Tailor-Made Trips to Japan

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Japan Travel Insights

Walk amid giant bamboo trees in Kyoto's enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Map of 5 Days in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With five days to spend in Japan, you can focus your energy on the ultra-modern city of Tokyo. Or divide time between Tokyo and the more traditional Kyoto, visiting the country's most famous shrine. A more ambitious itinerary takes you to several cities, including Hiroshima and Osaka, while a simpler one centers on the culture and history of Kyoto. Alternatively, hike along the historic Nakasendo Trail, following the footsteps of feudal lords and samurai on the mountain path connecting Kyoto and Tokyo.

Blossoming sakura (cherry) trees and iconic Mount Fuji
Map of 1 Week in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Japan's efficient trains make it possible to see three regions in one week. First-time visitors will enjoy highlights that include futuristic museums in Odaiba, the temples and teahouses of Kyoto, and Hiroshima's memorials. Foodies and aspiring chefs will be delighted to craft noodles at a ramen factory, make (and eat!) sushi at the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, and sample street eats in Osaka, while outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Hokkaido's volcanic landscapes or a trek along the Nakasendo Trail.

Take to Tokyo's iconic streets and walk Shibuya's busiest pedestrian crossing
Map of 10 Days in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Thanks to Japan's efficient transportation, you can visit at least four regions in 10 days. First-timers will enjoy touring iconic sites in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Foodies can feast on sushi, sample Osaka's street eats, and try their hand at making gyoza. Culture enthusiasts will appreciate a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and an art tour of Naoshima island, while those eager to immerse in Japan's natural beauty can trek along the Nakesendo Trail, soak in natural hot springs, and bike Mount Aso.

Wander the streets of Kyoto on a classic two week trip covering the highlights
Map of 2 Weeks in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

In a two-week Japan trip, divide your days among Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa for a highlights tour, or indulge in culinary delights with street food, tea ceremonies, and Michelin-starred dining. Those seeking traditional Japan should not miss Honshu's historical treasures, while off-the-beaten-path explorers will find solace in Izumo and the Goto Islands. Meanwhile, active travelers can challenge themselves with a trek to Mount Fuji's peak.

Discover Japan's Golden Pavillion or Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto
How Many Days to Spend in Japan

Japan is made up of hundreds of islands that extend for nearly 2,000 miles (3,210 km). How many days should you spend exploring, and where should you focus your time? From an action-packed four days in Japan to a leisurely three-week itinerary, here are some suggestions for making the most of your time in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Taiyu-in Temple in Nikko, just north of Tokyo, is beautiful during the fall season
Best Time of Year to Visit Japan

The best times to visit Japan are spring (March to May) for cherry blossoms and fall (September to November) for vibrant fall foliage, both offering pleasant weather and stunning scenery. Spring's sakura season is iconic, but autumn often feels less crowded and just as striking, with fiery colors across temples, mountains, and gardens. Winter (December to February) appeals to skiers and onsen lovers, while summer (June to August) brings lively festivals and hiking opportunities despite the heat.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Japan
Travel specialist Sandy Ren
active 1 min ago

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...

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Travel specialist Cannon Xiao
active 1 min ago

Cannon Xiao

I adore Japan! Its rich cultural tapestry, captivating history, delectable cuisine, warm-hearted people, and breathtaking landscapes truly captivate my heart. My passion for Japan runs deep—not...

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Travel specialist Eleanor Chen
active 21 mins ago

Eleanor Chen

Hello from Japan! I'm Eleanor, your local specialist with over a decade of experience in creating memorable travel experiences. With my passion for food, culture, and nature, I thrive on...

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Travel specialist Bella Wu
active 8 mins ago

Bella Wu

With over fifteen years of experience as a travel specialist since graduating from college, I have turned my lifelong passion for exploration into a profession dedicated to crafting extraordinary...

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Trip Reviews for Japan

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Impromptu Japan Family Trip
Japan | Jun 30 - Jul 9, 2026

M
Meghan D.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2026
Marii did an amazing job planning our family trip to Japan. She planned our time in the Mt. Fuji area, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, and we were really happy with the itinerary. She chose great hotels throughout the trip, and we especially loved the hotels she picked for us in Hakone. She also found tour guides who were a great fit for our family and our kids, which made such a difference. Marii also gave us some really good restaurant recommendations in each place we visited. It was so... Read more

Marii did an amazing job planning our family trip to Japan. She planned our time in the Mt. Fuji area, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka, and we were really happy with the itinerary.

She chose great hotels throughout the trip, and we especially loved the hotels she picked for us in Hakone. She also found tour guides who were a great fit for our family and our kids, which made such a difference.

Marii also gave us some really good restaurant recommendations in each place we visited. It was so helpful to have places already recommended instead of trying to figure it out on our own.

She was also available throughout our trip whenever we had questions, which we really appreciated. It was nice knowing we could reach out to her if we needed anything.

Marii made planning and traveling on a big family trip so much easier. We would definitely recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Japan!

Local specialist: Marii McDonald

One visit to Japan was very wonderful. Kimkim...
Japan | Jul 27 - Aug 6, 2026

Fortune
Fortune A.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Aug 12, 2026
One visit to Japan was very wonderful. Kimkim the traveling agency was really helpful. Our tour guides were very friendly and helpful. My grandkids boys really enjoyed our visit to most of the places went. The shibuya sky and shibuya crossing in Tokyo the busys cross street in Tokyo it is a.lot of fun to see the volume of people crossing with their camera šŸ“· talking fotos. I was very worried about traveling to Japan because we were black but I had nothing to worry about, we felt very... Read more

One visit to Japan was very wonderful. Kimkim the traveling agency was really helpful. Our tour guides were very friendly and helpful. My grandkids boys really enjoyed our visit to most of the places went. The shibuya sky and shibuya crossing in Tokyo the busys cross street in Tokyo it is a.lot of fun to see the volume of people crossing with their camera šŸ“· talking fotos. I was very worried about traveling to Japan because we were black but I had nothing to worry about, we felt very comfortable . I will encourage tourists to use kimkim for to all their destinations.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Forza Osaka Kitahama
Osaka

This hotel is in the center of the city and it is easy to connect to wherever u want to go

Authenticity & Character
Location
In the center of the city and easy to move around
Staff
Very friendly and easy to communicate with them in English
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel very very clean and delicious breakfast
Park Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Hotel clean and in the center of the city

Authenticity & Character
The food is good the staffs are very friendly
Location
It is easy to get transport and in the center of the city
Staff
The staffs are very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kimkim is a very reliable travel agency to work with
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone

The fin part of this hotel is the Japanese style bed and the hot springs

Authenticity & Character
The Japanese style bed room make a lot of difference and a good experience
Location
It is in the center of the city so getting access to the train station šŸš‰ was easy
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel in very clean
the b asakusa
Tokyo

Amazing in the center of all the activities in Tokyo

Authenticity & Character
The staffs are very helpful
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel in very very clean
Activity Reviews
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour with Hakone Tozan Railway
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour with Hakone Tozan Railway
Japan

Although it was soo foggy 🌁 we were not abto see the mountain Fugi but it was wealth it the trip

Tokyo Discovery: From Traditional Landmarks to Akihabara’s Anime Haven
Tokyo Discovery: From Traditional Landmarks to Akihabara’s Anime Haven
Tokyo
Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Half Day Samurai Ninja Museum and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto
Half Day Nara Park & Todai-Ji Temple
Half Day Nara Park & Todai-Ji Temple
Japan
From Hakone to Kyoto
Japan
Enjoy Temples & Bamboo Grove in Kyoto with Your Family
Enjoy Temples & Bamboo Grove in Kyoto with Your Family
Kyoto

Going through the temple and the bamboo grove was a very interesting experience it was peaceful in the grove

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 12, 2026

Hi Fortune,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for your kind words! It truly means a lot to us. 😊
I’m so happy to hear that you and your grandsons had such a wonderful time in Japan, and that you felt comfortable and welcomed throughout your trip. It was a pleasure helping you plan your adventure, and I hope you and your family have many more wonderful travels together! Thank you again for recommending kimkim! ā¤ļø

Looking forward to help your next trip in the near further.
Best regards
Sandy

Sandy is the Best!! Japan Tokyo&Kyoto 9 days
Japan | Jul 30 - Aug 7, 2026

Jennifer
Jennifer S.
Schulenburg, TX | Reviewed on Aug 10, 2026
Sandy put together an absolutely amazing first trip to Japan! Sandy really listened to what my husband and I were looking to do and see. Our tour guide Kyoko for Tokyo was also fantastic! The private tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto were personable and knowledgeable for every site/temple/shrine we visited. They also explained Japanese customs so we didn't feel awkward. I have used KimKim a few times for overseas trips. The travel agent for Spain (first time using KimKim) and Sandy gave us the... Read more

Sandy put together an absolutely amazing first trip to Japan! Sandy really listened to what my husband and I were looking to do and see. Our tour guide Kyoko for Tokyo was also fantastic! The private tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto were personable and knowledgeable for every site/temple/shrine we visited. They also explained Japanese customs so we didn't feel awkward. I have used KimKim a few times for overseas trips. The travel agent for Spain (first time using KimKim) and Sandy gave us the best itinerary. The hotel accommodations and locations (near train stations as requested) were perfect. I felt we experienced Japanese culture while still having some US amenities that made us feel comfortable. The onsen at the end of the trip was a perfect way to end our trip and absolutely felt immersed by then. Japanese onsen was incredible and very relaxing. The bathhouse was different than the "Japanese bathhouse" Ive experienced in the US and different from US hot spring resorts. My husband and I already want to plan another trip to Japan. Sandy will without a doubt be our official Japan travel agent. I live in Houston, TX and when they say Tokyo& Kyoto are hot and humid- they are not joking. The weather was very similar to Houston every day we were there in August. Houston just a lil more humid but no one is climbing Fushimi shrine in Houston. lol We spent 8-9 days (last day was mainly traveling from kyoto to narita airport 4hrs plus arriving 2.5hrs before flight). We split our time evenly in Tokyo and Kyoto. We had a day trip to DisneySea/Disney Tokyo and a day trip to Nara. Tokyo was like NYC for me. Everyone rushed but I did not have any negative experiences on the trains even when we were crammed like sardines. However my husband was with me. Very exciting city and loved the Nakano Broadway mall for anime which seemed to have more locals (and lower prices). We enjoyed Kyoto the most and want to go back to explore the city more along with stopping at some of the towns along the way.

Hotel Reviews
Kadensho, Arashiyama Onsen, Kyoto - Kyoritsu Resort

Felt authentic and loved the individual bathhouses! Esp the outdoor ones. Very relaxing. The 30min limit per session was a downside but can always come back or use another one that wasn't in use. We loved that no shoes were allowed anywhere inside besides the reception desk to check in obviously. It set the pace and mood for relaxation. We loved the area of Kyoto it was in. We watched the sunset on the famous bridge and early mornings which was less than a 5min walk away. It only had a shower in the room but it was a bathhouse so not exactly necessary. The least room amenities for our trip but the atmosphere more than made up for it

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

Love the iPad to control everything from lights, temperature and curtains along with room service, cleaning, extra amenities etc. Bathroom shower and tub combo separate from vanity and bidet is excellent. 4.75 stars because they did not give any amenities unless requested to be more environmentally friendly which they did explain on check in. We came from a hotel which stocked bath salts daily along with other luxury touches. The superior king room was large and the bed was the biggest my husband and I have ever slept in. We have a split california king at home. Daily fresh PJs was great touch. The hotel is beautiful and tranquil. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Shower pressure was amazing and water temperature very hot which I love

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
daily amenities not included was only downside but very clean and comfortable otherwise.
Marunouchi Hotel

Great local next to Tokyo station. The shower and bathtub combo is amazing and perfect at the end of long sight seeing days. The amenities (bath salts, moisture rescue facial cleanser along with fresh PJs) they supply every day was a luxury bonus.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Across the street from Tokyo station and can be accessed underground straight from hotel
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
Tokyo

Kyoko was an excellent tour guide. She explained each temple and shrine thoroughly and loved the areas she took us. She was like an aunt to us by the end of the day. Best tour guide experience I have had.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Dinner with a Geisha /Maiko Ozashiki Experience
Private Dinner with a Geisha /Maiko Ozashiki Experience
Kyoto

This was hands down my favorite activity of our trip! We were fortunate enough have a geiko as our Geisha. Her dancing was beautiful to watch and loved that we were able to have conversations before and after her dancing. She loved having sake with us! The teahouse was super authentic and just loved loved loved the experience from start to finish. The meal was great and staff very attentive. The alcohol was included and as much as we wanted which in hindsight could have been our hint to offer sake to the Geisha and our interpreter. Our interpreter actually knew the Geisha since she first became a Maiko 6yrs prior and has seen her grow into a full fledge Geiko. Very special experience. Highly recommend

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Aug 11, 2026
Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review! It truly means a lot to me. I’m so happy to hear that you and your husband had such a wonderful first trip to Japan. It was a pleasure helping you plan your journey, and I’m glad you enjoyed everything from Tokyo and Kyoto to DisneySea, Nara, and the relaxing onsen experience. And I have to agree with you about the August heat—Houston travelers definitely know what hot and humid feels like! šŸ˜„ Although, as you... Read more

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review! It truly means a lot to me.

I’m so happy to hear that you and your husband had such a wonderful first trip to Japan. It was a pleasure helping you plan your journey, and I’m glad you enjoyed everything from Tokyo and Kyoto to DisneySea, Nara, and the relaxing onsen experience.

And I have to agree with you about the August heat—Houston travelers definitely know what hot and humid feels like! šŸ˜„ Although, as you said, Houston doesn’t have Fushimi Inari waiting at the top of the hill!

It makes me especially happy to hear that Kyoto became your favorite and that you’re already thinking about returning to explore more of the city and the smaller towns along the way. Japan has so many wonderful places beyond the major destinations, so I would absolutely love to help you plan your next adventure whenever you’re ready.

Thank you again for trusting me with your Japan trip and for your kind words. I’ll be honored to be your ā€œofficial Japan travel agentā€ for your next trip! šŸ‡ÆšŸ‡µšŸ˜Š

Wishing you both many more wonderful travels together!

Best,
Sandy

Why travelers love kimkim

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Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.