Fantastic Trip!
Japan | Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2024

D
dana f.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 24, 2024

I was planning our first trip to Japan and while researching I stumbled upon KimKim. What a fantastic find!!!! It is hard to find a travel agency with on location experience. KimKim has a terrific platform that helps to identify your needs and wants in a trip and then they connect you with a travel agent who is an expert in that location. We were connected with Leny in Tokyo. She was AMAZING!!! After filling out the questionnaire she came up with a couple of suggested itineraries. We then scheduled a phone call to discuss in further detail our thoughts about the itinerary. That really put my mind at ease, to talk to a real person and get instant feedback! We made modifications to make the trip exactly what we wanted. Leny was helpful every step of the way. She made a VERY detailed schedule for us. Organized wonderful tours and experiences. The hotels were terrific. Then she took customer service to the top level. When we were in Japan she was available for support throughout our trip! One time I could not find my train tickets and she mailed them again to me as I was at the station!!! Now that is support!! While being fairly well travelled, I was very nervous having never been to Asia. Leny put my mind to rest. She was absolutely incredible throughout this entire process. This was a very special trip to celebrate my birthday. It was a trip of a lifetime and I owe a huge part of that success to Leny at KimKim. THANK YOU LENY!!!

Hotel Reviews
THE THOUSAND KYOTO
Kyoto

Absolutely beautiful hotel. Gorgeous rooms. Delicious breakfast. Great location!

Authenticity & Character
Elegant Japanese style.
Location
Right near the train station which is plus in Kyoto.
Staff
Attentive. At the ready to help in any way they can.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everywhere was spotless. The room was absolutely beautiful. Loved the Pjs.
THE HOTEL SANRAKU KANAZAWA
Kanazawa

Beautiful hotel and lovely room! Great bath products.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Tokyo

The lobby is beautiful. The breakfast is very good. The room was very small.

Authenticity & Character
The lobby is beautiful but the room was very small. And the carpeting in the hallways needs to be replaced.
Location
Beautiful view from the lobby of the Tokyo Tower!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
VERY small room. Comfortable but small.
Gora Kadan
Hakone

Loved the Ryokan experience! Beautiful hotel. The onsen was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful location!!! Near the outdoor museum which was fabulous!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything! The gorgeous room. The onsen. Massage chairs.
The Blossom Hibiya
Minato
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Choi, a front desk trainee, who helped us sort out our plane tickets home. She was a lifesaver!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hidden Gem Food Tour (adults only)
Hidden Gem Food Tour (adults only)
Tokyo

Great mix of restaurants to try. Learned lots of interesting facts about the Japanese culture. Ray was a good guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Half-Day Tokyo Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Tokyo

Good way to get a crash course in Japanese history and the Shinto and Buddhist religions. Very nice to have a guide show you around and take you from sight to sight.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Best of Tokyo's Shopping & Food: Japanese Cultural Experience
Best of Tokyo's Shopping & Food: Japanese Cultural Experience
Tokyo

This was a wonderful tour. Chees (our guide) took us to a mix of food stops and shops. She explained the history and the culture. It was a great way to see traditional or old Tokyo. There is so much tied into the art of Japanese craft. We also got to appreciate the architecture of the area. It was really informative and interesting.

Quality of Experience
The mix of food, shopping , architecture and history
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was great!
The Old Quarter of Tokyo - Yanaka Walking Tour
The Old Quarter of Tokyo - Yanaka Walking Tour
Tokyo

This was a group tour and the group was a little too large. The guide Meyu was very good. Informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private)
Kanazawa Half Day Tour (Private)
Kanazawa

Really enjoyed walking around the Geisha and Samurai areas. The architecture was so beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very nice but not very interesting.
Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas & Traditions Private Tour
Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas & Traditions Private Tour
Kyoto

Our guide really made the Geisha quarter come to life. So interesting!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
It was interesting to have a guide who was not Japanese, but had lived in Japan for over 25 years. Her English was excellent.
Full Day Kyoto Tour with English Speaking Guide and Public Transportation (Private)
Full Day Kyoto Tour with English Speaking Guide and Public Transportation (Private)
Kyoto

Great way to see a lot of Kyoto's highlights.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kyoto Arashiyama Best Spots 4h Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Arashiyama Best Spots 4h Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto

BEAUTIFUL part of Kyoto! Enjoyed seeing the shrines and the nature of the area.

Quality of Experience
The variety of areas we were able to walk around.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was wonderful! His English was excellent since he had grown up in the US for 18 years.
 Private tea ceremony 〜Feel Zen experience〜 (45min)
Private tea ceremony 〜Feel Zen experience〜 (45min)
Kyoto

This was our least favorite experience. The "tea master" was very formal in her explanations. And it is not her fault, but we do not like the taste of Macha. This was a waste of our time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Oct 24, 2024

Hi Dana, thank you so much for your kind review! It was a joy to help you plan your trip to Japan and celebrate your birthday there. I’m really glad to hear you had a great experience and that everything came together just as you wanted. It was wonderful to be part of your trip and special celebration. If you ever plan another trip, I’d love to help again!