Amazing service and experience
Japan | Jun 12 - Jun 22, 2025

Mike
Mike O.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

I’m now back in the UK following an amazing month with my high school best buddy Phil, who I’ve known 54 years (!) which took in various parts of the USA and an amazing 11 days in Japan, curated brilliantly for us by Olivia-san at Kimkim.

I’ve travelled much of the world, but can safely say Japan is ranking in my top 3 experiences and it is in no small part to the assistance Olivia gave us in plotting the itinerary and then in being incredibly available, responsive and ever efficient in helping us make some minor adjustments as we went along.

Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa and Osaka have given us some incredible experiences and memories plus a thousand photos.

The Japanese people we encountered on our travels were unfailingly polite, helpful and kind, and were happy to let us use our rudimentary Japanese to communicate with them!

In particular the guides Olivia arranged for us, Yumiko-san in Tokyo, Hector (Boza Helfers), a Peruvian national married to a Japanese lady and living 20 years in Japan and fluent in his native Spanish, English, Portuguese and of course Japanese, plus as he put it “street” French and Italian!, hosted us in Kyoto and Osaka, and Ai Kawachi, who toured Kanazawa with us with charm and incredible knowledge, and Tasei-san back in Tokyo again who took us on a brilliant food tour.

I’ve used agents previously in Africa, Australasia, and India, and they don’t match the service that Kimkim and Olivia-san offered us, so I would definitely return to them.

Arigato gozaimashita ありがと ございました Olivia-san

Mike

Hotel Review
Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier
Tokyo

Really lovely clean hotel, with friendly staff and well appointed rooms, great Japanese breakfasts. Felt a little businessy and corporate, so perhaps not the ideal holiday vibe and the desk staff level of English was competent rather than fluent - but million times better than my rudimentary Japanese!

Authenticity & Character
Felt a little business corporate, but a great hotel nonetheless
Location
A bit on the edge of the Roppongi district, but we weren’t keen on the Roppongi vibe overall.
Staff
Friendly, efficient, available. Only reason not five star is that spoken English was competent but not always fluent (I feel bad mentioning that!)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Olivia Luang
Olivia
Olivia Luang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jul 02, 2025
Hi Mike, Thank you so much for your wonderful message — I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’m truly touched by your kind words, and I’m so happy to hear that your time in Japan was such a memorable and meaningful part of your travels. It was an absolute pleasure working with you and Phil — your spirit of adventure and enthusiasm made the planning process so enjoyable. I’m especially glad the guides made a lasting impression and that Japan has earned a place in your top 3 travel... Read more

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much for your wonderful message — I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’m truly touched by your kind words, and I’m so happy to hear that your time in Japan was such a memorable and meaningful part of your travels.

It was an absolute pleasure working with you and Phil — your spirit of adventure and enthusiasm made the planning process so enjoyable. I’m especially glad the guides made a lasting impression and that Japan has earned a place in your top 3 travel experiences!

Wishing you both all the best back home in the UK — and I’ll be here anytime you’re ready to plan your next adventure.
Arigato gozaimashita, Mike-san 😊

Warmest regards,
Olivia