.Sandy was perfect for us
Japan
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Oct 24 - Nov 12, 2023
All credit goes to Sandy. She provided just the right amount of assistance - very responsive when asked but not overbearing. I have referred a friend who is using KimKim to visit Italy and Sandy should get the credit. I’m also trying to reach her - so far unsuccessfully - for a friend planning to visit Japan.
As to the trip, we were pleased with the planning and Sandy always provided us with the information we would need the next day. Our guides and drivers were generally good and our train tickets and train instructions were always helpful. We especially liked our guides in Hiroshima, to Nara and to Nikko. Our driver to Koyasan drove too fast. We loved the leader on our bike tour out of Takayama but were disappointed at how little time we actually spent biking. Our tour to Mt Fuji was perhaps our biggest disappointing especially the stop by a lake where we waiting for an hour to go up a cable car with an unimpressive view. Our second stop where we could visit a pagoda with a great view of Fuji was terrific. Wish we had not had that first stop as it was a waste of time we would have preferred to spend in Hakone. And our best view of Fuji was actually from the train between Hakone and Takayama. Kanazawa was also disappointing. Fortunately one of our guides told us about the light show at the castle which we went to and loved. We really needed a guide in Kyoto and wish Sandy had pushed that a bit. We ended up hiring someone from Viator - the pickings were slim - and regretted it because the guide was so bad.
All in all we were pleased. We tend to like our independence even though things often turn out badly - we are the masters of Plan B and even Plans C and D. We avoid travel agents and mostly do our own planning. But I would definitely use Kim Kim again if we were guided by someone as helpful as Sandy.
Activity Reviews
Wonderful place. We wished we had stayed two nights rather than one, or perhaps it would have worked if we had arrived early in the day or stayed later the second day. But we arrived late in the day and left early the next - not good planning.
Nice trip but likely not worth a whole day. I would not recommend.
One of the most fun things we did.
Too much time on cable car with hour wait and mediocre view.
This was a fun little town but certainly not a highlight.
This was made special due to our excellent guide.
Loved our guide! She made this a great experience. However we were disappointed at how little time we spent on the bikes.
We loved Nara and we had an excellent driver.
We loved the little town and the Buddhist temple stay. It was definitely worth the long drive (tho as mentioned previously, we thought our driver drive carelessly)
I'm truly grateful for your detailed and thoughtful feedback about your recent trip to Japan. It's wonderful to hear about your overall positive experience, and I appreciate your acknowledgment of my outstanding assistance. I'm thrilled that I could contribute to making your journey memorable. Your referral to a friend planning to visit Italy is much appreciated, and we will certainly receive the credit she deserves. Your insights into the various aspects of your trip are... Read more