Odynovo Tours Co., Ltd

Our first stop was Seoul and our Driver/Guide was Jun and he was so fun that nothing felt awkward.

Overall, we had very nice trip to Japan although we had terrible start because of delayed arrival.

Let me summarize key points:
- Planning part was quick and effortless. It was good that we specified pretty clearly what we would like to see, so Shona was able to put together attractive plan in just few iterations. Shona was always promptly responding to our questions and suggestions in preparation phase, and she was also actively “taking care” of us during our trip in Japan.

- We were satisfied with our accommodations. It was quite smart that hotels in Kyoto and Osaka were just walking distance from railway stations; this proved convenient also when we were exploring towns on our own.

- All the commuting went smoothly. We were slightly worried about traveling with Shinkansen trains, but it was perfect.

- All our activities were executed professionally and correctly timewise. In general, we hoped that knowledge of English language would be even better, but we have been in Japan before and we know that this is a general problem. Let me repeat that all the guiding was done well, but as we are also not native English speakers, we sometimes had minor problems communicating.

At the end let me add one “friendly warning” to both Kimkim and Odynovo:
- Nowadays most of travelers know very well how to use ChatGPT, booking.com, Viator…, so it is a fair question what are the “added value reasons” for traveling with Kimkim/Odynovo. It is definitely not price or paying terms; in many cases free cancelation till last day is now part of standard conditions if you book directly. From our perspective main reasons are therefore security (to have somebody local to call in case of a need) and flexibility in case that you must or would like to change something.
o In our trip to Japan security part was perfect: Shona was always available and we had WhatApp numbers of all involved persons.
o Regarding flexibility it could be better: unfortunately, we had one serious problem at the beginning and one minor problem with cancelation of one activity. In both cases Shona was trying hard, but because even Odynovo is mostly just a “middleman”, the results were not optimal.
- I hope my friendly warning is clear: we (travellers) are more and more demanding, so you as organizers might need to be involved more than just as middlemans.

Best regards

Zvonko

Our family trip was a wonderful experience, and booking was incredibly easy with the help of our specialist, Winnie! We especially loved the Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour, the Gyeongbokgung Palace tour, and our excursion to Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park.

Huge shoutout to our guide, Mr. Sebastian Eom, who accompanied us for the final four days of our trip. I really cannot recommend him enough for any travelers to Seoul looking for an English-language tour!

Eleanor helped plan the trip so perfectly. We began at Mizumari, a Ryokan on the Izu Peninsula for 4 glorious, restful days. The food was amazing. We took walks to waterfalls and went to the beach. From there we traveled to Kyoto. The train station at Kyoto was incredibly confusing and we struggled to find the hotel which was right there. Finally, a cook at the hotel showed us where it was. Otherwise, the app that was provided gave us all the information we needed to find temples, museums, Saihoji and wander the city. One rainy day we went to the Kyocera museum and were awed by the work of Ida Shoichi. We were in Kyoto for a conference with Japanese Psychoanalysts and Eleanor found us a hotel right around the corner from the conference. The conference was a highlight of the trip. Getting to meet people who live and work in Japan--not just hit the tourist spots. Wandering around the area where the conference was, gave us an additional feel for the city. We found the wood block prints of Hokusai--the 36 views of Mount Fuji, a fabulous food market and incredibly friendly, open people to chat with. Our final meal was with in a teeny restaurant with a couple who made us noodle soup. We fell in love with Kyoto.

We had an incredible well planned trip through South Korea and Japan. Jay was an excellent tour guide in Busan, she knew so much about Korean history and the out of the way places in and around Busan. Irene was an excellent guide in Jeju, she also had deep knowledge of the island and its history. She was also flexible with us in our itinerary when we got tired late in the day. Overall it was an excellent trip!

It was great to work with Shona on planning this trip. I was really glad for her help as I didn't have the knowledge to put together this trip myself, since I was trying to get "off the beaten track" for my trip. Everything went very well on my trip and I had the peace of mind that everything was prepared for me.

Hotel Review

Kirishima Momijidani Seiryuso

I highly recommend this ryokan. First, the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful! I can't say enough about how wonderful everyone was across the board. Second, I loved how remote feeling this location was. It was right outside of a small town, but the whole hotel is surrounded by forest making it feel like you are really out in nature. Third, I loved the variety of hot springs. There were two indoor options plus an outdoor onsen that was magical to visit at night. It sits right next to the rushing river. Guests can reserve time in both the private indoor and private outdoor onsen each day. Finally, the meals are exceptionally well prepared. I was especially appreciative of the chef's work to create unique meals for each of my dinners that suit me as a vegetarian.

Authenticity & Character

The private outdoor onsen next to a roaring river was an enjoyable way to relax and connect with nature.

Location

I love how the hotel feels isolated, away from everything.

Staff

All of the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Several of the staff speak English.

Cleanliness & Comfort

My room was very clean, comfortable, and spacious. I had a second floor room with a nice balcony looking out into the forest.

Activity Review

Day Trip Ebino Kogen Plateau & Kirishima Shrine

Kagoshima

Both Kirishima Shrine and Ebino Kogen Plateau were unique locations that I'd encourage anyone in the area to experience. Walking around the Shrine was peaceful and relaxing. Ebino Plateau was a great way to experience a different landscape and connect with the volcanic natural history of the region. I highly recommend visiting the Ebino Eco-Museum Center, especially after a hike as it is a nice way to relax and learn about the region.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great experience with kimkim! They put together a fantastic itinerary based on our desired experience and everything was well structured. Our local specialist, Cannon, was terrific and very helpful and responsive. And the local tour guides provide by kimkim were AMAZING! We loved all of them! We'd definitely recommend using kimkim!