Our local specialist, guides, and drivers were awesome!
Japan | Jul 19 - Aug 1, 2025

Josh
Josh M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2025

Working with KimKim, and our local specialist, Shona, was simple and efficient.
Shona worked hard for us. She went above and beyond with helping us before and also during our trip.
We are very grateful for Shona's service, expertise, timeliness, and dedication to ensuring we had a great trip.
Shona had so many great ideas for our family to do each day in different areas around Japan.

All of our daily guides and drivers were also excellent, helpful, and patient. Our group was not always easy for them, but they did a wonderful job despite some challenges that occurred during our daily activities and tours.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make our trip a great success!

Hotel Reviews
Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku
Tokyo

The location was perfect! The staff was extremely kind and helpful. Everything was very clean. The breakfast buffet was amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ryokan Aura Tachibana
Hakone
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

This was probably my favorite hotel I've ever stayed at. The design and decor was phenomenal. Everything was very clean. The breakfast buffet was amazing! The location was perfect.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Candeo Hotels Osaka Shinsaibashi
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bathroom sink area was rather small it was very dimly lit.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Yokohama Tour with Cup Noodles Museum
Full Day Yokohama Tour with Cup Noodles Museum
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Osaka Castle and Shinsaibashi Tour
Full Day Osaka Castle and Shinsaibashi Tour
Osaka

We loved learning about the history of the Osaka castle.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day  Meiji Shrine,the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace Akihabara,and Harajuku Tour
Full Day Meiji Shrine,the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace Akihabara,and Harajuku Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Tokyo

The boat ride to see mount Fuji was disappointing because the mountain was behind clouds. This is not the fault of our guide. We also got caught in a thunderstorm downpour that day, which added some spice to our day. We were not able to complete the full experience our guide had planned for us because of the rain.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka
Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
From Hakone to Kyoto
Japan

We had good experiences riding the bullet trains.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

We loved learning about the traditional tea ceremony and dressing up in the traditional clothing and taking photos together.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fushimi Inari Taisha and  Kinkakuji Temple
Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji Temple
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
Japan

Miyajima island and the shrines on the water were so beautiful! Our guide had some extra challenges with our group that day, and she did an amazing job with dealing with the circumstances to ensure we could finish seeing all the things and the museum in Hiroshima.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 06, 2025

Hi Josh,
Thank you for such thoughtful and thorough Review on every aspect of this trip. I read every word carefully and took detailed notes—it will truly help me improve my work. I’m sincerely grateful to your entire family for your patience and trust; there’s so much I still need to refine, yet you’ve given me such generous praise. You’ve just joined my “angel-client” list! I wish you all a future filled with smooth days, happiness, and good health, and really hope see you next trip!
Best
Shona