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Activity Review
Explore Hakone
Explore Hakone
Japan
Local specialist: Myaen Verzosa
Myaen
Myaen Verzosa
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on Oct 30, 2023
Hi Jaya and Narayana, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed and heartwarming feedback about your recent trip to Japan. I am truly delighted to hear that your experience with kimkim and our services was a memorable one. It's wonderful that your son Ashwin and his wife, Priyanka Roy, recommended kimkim to you, and I'm grateful for their trust in our agency. We take great pride in delivering tailored and exceptional travel experiences, and I'm glad that I could be a part of... Read more

Hi Jaya and Narayana,

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed and heartwarming feedback about your recent trip to Japan. I am truly delighted to hear that your experience with kimkim and our services was a memorable one.

It's wonderful that your son Ashwin and his wife, Priyanka Roy, recommended kimkim to you, and I'm grateful for their trust in our agency. We take great pride in delivering tailored and exceptional travel experiences, and I'm glad that I could be a part of planning your adventure in Japan.

I greatly appreciate your kind words about the itinerary, and I'm thrilled that it met your expectations. It was my pleasure to address your concerns and make adjustments as needed to ensure your trip was perfect for you. I also believe that having Akiko-san, added a unique dimension to your journey, allowing you to fully enjoy and appreciate the beauty and culture of the region.

I'm also pleased to hear that the hotels and activities I arranged for you were enjoyable and provided insight into Japan's rich culture. The tea ceremony and calligraphy sessions can indeed be transformative experiences.

Your feedback regarding the language barrier and limited vegetarian food options is noted. Japan, with its unique culture and cuisine, can present challenges for travelers with specific dietary requirements or limited language skills. We'll continue to work on solutions to improve these aspects of the travel experience for future guests.

Once again, I'd like to express my gratitude for choosing kimkim and Japan Travel, and for entrusting me with planning your journey. Your appreciation and kind words are a tremendous reward for the effort we put into creating memorable trips. If you ever decide to return to Japan, please know that I'm here to assist you with your travel plans.

Wishing you many more unforgettable journeys in the future.

Best regards,
Myaen

Good Advice on Locations, but Poor Planning for Timing and Transporation
Japan | Aug 30 - Sep 14, 2023

Rich
Rich W.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023
Overall, we were pleased with the advice and guidance that Nancy of Japan Travel provided. We saw places that we would not have otherwise experienced. However, the itinerary did not seem to take the actual traveler experience in mind. Some examples include: Obtaining Transportation Cards
• Because our JR Rail vouchers were delivered to our Tokyo hotel, we were not able to pick up our Japan Rail Passes while we were at the arrival airport, so a few days later, we had to take time from...
Read more

Overall, we were pleased with the advice and guidance that Nancy of Japan Travel provided. We saw places that we would not have otherwise experienced.

However, the itinerary did not seem to take the actual traveler experience in mind. Some examples include:

Obtaining Transportation Cards
• Because our JR Rail vouchers were delivered to our Tokyo hotel, we were not able to pick up our Japan Rail Passes while we were at the arrival airport, so a few days later, we had to take time from exploring Tokyo to get to and navigate Tokyo Station to get our JR Passes.
• One of our surnames (Walker) was misspelled on the JR Rail voucher, which we discovered as we got to Tokyo Station. Upon messaging Nancy of Japan Travel, she informed us that we would have to go back to our hotel (on the other side of Tokyo) to meet an operations team member from Japan Travel to get a corrected JR Rail voucher, again taking time out of our day to handle administrative tasks that should have been done by Japan Travel. During our Metro ride back to our hotel, Nancy called to tell us to return to Tokyo Station, use the vouchers with the typo, and call the Japan Travel Operations team if there were any problems. So, back we go to Tokyo Station to get the actual JR Rail Passes. A significant portion of our days was devoted to getting our JR Rail Passes, which is not how we wanted to be spending our holiday.
• Had JR Travel arranged for us to pick up our JR passes at the airport and told us to get a Pasmo or Suica card at the airport, it would have alleviated much of our frustration with this matter.

Timing of Tours and Travel
• Tours and experiences seemed to have been set up without regard to travel times or overlapping timetables. Two examples include:
o The tour of Hakone was scheduled to last until 5pm, which allowed very little time to enjoy the ryokan experience since we had only a few minutes to soak in the onsen hot springs in order to get to dinner at the appointed time. The next morning, we had to leave the ryokan very early – missing the breakfast experience – in order to get to Kyoto in time for our appointment at the Kimono Tea Ceremony, which could have easily been scheduled for later in the day, if Japan Travel had thought through the actual travel schedule. We had to figure out the early-morning local bus and local train schedules since taxis did not come to the ryokan at that hour. What should have been a highlight of our trip – a relaxed afternoon, evening, and morning at a traditional ryokan – turned out to be a “rush in-rush out” experience, all due to timing of the Hakone tour (lasting until 5pm) and the need to leave early the next morning. Japan Travel should have provided adequate time for these experiences, taking travel and tour times in mind.
o The tour of Osaka was scheduled to begin at 10:00am, which would have meant we would have had to take a 6:20am Shinkansen train from Hiroshima to arrive in Osaka and get to our hotel for a 10:00am tour. Consequently, we decided to cancel the Osaka tour and take a Shinkansen train at a reasonable hour.
• Had JR Travel provided suggestions on travel from one city to another, perhaps they might have avoided these issues of tight time schedules

Tours
• Both guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and professional, but seemed to feel that we had to experience everything on a “checklist” of activities, even though we weren’t interested in everything of their list.
• Some of the tour plans were inordinately long for the limited number of sights to see.
o For the Nara tour, 2 hours were planned for Nara Park and visiting the Tōdai-ji Temple, 2 hours were planned for visiting the Isuien Garden, and 2 hours were planned for shopping. We had to be firm in stating that we didn’t enjoy visiting gardens all that much and that we did not want to shop at all.
o We cancelled going on the Osaka tour because of the aforementioned travel timing, but the proposed tour would have included 2 hours of shopping and 1 hour visiting gardens.
• While we knew that we were responsible for local transportation, we were not informed that we would have to pay for long-distance taxis in Nikko (from the Oawakudani Volcanic Valley to the British Embassy Summer Villa and then to the Hakone train station). Fortunately, we had the ¥17,000 ($117 USD) in cash, but would have preferred knowing in advance that the transportation would be that price.

Quality and Location of Hotels Varied Greatly
• The Tokyo Center Hotel is a mediocre hotel, at best. Our assigned room was so tiny that there was not space for us to put clothes, store luggage, or even sit at the small shelf that served as the desk. One of us had to move to the bathroom or get on a bed in order for the other person to get around in the room. Simply put, it was an unacceptable room. Fortunately, one of the front desk team members was able to move us to a larger room, and we paid for the “upgrade.” Breakfast was unexceptional, with below-average food quality. The hotel is located in a business-centric neighborhood, so there are few restaurants that are nearby and even those close early.
• The Kijitei Hoeiso Ryokan in Hakone was wonderful, but, as stated above, we couldn’t enjoy the experience because we were rushed, due to the tight schedule planned by Japan Travel.
• The Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei was a nice hotel, but a bit remote from sights.
• The Hiroshima Hilton was superb. Room sizes were large, with many amenities. The breakfast buffet was excellent. The location was fairly central.
• The Hanshin Osaka was run-down, with a limited-choice, low-quality breakfast buffet. While the Hansin Osaka’s location was OK, a modern hotel in the Osaka Station area would have been a much better choice.
• Many of these hotel experiences could have been avoided, if the itinerary discussions included the level of accommodations, Accommodations were, in many locations, below our expected standards.
• with a discussion of the level of accommodations being part of the itinerary discussion.

In summary, we were glad we got to see all the sights that were on the itinerary, but the experience was marred by the poor timing of tours and transportation. We would not recommend that friends use Japan Travel.

Hotel Reviews
Toshi Center Hotel
Tokyo

With exceptionally tiny rooms (except for a few at each end of the corridor) and mediocre food, the Toshi Center Hotel felt like a dorm in a downscale college. The location was on an isolated business-centric street, with limited options for restaurants - and a 15-20 minute walk to transportation.

Authenticity & Character
Décor was from the 1960 or 70s. The breakfast buffet felt like a community-college cafeteria.
Location
Book in a hotel nearer Metro station hubs.
Staff
The staff were actually the best part of the hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kijitei Hoeiso
Hakone

Lovely ryokan near Hakone, with attentive staff, excellent food, and spacious rooms. Allow plenty of time to enjoy the onsen hot springs, dinner, the tatami-matted rooms, and breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei

While its location is a bit removed from the primary Kyoto sights, it was fairly easy to get a taxi - and a bit more effort to get a train or bus - to those locations. The staff members are exceptionally helpful, professional, and friendly. The room is comfortable in its size and amenities.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hilton Hiroshima
Hiroshima

Rooms are quite spacious, with wonderful beds, facilities, and amenities. The breakfast buffet is abundant and delicious, with both Western and Japanese foods offered. The staff members are very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Located halfway between the Hiroshima Peace Park and the main train station, the Hiroshima Hilton was reasonably central. While it is a 15-20 minute walk to Peace Park, the staff is happy to help arrange taxi services.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Hanshin Osaka

Very outdated, with smallish rooms, the Hanshin Osaka feels like a hotel for business people on a low budget or one for school groups - not one for a good tourist experience. Choose a modern hotel near Osaka Station.

Authenticity & Character
Location
While it is one train stop from Osaka Station, it is far from good restaurants and sights.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Nancy Ratos

Whirlwind trip
Japan | Jul 19 - Jul 31, 2023

Amy
Amy M.
Matthews, NC | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2023

We could use Nancy's itinerary very effectively as she gave us several options for the day. The hotels she booked were very convenient to the rail stations which made navigating our outings very easy. All but one hotel was perfect, the one was just a bit older and the sleeping situation was a bit uncomfortable. Overall, the trip was great and we will work with KimKim for another destination.

Local specialist: Nancy Ratos
Nancy
Nancy Ratos
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on Aug 09, 2023

Hi Amy,
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for choosing us to handle your trip. It has been a pleasure assisting you, and I genuinely hope that your time in Japan has been filled with incredible experiences and lasting memories.

I am sorry to know that one of the hotels where you stayed is a bit older and you are not comfortable. May I know the location of the hotel?

Looking forward to your response.

Best,
Nancy