Odynovo Tours Co., Ltd

My husband and I contacted Shona with only a 5 week lead time on an improptu trip to Japan to spend time with our daughters. Shona did an outstanding job of arranging transport and guides who were not only well educated in Japan's history, but were also fun to talk to and spend the day with. Our guides expertly shared their knowledge of cultural icons, food, and helped us navigate lunches at restaurants.
KimKim receives two thumbs up and five stars from me and my family!!!

Our first visit to Japan was absolutely incredible, and a huge part of that was thanks to Shona. She organized every detail of our trip so well, making the entire experience smooth, stress-free, and unforgettable. She was always easy to contact whenever we had questions, and her expertise and knowledge about Japan were clear from the very beginning.

Thanks to her thoughtful planning, we were able to truly enjoy and experience the beauty, culture, and energy of Japan without worrying about logistics.

Thank you, Shona, and the Kim Kim team, for helping create such an amazing trip and memories we’ll always cherish! We will definitely be using Kim Kim on our next adventure.

Hotel Reviews

Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very central. Near many restaurants and stores.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Location

O

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cross Hotel Kyoto

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort By IHG

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Tokyo City Tour with Tokyo Tower

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi Cruise Tour

Fujikawaguchiko

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Hakone to Kyoto

Japan

Quality of Experience

M

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto City Tour with Nijo Castle and Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half day Bonsai and Garden tour in Kyoto

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

M

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Garden Walking Tour (Join-in)

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kabira Bay SUP/Canoe + Blue Cave Snorkeling

Ishigaki

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Planning a pilgrimage as meaningful and complex as the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan requires extraordinary coordination, care, and expertise — and our travel specialist Angel, exceeded every expectation.

From the very beginning, every logistical detail was handled with precision and professionalism. The itinerary was thoughtfully organized, transportation was seamless, hotel arrangements were comfortable and perfectly located, and every reservation — from temple visits to dinners — was flawlessly executed. The timing throughout the journey was exceptional, allowing our group to experience the pilgrimage deeply without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

What truly made this experience unforgettable was the incredible team assigned to accompany us. Every member of the support staff was attentive, knowledgeable, kind, and deeply committed to ensuring our group felt supported throughout the pilgrimage. Their cultural understanding, patience, and ability to anticipate our needs created a sense of ease and trust that allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the spiritual and personal aspects of the journey.

The dinner experiences were another highlight — beautifully selected venues that introduced us to authentic Japanese cuisine while also accommodating the needs of our group with care and thoughtfulness. Every day reflected an extraordinary level of preparation and attention to detail.

Coordinating a large group on a pilgrimage of this scale is no small task, yet everything felt effortless because of the dedication and excellence behind the scenes. We are profoundly grateful for the care, professionalism, and heart that went into creating this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I would recommend this agency and Angel as the best team without hesitation to anyone considering a pilgrimage or group journey in Japan. Their expertise transformed an already meaningful trip into something truly extraordinary.

Heidi did a spectacular job putting this trip together.
Stan and I were impressed with all of the site visit recommendations and the wealth of information that our guides provided for us.
Each of the guides provided their own unique perspective, which was interesting and all of them were very thorough and anticipated our every need.
Henry (Guilin/Longsheng/Yangshuo) was, for the two of us, the easiest to understand and we enjoyed hearing about his personal experience as a guide in China.
Rita (Xi'an) was also easy to understand and gave us good tips for getting through the Terracotta exhibit. She was also a wonderful chaperone for the "Ever Bright City" and the Hanfu experience.
Sophie (Shanghai) did an excellent job with the Shanghai City Tour and the Bund. She was also easy to understand and provided us with a very complete history of the politics of China.
Linda (Beijing) was very competent and eager to please. We did have a bit of trouble understanding her accent.
Mr SK Leung (Hong Kong) was also easy to understand and very competent.

Hotel Reviews

The Peninsula Beijing

Beijing

This hotel is conveniently located and offers excellent dining as well as large and comfortable accommodations. In addition, there are luxury shops and a nice area to work out or swim.

Authenticity & Character

Nice lobby, excellent breakfast buffet, excellent bedroom suites, and excellent all-around staffing.

Location

Close to many important visitor sites.

Staff

Very accommodating and everything was spotless.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable bedding and excellent staff cleaning.

Sofitel Xian On Renmin Square

This hotel is in a good location with nearby restaurants.

Banyan Tree Yangshuo

Guilin

This resort setting is beautiful. There are great restaurants and walking paths. The sunset celebration is also amazing.

Lijiang Pushang Hotel

Great location and the views are spectacular!!!

Amanyangyun

This resort offers a unique setting and overall experience. The restaurants and breakfast buffet are excellent. The suites are spacious and beautifully appointed. The staff is helpful and thoughtful. I highly recommend this experience!

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

The views are outstanding. The hotel is conveniently located and has an attached shopping mall. The hotel restaurants have delicious food and the breakfast buffet is outstanding.

Activity Reviews

Explore Fobidden City and Hutong in Beijing

Beijing

The Forbidden City and Hutong area were great experiences. The overall size of the Forbidden city is mind boggling! The Hutong area is very interesting and colorful. We enjoyed the riskshaw ride! Linda did a great job!

Full day with Great Wall

Beijing

The Great Wall experience is a must! The area is very well organized especially considering the number of visitors who attend. Linda did a great job!

Peking Duck Experience

Beijing

This is a unique dining experience!

Leisurely Exploration of Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Great views and enjoyable boat ride at the Summer Palace. Linda did a wonderful job!

Lama Temple — Biggest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Beijing

Beijing

Very impressive. Linda did a great job!

Longsheng Full-Day Tour

Guilin

Beautiful views on the hillside. We especially enjoyed walking down the hill after riding the tram cart up the hill.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploration: 798 Art District

Beijing

We enjoyed wandering around this area and looking at the art!

Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City with Hanfu Experience

Xi'an

We found this area to be very impressive with new buildings that are built in the old style and lots of beautiful lighting and other features. We enjoyed the Hanfu Experience and found that local people to be enthusiastic about our participation.

Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

Amazing!! I highly recommend this activity. The exhibits are very well done.

Explore the Natural Wonder: Reed Flute Cave

Guilin

Beautiful setting!

Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River

Guilin

The boat ride is very relaxing and provides amazing views of these gorgeous mountains.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoy the performance "Impression Liu Sanjie."

Yangshuo

I would give this performance more than 5 stars. I have never seen such a fantastic performance in such a lovely setting anywhere!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Henry was great!

Transport

Full Day Countryside and Ancient Town Exploration in Yangshuo

Yangshuo

We enjoyed the bike ride as well as the rafting.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Yulong River Rafting Experence

Yangshuo

A fun way to experience the river.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike along the Picturesque Yulong River

China

We did a bike ride which was very fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Henry was great.

Transport

Half Day City Exploration of the Bund

Shanghai

Beautiful setting, especially at sunset!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sophie did a great job.

Transport

Full Day Shanghai City Tour with the Yu Garden , Jade Buddha Temple and Former French Concession

Shanghai

Lots to see in the Yu Garden. The Jade Buddha is impressive and the French Concession is lively and fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sophie is amazing.

Transport

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Old Town

Shanghai

We enjoyed this ancient water town but there were lots of crowds due to the holiday.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hong Kong Island Half-Day Classic Tour

Hong Kong

There is nothing like Hong Kong!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mr SK Leung did a great job.

Transport

kimkim amazing service
Our guides were amazing in both cities we visited with tours.
Transportation was handled excellent.
Communication with our specialist was excellent.
We had an incredible and memorable experience!

Our English speaking guides were very competent and personable They recommended good local restaurants. We loved the onsens and hotels that Ada booked for us. Our hotel in Kyoto had excellent breakfasts featuring local specialties.

Eleanor is an excellent planner. She was knowledgable and helpful in the planning process as well as throughout our trip. I appreciate how clear Eleanor was in her communication with us. She was prompt and consistent in her responses, and always available and able to answer questions/ change bookings etc. Knowing Eleanor was on hand to help in the event of difficulty was reassuring to myself and the other members of our party.

Eleanor also put us in touch with Yoshika, who was a fantastic tour guide for our time in Kyoto.

Many thanks to Eleanor for helping us to make the trip of a lifetime in Japan!

Hotel Reviews

Kyoto Umekoji Kadensho - Private Bath Facility

Wonderful space with traditional tatami mats throughout (no shoes allowed past entrance). The rooms were comfortable, clean and quiet, and the breakfast delicious. The staff was helpful and attentive. Would definitely stay here again when traveling to Kyoto.

Authenticity & Character

Traditional tatami floors, futon beds, shoji doors throughout. The baths were lovely too.

Location

About a 45min-1hour walk from the central shopping area and Gion neighborhood, 20-30 min walk from Kyoto Train Station. It was nice to retreat from the crowds to have a relaxing sleep and leisurely start to each day.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Groove Shinjuku

Tokyo

Nice spot to start and end out trip with. Large, western-style hotel in Shinjuku (busy commercial and transportation hub area). A reliable choice for cleanliness and tasty food.

Authenticity & Character

Fun theme of records and vintage music.

Location

Bang in the middle of a very busy area of Tokyo (Shinjuku). Good if you're happy to be in crowds first thing in the morning with lots of commercial outlets near by.

Staff

Very helpful and attentive staff who managed the chaos of check in and out with ease.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were quiet and clean. Very comfy beds for an excellent sleep.

Activity Reviews

Sightseeing in Kyoto: Arashiyama & Zen Temples

Kyoto

Fun, quirky and beautiful sites to visit. More crowded but helpful to have a guide to help navigate and cut-down the need for constant decision making on our part!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wonderful Day in Uji & Nara

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Spiritual and Tranquil Kyoto with Fushimi Inari (for Laura)

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Quite a touristy experience. Wasn't my favorite of the trip, although not sure if there were other ways of witnessing this special practice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip was wonderful. Planning and booking was easy thanks to Lisa and all her advice was spot on.
We had absolutely no issues throughout the trip - all drivers and guides were excellent - particularly Yestin in Beijing & Betty in Chengdu. Would also like to make a special mention to Chow (Mike) in Zhangjiajie - he went above and beyond to make our visit fun, despite the terrible weather that could not be helped - excellent service and a lovely man!
We loved visiting the Pandas (we love animals!) and Betty was wonderful in navigating us away from the crowds and long line ups. The Zhangjiajie region was spectacular, but we really loved everywhere we visited. Thank you to everyone who made our trip very memorable!

Hotel Reviews

Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Chengdu

Great location and very lovely hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Guilin

Great hotel for Guilin stay - the location is excellent and view from the bistro is amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Li River Resort

Our favourite hotel on our China tour - very relaxing with a lovely river view!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunrise On The Bund

A good location for Shanghai’s Bund!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Beijing Highlights:Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City & Hutongs

Beijing

Excellent way to start our China experience. Our guide Yestin was very good and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

We had a wonderful day visiting the Great Wall. Our guide, Yestin was excellent, especially at helping us avoid the really crowded areas and lone line ups!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

A highlight of our China trip, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is spectacular, we had a wonderful time thanks to Chow, our guide who was a superstar in guiding us through all there was to see!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie

Unfortunately the weather was not ideal for our visit to Zhangjiajie’s Grand Canyon & Tiananmen Mountain - but despite this we had an amazing time anyway! Thanks to Chow, our Guide who helped make the day memorable and fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River

Guilin

The Li Cruise was lovely - a relaxing way to see the spectacular scenery along the beautiful river.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Chengdu: Pandas, Wuhou Shrine,Jinli Ancient Street

Chengdu

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Pandas! Even though the Panda Centre seemed to be crowded, Betty our guide was able to keep us away from long lines and we had plenty of stress free time to just watch the beautiful animals. One of our favourite days in China.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Yulong River Rafting Experence

Yangshuo

The bamboo rafting experience was a little bit of fun and a great way to see the scenery of the river.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Scenic Countryside in Yangshuo by Cycling

China

We opted out of this activity due to the weather!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chongqing City Highlights One-Day Tour

Chongqing

The Chongqing City is pretty cool but this tour was not one of our favourites of China’s city tours. Yudy the guide was nice, but the spots we saw were pretty lame and not really that interesting and we didn’t see everything that was listed (didn’t get taken to Raffles City to do the Sky Bridge or see the Hongya Cave light up at night - only during the day with almost nothing happening). Overall the tour seemed a bit rushed - it would have been better to start in the late afternoon into the evening.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Highlights in Shanghai

Shanghai

We enjoyed our Shanghai City Highlights tour, with the highlight being the Yu Garden.

Quality of Experience

I

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We enjoyed a spectacular visit to Japan which we could not have had without Eleanor at kimkim. Thank you doesn't begin to express our deep gratitude for how well she orchestrated our experience. From arranging hotel reservations, private guides and drivers, and answering my countless questions about various details, all was handled with grace, patience, humor and skill. Our time in Japan went very smoothly and when we requested a change Eleanor seamlessly made adjustments to suit our needs. We felt very well cared for. We couldn't have asked for a more competent agent and advisor. Eleanor was a pleasure to work with and helped our Japan travel dream come true.

This was my first time using KimKim and first trip to Japan.

Shona is truly amazing! I’m truly grateful for all her help! She was very thoughtful in everything she arranged. She helped ensure I got to do everything I wanted to, in the multiple cities I visited, while staying within budget. The activities, tours and guides were fantastic!

Shona was always there during my trip as well, to ensure an authentic and memorable experience! I met so many great people, made so many memories, and took so many great photos.

Thank you, again!