Tailor-Made Trips to Japan

My wife and I are pretty independent travelers. We have done trips to all 50 US States and a few trips abroad by basic research and online bookings. So this year when we decided to travel further and we picked Japan, I thought it would be the same. It really wasn’t. I was having a difficult time knowing where to stay (Tokyo is very large) what things we needed to see, and the best way to travel to multiple cities within our budget. Also we were a little worried about the language barrier and finding our way around. We did not want to do a guided tour, we like working on our own timetable, but were worried about doing this on our own. After looking through several websites, came across KimKim and on a lark filled out some information. Before long, we were contacted by Carinta and through a basic survey on our interests and goals she came up with a really great vacation package. We had a video chat and fine tuned a few things, but were very happy with the plan! So our anticipation grew and we had our vacation all prepped and planned well in advance. A few weeks before our trip we received our Roadbook with all the specific information and links, along with some helpful cultural tips. Another video chat with Carinta to go over the points and answer any questions and we were ready to go!
The accommodations that she picked for us were all wonderful. The train travel between cities was all laid out very well. We only had one ticket issue with an experience (could not get the ticket link to come up) but a quick text and the issue was solved immediately. All of the locations that were suggested that we had no idea about but went to because of the suggestion were all fantastic . And because we weren’t in a group dynamic, we did a few things on a lark that we had a great time doing. She did provide us with an airport pickup and a half day guided tour, so we did have a little help navigating the public transport and finding our way around to start. That was super helpful, and not sure we would have been so bold with our travels ha we not had that initial help. The contact from KimKim on travel days was appreciated, and even though we didn’t have any huge issues or emergencies, the fact that we had a resource there was incredibly comforting. This was honestly a great experience from the start through the trip and I am so happy that we went with this company, and we are already thinking of our next adventure with a little more confidence knowing this company is here.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Androoms Kyoto Shichijo

Kyoto

Great hotel super close to Kyoto Station. Nice neighborhood, very comfortable room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ryokan Aura Tachibana

Hakone

Our first stay at a Ryokan and it was incredible. The room was super spacious and comfortable, the private onsen was so relaxing, and the meals there were some of the greatest meals we have ever had.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Very nice accommodation, super convenient location, staff was wonderful, nice breakfast buffet, had a great stay here.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Super close to transit, great food and sites nearby.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hakone Free Pass (3 days)

Hakone

Great experiences, and not having to worry about individual ticketing is super nice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Kabuki Theater

Tokyo

So intriguing! I have seen Kabuki before, but never at this level and environment. Fascinating experience.

Digital TeamLab Borderless Museum

Tokyo

So much fun we actually did another in Kyoto.

Quality of Experience

Visit Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Sumo demonstration around a Japanese meal!

Japan

So much fun! And the meal was delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Ryokan

Japan

Nothing we would have individually picked, but what a great time! Incredible vacation experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff here went above and beyond all the time. Incredible hospitality.

Transport

Airport assistant premium Tokyo HND [8:00 - 20:00]

Tokyo

After 20 hours of plane travel, not sure how we would have found our hotel without this service. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Afternoon Tea Ceremony

Kyoto

Very interesting cultural experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Goodbye Japan!

Japan

Having a private driver so we didn’t have to haul luggage through public transport was a super comforting way to end our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Local Private Guide Half Day Tokyo

Tokyo

Such a great way to get acquainted with the city. Learned a lot about the history of Tokyo while also getting a lot of tips about navigating such a vast space. Our guide, Charlotte, was tremendous.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an unforgettable family trip to Japan, traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka. Our local specialist Ben did such an amazing job planning our trip. He was so responsive to all of our questions and provided great suggestions. Our daughters were thrilled with the activities that were planned for us, from shopping for anime in Akihabara to petting capybaras. We were able to enjoy all of the beauty of Japan's temples, shrines and scenic landscapes and the KimKim team put together an absolutely beautiful trip for us. We had wonderful, knowledgeable guides, particularly Mr. Hiroyuki, who my daughters are still talking about after our trip has ended. I cannot express how much gratitude we have for everyone involved in our trip and I would definitely recommend the KimKim team to anyone travelling.

Hotel Review

Yuno Yado Shoei

This was a beautiful, peaceful Ryokan. We enjoyed the traditional food in the restaurant, and I had a very nice massage. It was a great experience!

Authenticity & Character

The onsens were peaceful and the food was delicious.

Location

A little far from downtown Kyoto, but easily accessible by bus

Staff

Friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

🍜🏯✨ Osaka Castle, Cup Noodles Museum & Dotonbori Street Food Adventure（Guide, Public Transportation）

Osaka

While we loved all of the individual activities in this day, it was a lot to fit in and by the time we reached Dotonburi we were quite tired and did not get to enjoy it as fully. However, still a great day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Mr. Hiroshi was very helpful and patient with us

Transport

Hozugawa River Boat Ride and Arashiyama Exploration and Japanese tea ceremony (Private Guide &Public Transportation)

Kyoto

The boat ride on the Hoguzawa river was so fun. The boat drivers were entertaining! We also enjoyed our gift of a rickshaw ride through the Arashiyama bamboo forest, especially since it was a way to see the forest without the crowds of people. The tea ceremony was a beautiful experience, enjoyed by our entire family. My daughters were particularly thrilled with getting to dress in kimono

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Mr. Hiroshi was knowledgeable and friendly. The boat drivers were also very entertaining. The entire staff at the tea ceremony were welcoming and friendly.

Transport

Tokyo Family Adventure with Public Transportation: Akihabara + Sushi Making + Ghibli Museum+Capybara Café Cuteness Anime Quest

Tokyo

We had so much fun exploring Tokyo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We enjoyed our day with our guide Mr. Hiroyuki. The staff at the sushi making experience were also so friendly and great with our kids.

Transport

A Day Trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo (by private transfer)

Japan

We enjoyed this day, even though we were not able to see the top of Mt. Fuji, it was still beautiful. Our guide also had a wonderful suggestion for lunch where we got to enjoy some local udon.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We loved our guide Mr. Hiroyuki and our diver Mr. Tashiro, who was a familiar face as he had also picked us up from the airport

Transport

Although the drive was longer than expected due to traffic, it was still smooth and comfortable

Have Fun in Nikko (Full day by public transport)

Tokyo

This was a great way to enjoy the beauty of Japan through nature.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Adeline was a fantastic trip planner! She had so much patience as we moved our schedule around. The guides and drivers she found for us were great and the hotels were super convenient. She explained everything to us so we were able to take the subway, hail cabs, and use Uber in Japan. Favorite activities were driving street carts in Shabuya, tea with a Maiko in Kyoto, and Teamlabs. We scheduled three activities a day and got them all in!