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Sandy Ren

I have been working as a travel specialist since graduating from college twenty years ago. Travel is my lifelong passion. It was such a thrilling thing to venture into a new world full of unknown surprises and soak up the unique sounds, sights, and scents. As a Japan enthusiast, I can't wait to help you create your memory in this country that boasts a myriad of fascinating explorations!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Japan!Just let me know what will make your stay in thiscountry unforgettable, perhaps a sensational Wagyu beef culinary experience, a hiking trip to see the traditional Japanese countryside, a luxury afternoon tea with Tokyo’s skyline right in front of your eyes, I will help you truly experience these destinations at your own pace."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I majored in Tourism English in college. That was when I fell in love with travel. After graduating, I was lucky to find a job at a travel company and have been working as a local travel specialist since. Travel keeps people young and I always have full passion for travel."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"It was during the cherry blossom season. I went on a trip to Oshino Hakkai and the vista was breathtaking-blooming cherry flowers creating a sea of pink, Mt. Fuji with its snowy peak standing tall in the background - the beauty has always lingered in my mind."

Sandy is part of the following groups: Japan Travel Agents, Japan Luxury Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Sandy

Excellent execution of less than optimal planning
Japan | Oct 27 - Nov 11, 2024

M
Margalit Z.
Sarasota, FL | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2024
Too many iterations that required repeated checking and input on my part. Most private guides did not speak English well enough, the only one that was fluent as well as knowledgeable was Hector (our guide in Kyoto). Several mid day train’s bookings needed to be changed to earlier in the day, as the original timing didn’t make sense. While planning was less than perfect, Sandy’s execution and daily follow up was excellent. Read more

Too many iterations that required repeated checking and input on my part. Most private guides did not speak English well enough, the only one that was fluent as well as knowledgeable was Hector (our guide in Kyoto). Several mid day train’s bookings needed to be changed to earlier in the day, as the original timing didn’t make sense. While planning was less than perfect, Sandy’s execution and daily follow up was excellent.

Activity Review
 Mt. Koya and Temple Stay Experience
Mt. Koya and Temple Stay Experience
Mount Koya

Amazing visit to the open cemetery and shrine; very enjoyable (including meals) and educational experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 28, 2024

Dear Margalit,

Greetings from Sandy.Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We appreciate your insights regarding the planning process. We're glad to hear that Hector provided an excellent experience in Kyoto with his fluency and knowledge. We understand the importance of efficient scheduling and will work to improve our coordination for future trips. It's great to know that my execution and daily follow-up met your expectations. Your comments help us enhance our services, and wish you a better experience on your next journey.

Warm regards as always,
Sandy

It was a very well planned trip. Sandy and h...
Japan | May 10 - May 24, 2024

Al
Al B.
Los Altos, CA | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2024

It was a very well planned trip. Sandy and her team were always available to assist us during the trip. The only thing we will possibly do different will be to not carry all our luggage to Mount Koya or Koyasan.

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 28, 2024

Dear Al,

Hope you are doing great. Thank you so much for your kind words.We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your trip and found everything well planned. It's great to know that my team and I were able to assist you throughout your journey. We appreciate your feedback about the luggage, and we'll keep that in mind for future travelers. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon.

Warm regards from Asia,
Sandy

We wanted to do the Kumano Kodo trail and vis...
Japan | Mar 27 - Apr 7, 2024

Isabela
Isabela V.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2024

We wanted to do the Kumano Kodo trail and visit Kyoto and Tokyo and a couple of other spots and Sandy was really helpful. Her assistance was pivotal with planning the Kumano Kodo lodgings because we assumed that a couple months in advance were enough and had difficulty finding hotels, but Sandy made it all happen and came up with great options. Her assistance was crucial, that is perhaps the best part of Kim Kim the fact that they set you up with someone local who can really come through and provide insider suggestions and options that no foreigner would come up with

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 11, 2024

Dear Isabela,

Hope you are doing fantastic and thank you for sharing your experience. It's my great pleasure to assist you with your plans for the Kumano Kodo trail, Kyoto, and Tokyo. It's so delighted to know that my local knowledge and connections made a significant difference in securing lodgings and providing valuable insights. If you have any further questions or need more assistance, feel free to reach out.

Warm regards,
Sandy

It's just perfect.
Japan | Sep 3 - Sep 13, 2024

Doug
Doug N.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2024
First off, Sandy is amazing. From the first day of planning to the end of the trip, she's always there with us. She answered all our (4 of us) questions. And is always one step ahead of our trip. She had always informed us 1 day ahead as who is our driver or who is our local guide, and what to do next. When we contacted her for a little hiccup, she and her team immediately jumped on it to resolve the situation. (BTW, the hiccup was from the other place booking, not... Read more

First off, Sandy is amazing. From the first day of planning to the end of the trip, she's always there with us. She answered all our (4 of us) questions. And is always one step ahead of our trip. She had always informed us 1 day ahead as who is our driver or who is our local guide, and what to do next. When we contacted her for a little hiccup, she and her team immediately jumped on it to resolve the situation. (BTW, the hiccup was from the other place booking, not Kimkim).

Jennifer, Fiona, Mike, Jade, and Micky are flexible and knowing their locals well. Drivers are on time. We like Hotel at Kyoto and Osaka best. La Valse at Busan has a very nice view, but the room is not too functional due to a not useful countertop. So it's just ok. All hotels are very clean btw.

All in all, I'm glad I found Kimkim and more so when having Sandy as our specialist. We'll look for Kimkim for our next trip, and hopefully we got Sandy again. And for sure, I'll share our experience about kimkim with our friends.

Thanks for wonderful memory.

Hotel Reviews
Lavalse Hotel

The view is amazing. But the room has the countertop (like kitchen countertop) which take up a lot of room. I would trade the view for the more functional room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great view.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
clean but not comfy due to the countertop takes up a big chunk of real estate.
Cross Hotel Osaka
Osaka

Best hotel chain for my trip. Both lobby and room are nice and roomy. I would love to stay here next time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Best hotel chain for my trip. Both lobby and room are nice and roomy. I would love to stay here next time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza PREMIER
Tokyo

Location is good but the lobby is so tiny. Room is clean but ok. I'm ok to stay here next time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NINE TREE PREMIER HOTEL MYEONGDONG II
Seoul

Good lobby, room is ok but one annoying thing is about the motion detection light. I would like to have an option to use it or now. At night if you have to go to the bath room, this light will be wake you up or your partner up.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
I had to leave at 7:00am at the same time, the buffet would just got open. The staff ordered our breakfast packed for us the night before. And actually they were ready before 7:00am. This is great.
Cleanliness & Comfort
annoying night motion detection light
Activity Review
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka

I was really looking forward to experiencing the local food in Osaka, but honestly, it didn’t live up to my expectations. Maybe it’s because I’ve had amazing street food in places like Thailand and Vietnam, which are hard to beat.

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Sep 23, 2024
Dear Doug, Hope you have a great day.Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience with our team and me. It’s great to know that our guides are flexible and knowledgeable during your tour. We appreciate your feedback about the hotels, especially your thoughts on La Valse in Busan. Making sure our travelers are comfortable is important to us, and we’ll pass along your comments for consideration. We’re delighted that you’ll be... Read more

Dear Doug,

Hope you have a great day.Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience with our team and me. It’s great to know that our guides are flexible and knowledgeable during your tour.

We appreciate your feedback about the hotels, especially your thoughts on La Valse in Busan. Making sure our travelers are comfortable is important to us, and we’ll pass along your comments for consideration.

We’re delighted that you’ll be choosing Kimkim for your next trip. Thank you for sharing your experience with your friends and for allowing us to create lasting memories for you.

Safe travels, and we look forward to helping you plan your next adventure.

Best regards from Asia,
Sandy

We had a 10 days most amazing tour of Japan t...
Japan | Aug 23 - Sep 2, 2024

Sooren
Sooren K.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 03, 2024
We had a 10 days most amazing tour of Japan thanks to our wonderful tour organizer Sandy who had put together a package covering just about every important site seeing spots and more , the tour guides were all anxious to teach us many important points, the accommodations were all very well chosen in best locations with reasonable prices, and considering we were stuck with a worst typhoon, she was able to change around on the spot Read more

We had a 10 days most amazing tour of Japan thanks to our wonderful tour organizer Sandy who had put together a package covering just about every important site seeing spots and more , the tour guides were all anxious to teach us many important points, the accommodations were all very well chosen in best locations with reasonable prices, and considering we were stuck with a worst typhoon, she was able to change around on the spot

Hotel Reviews
Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Good accommodation and food reasonable price
Location
At the center of town famous Shibuya crossing
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fuji View Hotel
Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima
Hiroshima

Absolutely amazing location view

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Needs some renovation
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Centrally located very nice hotel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Sep 08, 2024

Dear Sooren,

Hope you are doing great.Thank you for your kind words. We are thrilled to hear that you had an amazing tour of Japan. It's great to hear that the tour guides were knowledgeable and the locations well-chosen. There were some last minute changes because of the unexpected typhoon.Thanks a lot for your understanding. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another tour in the future.

Best regards as always,
Sandy

Exceptionally planned trip!
Japan | Aug 4 - Aug 13, 2024

S
Sumeet C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 19, 2024
Sandy was super diligent and thorough in planning our trip. She was very communicative and fully understood our requirements. All the events in the itinerary were top notch and appropriate for what we wanted. Both leading up to finalizing the program, and during the trip, she was on top of the itinerary and we never felt the need to reach out to her first - she would always proactively do so! KimKim and Sandy were the best - we'd highly recommend! Read more

Sandy was super diligent and thorough in planning our trip. She was very communicative and fully understood our requirements. All the events in the itinerary were top notch and appropriate for what we wanted. Both leading up to finalizing the program, and during the trip, she was on top of the itinerary and we never felt the need to reach out to her first - she would always proactively do so! KimKim and Sandy were the best - we'd highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
THE HOTEL HIGASHIYAMA by Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Westin Osaka
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yumi was the best!
Transport
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Highlight of our trip!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yuki was the best!
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Arakurayama Sengen Park Tour
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Arakurayama Sengen Park Tour
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto Gion Kiyomizu
Geisha (Maiko) Tea Ceremony & Show in Kyoto Gion Kiyomizu
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
An Insight into Local Religion: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
An Insight into Local Religion: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji
Japan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yuki was the best!
Transport
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yuki was the best!
Transport
Sumo Morning Practice
Sumo Morning Practice
Tokyo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yoshi was great!
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 20, 2024

Dear Sumeet,

Hope you are doing great. Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us. It was a pleasure to plan and execute your trip, and I am delighted to hear that the itinerary exceeded your expectations and that the events were enjoyable. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we are eager to assist you with any future travel plans.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Japan in the future.

Wishing you and your family continued happiness.

Best regards,
Sandy

A Journey to Remember: Our 14-Day Adventure in Japan
Japan | Jul 21 - Jul 31, 2024

Amy
Amy L.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 09, 2024
From start to finish, our trip to Japan was nothing short of spectacular, thanks in large part to Sandy, our local specialist. This trip, which we planned for my sister and our kids, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sandy’s exceptional service played a pivotal role in making it unforgettable.
Sandy’s expertise and dedication were evident from the very beginning. She skillfully helped us navigate through the planning process, balancing our budget with our dream itinerary. Her...
Read more

From start to finish, our trip to Japan was nothing short of spectacular, thanks in large part to Sandy, our local specialist. This trip, which we planned for my sister and our kids, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sandy’s exceptional service played a pivotal role in making it unforgettable.
Sandy’s expertise and dedication were evident from the very beginning. She skillfully helped us navigate through the planning process, balancing our budget with our dream itinerary. Her knowledge of Japan was impressive, and her patience and understanding made the planning phase smooth and stress-free. Despite the 12-hour time difference, Sandy was always available. During the trip she would check in daily to confirm all logistics and ensure everything was on track. She even threw in a much appreciated upgrade with our last minute experience add-on!
Our 14-day journey took us to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, and Osaka. Each stop was seamlessly organized, thanks to Sandy’s meticulous planning. The friendly and professional drivers and guides at each location were punctual and attentive, enhancing our experience at every turn. Our bullet train tickets to Kyoto from Hakone magically appeared at our hotel at check-in.
A standout moment of our trip was our day trip to Yokohoma with our guide, Alan Tan. Alan went above and beyond by securing reservations at a fantastic restaurant for the best table with panoramic views of Shibuya Crossing. His thoughtful touch included providing us with detailed train maps for days he wasn’t with us, ensuring we could navigate the city with ease. His dedication and personalized assistance were deeply appreciated.
Sandy’s efforts in securing hard-to-get advance tickets (Ramen Museum, CupNoodle Factory, TeamLabPlanets, Ghibli Museum, Osaka Aquarium) were a huge relief and allowed us to focus on enjoying our trip. Each day unfolded without a hitch, and we are incredibly grateful for the seamless experience she provided. The memories we created will be cherished forever, and we owe a great deal of our unforgettable experience to Sandy’s exceptional service.

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 12, 2024
Dear Amy, Hope you are doing great and thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help plan your trip to Japan and I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a spectacular experience. I'm so glad that I was able to make the planning process smooth and stress-free for you, and I'm delighted to hear that the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your family. It's great to hear that the logistics and details were all taken care of, and that you were able to... Read more

Dear Amy,

Hope you are doing great and thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to help plan your trip to Japan and I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a spectacular experience. I'm so glad that I was able to make the planning process smooth and stress-free for you, and I'm delighted to hear that the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your family. It's great to hear that the logistics and details were all taken care of, and that you were able to enjoy the trip without any hitches. Alan and I are so glad that we could contribute to the memorable experiences you had during your journey. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your adventure in Japan.

Best regards as always,
Sandy

We had several guides, all English speaking, ...
Japan | Jul 16 - Jul 25, 2024

E
Emily G.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2024
We had several guides, all English speaking, and I cannot remember their names. However, they were all excellent. The young woman who was the guide on our food tour in Osaka was especially fun, energetic and very impressive! Read more

We had several guides, all English speaking, and I cannot remember their names. However, they were all excellent. The young woman who was the guide on our food tour in Osaka was especially fun, energetic and very impressive!

Hotel Review
Sakura Terrace -Adult Only

This hotel had a wonderful lobby space for sitting, an outdoor bar…& a fabulous restaurant! Also live music some evenings.

Authenticity & Character
Wonderful lobby area and outdoor bar
Location
Near the train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 07, 2024

Dear Emily,

Hope you have a great day.Thank you for sharing your enjoyable experience with us. It sounds like you had a great time with the guides and enjoyed the hotel amenities.The food tour in Osaka sounds especially exciting. We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience with the staff and facilities at Sakura Terrace. We hope to welcome you back again in the future.

Best regards from Asia,
Sandy

Japan's Big Four Tour is excellent.
Japan | Jul 16 - Jul 25, 2024

Charlie
Charlie G.
Memphis, TN | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2024
We enjoyed each of the four cities that we visited (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima). Yumi, Yesgo (phonetic spelling), and Yoko were all excellent guides - knowledgeable, personable, and interesting. Sandy did an excellent job of laying out our itinerary, providing helpful information, and answering questions before and during our trip. Read more

We enjoyed each of the four cities that we visited (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima). Yumi, Yesgo (phonetic spelling), and Yoko were all excellent guides - knowledgeable, personable, and interesting. Sandy did an excellent job of laying out our itinerary, providing helpful information, and answering questions before and during our trip.

Hotel Reviews
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
Tokyo

We did not stay in the Royal Park. We stayed at Via Inn Prime Akasaka and it was conveniently located and quite satisfactory.

Authenticity & Character
It is a modern hotel set up well for business people and tourists visiting Tokyo.
Location
Reasonable walk to many points of interest. Easy access to the subway.
Staff
The staff was courteous and very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Due to an illness, we need a change of bed linens after the first night and they responded graciously.
Sakura Terrace -Adult Only

Close to the train station. Excellent restaurant and helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
A modern hotel with comfortable room and excellent restaurant.
Location
Easy walk to the train station.
Staff
Courteous and professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A very nice hotel.
Hotel Forza Osaka Namba Dotonbori

Great location next to shopping arcade and subway. Small but comfortable room

Authenticity & Character
Modern hotel. Small but comfortable room, good breakfast.
Location
Close to shopping arcade and subway/local train station.
Staff
Friendly and professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
the room and the breakfast area.
THE KNOT HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima

Very nice room close to the Peace Memorial Museum, the river, and bus and trolley stations. Easy walk to a shopping arcade.

Authenticity & Character
Modern, spacious room, comfortable bed, good restaurant and 14th floor bar.
Location
Close to the Peace Memorial Museum, the river, and bus and trolley stations. Easy walk to a shopping arcade and a small tempura restaurant that was quite good..
Staff
Friendly and professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
See above.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Full Day Tokyo City Tour
Tokyo

Knowlegeable and friendly guide.

Quality of Experience
Educational and interesting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yumi was great.
Transport
Comfortable and convenient.
Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance
Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance
Kyoto

We really enjoyed this glimpse into Japanese entertainment and culture. The comedy was our favorite.

Quality of Experience
Only one hour but very enjoyable.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Not applicable. We went there on our own.
Transport
Subway and walk. GPS was helpful if not essential.
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Full Day Tour of Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Sagano Scenic Railway
Kyoto

Most of our time in Japan was spent in cities so this was a nice experience in the countryside.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yasuko was an excellent guide in Kyoto and Osaka.
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
Osaka

Good food. We enjoyed the guide and the other family on our tour.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fu-Chan was an excellent guide. Personable, enthusiastic, and an inspring personal story that she shared when we asked her about her life when she is not working as a guide.
Feed Deer At Nara Park
Feed Deer At Nara Park
Japan

We had no idea there would be so many deer just walking among the people. This was fun!

Quality of Experience
The deer! And the temple was educational and interesting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great job.
Transport
Easy and convenient.
Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour
Full Day Miyajima Island and Memorial Park Tour
Hiroshima

Touring the Memorial Park was a profound experience. We learned so much from Yoko. Miyajima Island was also enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Learning about this from a Japanese point of view was educational.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yoko is a great guide for this city.
Transport
Moderate walking required. We also enjoyed the boat ride and the trolley.
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jul 30, 2024

Dear Charlie,

Greetings from Sandy.Thank you for your positive and thoughtful words. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. We are also happy to hear that Yumi, Yesgo, and Yoko were excellent guides and especially,that all the hotels make you feel enjoyable with their convenience and helpful staff.It's my great pleasure to be a part of assisting your trip to Japan. We hope to welcome you back on another trip soon.

Best regards,
Sandy

Tohoku off the beaten track and Tokyo adventure
Japan | May 15 - May 28, 2024

laurie
laurie w.
Westfield, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2024
I cannot say enough about the level of service, patience, detail and organization that Sandy, our contact at KimKim and Odynovo, provided. I changed my mind and plans so many times in the planning process and she always responded with cheer and a desire to help me achieve our goals. We had an extremely seamless vacation experience in Japan, and I credit this to her and her team's incredible organizational skills. We never had an issue checking into a hotel, meeting a guide, with a reservation... Read more

I cannot say enough about the level of service, patience, detail and organization that Sandy, our contact at KimKim and Odynovo, provided. I changed my mind and plans so many times in the planning process and she always responded with cheer and a desire to help me achieve our goals. We had an extremely seamless vacation experience in Japan, and I credit this to her and her team's incredible organizational skills. We never had an issue checking into a hotel, meeting a guide, with a reservation or anything. I didn't realize until we got there how much arranging they had done in terms of reserving a time for us to canoe; meet our guides; planning out trains; etc. Sandy checked in on us many times during our stay in Japan and always wanted to make sure we were having the best experience. I am so pleased we worked with them. Some of our desires may have been difficult to achieve since we were travelling in a less touristed region but they made it happen. There are too many great details of our trip to list all, but I will add some highlights and then a few things that we (or mostly I) would do slightly differently next time. I do want to go back soon and I would definitely use KimKim and Odynovo again.
Highlights- our guides Kohmin, Tomoko and Chie were all so interesting and knowledgeable, and gave us so much insight into local culture and history. Chie in particular is a riot and very personable. We really enjoyed the tuna auction and fish market in Shiogama; those were very different and uncrowded experiences I can't imagine that most tourists get to experience. Matsushima was beautiful and we loved going to the little tea house with Kohmin and Tomoko. With Chie, we explored Yamadera, which is a beautiful mountaintop shrine where we climbed up for gorgeous views and we had a fun local lunch with her and took local trains. One of our most memorable stays that Odynovo booked for us was in the ryokan in Tendo; what a beautiful, soothing and fancy cultural experience with gorgeously served meals I will never forget. I would have liked a little more time in this area. Kakunodate was also very memorable; we loved the samurai district tours with Koh and he also took us to a nearby waterfall. We went back ourselves the next day before leaving for Tokyo and were going to go on a hike up the hill for a view of the town but there were bears in the area! Instead we walked around this lovely town more, had coffee in a little and interesting local place and lunch in the hotel. It would be amazing at cherry blossom time, I'm sure and is quite famous for that. I had found a farm stay called Midori No Kaze but couldn't get in touch with them; Sandy did and booked that for us. It isn't for everyone - very rustic and basic, just 2 roooms in a couple's house, but we really enjoyed being outside the town and walking around their rice fields. They are incredibly hospitable. From the reviews online I had thought we could participate in some farm activities; though that didn't happen, we still had a great time just staying over there. Kazuko, the owner, is Internet savvy and books guests from all over who want something a little different. We really liked her and she even was happy to speak very simple slow Japanese with me so that I could practice! Our other favorite activity which Odynovo booked for us was canoeing in a group in the submerged forest in Lake Ishikawa, an opportunity that only comes along a couple of months a year in the spring when the snows from Mt. Ide melt. A very unique opportunity and fun to be the only foreigners in the group at a beautiful spot. The guides always called ahead to let various activities and hotels know we were coming and make us feel welcome.
The only things I would have done differently are more my responsibility. For example, I would have liked more time to just wander by ourselves through some of the towns. Ginbekei Gorge was a disappointment and I should have read more about it before hand- I was mixing it up in my head with another gorge in the area. At Ginbekei, I thought we could hike and walk around a lot but there are no trails. The "flying dango" were fun to see but I could have skipped this place altogether if I had known more about it, and would have preferred doing something else outdoors in a more expansive natural area. I think that KimKim may want to let people know if a particular activity is not necessarily the best use of their time, but of course again this is something that I should have been aware of myself. The only other thing I would have done differently is upgrade my hotel in Tokyo to one with a slightly bigger room since we were there 5 days. The Knot staff is absolutely lovely, and breakfasts were delicious, and it is opposite a really nice park, so it was fine. The staff also helped me arrange a reservation at a local jazz club one night. However, while Japanese hotel rooms can be small, I know, the KNot's are REALLY small with no place to put our clothes during a longer stay. Also, had I researched it a bit more, while it is good to be near the station, but Shinjuku is really crowded and huge and a little exhausting, so next time I would maybe stay in a slightly quieter area such as Asakusa, or rent an Air BnB if I'm going to be somewhere for more than a few nights.
In Tokyo, Odynovo arranged a fabulous tea ceremony demonstration for us with Mariko, and we were the only people besides one other Japanese woman and we had the BEST time. Thank you! So interesting to learn about. It is right next to the Kabuki Theater so we bought tickets to a performance there ourselves. On our own, we took the bus to Lake Kawaguchi one day to see views of Mt. Fuji and walk around, and that was also a great experience and awe-inspiring. W

I'd also like to be able to speak on the phone with the agency more at the beginning of the planning stage next time although email/ KimKim platforms works very well. Sandy is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and diplomatic and I really credit her with making our trip such an easy and memorable one!!! She is amazing.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East
Sendai

Great location, nice staff, amazing breakfast selections (Japanese and western). We enjoyed being above the lively and convenient station in Sendai. The room was very tiny, which is not unusual for hotels in Japanese cities though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tsunagi Onsen Hotel Shion

We really enjoyed it but it's a little different. Feels kind of like a Japanese version of a Catskills hotel. There is a large banquet room for meals (food is great!). People go around the whole hotel in their yukatas. Mostly older people or families with young children. We were the only foreigners at the time which was enjoyable for us! Staff is very nice. There are some stores in the lobby and there was a dance show after dinner that we enjoyed. Beautiful view of the lake. We loved the futons and our tatami room which was really comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very pretty view of the lake. Hotel is outside Morioka. We didn't find Morioka all that interesting since it is after cherry blossom season.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Tuna Auction & Fish Market Breakfast in Shiogama
Tuna Auction & Fish Market Breakfast in Shiogama
Sendai
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Encounter Splendid Nature: Matsushima Bay Cruise and Zuiganji Temple
Encounter Splendid Nature: Matsushima Bay Cruise and Zuiganji Temple
Matsushima

Beautiful views of the bay and islands. Our guides were great in figuring out the best place to take the boat from and also took us to a lovely tea house in Matsushima.

Visit Yamadera, a Historic Mountain Temple
Visit Yamadera, a Historic Mountain Temple
Yamagata

One of the highlights of our trip. It is a moderate climb up the mountain on steps and you get incredible views. Our intrepid and fun guide, Chie, also told us many great anecdotes and information about what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We took local trains. We had our luggage with us, and while I was at first dismayed I had not arranged for luggage transport or been advised to do so earlier, Chie helped us figure out where to store our luggage in the train stations and it was very easy. I was glad we just had carry on size bags too. Not a problem.
Lake Shirakawa
Lake Shirakawa
Zao Onsen

Beautiful lake area! I would have liked to spend time hiking in this area but I didn't fully research it before going. The views from the lake of the Mt. Iwate are stunning and we had so much fun canoeing with a group in the submerged forest.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Hiraizumi: Chusonji Temple, Motsuji Temple, and Genbikei Gorge
Discover Hiraizumi: Chusonji Temple, Motsuji Temple, and Genbikei Gorge
Hiraizumi

Gorge was disappointing - no place to really hike or do much - it's pretty but limited - see main review. I could have spent this time elsewhere.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A little far for what we ended up doing there. The town seems kind of sad as well.
Delve into Samurai Culture in Kakunodate: Samurai Quarter and Sake Brewery Visit
Delve into Samurai Culture in Kakunodate: Samurai Quarter and Sake Brewery Visit
Kakunodate machi

We loved Kakunodate - a lovely small town and it was great to just stroll the streets and learn about the bygone culture.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Learn about Miso and Soy Sauce Making: Ando Jozo Brewery Honten
Learn about Miso and Soy Sauce Making: Ando Jozo Brewery Honten
Kakunodate machi

We ended up skipping these as we had already been to a whisky and sake factory and I thought this would be too much of the same. In general next time I would incorporate more free time to just walk around interesting towns or spend more time in nature walking or hiking. (Only gave the one star since we didn't do this)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Just gave those
Tea Ceremony in Tokyo
Tea Ceremony in Tokyo
Tokyo

A wonderful and interesting activity! Very intimate and enjoyable and Odynovo gave us great directions to get there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We got there easily by public transportation.
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 04, 2024
Dear laurie, Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you so much for sharing your overall,considerate feedback and enjoyable experience with us.From arranging unique experiences like the tuna auction and fish market in Shiogama to booking memorable stays at ryokans and coordinating activities like canoeing in Lake Ishikawa,it's our great honor and pleasure to make your vacation in Japan unforgettable.Your highlights of the trip, from the insightful guides to the charming towns and awe-inspiring... Read more

Dear laurie,

Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you so much for sharing your overall,considerate feedback and enjoyable experience with us.From arranging unique experiences like the tuna auction and fish market in Shiogama to booking memorable stays at ryokans and coordinating activities like canoeing in Lake Ishikawa,it's our great honor and pleasure to make your vacation in Japan unforgettable.Your highlights of the trip, from the insightful guides to the charming towns and awe-inspiring natural beauty, paint a vivid picture of the incredible journey you had.Our guides' humour, knowledge, and personality clearly left a lasting impression and they made your trip easy and memorable. It's great to know this.

Your constructive feedback is also greatly appreciated. It's valuable to hear your thoughts on areas for improvement, such as providing more information about certain activities and offering options for quieter accommodations in Tokyo. Your suggestions will undoubtedly help enhance the experience for future travelers.Thank you so much for your kindness and understanding.

It's wonderful to hear that you're already considering returning to Japan and using KimKim and Odynovo again for your future adventures. Here's too many more amazing journeys ahead, with my team at KimKim and Odynovo by your side.Wait for you back to Japan again in the future.

Warmest regards,
Sandy