A Fabulous Trip to Japan - Thank you Kimkim travel; thank you Myaen!
Japan
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Jun 2 - Jun 15, 2023
This was our second time using kimkim travel (last year they organized our road trip to Ireland)... and thank you kimkim and Myaen - another "home run!" We just returned from a phenomenal 2-week self-guided trip to Japan, which included several days in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Naoshima Island, and Hakone. Myaen was superb as our Japan specialist, helping us think thru what made sense for 2-weeks, as well as recommending the right neighborhoods and hotels to stay in. Our focus for this trip was Japanese contemporary art, and we were not disappointed... so many wonderful museums, exhibits, and places to see. We were also delighted that our contact with our trip planner, Myaen, did not stop once the trip was planned and paid for. Myaen contacted us regularly before the trip, reminded us about appropriate local travel passes to purchase, how to use the visiting Japan website (which makes entry into Japan easier and faster), etc. And Myaen reached out almost daily to make sure the trip was going well, and that any questions we had were promptly answered. We plan on using kimkim again for our next adventure, and wholeheartedly recommend them to others. Kimkim listens, and helps you plan the trip you want - not the most expensive package they can sell. And if you are planning to visit Japan - ask for Myaen.
Activity Reviews
We stayed in Ginza, and as we started our trip in Tokyo, we were pretty jet-lagged and tired - and came close to not leaving Ginza. Boy are we glad we decided to make the short subway trip to Asakusa. Ginza is beautiful and modern, and not far away in Asakusa, you can get a feel for old Tokyo. Temples, shrines, and real neighborhoods. We even had dinner Sunday night outdoors on a small street where we were the only tourists.
We loved being in Kyoto. Within a few blocks of our hotel were temples, shrines, as well as many restaurants and shops. And it was very easy to get to the Bamboo forest and the Fushimi Inari Shrine. We spent three nights in Kyoto and could easily have enjoyed several more.
We had heard this was a great museum... it was fantastic. The setting and the sculptures together added to the experience - it really needs to be seen.
We wanted a traditional onsen experience and we got one. Our hotel was very traditional, and had several beautiful communal baths right on the property... Our days typically started with using the baths before breakfast, and again after dinner. While it was unfortunately too cloudy to see Mt. Fuji, the Hakone area was beautiful and relaxing. A great 3-day end to our 2-week trip.
We had a private car from Hakone to Haneda - very pleasant and stress-free way to end our trip. It was a snap to check-in and check our bags, and to get thru passport control.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words and thoughtful feedback regarding Kimkim and your trip to Japan! Working with you to plan and organize your vacation was truly a pleasure. It's always rewarding to help create memorable experiences for travelers like yourself. Thank you for sharing wonderful photos of your trip and thank you for choosing our services. We are grateful to have played a part in making your vacation enjoyable. We hope that your experience in Japan has left you... Read more