Odynovo Tours Co., Ltd

For the most part, our family enjoyed the trip prepared by Ada Huang and the Kim Kim team. We had three families totaling eleven people that created a logistic challenge. Getting the group from Tokyo to Hakone to Kyoto back to Tokyo and to Sapporo was achieved with great efficiency and all transportation was on time, professional and high quality equipment. We did have a few issues during the trip that should be addressed for future consideration. 1) Accommodations for the most part were high quality. We especially enjoyed the Asakusa View Hotel when we arrived. They met our request for adjoining rooms and their breakfasts were the best of all our western style accommodations. In Hakone we had an enjoyable one night stay at the Hotel Kajikaso ryokan. Unfortunately our requests for adjoining rooms for our families with children was problematic at the Hilton Kyoto Garden Inn. Not only were their offerings not adjoining but not even on the same floors when we arrived. We understand that there was no guarantee for our requests but the hotel staff indicated no notes were in the reservation making such request. Fortunately we were able to get each family situated on the same floor for our stay in Kyoto. Also important to note here that at the Hilton Kyoto Garden Inn you cannot get to any other floors besides the lobby and the one your personal room is on so there was no way to visit our families other rooms without swapping keys. My daughter called ahead to the Gate Hotel Tokyo to make sure our request was indicated before we arrived back in Tokyo and the Gate Hotel met our requests nicely. Follow-up and follow through for hotel requests are the most important component to travelers and should be the highest priority for a travel specialist to concentrate on. Our stay in Sapporo was fine at the Cross Hotel Sapporo.
2) We were counting on the expertise of Ada to provide information regarding the itinerary that she produced. It was a first trip for our family to Disney Sea and some information on procedures at the park would have been very helpful. Instead of simply providing transportation and tickets for the day, it would have been nice to have some information regarding park passes, website, etc. so standing in lines could have been reduced. When we toured Kyoto, it would have been important to know that it was a holiday for the Emperor’s birthday and the Kyoto Imperial Palace would be closed so we could have opted for another day to tour. We had multiple days in Kyoto and could have adjusted our schedule accordingly. My wife had specifically asked to see 2 locations and both of those locations were closed for the holiday.
3) We had five group oriented tours during our stay. Kumiko Aizawa toured us through Tokyo & Hakone. She was a wonderful & knowledgeable guide. Taku Tanimoto guided us through Osaka and was also a great resource of useful information. Sumie Shibata led us through our tour of Kyoto very professionally however my wife was not very happy that the 2 places she requested to see was not on the itinerary nor was she informed prior to the tour we were not going to be able to go to those places. Alternative locations were chosen to add to the itinerary but the focus of our family tour, which is more food oriented, was lost at the new venues. We passed a couple of key street food spots and only found out we had passed them once we were already onto the next location. Finally, Yumiko Kashiwagi guided us through Sapporo for our final tour. All four guides were high quality individuals providing great background history during our tours. We knew putting together a memorable journey for three families with eleven people to Japan would certainly be a challenge. Everyone was pleasantly surprised how smooth transport was throughout the trip. Accommodations were more than adequate. Our itinerary was a nice mix of guided tours and free days to relax or shop. Thank you for all your efforts in putting this journey together and please consider our comments as you continue to provide your services in the future.

From a year out and the initial planning to daily check in and quick replies…Shona was beyond amazing… we knew there would be hiccups, but really there weren’t

Yuki was our guide to Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi and Kirin whisky tasting, we had the best time, he was so knowledgeable and so friendly!

Tomoko guided us through the world of Samurai and Geisha in Kanazawa. From the beautiful Kenrokuen gardens to the dangerously fascinating Ninja Temple, she explained as we explored such an amazing city.

Yoshiko navigated us through Kyoto and Nara seeing the historical shrines and temples. Our favorites were the 10,000 Torii gates, the world’s largest bronze Buddha and of course the respectful and adorable bowing deer in Nara Park.

Jimmy took us for a foodie tour in Osaka Dononbori famous tastes we will never forget and drool remembering.

Our hotels, tours, and transportation optionswere spot on what we wanted, close to all our favorites and comfortable.. My favorite, in Kanazawa, the hotel Onyado Nono with natural hot springs that rejuvenated the soul and late night ramen to warm the body..

Whether it’s your next vacation or your trip of a lifetime, let the guides and experts at KimKim be who get you there, you won’t regret it!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba

Osaka

Well, this hotel did not provide a public bath Its bathroom within the guest room was a miniature version of a public set up with the bench bucket and shower area. A nice spot with great food and a comfortable room made our stay great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Socks ended up soiled walking on the carpet within the guest room

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji

Kyoto

Centrally location to shopping and cultural sites, this hotel even had its own shrine right next door. The best and accommodating staff, clean rooms and great food options at breakfast and dinner!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Onyado Nono Kanazawa Natural Hot Spring

Kanazawa

Such an amazing hotel, from the time you enter and leave your shoes in the front lockers to the invigorating hot springs in the crisp air, this hotel was a favorite on our trip. Dormy does such a great job providing little extras for their guests.. yakult drinks in the morning, popsicles and ramen late at night.. a breakfast buffet that has so many fresh and hot options. This was a super spot and convenient to transportation throughout the town!

Authenticity & Character

The best of our stays in Japan

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Keihan Tsukiji Ginza Grande

Tokyo

This hotel is close to Subway entrance only a couple stops away for most of the places in Tokyo we wanted to visit . it was clean and the staff was so friendly. they had one of the best breakfasts on our trip. We were both well fed and well rested. I loved that they had laundry services that we were able to use!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to many subways and locale

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Osaka-Nara Day Trip

Osaka

Our trip to Nara with our guide was a surreal experience. She truly felt like part of the family by the end of it. Her kindness, consideration, and deep appreciation for the culture made the trip memorable. The rich culture and history of the area were beautifully presented.

Kanazawa Highlights: Gardens, Castles & Samurai Secrets

Kanazawa

The Kanazawa Highlights tour of the Kenroken Gardens, castles, and samurai secrets was truly amazing. Our guide Tomoko added a personal touch with her deep knowledge and long experience, making the tour feel more intimate and engaging. The cultural and historical aspects were humbling and enlightening. Overall, it was a remarkable experience.

Less than stellar. The unfortunate thing was slow communication with the Travel Provider. There were often delays during the planning. Most critically, there were major delays DURING the trip which caused us to have to scramble and make alternative arrangements on our own. Ultimately the service provider/agent did make things right, issuing refunds and becoming more responsive. But it left a bad taste in our mouth re: Kimkim.
I will say the KimKim platform is cumbersome. Having to login to mobile web browser to chat, instead of a dedicated app with chat capabilities, is not ideal.

This is my third trip to Japan but my second time utilizing Kimkim. Wanted to try them again to see if there are improvements if I were to go Kyushu. So I booked a trip with them to head to Kyushu, Chugoku and then Osaka.

So my journey was Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Hiroshima and then Osaka.
Lets start with the positives.

The journey itinerary was mostly planned well, activities had somewhat sufficient time for most locations. Shona had made a sturdy plan in theory. And had hired a good team of guides to show me around.

My favorite would be the boat ride in Takachiho Gorge followed by the Food tour in Hiroshima. That was amazing.

Now on small things to work on. This is alot better than when I used them for the first time.
Firstly, for locations that require longer travel distance by public transport, do either make sure the guide is hired for sufficient time, sometimes, 8 hours in insufficient to cover 4 locations.

For me specifically, Miyazaki, it is a location far and also public transport has an interval of 1 hour and 30 mins. There was a rush between Aoshima Shrine and Udo Shrine. And also the guide could only cover 2 out of 4 locations. I personally could not cover Haniwa Garden within the time limit before it closed.
Do try to check in during the planning stage on potential transport requirements due to this

Lastly for Kumamoto, I was not able to go to Mt Aso, but its understandable due to the weather and the recent tragic accident on the crater. But even if we had tried to go, the time is quite tight and within the day period, we could cover only 3/4 theoretically speaking.

Overall to help with feedback, my advice is to understand the distance between locations and reserve the guide and drivers for the right amount of time. This is of course best done in the planning stage given the months to do so

But overall, it was an amazing trip, Shona did try to be as helpful as possible to alleviate the trip needs which I do feel is commendable. Thank you for the improvement from my previous engagement with you.

Looking forward to utilizing them again should the need arise.

Hotel Reviews

Citadines Namba Osaka

Osaka

This is my most favourite hotel in Namba. If you are staying in Namba, this is a good place to stay especially for anime fans

Authenticity & Character

You really feel like you are in your own apartment rather than a hotel. Thats my feeling on its character

Location

it is just a few minutes walk away from Namba station and the closest to DenDen Town.

Staff

super helpful staff. Or maybe my minimum japanese did help make conversations more fun haha

Cleanliness & Comfort

No doubt, its like you have a clean house

The Royal Park Hotel Hiroshima Riverside

The name is quite royal but the place is alright. The rooms are quite small. Luggage wise you will need to have a think fo where to set up. It is abit of walking distance from Hiroshima Station but with that, reasonably price. TV options are its weakpoint when you are chilling. Not much channels and also the VOD card is more for... special viewings...

Authenticity & Character

it has that hotel look in the USA.

Location

alittle bit of walk to Hiroshima station but you walk past a very nice river.

Staff

Very polite and friendly helpful staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

it is clean thought abit squeezy potentially

THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO

Very very easy to access as its just infront of Kumamoto station. The rooms are super nice similar to Solaria Nishitetsu series. They have a public bath for guests to use. but with that being said, your room doesnt have a bathtub for you to soak privately

Authenticity & Character

Maintains its high profile look

Location

Just beside Kumamoto Station. Easy to access Train, buses and Trams

Staff

Polite and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Its very comfortable

JR Kyushu Hotel Miyazaki

The hotel is easily accessible from the Train station and located at the main bus terminal, ease of access around the City. You can also walk about maximum 20 minutes to core food and nightlife areas

Authenticity & Character

Good for quick, easy movment. Nothing too fancy

Location

its in the heart of the transport system. Eae of access around the city

Staff

Helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

abit more smaller than nishitetsu. Definitely made to just stay for sleep without anything too fancy

Solaria Nishitetsu hotel Kagoshima

Again Solaria Nishitetsu, you cant go wrong with this choice

Authenticity & Character

It incorporates the Yatai village for people who want a quick Yatai feel and has that professional feel

Location

Near the train and bus services. Ease of access around the city and alittle outside

Staff

Helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

It is comfortable for solo travellers. Maybe huge travellers might find it uncomfortable to walk through room with a corridor. It is comfy for asians like me

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka

Fukuoka

The Solaria Nishitetsu is a hotel chain that you cant go wrong with. Accessibility is good to public transportation. Rooms are super clean and have sufficient space for solo travellers

Authenticity & Character

Its standardized service and professional style

Location

Near subways and trains. Ease of access

Staff

Helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Its clean and has the needed amenities. Enough said

Activity Reviews

Miyajima Half-day Trip Historical Walking Tour

Hiroshima

Hiro was a great guide and has excellent english to guide

Quality of Experience

Miyajima is a great sight with very cute deers

Food

momiji manju is yum. It goes well with Georgia Sarutahiko coffee

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hiro is excellent at guiding

Transport

easy enough to take the ferry

Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour

Hiroshima

this is a definite must for first timers. To try all types of food. And with the friendly company of Kensuke. Its great

Quality of Experience

The food was great. amazing variety

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kensuke was friendly and engaging.

Transport

Easy enough to chill and walk around

Shrine and Takachiho Gorge 1 Day Highlights Tour From Kumamoto

Kumamoto

Takachiho Gorge and Amanoyasugawara are great sights to go to. Couldn't go to Mt Aso but its weather and road conditions and also accident so it cant be helped

Quality of Experience

Takachiho and Amanoyasugawara made it worth

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Zeal was an understanding and good planner

Transport

Ride was comfy to get from point to point

A Journey Through Myth and Nature

Miyazaki

Miyazaki was almost perfect. What was lacking is the realization that public transport intervals are horrendous. But Aoshima and Udo Shrine are definitely breathtaking places

Quality of Experience

Everything was great except for transport. Made me rush at Aoshima

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Elvis was great at managing as best given the situation

Transport

The buses are bad. Intervals horrendous. Would have liked transport

Full day to Kagoshima with Sakurajima

Kagoshima

Sakurajima and Sengan-en and ending with the sunset at Shiroyama. Amazing planning by Eve

Quality of Experience

Sengan-en and Sakurajima is a must to go and see

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Eve is superb at planning. Everything fell into place

Transport

ease of transport as long as you plan

Full Day Nagasaki Peace Park and Glover Garden Tour

Fukuoka

A great day trip here. Loving the peace and zen fo the park and some understanding on the history of the bobing

Quality of Experience

Nagasaki is a good experience outside of the bustle

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jyo plans the route well

Transport

ease of access around the area. just need to take the right train to Nagasaki

Full Day Fukuoka Castle Ruins ,Hakata Folk Museum,and Canal City Tour

Fukuoka

Had Jyo for my guide. she is a vert smart guide and knowledgeable. And she had good planning for the flow of the itinerary

Quality of Experience

The vibes of the place

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jyo is a good planner

Transport

easy access to the locations