10/10 Trip to Japan with KimKim!
Japan | Jun 9 - Jun 23, 2025

Mallory
Mallory A.
New Orleans, LA | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

This was our second trip with KimKim, and once again, it was an absolute 10/10 experience. Our agent, Shona, crafted the perfect 16-day itinerary for our journey through Japan, hitting all the right notes—from four vibrant cities with centrally located (but not overly luxurious per our request) hotels, to a thoughtful mix of landmark tours, delicious food experiences, time in nature, and authentic cultural encounters that deepened our appreciation of Japan. We went on 8 tours and all of the guides chosen were highly experienced and made our trip better. Shona was attentive throughout the planning process, incredibly helpful during the trip, and even provided daily previews to keep us excited and informed. It was seamless, memorable, and exactly what we had hoped for. We can’t recommend KimKim—and especially Shona—highly enough!

Hotel Reviews
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Tokyo

Great location, nice rooms, good breakfast options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone

Authentic Japanese Experience!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Thousand Kyoto
Kyoto

Our favorite! Everything is a 10/10!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Must do! So fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park
Tokyo

Sounds like it’s seldom Fuji can be seen, so I’m not sure it should be a must-do.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Kyoto

Could have been a little shorter. Train ride was fun, but it took a while after a long day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo
Full Day Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji Tour
Full Day Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji Tour
Tokyo
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

Wonderful guide and experience, but we would have preferred a small group to talk with people.

Kyoto Bar Hopping Nightlife Tour in Pontocho
Kyoto Bar Hopping Nightlife Tour in Pontocho
Kyoto

Wonderful guide and experience, but we would have preferred a small group to talk with people.

Enjoy a Full Day Tour in Nara
Enjoy a Full Day Tour in Nara
Nara
Full Day Kobe Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and Himeji Castle Tour
Full Day Kobe Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and Himeji Castle Tour
Osaka

We were hoping for a sake tasting at the end of museum and to learn more about different types of sake. It was just a small taste of 2.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 26, 2025

Hi Mallory,

Reading your kind words just made my day—truly! ☺️ I'm absolutely delighted that your second adventure with KimKim lived up to every expectation.
It warms my heart to hear how much you enjoyed the guides, hotels, and daily previews!I’ll be sure to share your praise with our guides and the entire team,looking forward to our paths crossing again in the near future!

All the best,
Shona