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Leny Vergara

Hello! I'm Leny. Travel is my passion, and if you're anything like me, you believe the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Japan is the first country I lived in, and I fell in love with it. It's rich in culture, a paradise for foodies with consistently high-quality cuisine, and I adore speaking the language and even singing Japanese songs. There are countless places to explore.

My goal is to guide you through the Land of the Rising Sun, creating journeys that ignite your sense of wonder. Planning your travels with me means more than just booking flights and hotels—it's about crafting unforgettable moments. I pay attention to every detail, ensuring every part of your journey is as special as you are. I'm excited to start our adventure together!

How did you get involved in travel?

"My wanderlust began with living abroad, and the first country I called home was Japan. I spent four enriching years there before returning to Manila, then moving to Vietnam, and Bangkok, and eventually finding my way back to Japan.

Driven by a dream to see as much of the world as possible, I've visited 30 countries and counting. These travels have been a blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and exploration, seeking out the finest in landscapes, cities, restaurants, and island-hopping destinations. Beyond my personal travels, my passion for culture, food, and exploration has blossomed. It's fueled my love for travel and inspired me to create dream itineraries for clients, sharing my enthusiasm for unforgettable experiences."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"It isn't easy to name just one unique travel experience, as my travels have taken me to so many incredible places. Here are a couple that stand out:

Safari in South Africa was unlike anything I've ever done. Seeing wild animals up close was so exciting. And I'm happy to say I've already spotted three of the Big 5.

Then, waking up early for a sunrise adventure at Mount Batur in Indonesia was totally worth it. Riding up the mountain in a bumpy Jeep got my heart racing, but the view at the top was unbelievable. Watching the sunrise above the clouds was just incredible.

Rio de Janeiro is such an amazing city! Its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer truly amazed me. The friendly and helpful people made my experience even more special. One highlight was taking a Harley Davidson tour, including an interesting ride through the Favela during the day. Experiencing real Churrasco while watching Sugar Loaf Mountain was unforgettable. Exploring the lively streets and relaxing on the beautiful beaches at Barra and Ipanema created memories that will stay with me forever. Rio is absolutely unforgettable!
"

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Leny

Lenny was amazing. Otherworldly experience 3 ...
Japan | Jun 10 - Jun 27, 2026

Woodrow
Woodrow J.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2026

Lenny was amazing. Otherworldly experience 3 weeks in Japan. Strongly recommend.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jul 06, 2026

Hi Woodrow,

Welcome back home! I hope you're settling back in okay and recovering from the time difference.

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a kind review. I really appreciate it! It was great working with you throughout the planning process and staying in touch during your solo trip to make sure everything was going smoothly.

I'm really happy to hear you had such an amazing time in Japan. Thanks again for trusting me with your trip, and if you ever decide to come back or plan another adventure, I'd love to help again.

Take care!

Warm regards,
Leny

Gratitude for an amazing trip
Japan | Jun 20 - Jun 30, 2026

Jill
Jill H.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2026
My experience with Leny and the Kimkim team was wonderful. Leny found excellent hotels for us to stay in with sights very close by-- for example, we were in walking distance of Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, and Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, and the Gion district in Kyoto). She reserved all the trains we needed and got us tickets so all we had to do was walk onto the train. She booked the experiences we were hoping for (kabuki, an onsen that was spectacular, the Studio Ghibli theme park) and... Read more

My experience with Leny and the Kimkim team was wonderful. Leny found excellent hotels for us to stay in with sights very close by-- for example, we were in walking distance of Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, and Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market, and the Gion district in Kyoto). She reserved all the trains we needed and got us tickets so all we had to do was walk onto the train. She booked the experiences we were hoping for (kabuki, an onsen that was spectacular, the Studio Ghibli theme park) and several walking tours including one of the Arashiyama area with Hiro that was particularly good. She left lots of flexibility for us to choose our own activities each day,. She was present and helpful, along with Noemie and the rest of the team, before and during the whole trip. We're so grateful for what turned out to be the trip of a lifetime. Highly recommend.

Hotel Reviews
Shiba Park Hotel
Tokyo

The room was lovely and we enjoyed the extensive and varied breakfast.

Location
Very close to the things we wanted to see.
Gora Kansuiro
Hakone

Gora Kansuiro is a gracious and beautiful venue with a wonderful hot spring, an enchanting garden, and friendly, kind and knowledgeable staff. We are so grateful to have stayed here.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful Japanese garden, authentic interior.
Location
Centrally located, a short bus or cab ride from Hakone Shrine and the Venetian Glass Forest
Staff
Ayame-san was so kind and hospitable to us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We loved sleeping on futons. And the tea and snack in the afternoon was lovely.
Resol Hotel Trinity Osaka
Osaka

Wonderful breakfast, and we so appreciated that our room was ready early so we could check in after our journey.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jul 06, 2026
Hi Jill, I hope you've settled back home nicely! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. I'm so happy to hear that this was such a special trip for you and your daughter. It was a pleasure helping bring this journey to life, and knowing it became a trip of a lifetime means so much to the team and me. I'll be sure to share your kind words with Hiro-san, Noemie, and the rest of our team. Feedback like yours is always appreciated and helps inspire us as we plan future... Read more

Hi Jill,

I hope you've settled back home nicely! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience.

I'm so happy to hear that this was such a special trip for you and your daughter. It was a pleasure helping bring this journey to life, and knowing it became a trip of a lifetime means so much to the team and me.

I'll be sure to share your kind words with Hiro-san, Noemie, and the rest of our team. Feedback like yours is always appreciated and helps inspire us as we plan future adventures for our travelers.

Thank you again for trusting us with your Japan journey. I hope I'll have the chance to help you plan another memorable trip in the future!

Warm regards,
Leny

Fine job in selecting guides in Kyoto, but ot...
Japan | Jun 2 - Jun 11, 2026

James
James H.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jun 23, 2026
Fine job in selecting guides in Kyoto, but other than a food tour in Tokyo the experience was not as expected. Read more

Fine job in selecting guides in Kyoto, but other than a food tour in Tokyo the experience was not as expected.

Activity Reviews
Kanazawa Food Tour: Private & Personalized with a Local Guide
Kanazawa Food Tour: Private & Personalized with a Local Guide
Kanazawa

Not a normal food tour as it was going to two restaurants and ordering off the menu. Not what we expected, fortunately the food was good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Authentic Ramen & Gyoza Making Class in Kyoto
Authentic Ramen & Gyoza Making Class in Kyoto
Kyoto

I would recommend this cooking class to anyone

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Enjoy your private open-air bath and dinner
Enjoy your private open-air bath and dinner
Kaga

We didn’t care for this experience

Kanazawa Artisan Half Day Tour
Kanazawa Artisan Half Day Tour
Kanazawa

Didn’t have a very good guide, though the experience was good

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour (Small Group)
Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour (Small Group)
Kyoto

Not to be missed experience in Kyoto and great fun evening.

Welcome to Kaga: Japan's Hidden Gem of Hot Springs and Art
Welcome to Kaga: Japan's Hidden Gem of Hot Springs and Art
Kaga

Not enough information on the experience

Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Tokyo

Great tour guy with lessons in Japanese culture which was great experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Half-Day Walking Tour: EasternTokyo Your Way (by Public Transportation)
Private Half-Day Walking Tour: EasternTokyo Your Way (by Public Transportation)
Tokyo

Unfortunate heavy rain dampened our experience and SkyTree was a bit too commercial.

Tokyo: teamLab, Azabudai Hills & National Art Center Tour
Tokyo: teamLab, Azabudai Hills & National Art Center Tour
Tokyo

Poor guide, but ok experience.

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour
Kyoto

Good guide for the local temples and the forest experience.

Kimono wearing and Tea ceremony (Sado) in Kyoto (Private)
Kimono wearing and Tea ceremony (Sado) in Kyoto (Private)
Japan

Good experience for our 17 year old grand daughter.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 25, 2026
Hi James, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your family's trip. I appreciate it and am glad to hear that Kyoto was one of the highlights of your trip. I wanted to follow up on a few of your comments regarding the guides, as I would love to better understand your experience. The guides we selected for your trip are among our most experienced partners, so your feedback is especially valuable. For example, during the TeamLab and art museum visit, Hiro-san was sharing... Read more

Hi James, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your family's trip. I appreciate it and am glad to hear that Kyoto was one of the highlights of your trip.

I wanted to follow up on a few of your comments regarding the guides, as I would love to better understand your experience. The guides we selected for your trip are among our most experienced partners, so your feedback is especially valuable.

For example, during the TeamLab and art museum visit, Hiro-san was sharing insights about both the modern art exhibits and the architecture of the building to help provide additional context throughout the experience. In Kanazawa, your guide has also received many positive reviews from past travelers.

Of course, I understand that every traveler has different expectations and preferences, and sometimes a guide's style may not be the right fit. I also understand that Barbara felt some discomfort during parts of the experience and was unable to continue the tour. If you're open to sharing a bit more detail, I would really appreciate it. It would help me better understand what happened and allow me to have a meaningful discussion with the guides and our local partners.

Regarding the ryokan stay, I completely understand your comments. Looking back, I wish we had discussed it in more detail during the planning stage. The ryokan was incorporated as part of the cultural experience of Japan, for you to experience the traditional Japanese hospitality, cuisine, and accommodations for a night.

Thank you again for your honest feedback. I value it, and it helps us improve both our planning process and the experiences we provide. I look forward to hearing a little more about your experience so I can better understand your perspective and share your comments with the team. I’ll be in touch directly soon.

Warm regards,
Leny

My favorite activities were the knife making ...
Japan | Jun 3 - Jun 11, 2026

Terry
Terry F.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2026
My favorite activities were the knife making and the gold leaf chopsticks. I really liked all the wood I saw in Japan. Tons of the signage is just a large slab with their name on it. I did bonk my head fairly hard by looking down at the floor construction while walking through a samurai house, the wood working was fascinating. The ceiling height not so much. 4 out of the 5 places we stayed were absolutely incredible, top notch. The hyatt in kanizawa, was not bad by any means. It's... Read more

My favorite activities were the knife making and the gold leaf chopsticks. I really liked all the wood I saw in Japan. Tons of the signage is just a large slab with their name on it. I did bonk my head fairly hard by looking down at the floor construction while walking through a samurai house, the wood working was fascinating. The ceiling height not so much. 4 out of the 5 places we stayed were absolutely incredible, top notch. The hyatt in kanizawa, was not bad by any means. It's just the other 4 were much better.

Everything tour wise went great, each guide met us in our lobby and had local/native knowledge of the areas we toured. I asked each day if the driver would eat lunch with us, and was told no, and that I should not get him a lunch from the restaurant. That felt strange to me.

So much of the history has burned down and been rebuilt, but it was neat to see things that had survived

Hotel Review
Patina Osaka
Osaka

The view of the castle from the room is amazing! The staff greeted you and walked you through your room. We only stayed the one night, but it was a great start to the vacation

Authenticity & Character
Location
It is right across the street from kyoto castle, amazing view from our floor
Staff
You feel very welcomed right away
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was perfect
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 19, 2026
Hi Terry, welcome home, and thank you for sharing your feedback! I'm so glad to hear you had a great trip and that the knife-making experience and gold leaf chopsticks were some of your favorite activities. It’s also wonderful that you enjoyed seeing all the beautiful woodwork around Takayama. I'm happy that four of the five hotels worked out well for you. Thank you for your honest feedback about the Hyatt Kanazawa. Kanazawa is a smaller city with fewer hotel options, so I chose it for its... Read more

Hi Terry, welcome home, and thank you for sharing your feedback!

I'm so glad to hear you had a great trip and that the knife-making experience and gold leaf chopsticks were some of your favorite activities. It’s also wonderful that you enjoyed seeing all the beautiful woodwork around Takayama.

I'm happy that four of the five hotels worked out well for you. Thank you for your honest feedback about the Hyatt Kanazawa. Kanazawa is a smaller city with fewer hotel options, so I chose it for its boutique style and location, but I'll definitely keep your comments in mind for future trips.

As for the drivers and lunch, I understand why that felt a bit strange. In Japan, guides and drivers usually eat separately and take care of their own meals, so that is completely normal. In some ways, it's similar to tipping—while your gesture was very thoughtful and appreciated, it isn't generally expected as part of the local culture.

It sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring Japan’s rich history and culture, and I’m glad the local guides were able to share their knowledge, stories, and insights along the way to bring each destination to life. Experiences like these often help create a deeper connection with the places you visit.

It was a pleasure helping you plan this trip, and I’d be happy to help with your next adventure whenever you're ready!

Warm regards,
Leny

I cannot recommend Leny enough!
Japan | May 27 - Jun 6, 2026

Elizabeth
Elizabeth P.
Las Vegas, NV | Reviewed on Jun 18, 2026
I cannot recommend Leny enough! From the very beginning, she took the time to get to know both me and my daughter and what we hoped to experience on our mother-daughter trip to Japan. She truly listened to our interests and created a personalized itinerary that was perfect for us. She arranged our train tickets, coordinated activities, and handled so many details that made the entire trip stress-free. What really set her apart was the support her and her team provided while we were... Read more

I cannot recommend Leny enough! From the very beginning, she took the time to get to know both me and my daughter and what we hoped to experience on our mother-daughter trip to Japan. She truly listened to our interests and created a personalized itinerary that was perfect for us. She arranged our train tickets, coordinated activities, and handled so many details that made the entire trip stress-free.

What really set her apart was the support her and her team provided while we were actually in Japan. Whenever we had questions or needed guidance, we could reach out through WhatsApp and receive quick, helpful assistance. It truly felt like we had someone looking out for us every step of the way.

Leny is incredibly kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about creating meaningful travel experiences. Thanks to her, my daughter and I were able to enjoy an unforgettable trip together and make memories that will last a lifetime. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and personal touch made all the difference. I would absolutely use her services again and highly recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Japan or any other destination.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 19, 2026
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback and experience with my team and me. Most of all, I'm so happy that I am able to help bring this mother-daughter trip to Japan to life and create memories that will stay with you both for a lifetime. It was also a pleasure working with you throughout the planning process and getting to know both you and your daughter along the way. Thank you for trusting us with such a special mother-daughter trip. Wishing you... Read more

Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback and experience with my team and me.

Most of all, I'm so happy that I am able to help bring this mother-daughter trip to Japan to life and create memories that will stay with you both for a lifetime.

It was also a pleasure working with you throughout the planning process and getting to know both you and your daughter along the way. Thank you for trusting us with such a special mother-daughter trip.

Wishing you both many more wonderful adventures together, and hopefully, our paths will cross again in the future. I would be happy to help curate another meaningful trip for you and create even more special memories along the way.

Warm regards,
Leny

Leny did an amazing job from start to finish
Japan | Jun 6 - Jun 11, 2026

J
Julie M.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2026
Leny did an amazing job from start to finish. She helped us find activities catered to our children's interests and everything on our itinerary was truly a wonderful time. We were frankly nervous as we do not speak the language of our destination and we had never ventured out on a trip this far from home. But Leny made the planning process way less stressful and opened our eyes to a few adventures we hadn't even considered. Read more

Leny did an amazing job from start to finish. She helped us find activities catered to our children's interests and everything on our itinerary was truly a wonderful time. We were frankly nervous as we do not speak the language of our destination and we had never ventured out on a trip this far from home. But Leny made the planning process way less stressful and opened our eyes to a few adventures we hadn't even considered.

Activity Reviews
Afternoon Bamboo Forest & Monkey Bike Tour
Afternoon Bamboo Forest & Monkey Bike Tour
Kyoto

Very exciting experience. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed getting to see a side of Kyoto we couldn't have otherwise. It was so helpful to have a guide lead the way from the money park and the bamboo forest so we could simply enjoy the experience and not worry about navigating.

Quality of Experience
really cool to see the city by bike and from the monkey park
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Don was fantastic - very knowledgeable and committed to safety
Transport
easy to find - we met outside of the train station to it was very convenient
Kyoto Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class with Professional Chefs
Kyoto Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class with Professional Chefs
Kyoto

We all had a really wonderful time and would happily come back to this experience again if we are back in Kyoto.

Quality of Experience
The staff truly made the experience a fun and engaging time
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The staff truly made the experience a fun and engaging time
Transport
we met at a clearly designated meeting point and our guide brought is to the nearby kitchen. very easy to find and very clearly marked.
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 15, 2026
Hi Julie, Welcome back home! I hope you're recovering nicely from the jet lag. Thank you for the opportunity to help plan your short family adventure to Japan. It was a pleasure working with you in planning this trip, and I'm so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time together. Thank you as well for your kind words. Knowing that the activities matched your children's interests and that the trip helped create special family memories means a lot to me. I understand how daunting it... Read more

Hi Julie,

Welcome back home! I hope you're recovering nicely from the jet lag.

Thank you for the opportunity to help plan your short family adventure to Japan. It was a pleasure working with you in planning this trip, and I'm so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time together.

Thank you as well for your kind words. Knowing that the activities matched your children's interests and that the trip helped create special family memories means a lot to me. I understand how daunting it can feel traveling to a country where you don't speak the language, especially on a first visit, and so far from home. I'm happy that I was able to make the planning process less stressful and help introduce a few experiences that may not have otherwise been on your radar.

Thank you again for placing your trust in our team and me. I hope this was the first of many adventures to Japan, and I would be pleased to help with your next visit whenever you're ready to return.

Warm regards,
Leny

It was fine.
Japan | May 25 - Jun 9, 2026

C
Ceri P.
Waimea, HI, USA | Reviewed on Jun 11, 2026
It was fine. Leny booked the things we asked her to and, for the most part, they were executed on as planned (there was only one issue, where the driver was 30 minutes late and we were notified 10 minutes before the tour was supposed to start and no one ever explained what happened).
The recommended tours and activities were pretty good, they didn't feel particularly geared for children (like the ramen cooking class started with a 20 minute lecture on ramen, which isn't really what kids...
Read more

It was fine. Leny booked the things we asked her to and, for the most part, they were executed on as planned (there was only one issue, where the driver was 30 minutes late and we were notified 10 minutes before the tour was supposed to start and no one ever explained what happened).
The recommended tours and activities were pretty good, they didn't feel particularly geared for children (like the ramen cooking class started with a 20 minute lecture on ramen, which isn't really what kids want) even though we had specifically requested them for kids.
I would have liked more direction on what we should be doing, there was very little of that, just booking what we asked, maybe that's all they are supposed to do but it would have been nice to have some guidance. For example, I showed the itinerary to a friend who pointed out we didn't have Fushimi Inari in our plans for Kyoto but KimKim never mentioned this at all.
Overall, it was executed fine, communication with the local specialist was good and easy in the app, but for the very high price (they mark up all the tours extravagantly AND charge you a fee which is a percentage of the marked-up tours), I think I was looking for something more.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 15, 2026
Hi Ceri, Welcome back home! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm pleased to hear that the arrangements were generally executed as planned and that communication throughout your trip was smooth and easy. I want to apologize again for the delayed driver. Following our investigation with the local partner, we were informed that a significant traffic accident had affected the route that morning, resulting in the driver arriving approximately 30 minutes late. While I... Read more

Hi Ceri,

Welcome back home!

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm pleased to hear that the arrangements were generally executed as planned and that communication throughout your trip was smooth and easy.

I want to apologize again for the delayed driver. Following our investigation with the local partner, we were informed that a significant traffic accident had affected the route that morning, resulting in the driver arriving approximately 30 minutes late. While I completely understand your frustration, I would note that such delays are quite rare in Japan, where punctuality is generally held in very high regard. In fact, the same partner successfully handled your station pick-up and drop-off in Kyoto for your NINTENDO Museum visit.

While the accident and resulting traffic disruption were outside of our control, I agree that a clearer explanation should have been provided at the time of the delay. For that, we apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Regarding the activities, I appreciate your comments about their suitability for children. The experiences incorporated are based on the interests shared, family suitability, and availability. I completely understand your point regarding the lengthy introduction during the ramen experience, as younger travelers are often more interested in the hands-on portion. This is valuable feedback, and I will share it with our partner for future consideration. It would also have been helpful to receive more feedback during the planning process regarding the level of child-focused engagement you were seeking, as this would have allowed me to explore alternative options or tailor recommendations more closely to your children's interests and expectations.

As for Fushimi Inari, it is certainly one of Kyoto's most iconic attractions. However, it is also one of the most crowded sites in Japan, particularly during peak travel periods. When designing itineraries, I try to balance famous landmarks with overall enjoyment, comfort, and pace, especially for families traveling with children. Rather than focusing solely on checking off well-known sights, my goal is to create a more enjoyable and less crowded experience. That said, I appreciate that it may have been something you would have liked to include, and I could have highlighted it as an optional visit.

Regarding value, I would respectfully note that my role extends far beyond simply booking tours. The service includes researching and designing a customized itinerary, recommending accommodations and experiences, coordinating with multiple suppliers, managing reservations, arranging transportation logistics, making adjustments throughout the planning process, and providing support before and during the trip. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it is intended to create a seamless travel experience and save travelers a significant amount of time and effort in planning a complex trip independently. This approach has been reflected in the experiences of many of my past travelers, who have shared positive feedback not only about the destinations they visited but also about the planning support, recommendations, and assistance provided throughout their journey.

Thank you again for your honest feedback and for trusting me with your family's trip. I appreciate the opportunity to have helped plan this trip, and I will certainly keep your comments in mind when working with future families.

Warm regards,
Leny

Leny was absolutely amazing. She was patient,...
Japan | May 29 - Jun 7, 2026

Nima
Nima P.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2026
Leny was absolutely amazing. She was patient, listened well, and did the best job planning. Read more

Leny was absolutely amazing. She was patient, listened well, and did the best job planning.

Hotel Reviews
&Here TOKYO UENO
Tokyo

Loved it. Great location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karaksa hotel grande Shin-Osaka Tower
Osaka

Hotel was great. Beautiful space. They were delayed on check in. A bit far from things

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Intergate Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi
Kyoto

Very clean, loved the room, a bit far from things though

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PROSTYLE RYOKAN TOKYO ASAKUSA
Tokyo

Loved this space, the traditional style, and location. Breakfast wasn't my favorite.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Japan

We got sent to the wrong location. the guide was rushed. He didn't seem that interested.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Welcome to Osaka
Welcome to Osaka
Japan
Full Day Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)
Full Day Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Speaking Guide and Vehicle (Private)
Japan

Loved it. However, our guide could have been a bit better.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Private)
Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Private)
Japan

It was good. However, it felt like it was lacking and a bit quick.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour
Kyoto

We loved this tour guide. It rained all day, but it didn't affect our day. She pushed through and so did we.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sushi Making Experience: Craft Authentic Sushi
Sushi Making Experience: Craft Authentic Sushi
Kyoto

What an amazing couple. We felt welcomed and stayed after to chat. They recommended some great places/.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji with an English-Speaking Driver
Day Trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji with an English-Speaking Driver
Tokyo

Masa listened and gave us the best experience. He was patient and we enjoyed the day with him

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Tokyo

We had the best food and the guide was informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Half-Day Walking Tour: EasternTokyo Your Way (by Public Transportation)
Private Half-Day Walking Tour: EasternTokyo Your Way (by Public Transportation)
Tokyo

Had the best time with Lisa. Got to feel what it was like to be a local. She was super fun. The tour was tailored for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome (Yokoso) to Tokyo!
Welcome (Yokoso) to Tokyo!
Tokyo

Driver was awesome. He was punctual and it was a smooth drive.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 12, 2026
Hi Nima, Thank you, and welcome back home! I'm so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Japan with your family. It was a pleasure helping plan your trip, and I hope you came home with many great memories. I’m sorry to hear that you felt the Osaka food tour fell a bit short of your expectations. I’m currently reviewing the feedback with our local partner, particularly regarding the guide's engagement and overall experience. I’ll be in touch with you directly. That said, I hope the... Read more

Hi Nima,

Thank you, and welcome back home!

I'm so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Japan with your family. It was a pleasure helping plan your trip, and I hope you came home with many great memories.

I’m sorry to hear that you felt the Osaka food tour fell a bit short of your expectations. I’m currently reviewing the feedback with our local partner, particularly regarding the guide's engagement and overall experience. I’ll be in touch with you directly.

That said, I hope the overall trip was a great experience—from exploring Japan's culture and sights to enjoying some shopping and quality time with your family.

Thank you again for trusting me with your Japan adventure. I would be delighted to help you plan any future trips to Japan whenever you're ready to return.

Take care, and I hope to hear from you again soon!

Warm regards,

Leny

Recently took our family of four to Japan for...
Japan | May 23 - May 31, 2026

Kimberly
Kimberly G.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2026

Recently took our family of four to Japan for 10-days. We booked through KimKim travel with Leny and had a great experience. The recommendations were spot on and the family had a fantastic time. Reservations were no hassle and the train travel was pretty intuitive. I especially like the convenience of the mobile app that KimKim provided, it was a convenient and handy way of accessing our itinerary and train reservation QR codes. We were on the app constantly to check where and when we should be. I would definitely use KimKim again for Japan.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 09, 2026
Hi Kimberly, Welcome home, and thank you so much for your kind review! I'm so happy to hear that you and your family had a great time in Japan and that everything went smoothly. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip. I'm especially glad the kimkim app was useful during your travels. Having your itinerary, train reservations, and trip details all in one place certainly makes things easier when you're on the go. Thank you again for trusting me with your family vacation. It was... Read more

Hi Kimberly,

Welcome home, and thank you so much for your kind review!

I'm so happy to hear that you and your family had a great time in Japan and that everything went smoothly. It was a pleasure helping you plan your trip.

I'm especially glad the kimkim app was useful during your travels. Having your itinerary, train reservations, and trip details all in one place certainly makes things easier when you're on the go.

Thank you again for trusting me with your family vacation. It was wonderful curating this trip for you and working with you throughout the planning process. I'm happy to hear that the recommendations were a good fit for your family and that you had such a memorable time in Japan.

If Japan ever calls you back, I would be delighted to help again :)

Warm wishes,
Leny

Japan and South Korea Adventure
Japan | May 10 - May 30, 2026

S
Steven B.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2026
All the guides and drivers in Japan and South Korea were amazing. We saw many incredible sights that we would never been able to negotiate without professional guides and drivers.
All of the guides were very knowledgeable on all the historical and religious sites. All were fluent in English as well as many other languages.
They were able to add local perspectives which was very informative.
Read more

All the guides and drivers in Japan and South Korea were amazing. We saw many incredible sights that we would never been able to negotiate without professional guides and drivers.
All of the guides were very knowledgeable on all the historical and religious sites. All were fluent in English as well as many other languages.
They were able to add local perspectives which was very informative.

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Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Tokyo, Japan | Replied on Jun 08, 2026
Hi Steven, Welcome back home, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. My team and I are so happy to hear that you had a great trip. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed not only the destinations, guides, and food experiences, but also the local insights and stories along the way. Those personal perspectives often bring a destination to life and make the experience even more memorable. Thank you again for trusting us with your Japan & South Korea trip.... Read more

Hi Steven,

Welcome back home, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us.

My team and I are so happy to hear that you had a great trip. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed not only the destinations, guides, and food experiences, but also the local insights and stories along the way. Those personal perspectives often bring a destination to life and make the experience even more memorable.

Thank you again for trusting us with your Japan & South Korea trip. It was a pleasure helping you plan it, and I’d be delighted to assist you with another in the future.

I hope you're settling back in well and adjusting to the time difference without too much trouble.

Wishing you all the best and a wonderful week ahead!

Warm wishes,
Leny