Amazing family trip to Japan with teen boys
Japan
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Aug 6 - Aug 19, 2025
We had an amazing family trip to Japan. Leny and her team were wonderful to work with from beginning to end. We asked for her to cut the original cost in half, which she managed to do and still secure us a very nice itinerary and accommodations.
All of our planned activities as well as our self guided day suggestions were a great fit for our family. It was the best vacation we have ever had with our two teenagers, who are not always an easy age to travel with or keep engaged.
The night at the ryokan in Hokone was an unforgettable traditional Japanese experience. We also loved Hotel Brighton in Kyoto as we were able to rent bicycles from the hotel and enjoy Kyoto on bike.
We especially loved all of the animals we got to encounter while in Japan. The deer in Nara, the Monkeys at Arashiyama (Kyoto) and the Otters/owls/kapibara/meerkat at the “Cute otter cafe” in Tokyo. We also really enjoyed our ramen making class in Osaka as a family and our visit to TeamLabs in Tokyo.
A couple of items that weren’t on the itinerary that we loved was going to a Giants game in Tokyo, the Kyoto Railroad Museum, and visiting the Aquarium in Osaka.
Truly a trip of a lifetime. We will certainly be using KimKim and Leny’s services for traveling again in the future. It was our first time using a service like this and I can’t even begin to thank Leny and her team enough. They made our 2 weeks in Japan together go so smoothly. They were regularly checking in and reminding us of any updates and itinerary items. All of our documents were arranged and ready for us ahead of time and all worked as expected. This experience has changed how I will travel from now on.
Hotel Reviews
The onsen in Hakone was absolutely amazing. It was a whole different experience compared to a regular hotel. Our teenage boys even agreed that it was the coolest and best part of the whole trip. It was truly great.
The Kyoto Brighton Hotel was really nice. It was a very nice hotel and added to our great experience during our stay.
Activity Reviews
The Discover Tokyo with a Local activity was enjoyable, and the guide was great, but it didn't quite fit us as it included a lot of shopping and anime districts that weren't of our interest. We would have preferred a more tailored experience with a focus on temples and shrines.
The Afternoon Bamboo Forest & Monkey Bike Tour in Kyoto, also known as Monkey Mountain, was awesome. It was a highlight of our trip with its fascinating encounters and rich cultural insights.
Our self-guided visit in Nara was one of the highlights of the whole trip. Nara's peaceful vibe, the deer, and the giant Buddha made it an amazing experience.
