Odynovo Tours Co., Ltd

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!

When I think about this trip, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible level of planning required for a 12-day trip in China for my wife and I. Planning our trip through KimKim was an incredibly smooth and stress-free experience. The initial setup was simple, and we were quickly connected with our local China specialist, Heidi, who was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was responsive, accommodating, and consistently offered thoughtful solutions that made our itinerary even better. Heidi made me feel like I was her only client, while also going above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for my wife and I. I was unfamiliar with how accessibility works in China, but Heidi handled every single detail flawlessly. From coordinating transportation between hotels in different cities, to selecting ideal locations to visit, arranging private tours, and ensuring smooth drop-off/pickup at airports and train stations -- nothing was overlooked. We literally felt like royalty the second we got off that plane as Heidi thought of everything. One of the standout aspects of the trip was the thoughtfully designed itinerary. Each day included planned activities, but there was also flexibility built in for leisure time.

What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destination, but was how personal and thoughtfully curated every moment felt. Traveling in a new country can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with KimKim everything was handled so professionally that we could simply relax and enjoy the experience. That level of organization made traveling around the country very easy.

At every step we felt safe, comfortable, and well looked after by the excellent bi-lingual tour guides. The tour guides made this journey extraordinary, especially Emma (Beijing), Kathy (Xi’an), Ethan (Zhangjiajie), and Autumn (Shanghai). Thanks to them, we enjoyed our China adventure and now have very fond memories that will last a lifetime. The tour guides would come and get us from our hotels and bring us back to our hotels. They would check in with us daily to make sure we knew where we were going and had any questions. They were all knowledgeable, warm, and clearly excited to share her culture and stories with us as well as learning about our culture (especially learning about our county’s slang). Their enthusiasm made the experience feel much more personal and engaging. Their warmth and good humor even outshined their obvious depth of knowledge and skill of communication. Every guide made us feel like we traveling with a family member. They selected fantastic restaurants throughout each city where we could enjoy authentic local food without worrying about our dietary needs. Every recommendation was spot-on. They were so much fun to spend time with!

And I would be remiss not to mention the hotels KimKim selected, which elevated the trip even further. Everywhere we stayed, we felt less like guests at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed into someone’s home. Also, all of our drivers were excellent as well—professional, safe, and reliable.

As this was our 2nd trip with KimKim, all the arrangements made by them have always been 100 reliable, including accommodation, transportation and activities. Overall, this trip exceeded every expectation. The itinerary was the perfect blend of city action, historical insight, and natural wonder. Overall, KimKim, especially Heidi, made our China trip feel personalized, well-supported, and wonderfully memorable. Highly recommended them for anyone seeking a well-organized, locally informed travel experience.

Activity Reviews

Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Peking Duck Experience

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Picturesque Summer Palace

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Tang Dynasty Show (1hour)

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chinese dumpling dinner

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Xi'an City: Ancient City Wall and Drum Tower

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town with Boat Ride

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Day Trip to Suzhou and Tongli Water Town City Tour

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Tour with Golden Whip Creek&Ten Mile Gallery & Baofeng Lake

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zhangjiajie Park Tour - Grand Canyon with glass bridge

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day City Tour with the Yu Garden

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our family had a dream trip expertly curated by Cannon from kimkim. It was my first time using this service and it delighted and exceeded expectations at every turn. Going to Japan for the first time seemed intimidating to plan and Cannon was with us every step of the way making sure we were prepared and enjoying every minute. Our guides and activities were all fantastic. Jason was particularly wonderful. He was knowledgeable, fun and easy to spend an action packed day with and attentive to our pace and preferences. Each driver and guide made contact the evening before and was right where they said they'd be each excursion. The app was easy to use and having it and Cannon in our "pocket" was a great comfort as we navigated each new place. We had an incredible time exploring a wonderful country and created memories we will treasure always. The experiences hit all the right notes and left us excited to plan our next trip! Thank you KimKim for making travel adventures so easy, accessible and absolutely enjoyable!

Hotel Reviews

Hakone Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kyoto Umekoji Kadensho - Private Bath Facility

Authenticity & Character

Location

Proximity to train

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tokyo Dome Hotel

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shinagawa Prince Hotel

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Chase Cherry Blossom with Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide

Transport

From Hakone to Kyoto

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sushi & Home Cooking Class from Market to Table near Asakusa

Tokyo

Super fun and our teacher was wonderful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo: Sumo Show Experience with Drinks and Photo

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ninja Experience in Kyoto (Family & Kid Friendly)

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto’s Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera & Gion District

Japan

Jason was very knowledgeable and was very attentive to our preferences and pace. It was a lot to see in a day but it was so much fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour

Japan

Great guides! Josh was so fun and knowledgeable and made sure we tried lots of new things at the market and walked away with new knowledge and full stomachs.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Nara: Temples, Deer, and Historic Streets

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver was the best! So sweet and friendly.

Transport

Our driver!

Full-Day Hakone Adventure: Mt. Fuji Views & Lake Ashi Cruise

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exceptional guides, especially Kyoto.
Drivers were fine but limited English so not much conversation there.

Hotel Reviews

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Great location and ample breakfast variety

Authenticity & Character

Location

So close to walk to subways, restaurants and temple

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hakone Hotel Kajikaso

Hakone

Very different experience with foot bath, dinner and breakfast in the room and sleeping on floor mats

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto ekimae PREMIER

Kyoto

Great location with direct access to shops, restaurants and subway

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo: Enter the Sanctuary

Tokyo

Very nice experience at a Sumo Stable! Wrestlers were engaging, entertaining and funny!

Quality of Experience

Authentic wrestlers who were very sharing of their life

Food

Eat like a Sumo! Delicious soup!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

Guide was great but the food not so much for me!

Quality of Experience

Food

I'm sure it was very good...if you liked sushi 🍣!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked to location

Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour

Tokyo

Very good tour, knowledgeable guide and good pace.

Quality of Experience

Food

Waygu beef was excellint; sushi not so much ...

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Found our way to meeting point

Drive to Hakone with Mt. Fuji Tour

Japan

Driver was good..little English but we managed

Quality of Experience

Driver was open to time we requested or needed at each location

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park

Japan

Wonderful boat cruise and views of Mt Fuji

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Little English but very accomodating

Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Felt rushed through the museum

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Museum guide a bit hard to understand

Transport

Clean vehicle and enjoyable ride

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

Japan

Excellent and knowledgeable guide. Interesting history

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explanations from the guide

Transport

Guide met us at our hotel..very convenient, then walked

Our trip to South Korea with Kimkim was truly the trip of a lifetime—honestly, it exceeded even our highest expectations. We were already passionate about South Korea, its culture, history, food, and of course BTS, so we came with a long “must-see” list. We shared those dreams with Kimkim, and somehow they turned every one of them into reality—and then added so much more.

From the very beginning in Seoul, Kimkim hit the nail on the head. As BTS fans, visiting places significant to their journey to stardom was incredibly meaningful, and Kimkim thoughtfully wove those experiences into our itinerary. But beyond that, they immersed us in Korean culture in the most unforgettable ways. Wearing traditional hanboks while exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace felt like stepping into history. Walking through Bukchon Hanok Village was magical, and visiting N Seoul Tower gave us breathtaking views of Seoul we will never forget.

And then there was Wookie—our guide in Seoul, Andong, and Busan—who was simply exceptional. Wookie was not just a guide; he felt like a friend we were lucky enough to travel with. He listened when we told him one of our biggest wishes was simple: “Take us where you like to eat.” And wow, did he deliver. Our food experiences were beyond anything we imagined—from Korean fried chicken, Andong’s famous jjimdak, and incredible seaweed soup in Busan, to even stopping at a roadside rest area where we had one of the most memorable lunches and tasted warm hodugwaja donuts (still dreaming about those!). Through food alone, Wookie gave us a deeper connection to Korea.

Our journey to Andong was full of surprises and authentic moments. Wandering through the traditional market, interacting with the kind and welcoming shopkeepers, and experiencing the cultural village with its mask performance during cherry blossom season felt like walking through another era. It was one of those places that leaves a permanent mark on your heart.

Then came Busan, and once again Wookie made us feel less like tourists and more like locals. Riding the Busan Sky Capsule was unforgettable and something we highly recommend. From exploring the BIFF district and fish markets to wandering through one of the world’s largest department stores, every day felt alive with discovery.

Just when we thought the trip couldn’t get any better, we arrived in Jeju Island and met Clover—another extraordinary guide who gave us an entirely different, but equally incredible, side of Korea. Clover was warm, knowledgeable, adventurous, and so much fun to spend time with. She made Jeju feel magical.

With Clover, we visited a BTS-themed café, explored the fascinating Jeju Haenyeo Museum, and climbed Seongsan Ilchulbong where we were lucky enough to witness the legendary women divers in action—absolutely breathtaking. She introduced us to foods we never would have discovered on our own, including eun-galchi (silver hairtail fish), which I still crave, and the black pork BBQ experience… honestly, we nearly cried over how delicious it was.

Another unforgettable day was visiting Jeongbang Falls with Clover. For adventurous travelers, this is a must. Sitting by the water eating fresh-caught abalone and conch was one of those spontaneous travel moments you remember forever. We also marveled at the dramatic beauty of Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff and its stunning hexagonal rock formations.

And I would be remiss not to mention the hotels Kimkim selected, which elevated the trip even further. The Westin Josun Seoul, Signiel Busan, and Grand Hyatt Jeju all had the most welcoming, gracious staff. Everywhere we stayed, we felt less like guests at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed into someone’s home.

What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destinations—it was how personal and thoughtfully curated every moment felt. Kimkim didn’t just plan a vacation; they created an experience full of heart, culture, adventure, and memories we will treasure forever.

And Wookie and Clover… they made this journey extraordinary. Their warmth, humor, knowledge, and genuine care transformed this from a tour into something deeply personal and unforgettable.

We can say without hesitation: Kimkim gave us the trip of a lifetime. South Korea stole our hearts all over again, and thanks to Kimkim, we are already dreaming of coming back. If there is ever a reason to return for another adventure (and we hope there is!), we would book with Kimkim again in a heartbeat.

Thank you for memories we will carry forever.

Our Spring Japan trip was organized by Sandy, and it was amazing! I've always heard that Japan is a country worth visiting and it's true! What a place :) Sandy answered many questions from our group before we traveled and during our visit. Our guides made sure that our excursions ran smoothly. Yuki went above and beyond in explaining history and special features of the sites we visited. His love for Japan made our trip very enjoyable. The trip exceeded expectations.

Hotel Reviews

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Royal Park Canvas Osaka Kitahama

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Asakusa Sumo Club: Sumo Show Admission with Chankonabe in Tokyo

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Learn the Secrets Behind Sushi in a Cooking Class

Osaka

The teaching chefs were incredible.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chase Cherry Blossom with Meiji Jingu in Tokyo

Tokyo

Beautiful Gardens!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour with Onsen experience

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Everyone worked hard to see that we enjoyed the tea ceremony.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Had trouble finding the location. The Staff at the location was Amazing.

Transport

Full Day Miyama Village Tour From Kyoto

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thank you Ada, and all those involved in organizing an unforgettable cherry blossom trip to Japan.

Hotel Reviews

Karuizawa Hotel Longing House

Karuizawa

This was our least favorite town we visited, and our least favorite hotel. It is far from the hiking trail and the activity in the city. It had the least authentic Japanese vibe of everywhere we visited. The huge old dirty teddy bears sitting out in the rain were not a welcome greeting. The outstanding customer service we received throughout Japan was lacking in this town and this hotel. The room was fine. The breakfast was good. I would not recommend visiting this town or this hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Throw away old disgusting giant teddy bears that contaminate both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Location

There could be a free shuttle from the train station.

Staff

No one at desk, have to ring a bell and wait.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel

Hiroshima

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Taoya Kisoji

Tsumago

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Morino Hotel

Kiso

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo Schole

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Half-day Tokyo Highlights: Meiji Jingu & Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo

Naomi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport