Kimkim Trip Reviews for Japan

While planning our trip, Katsu was wonderful. Very thorough and responsive. It seemed a bit expensive but with all his planning and ideas, we assumed it was going to be well worth it.
The ryokan he arranged for us in Hakone was run down but in a great location. He said it was one of he best in the all of Japan. Not true! Katsu did not tell us we would not have a private shower. The food at the ryokan was almost inedible. Katsu had said that he arranged for the hotel manager to take very good care of us. The man he named we never met.
The most disappointing part of the trip, however, was the private guided tour in Hiroshima. While Sanae was kind, she was also quite shy, had limited English and unfortunately, not very effective in her role. On the way to the garden, she did not explain anything about what we were seeing from the cab window. Once we arrived at the garden, she had no clear plan and simply followed us without being able to answer our questions. This could have been due to a language barrier, but it raises the question of why we were assigned a guide who wasn't fluent in English.
Our experience was similar on the bus ride to the museum. She remained silent and again did not know the answers to questions we asked as to what we were seeing from the window. When we arrived, she told us that talking was not allowed inside the museum, so she would wait for us at the exit. This left us wondering why she was with us in the first place if she wasn't able to guide us.
Afterward, we decided to continue exploring the park on our own and let her go home. We didn’t need her to accompany us further. She was supposed to accompany us to Miyajima the next day which we paid handsomely for but after the frustrating experience in Hiroshima we chose to do this on our own. We knew she would be unprepared for each site, nor be able to provide explanations. Our other guides we personally hired in Japan, didn’t just cover what we were seeing—they also connected it to Japanese culture, enriching our experience along the way. This is what we had come to expect and assumed, from what Katsu had said, would continue in Hiroshima.
Upon our return to the states, we explained all of this to Katsu and asked for a refund of the private tour of Hiroshima. His solution was to offer us another private tour when we return to Japan. It is very unlikely that I will return to Japan and if I did I would never use his services. Additionally, I will not recommend him or his company Next Japan Travel.

March 2025: Just returned from a 8 night trip to Japan with my husband and 20 year old son. It was FABULOUSly well planned by Leny! Her recommendations were spot on with our pre-trip discussions and expectations. Our hotels in Tokyo, Hakone & Kyoto were lovely, in great locations and included a fantastic breakfast. Our private guides all spoke great English and were a delight to spend a few hours each day exploring local sights. Our transfers and daily reminders were flawless.

Trip Highlights:
Tokyo Tsukiji and Asakusa with Michiko
Tokyo Food Tour with Clara
Hakone Tour with Masa
Kyoto Arashiyama with Hiro
Koyto Dinner with a Maiko in Gion district with Josh
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Shrine & Nishiki Market with Hiro
Nara with Yasuhisa

Plum blossoms were in bloom and beautiful :)

I highly recommend booking with kimkim!

Hotel Reviews

HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel

Tokyo

Great location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Matsuzakaya Honten

Kanagawa

Destination experience of it's own!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Blossom Kyoto

Kyoto

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi Tokyo Premier

Tokyo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Sushi Making Experience: Craft Authentic Sushi

Kyoto

Unique experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Best Of Shibuya Food Private Tour - Evening

Tokyo

Clara is a great guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner with Maiko in a Traditional Kyoto Style Restaurant Tour (Small Group)

Kyoto

Josh was great! The dinner with Maiko was an amazing, unique experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide

Tokyo

Michiko was a great local guide and knows how to get around the city with ease.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo to Hakone Private Transfer: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Full-Day Tour with English-Speaking Driver

Japan

Masa is a great driver and guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Private)

Kyoto

Unique experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Relaxing Evening: Private Onsen and Kaiseki Dinner

Hakone

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Nara Tour From Kyoto with English Speaking Guide (Private)

Japan

Yasu was an expert local guide and a pleasure to spend the day with!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hidden charms of Arashiyama

Kyoto

Hiro was great!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Kyoto Tour with English-Speaking Guide (Private)

Kyoto

Hiro was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Leny was a fantastic guide and immensely helpful in planning our trip to Japan. I was very overwhelmed going into the planning process, and Leny took the time to work with me and understand my needs to craft the perfect itinerary. She totally understood our requests and went above and beyond to make logistics as smooth and easy as possible. When we arrived in Japan we felt 0 stress, and all the activities planned were incredible- local, authentic, and just so much fun. Thanks to Leny and the KimKim team for a seamless and amazing trip!

We were only in Japan for 7 days, but managed to see four cities in that time-Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Izu. We saw many incredible attractions with the expertise of KimKim. We particularly enjoyed experiencing traditional Japanese accommodation and cuisine. Eleanor, our planner, was professional, responsive to our questions, and very polite. We never worried while we were travelling and were able to discover beautiful Japan! Thank you KimKim and Eleanor for an amazing experience. We would highly recommend their services to anyone planning for a stress free trip!

I can’t say enough about the amazing trip my husband and I had hiking the Kumano Kodo trail. Ilse was absolutely wonderful in setting up our hike and worked with us patiently as our plans needed to be modified because I was running the Tokyo Marathon the weekend before. Our meals and hosts each night were perfect. My husband and I were not only celebrating my marathon but our 25th wedding anniversary. Ilse made it special from start to finish.

Our family of 4 had a wonderful first trip to Japan with Shona's planning and guidance. We didn't have a lot of notice on the trip, but she was still able to put together a really nice itinerary. We had great communication with our drivers, who were all on time and sent photos to explain how to find them when getting off the rails and at the airport.
We had very good experiences with all three of our tour guides, but Zumi in Kyoto went above and beyond to teach about the area and connect with our family. I highly recommend using Shona and the KimKim platform to plan your trip to Japan.

Travel for 5 people to Tokyo and Kyoto. We love both places!

Best parts of the trip were:
Hotel Accommodations & Car Service: Excellent!
- Blossom Hibaya in Tokyo
- Hotel Higashiyama in Kyoto
- Car Service from and to airport, and to Disney: excellent drivers. On time and friendly.

Best Venues: Would recommend!
- TeamLab Borderless n Tokyo
- Tokyo Disney
- Nintendo Museum in Kyoto

Self guided tours of Temples - would have been better with knowledgable tour guide to help educate & appreciate it.
Self guided tour of Kyoto Shrine: 3 mile walk was too long. Tori gates are beautiful. . Guide would be helpful.

Guided food tours: Interesting. Knowledgable tour guides. Probably only needed to do one.

Travel supplies:
-Bullet train tickets and directions - well done
-Tokyo metro tickets and directions - missing one ticket for 5th person. Directions were helpful.
-eSims not used. Not needed. Returned in envelopes provided. Mailed from hotel on last day.

Restaurant suggestions: very helpful
Shopping information: very helpful

Venues that needed additional info or cautions:
- Kyoto Tour Guide Max was wonderful! Highly recommend him.
-Travel to/around Bamboo forest - slippery, uneven rock steps. Caution for older or disabled travelers
-Bamboo forest itself was beautiful!
- Iwatayama Monkey Park - steep, uneven, slippery climb up a mountain. Caution elderly or disabled travelers.

Art museums; Multiple museums. In Tokyo and Kyoto. Variable size, content and interest.

General issues:
- Payment for 5th person at Blossom Hibaya in March missed. Direct payment made to hotel. Reimbursement coming.
- Nintendo Museum ticket errors (wrong name listed). Delay at gate as name had to be changed to match ID.
- Thank you for Shellfish Allergy info translated into Japanese for restaurants.

I had an incredible trip to Japan. Stefaan was very responsive to me as we were organizing the trip and helped witha ll of my questions. Hiking the Kumano Kodo was an awesome experience in and of itself, but it was enhanced by the hotels and ryokan along the way that offered incredible food and hot spring baths to relax in after a hard day of walking. I particularly enjoyed the Keyaki Guest House and the lovely family that ran it.

We had a wonderful trip to Japan thanks in large part to the help of KimKim Travel specialist Shona Zhang. We traveled from Sapporo in the Northern Island of Hokkaido to the Southern Island of Kyushu.
The guide in Sapporo was Yuko Sayu who did a great job explaining history, culture and any questions we had. Her communication skills we very good and her knowledge of Sapporo and of the Snow Festival. Se were able to see things we would have never experienced on our own. Yuko is a lifelong resident of the Hokkaido and gave us great insight into the lives and culture of the people there. The Hotel that KimKim Travel had arranged for us was comfortable and the the location was perfect as we were walking distance to the ice and snow sculptures as well as a myriad of eating options and shopping. Yuko recommended some excellent places and things to eat locally as well as things that were unique to Hokkaido…”Genghis Khan” bbq pork, local crab and sushi, Sapporo style ramen, as well as the Sapporo Brewery museum and the world renowned Nikka Yoichu Distillery in neighboring Otaru city. The night ice sculptures and lights along the Otaru canal were beautiful. The transportation was well planned out, on time and very accommodating.
We next flew to Fukuoka in Kyushu where we met up with our guide Asako Iwai who was born and raised in Kyushu. We were able to take a van from the airport on an excursion to Nagasaki where we visited the
Atom Bomb Memorial and Museum. That was a moving experience and more so because Asako knew so much about that history and the thoughts of the local Japanese. We spent 2 nights in a very nice Hotel convenient to the train station and close to places where the local people ate and shopped. There were many pleasant surprises in Fukuoka including old castle grounds, beautiful gardens at Ohori Park, Fukuoka tower, all with a rich history that Asako explained to us. We sampled local cuisine, including the local sake and pastries. We then rode the bullet train from Fukuoka to Kagoshima…a real treat to see the efficiency and speed of that rail system.
In Kagoshima we met our guide Mikiko Horikiri. She guided us on a ferry to Sakurajima Island where we were able to enjoy a free foot bath in the warm volcanic heated water, and visit an observation point to get a clear view of the Sakurajima active volcano. So much of area’s culture is based around the Volcano and the effects it has on the local people and the enviroment. Miki gave us a great overview of life there. She pointed out numerous places to shop and eat and had great recommendations of what to try…Kurobuta (black Pork) tonkatsu, Unagi, and a special Chicken dish served at the Senganen Garden. One highlight was the Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko Crystal Glassworks where we viewed craftsmen blowing the glass and artisans etching the intricate designs into the glasses. We even got to try our hand at etching our own glass shochu cups to bring home as keepsakes.

We had very good accommodations and transportation while in Japan and all three of our tour guides were top notch! We especially appreciated Shona at KimKim Travel who took a personal interest in us and make sure all our questions and needs were addressed in a timely manner.

Thank you so much!
Reid Saito

Hotel Reviews

Ibis Styles Sapporo

The Ibis Styles was perfect for out stay. We were able to room 3 in one room which was significant savings. The Japanese breakfast showcased authentic Japanese cuisine with many choices. The western style breakfast was also available. The service and Front Desk were very helpful although they did not always speak English but with the cell phone translators we were able to get by fine. The location was great with walking distance to the Ice Scuptures and Snow Sculptures during the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival). There are many eating places, pubs, and shopping malls within a few blocks making this hotel a great place to stay during the busy ski and festival winter season.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right on the Susukino Street which is a great nightlife and eatery scene.

Staff

They Were help full and responsive to our needs and questions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and quiet, the cleaning staff was very efficient through in their cleaning.

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka

Fukuoka

Nice hotel with a very good location in Fukuoka. The combination in Japanese and western style breakfast buffet was excellent and provided us with a chance to eat without leaving the hotel in the morning. The staff was very helpful and accommodating when we shipped our luggage to the next hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel was very close to shopping and great restaurants.

Staff

The staff was very helpful and made an effort to communicate in English using translators and maps.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kagoshima Tenmonkan PREMIER

Our room was very good size and was able to accommodate three adult adults. The Breakfast buffet was both Japanese and western food and was all very good. The hotel location was central to downtown Kagoshima and had easy access to restaurants and stores.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu

Tokyo

This hotel had a great location in the Shibuya District of Tokyo. It provided easy access to shopping and restaurants and was located very close to Shibuya train station. They provided both Japanese and western style breakfast buffet every morning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

2025 Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo

A fantastic display of snow and Ice Sculptures taking months to make every year. The scale, diversity and number of sculptures is truly amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Yuko was an excellent guide with so much local knowledge getting us place and coordination with the drivers.

Transport

Comfortable vehicles and prompt service.

Full day to Kagoshima with Sakurajima

Kagoshima

Our Guide Mikiko, born and raised in Kagoshima took us on tour of the city and of Sakurajima Volcano. It is truly an amazing sight to see so many living in the shadow of an actively erupting volcano.

Shonna put together a great short itinerary for Japan. We got a taste of that lovely country! While it was a little bit hectic, we made the most of the short time we were there with her help.

Leny at KimKim planned a wonderful trip to Japan for my son and me. There was a great balance of free time verses scheduled tours, and all of our local guides were terrific. We learned so much about the country, its history, its customs and its people, which is my primary goal for traveling. Leny was always very responsive, day and night, whenever we needed help with something, whether it was an issue trying to navigate public transportation or trying to figure out when/whether a particular venue was open. She was also immediately prepared for suggestions of places to go and see, as well as specific restaurants. It was a fabulous trip and I would definitely travel with KimKim again!

Hotel Reviews

Gora Kansuiro

Hakone

This is a fascinating cultural experience! It is a traditional Japanese guest house in every sense (except that there is heat, electricity and plumbing -- although placed so as not to interfere with the authenticity of the property) and is a step back in time. The beds were set out while we were having dinner and were surprisingly comfortable. The traditional dinner we were served was unforgetable!

Authenticity & Character

I felt like I had gone back in time 200 years.

Location

It was located less that a 5 minute walk from the train station, although its positioning was such that we could neither see of hear any trains.

Staff

We had the most wonder server for dinner -- she explained what each dish was (there were at least 20 different things) as well as how to eat each one.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Niwa

Tokyo

Hotel Niwa in Tokyo was in a fantastic location, very convenient for accessing public transportation, which made getting around the city a breeze. All the accommodations were great, but this one particularly stood out for its placement!

Activity Reviews

Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide

Tokyo

This half day tour gave us a great overview of the city and of things to experience in Tokyo.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guide gave us a great introduction of how to use the public transportation system. You can load a Suica card on your smartphone and add money to it in seconds. All forms of public transportation accept it and it required only a touch of your phone to pay. No figuring out how to pay for tickets and which ticket to buy! You pay only for the distance you travel. It is the best public transportation system I've ever seen.

Best of Shibuya Food Tour

Tokyo

Among the thousands of restaurants in Tokyo, our local guide took us to 5 "hidden gems." These are places no tourist would ever find, although they were right in the heart of Shibuya. We were the only tourists in each, although each was full of local patrons. Our guide was able to explain the local qualities of the food, how to eat it and what to look for. This was a terrific cultural experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Exclusive Sumo Practice Tour: Unveil Japan’s National Sport

Tokyo

This tour provided an amazing view of a sport little understood by Americans. Our guide was obviously a fan herself and was able to give us a wealth of information about the sport, how contests work and how men train for it. It was also a fascinating look at the life of sumo wrestlers because it is much more that a sport -- it is an entire way of life.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Street Kart Tokyo Bay (2 Hour-Course)

Tokyo

This was a blast! It is a good distance from the center of the city, but well worth the trip. You actually get a see a lot of Tokyo because you literally drive your go-kart around the city streets, at all times following the guide. I was never afraid of traffic because our guide was fabulous.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Terrific -- even though the Japanese drive on the left and we were in Tokyo city traffic, it was never scary.

Authentic Kyoto Tea Ceremony: Camellia Flower Teahouse

Kyoto

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about a ceremony I had heard of, but really knew nothing about. The person performing the ceremony described how it worked, her training necessary to perform it and its purpose. It was a wonderful lesson in enjoying simplicity and hospitality. As a bonus, the traditional kimonos we wore were a great experience! My favorite souvenir from the trip is a set that enables me to make matcha at home in the traditional way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Don't underestimate the training that goes in to being able to perform this ceremony!

Full Day Kyoto and Nara Tour with English-Speaking Guide

Japan

Kyoto is such a wonderfully historic and beautiful city, full of treasures. I loved this tour because I learned so much about history and customs that I would never have learned had I visited these sites on my own. In fact, I don't know that I would have gone to Nara on my own, simply because I didn't know anything about it. However, it was once the capital of Japan and there was much to see and learn there. Our guide also took us to a small restaurant for udon which we would have never found on our own and it was fabulous!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka Local Foodie Walking Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Japan

Osaka is the food capital of Japan for good reason. As a tourist, I always try to find places where the local people eat to get the best and most authentic food. It is not always easy, especially when there are language barriers (both spoken and written). Our guide took us to fabulous places where there were only local people, and I definitely tried foods that I would have not thought to try. All were delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

Kyoto

Although our Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour got canceled because of snow, my son and I decided to go on our own. It's amusing because living in a snowy region ourselves, what was a considerable amount of snow for the locals felt like just a dusting to us. It ended up being a beautiful experience, giving us unique views of the forest with snow-covered bamboo, which you might not often see.

We had a great trip, and it was only possible through Leny's help! She recommended places and activities, like the Takayama and the Nakasendo Trail hike which was amazing. She hooked us up with some great guides for food and sake tours and temple/shrine tours that exceed our expectations. We couldn't have done so much in the time we had without Leny's help, and the airport pick-ups and city transfers were especially appreciated, especially when the roads and most of the rail lines were closed because of heavy snowfall, but she instantly had a plan and we were able to continue our trip with an alternative route. Thanks Leny!

Hotel Review

Tsutaya Tokinoyado Kazari

Great ryokan experience! First off the meals were absolutely incredible! The onsen was nice and hot, the scenery from the large windows was beautiful, and the staff were also excellent. We really enjoyed it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable, unless you need a soft bed (they are futons).

Activity Reviews

Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour (Adults only)

Kyoto

Great way to learn about how sake is made and the range of flavors it encompasses. We tasted at three different breweries including a good lunch at one. Our guide was knowledgable and friendly. Thanks!

Hidden charms of Arashiyama

Kyoto

This was a great tour! Some of the smaller shrines/temples so it's more intimate. Our guide, Keith, was amazing in his knowledge and nuance of Japanese history and culture (and restaurants and nightlife), after living there for 25 years.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Relax and Savor Dinner in the Ryokan

Kiso-Fukushima

We had the most amazing dinners and breakfasts at this ryokan! So many different dishes and flavors: some slightly more than a thimble full, some you grill yourself at the table, some prepared table-side by the chef, but always 10-15 things to taste and enjoy. Truly amazing. And the staff is really great.

This trip was amazing! I personally like to research/plan my travels but life was hectic beforehand and having someone assist with our travel planning based off our preferences was amazing. The fact it was not much more expensive than doing it ourselves is always a plus. Also, the itinerary layout and portal for KimKim was very straightforward and was always helpful to look at when referring to travel events/timing. I loved how flexible your company is as well, accommodating to our “budget” travel style and self guided events so we could do what we wanted at each location without having to worry about booking timing/tour guides.

We really enjoyed the assistance Sandy provided, she booked domestic travel, checked us in, sent our boarding passes/tickets to us, and provided clear descriptions of where to meet our private transfers at each location! She was even helpful of providing information for where to meet family friends and websites that can help with reserving tables. Sandy was also very responsive the whole trip, helping us get our questions answered as well as being prompt with rescheduling/refunds as our trip changed.

A few points I think Kaelyn mentioned internally, but worth noting here:
-we had to ask Sandy for times of private transfers, reservation #’s, and timing of domestic travel. We didn’t have this info very close to our departure date, and it may have been provided around that time, but I’m sure other people would feel the same of wanting this info a bit beforehand.
-originally, when Sandy booked the Sapporo beer museum tour it said food was included, but the day that we booked it the food was closed all along, not sure how Sandy missed it, but we had to eat lunch somewhere else. Not a huge deal, our local guide Kana was very helpful with this and recommended a great soup curry restaurant that was probably our favorite meal of the trip. Also, Sandy/Kana figured out the refund for the Sapporo beer museum to be applied to our lunch which was great to not have to worry about.

Overall, I would recommend KimKim to most people. This was mine/my wife’s first experience with a travel agency as well, so there were some things that were confusing to us, but overall the trip ran very smoothly and a lot of stress was eliminated because of KimKim’s/Sandy’s assistance! I would definitely consider doing a trip through KimKim again. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri

niseko

You could tell it was an older building, but still a great vibe, good rooms, amazing that it had restaurants/breakfast on-site! It was a bit farther away from everything else in Niseko, almost an hour bus ride to the main village which we didn’t know. It would be nice if this place had a free shuttle to the village as the local bus took a while and was honestly expensive (so was the taxi service), which added up over the couple days. The fact that it was ski in/ski out was the highlight, also each room had their own ski locker which was amazing!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Nothing, it is just far away from the main village/restaurants.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They made our beds everyday and gave us fresh towels, awesome!

The TOURIST HOTEL AND CAFE AKIHABARA

Tokyo

Amazing breakfast, and delicious coffee. We would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Very modern and clean.

Location

Right near electric city, great central location.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Half-day Sapporo City Discovery with Genghis Khan BBQ and Sapporo Beer Tasting

Sapporo

We thought this was a brewery tour not museum tour. And the food was closed. This may have been our fault for not researching when booking, but was fun to learn the history nonetheless.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

KimKim planned an incredible trip to Japan for my family. We (me, my spouse, my son (11) and daughter (8)) spent 12 days total in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hakone. KimKim took care of all the details for us, from planning the itinerary to arranging transportation to finding lots of fun activities for my kids. The real highlight of the trip was a last-minute food tour we threw on the itinerary in Osaka. The guide was incredible and so great with the kids. We went to phenomenal little holes in the wall to try local foods, and visited interesting sites along the way. My kids, both of whom are fairly picky eaters, said the food tour was their favorite part of the trip.

Overall, just a fantastic experience. Everything worked perfectly, the KimKim team was responsive and helpful. I just can't recommend KimKim enough. I'm looking forward to the next trip I can book with them!

I thought the trip was fantastic! We covered so many interesting places and activities and each location was special. I learned so much about Japanese culture. The hotels were beautiful and the food was awesome. And William and Allan were so informative and helpful. Allan treated my elderly mother like a queen! It was a once in a lifetime experience.

Our 9 day trip to Japan was incredible! We had 5 family members in our group ranging from 13 yrs old to 86 yrs old and Shona did an incredible job planning the trip for us. Our first guide, Allan, was just the best! We were in the middle of New Year's celebrations in Tokyo and he taught us so much about the traditions of going to the shrines. Allan took us to shopping districts, museums and other great tourist spots. We walked an average of 7 km per day and Allan always made sure that my mother was doing okay. It rained the day we went to Mt Fuji so Allan changed the itinerary so that we still had a wonderful day. We were sad to see him go but he would always answer our texts if we had a question even though he wasn't our guide anymore. William was our next guide when we went to Kyoto and Osaka. He was also great and was so knowledgeable about every place we went to. Nara was a special place - we had fun watching how mochi was made and feeding the deer in the park. The shrines, temples and gardens were beautiful (every one was different so you didn't get tired of seeing another one). We highly recommend taking the cooking class in Tokyo, dressing up in kimonos and learning about the tea ceremony in Kyoto, going to the Samurai museum in Kyoto, going to Nara and visiting the shrines and temples in Osaka. Shopping in Tokyo and Osaka is a must. Going with kimkim as our travel coordinator was the perfect choice for us. Shona was so helpful and answered our questions promptly if a problem arose during the trip. The guides and drivers were always on time and treated us exceptionally. We would definitely recommend kimkim if you are planning a trip!

Hotel Reviews

Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Very helpful staff. Rooms were nice. Breakfast from the menu was delicious and you could also get more from the buffet. Had dinner at the hotel once and it was also very good - they have different performers during dinner and we saw a music performance. There was a beautiful lounge on the 10th floor that was open from 7 - 10 at night where you could get a hot or cold drink and try some Japanese snacks. Loved the location of this hotel as it was right along the Asakusa strip - just down the way was Don Quijote (a store that had everything and was open 24/7) and lots of places to eat. Even Lawson's (like a 7-11) had great, fresh food. There was always a gentleman standing outside helping tourists with their suitcases when their ride showed up. We left Tokyo for 5 days and were coming back so the hotel let us leave our large suitcase and had it in our room when we came back. They also let us leave all our suitcases in a secure room when we had checked out and wanted to go shopping for a couple of hours before leaving for the airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu

Hakone

Beautiful resort hotel way up in the mountains. Staff were very helpful - girls in kimonos brought luggage up to your room. Rooms were large and beautiful with an onset tub on your balcony. You can't wear a bathing suit in the public onsen so having a private one was nice. Guests walked around in the kimonos and slippers provided in your room. Musicians were performing in the lobby, special juices, sparkling wine and ice cream were offered in the evening. There's a family pool, convenience store, bar, spa in the resort and other restaurants to go to nearby. The buffet breakfast was unbelievable! So much fantastic food to try. The grounds and view were picturesque. We only got to stay there one night - would've liked to have stayed at least 2 nights.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

This hotel was very nice. The rooms were nice and just big enough for 2 people and 2 carryons. We were too early to check in but were able to leave our suitcases in a secure room while we went to the Tea Ceremony and Samurai Museum. This hotel was located very near the train station. You could spend a whole day at the train station shopping and eating. The Samurai museum is located in a shopping district so we went back there to shop the next day. Taking a taxi or bus back to the hotel or Kyoto station was easy. The buffet breakfast was excellent with so many things to try. A robot went around for you to put dirty dishes on. The staff were very friendly, announcing your arrival at breakfast with the chef and serving staff welcoming you out loud. They had a lounge area where you could get hot or cold drinks whenever you'd like.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

Osaka

This was a beautiful hotel right in the city. The staff were very helpful as we needed their help getting our passports that we left in the Kyoto hotel - they did all the calling and arranging for us to pick them up. The rooms were beautiful (the shower/tub encased in glass weren't very private but you could make one wall opaque) and the view from the room overlooking the city was breathtaking. The breakfast buffet was good but not outstanding like some other hotels' buffets. The hotel held our suitcases after we checked out so we could shop for a couple of hours before catching the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. We took a taxi to the shopping district which cost around $15 - we thought having 5 people would make getting a taxi a problem but they let us cram 4 in the back.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Meiji Shrine,the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace Akihabara,and Harajuku Tour

Tokyo

Having a guide take us to the Meiji Shrine was so advantageous because it was Jan 3rd and the shrine was filled with Japanese locals who were coming to celebrate New Years. Allan taught us all the traditions and reasons for doing what the locals were doing. It was so fun to be a part of it. The Imperial Palace was beautiful - it was open to the public the day before so all the barriers were being taken down (the palace is only open to the public two times a year). We missed it, but apparently it was crazy busy! Seeing the Harajuku district was very interesting. It was very busy and not a very wide street so it was slow going. Very interesting stores, very interesting fashion and lots of fun street food.

Quality of Experience

Allan our guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had Allan for 2 days and were sad to see him go. The drivers were so patient and would take us anywhere we wanted.

Transport

The drivers would text us the day before to let us know the time of pick up. They were always on time and would help us if they could (not many of them could speak English).

A Fun-Filled Cooking Class in Tokyo - Wagyu Beef and More

Tokyo

This was a really fun morning! We got dropped off in a residential area and went into an apartment building. We were a bit early but the ladies let us come in, get ready, and wait in a large dining area (the apt was renovated so that there was one big room instead of a bedroom and a living room). Two other people joined us and we got started. The first instructor had us help make broth and miso soup. Then we made side dishes like rolled egg, cucumber salad, potato salad, and a pancake for dessert. The second instructor had us make a chicken/veg stuffed lotus root and the sauce for the shabu shabu. We also learned how to make the carrot and mushroom decorative for the meat dish. Once we cooked everything and had all of the food plated on nice dishes, we got to eat our lunch! It was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The three ladies were so organized and had the lesson down to a fine art. They kept us busy even though we didn't make everything. They would have things already prepared to keep the lesson going. The 3 hrs went by so quickly!

Transport

We had a driver and were surprised to find ourselves in a residential area. Don't know if it was easy to find if you were on your own.

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi Cruise Tour

Fujikawaguchiko

Unfortunately, this was the only rainy day of our trip and it was on our Mt Fuji day! We watched the video at the Mt Fuji information centre and got to use the virtual reality goggles to see what Mt Fuji looks like up close which was cool and informative. We still did the boat cruise but it wasn't much fun because it was so windy and rainy. Our guide Allan took us to a little village as plan B which turned out to be one of our favourite places in Japan! This village gets Mt Fuji water and as a result grows the best food around. They mill their own buckwheat and make their own soba and udon noodles - we had both for lunch and it was fantastic! We had grilled mochi and manju, hand made rice crackers and manju stuffed with a strawberry. The trout swimming in the ponds were huge and the village store had lots of local products to buy. I would ask to go to this village (don't remember the name) even if you do get to see Mt Fuji.

Quality of Experience

Mt Fuji was disappointing but going to the village made up for it

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were so glad that Allan took us to the village - it was one of our favourite places

Transport

Our driver was happy to take us to the village. Driving up the mountain to the Hakone resort was quite the drive but Lin did a great job.

Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Didn't know we were going to be put in traditional kimonos and have our hair put up for the ceremony - the guys looked great in their traditional wear as well! The staff took pics for us in the garden. It wasn't easy sitting in a kimono on our knees for an hour but we were allowed to sit any way that was comfortable. The host was very informative and took pics for us. She let us try Japanese treats and taught us the proper technique on how to make the tea. Not many liked the matcha but you only had to take four sips to complete the ceremony. Our tour guide at the Samurai Ninja museum was really good. He was easy to understand, was very informative and there were lots of artifacts to look at. We also got to try throwing ninja stars which wasn't that easy. We didn't try on the costumes at the end.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The ladies that dressed you and did your hair were amazingly fast! You get to choose your kimono and the flowers that go in your hair.

Transport

We had a hard time finding the museum after the tea ceremony, but, just asked for help and locals were happy to send you in the right direction.

Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkakuji Temple

Kyoto

Both temples were beautiful and both were completely different. The Fushimi Inari Taisha has the 10,000 red gates and the Kinkakuji Temple has the most beautiful gardens and grounds. Would recommend seeing both of them.

Quality of Experience

Beautiful, iconic spots

Guides, Drivers and Staff

William was so knowledgeable about Japanese history

Transport

Our driver knew the quickest way to get in and out of the busy streets

Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour

Kyoto

The bamboo forest was beautiful because we don't see bamboo in Canada. Don't have to spend too long here unless you want to see every shrine. It was funny how a local train would go barreling through the part of the forest every once in a while. The Tenryuji Temple had beautiful gardens even in January.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

William knew where to stop for good group photos. He was able to answer all of our questions and inform us of so much.

Transport

Full Day Nara City Tour, Overnight in Osaka

Kyoto

Loved Nara and seeing the bowing deer in the park. The shrine has beautiful lanterns all around. There's a store that makes the best mochi and if you're lucky you might get to see the men pounding the rice. The Temple in the park is huge but we didn't go in to see the big Buddha.

Quality of Experience

The deer were so cute - more like goats. The mochi was so tasty - should've bought more!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

William told us how to feed the deer properly so that they don't chase you.

Transport

This was the second time we have used Kim Kim for traveling, and yet again the company they linked us with was excellent. Alan, our guide in Tokyo was extremely personable and his enthusiasm and love of sharing his knowledge made our time truly unforgettable. Slash was our guide for Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. While we appreciated his knowledge about the places we were visiting, his knowledge about what food areas to avoid as they were more for tourist experiences, and where to go for the best “real” Japanese food was always spot on. We could not have been happier with his suggestions. Our family left Japan with a better understanding of the culture, religion, and of course food! Visiting a variety of shrines, temples, and palaces along with a hands on bento box cooking class, private geisha tea ceremony where we had an opportunity to talk with the geisha and ask questions, and learning how to forge our own knives- literally we had so many wonderful experiences it is impossible to name a favorite one. Our family will 100% be using kim kim for our next trip!

Hotel Reviews

Shiba Park Hotel

Tokyo

The Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo was a nice place to stay. Initially, I thought we would have to take transportation everywhere, but it turned out most places were within walking distance, about a mile to a mile and a half away. The hotel was not located right in the heart of the action, but it was easy to figure things out. The staff was great, and overall, I was happy with the accommodation.

Tennen Onsen Renka no Yu Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo

Kyoto

Tennen Onsen Renka no Yu Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo in Kyoto offered a phenomenal experience. The ryokan was very traditional Japanese, which made it quite memorable. We enjoyed the experience of dining on the floor and having the meal served in traditional style. Everything about this stay was wonderful.

Cross Hotel Osaka

Osaka

Cross Hotel Osaka's location is unbeatable, nestled just a block from all the action and shops in Osaka. The convenience of being close to everything was fantastic. The unique vibe of this hotel compared to others in the trip really stood out. All in all, a great place to be and enjoy the city center of Osaka.

Activity Reviews

Sensoji Asakusa

Tokyo

Our family loved learning about the history as well as the rituals. Knowing why shrines and temples vary on if one walks on the side versus down the middle of a path, how to properly make an offering and make ones wish, explaining amulets, fortunes, and the importance they have in religion.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Tokyo

Our family loved learning about the history as well as the rituals. Knowing why shrines and temples vary on if one walks on the side versus down the middle of a path, how to properly make an offering and make ones wish, explaining amulets, fortunes, and the importance they have in religion.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo

What an incredible view!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

TeamLab Borderless: MORI Building Digital Art Museum

Tokyo

Our family loved this experience! So unique, loved exploring our own path through the beautiful exhibit.

Quality of Experience

Tsukiji Fish Market

Tokyo

We enjoyed exploring all our options. The food was fantastic. We loved the sushi as well as the mochi, candied fruit, and wagyu!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Harajuku

Tokyo

Loved walking around the streets, seeing the shops, people, and of course the food. Getting to play with otters was unforgettable! At end of the day we went to Shibuya crossing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Full Day Hakone Mt Fuji National Park Excursion from Tokyo by Private Vehicle and Guide: National Park, Cable Car up Mt Owakudani, Pirate ship across the Lake Ashinoko

Tokyo

Long day of traveling. Car, train, cable car, then ropeway. We were lucky and experienced the parting of clouds to reveal Mt Fuji in all its glory. A sight we will not soon forget.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

⭐Full Day Nikko Tour by Private Vehicle and Guide: Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji

Tokyo

This was actually our free day in Tokyo, we did not do these activities. We loved the free day and having time to explore Tokyo on our own. We also had a free day in Kyoto a d one in Osaka. Pictures are from those three free days

Full Day Hiroshima excursion from Osaka by Private Car(guide meets with clients in Hiroshima, Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima Island) :

Osaka

A very powerful day, the Hiroshima museum and peace park is something one should not miss. Miyajima Island, seeing the floating Torii gate and learning about the island was interesting and beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Culinary Delights: A Half-Day Gastronomic Adventure in Shinsekai (Osaka)

Japan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Osaka Castle Park

Japan

Really enjoyed learning the history and seeing the artifacts

Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum

Osaka

The museum was small but interesting. After we had opportunity to explore streets and get some great food.

Kyoto Cooking Class

Kyoto

Family cooking class to make our own Bento boxes was lots of fun. We really appreciated that a vegetarian option was available for one of our family members.

Quality of Experience

Transport

PRIVATE Geisha Tea Ceremony and Performance

Kyoto

Loved the opportunity to ask the geisha questions. Watching the tea ceremony was mesmerizing.

Quality of Experience

Nonomiya Shrine

Kyoto

Our guide did not show us this shrine

Quality of Experience

Nishiki Market

Kyoto

Our guide told us this was not a good place to go for food, as it is often left out for hours. Our family explored this place on our own during free time, not eating, but shopping and exploring. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Katana Sword Making in Kyoto

Kyoto

Loved getting to do this process from beginning to end. What a unique souvenir to bring home.

Quality of Experience

Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

Kyoto

Hama-rikyu Gardens

Tokyo

The gardens were closed. Our guide took us instead to another area of Tokyo, to the Kokyo Gsien National Garden

Full Day Nara and Fushimi Excursion from Kyoto (Todaji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, Deer Park, Sake Brewery, Fushimi Inari Shrine)

Kyoto

Deer park was great! Our guide skipped the sake brewery but took us to a restaurant for two flights of sake (15 in each flight)to share. The temple and shrine were breathtaking.

🚗One Way Transfer between Hotel and Tokyo Train Station (Driver Only)

Tokyo

Our drivers throughout the trip were AMAZING. Photos are from New Years Day when we moved from Kyoto via the bullet train.

Pure Water Temple (Kiyomizu-dera)

Kyoto

Nijo Castle

Kyoto

Togetsu-kyo Bridge

Kyoto

This was pointed out to us from the distance by our guide.

Bamboo Grove

Kyoto

Samurai and Ninja Museum with Experience

Kyoto

Dear Shona
Thank you so much for eliciting our feedback of our trip to Japan.
There were many amazing parts of the trip that will make it memorable for a lifetime, including the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the history of Kyoto and visiting the Snow Monkeys in Nagano. Despite this, there were several significant areas of concern.
- All reservation information was delivered late. This resulted in our family needing to review travel plans shortly before to ensure that we would be able to arrive at the correct time.
- The transfer between Tokyo and Nagano was too brief and created intense stress of navigating the station to find the train. Additional information to preview that this would be a difficult transfer would have supported our ability to plan a head.
- The trip summary plan indicated that we would leave from Kyoto, take a train to Nagano and a bus to Hakuba allowing for the 1/2 day afternoon to ski or participate in outdoor activities. The last minute change communicated to us resulted in a train from Kyoto to Tokyo, from Tokyo to Nagano, and then a bus to Hakuba. We arrived after 5pm and were not able to participate in any activities that day, which was not the original plan and resulted in a loss of a day.
Thank you,
Joanna.

This was our first KimKim experience. We were initially hesitant but in hindsight our concerns will unwarranted. We had a terrific nearly flawless 14-day trip to Japan, and Sandy was absolutely fantastic! The iterative process of developing an itinerary was effective and efficient. The organization and accessibility of the information, itinerary, travel, details, and logistical material was terrific. Sandy was respectful of our preferences and budget. We balanced a few private tours with other days that were self guided on a couple of occasions where there was need for intervention with a hotel to straighten out something unexpected, Sandy was swift and effective. We typically plan trips ourselves, but hesitated to do so for this trip. Yes, there is a premium paid to get this type of assistance, but there was value in the additional cost and we would absolutely consider KimKim again for any travel that was beyond our comfort zone in self planning.

Activity Reviews

Ikebana, Flower Arrangement Workshop in YANAKA, Tokyo

Tokyo

Terrific experience. Educational and fun! Great neighborhood for exploring as well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Samurai Sword Experience for Adults in Kyoto

Kyoto

Kitschy and not at the same level as other activities. Samurai instructor was great but museum and tour were subpar.

Quality of Experience

Shirakawago Day Trip from Kanazawa (With Hida Takayama)

Kanazawa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The tour guides and drivers were fantastic. Loved the hotels and all the excursions.

Hotel Reviews

Cross Hotel Kyoto

Kyoto

Great location and staff. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

Osaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Best part of the trip by far. Very authentic and memorable experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour: Tokyo Skytree, TeamLab, Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Hi

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport