In January 2026 we traveled to Japan- three a...

Japan | Jan 20 - Jan 30, 2026

In January 2026 we traveled to Japan- three areas including Tokyo, Kyoto and last, Niseco for skiing! This was our 3rd trip working with kimkim and similar to past vacation explorations, it was a wonderful experience all around! Sandy was our local contact in Japan and she worked enthusiastically and diligently to tailor our trip to our specific needs, also nudging us kindly to consider things we wouldn't normally have chosen like "Sumo Experience" in Tokyo - which we truly enjoyed! Charlie was our Japanese American guide (friendly, knowledgeable and fun!) for the Sumo tour and we fully learned much from him and the kindly retired but still practicing Sumo wrestlers living at the Sumo Stable. Even had a taste of sparing for fun! Sandy connected us with our Tokyo tour guide Ayumi (friendly, knowledgable, gracefully passionate about her country) who proved to give us an outstanding tour of Tokyo sights (like Tokyo skyscrapers, rare fog free view of Mt Fuji from Tokyo, Imperial Palace Gardens and beautiful history lesson about Japan and the Imperial family, natural and tranquil Shinto shrines and introduced us to the most delicious, bountiful and steaming hot Ramen on one of our chilly days. We traveled on a high speed train from Tokyo to Kyoto that was so swift yet very quiet. In Kyoto, the cultural capital, our tour guide was Taku and he really gave us a thorough and enjoyable tour. It was very clear he had great passion and humble pride about his country. We really enjoyed our time learning from and exploring with him! Taku brought us to our traditional Ryokan accommodation with Onsen/hot spring baths. The proprietors could not have been more welcoming and accommodating. Had a second enjoyable day with Taku where we ventured through a Bamboo forest, snow monkey park, Nijo Castle, food market, learned about the beautiful and refined Geisha and more junior Meiko traditional Japanese entertainers who attend training in the Gion district of Kyoto. Headed north by plane to Niseko ski country and spent several days skiing the remarkably light and fluffy snow. Our kimkim designed Japan experience was THE BEST!!