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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
Top itineraries and travel advice
Relaxed Hike Along Japan's Nakasendo Trail: Mountains, Forests & Historic Sites - 7 Days
This active adventure takes you to some of Japan's most memorable sights, all via the historic Nakasendo Trail. You'll start in the post-town of Magome, where you'll stroll...
Discover Japanese & Korean Culture: Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Seoul - 10 Days
Get to the heart of Japanese and Korean culture on this 10-day trip to the vibrant cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Seoul. Learn about Shinto beliefs at Nezu Shrine, sit...
Japan & China Cultural Discovery Tour: Tokyo, Kyoto & Beijing - 10 Days
This 10-day journey intertwines the rich cultural tapestries of Japan and China. Begin in Tokyo, where you can visit iconic city shrines and take a day trip to a countryside...
Family itineraries
Japan Off the Beaten Path - 14 Days
This 14-day tour showcases some of Japan's top sights, as well as a few hidden spots rarely glimpsed by tourists. Start with the futuristic neon lights of Tokyo, where you'll...
Family Adventure in Japan - 10 Days
This action-packed 10-day adventure around Japan is perfect for families! The itinerary leads you from the neon lights, futuristic interactive art, and whimsical character cafés...
Family Adventure in Japan: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto - 10 Days
Traveling together as a family is such a special experience, and this 10-day action-packed adventure is specifically designed with families in mind. From Kanto to Kansai, this...
Luxury itineraries
Japan Off the Beaten Path - 14 Days
This 14-day tour showcases some of Japan's top sights, as well as a few hidden spots rarely glimpsed by tourists. Start with the futuristic neon lights of Tokyo, where you'll...

Recent trip reviews for 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

Japan 2024
Japan | May 24 - Jun 2, 2024

Howard
Howard T.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2024

The trip was amazing!! The guides were so nice and helpful. And the overall experience was everything we could have hoped for. Thank you so much to Sandy and your team - we appreciate everything you did to make the experience so easy and memorable!

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 03, 2024

Dear Howard,

Greetings from Sandy and that's fantastic to hear this. Our team and I are thrilled you had such a wonderful trip. We aim to provide unforgettable experiences, and we're delighted we could make it happen for you.

Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back soon for more adventures.

Best regards,
Sandy

Read all Japan reviews

Our 10 day trip to Japan was beyond amazing ...
Japan | May 20 - May 29, 2024

rhonda
rhonda c.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 30, 2024
Our 10 day trip to Japan was beyond amazing
It was perfect ! Each day seemed to got better and better . We traveler with our 21 year old son .Sandy was so easy to work with and responded promptly to every inquiry ensuring our free days were also well planned with recommended activities
Team Labs , Saki and going to the food markets. We also recommend Shibuya Sky .
Sandy put together an incredible itinerary and everything was according to schedule !
Every guide was knowledgeable ,... Read more

Our 10 day trip to Japan was beyond amazing
It was perfect ! Each day seemed to got better and better . We traveler with our 21 year old son .Sandy was so easy to work with and responded promptly to every inquiry ensuring our free days were also well planned with recommended activities
Team Labs , Saki and going to the food markets. We also recommend Shibuya Sky .
Sandy put together an incredible itinerary and everything was according to schedule !
Every guide was knowledgeable , personable and each tour was informative and varied .
Hiro went out of his way to ensure our 2 days with him in Kyoto were perfectly planned to the Bamboo Grove and Monkey Forest and the Insight on Religion Temples.
We loved the day we did the Authentic Sumo Experience and Tokyo Bar Hopping in Shinjuku .
Miyajima Island was so special and then Horoshima sobering but we recommend this tour for anyone going to Japan .
Thank you Sandy for your expertise in assisting with us with such special memories that will be with us forever.
We loved the temples and fortunes , the culture and small alleys in Tokyo and Kyoto.
We will definitely use Kim Kim again for future trip planning.
Sincerely ,
Rhonda , Jes and Jaden

Hotel Review
The Royal Park Iconic Tokyo Shiodome
Tokyo

Great hotel big room nice bar

Authenticity & Character
Modern
Location
Near train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo : Enter the Sanctuary
Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo : Enter the Sanctuary
Tokyo

We loved this tour !

Quality of Experience
The wrestlers were so nice ! The lunch delicious We received a souvenir hand print picture and were able to wear wrestling clothes and then kimonos
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Skytree
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Skytree
Tokyo

Wonderful full day Kevin our guide was so great and a delicious lunch at the fish market

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

So much fun especially the whiskey bar at the end! Shinjuku is so lively with the bright lights and small alleys

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Kyoto

Loved the monkeys

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

Hiro is the best guide in Kyoto

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hiro
Transport
Great having a driver and car
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour
Japan

Loved Miyjama Island

Quality of Experience
Food
Excellent curry lunch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Photo taken by rhonda c
Photo taken by rhonda c
Photo taken by rhonda c
Photo taken by rhonda c
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jun 02, 2024
Dear Rhonda, Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with us. It's wonderful to hear that my service made your trip so seamless and enjoyable. From exploring the bustling markets to experiencing the vibrant culture, each day seemed to unfold new adventures. Hiro's attention to detail in Kyoto and the profound experiences in Miyajima Island and Hiroshima truly added depth to your trip. It's heartwarming to know that your memories of this journey will stay... Read more

Dear Rhonda,

Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with us.

It's wonderful to hear that my service made your trip so seamless and enjoyable. From exploring the bustling markets to experiencing the vibrant culture, each day seemed to unfold new adventures. Hiro's attention to detail in Kyoto and the profound experiences in Miyajima Island and Hiroshima truly added depth to your trip. It's heartwarming to know that your memories of this journey will stay with you forever.

It's great to know that you're considering using Kim Kim again and we look forward to assisting you with future adventures.

Warmest regards,
Sandy

Read all Japan reviews

Where to start on our Mother & Daughter trip ...
Japan | Mar 30 - Apr 21, 2024

Sheryl
Sheryl M.
| Reviewed on May 10, 2024
Where to start on our Mother & Daughter trip to Japan... My daughter Rose and I were fortunate enough to spend just over 3 weeks travelling to Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Koya, Okayama, Naoshima and Hiroshima.
I came across KimKim when looking for Japan travel itineraries while trying to plan this excursion myself. Apart from the fact I had left it very last minute in an extremely busy Cherry Blossom season we also had specific experiences and attractions we wished to... Read more

Where to start on our Mother & Daughter trip to Japan...

My daughter Rose and I were fortunate enough to spend just over 3 weeks travelling to Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, Mount Koya, Okayama, Naoshima and Hiroshima.
I came across KimKim when looking for Japan travel itineraries while trying to plan this excursion myself. Apart from the fact I had left it very last minute in an extremely busy Cherry Blossom season we also had specific experiences and attractions we wished to incorporate; I decided to give Kimkim a ring!!
The best decision I made as was put in touch with Sandy who put together an itinerary which included accomodation, travel and daily schedules, amazing.
Sandy took into account and included all our travel requests and more linking it all up in a comfortable travel package. I also liked the fact that even though this was a planned itinerary we also had a lot of free self-guided time, this made it more relaxing and gave us extra time where needed.
I cant thank or recommend Sandy enough as we would not have seen or had the experiences we did if we had of planned ourselves.

Hotel Reviews
ICI HOTEL Asakusabashi

Very handy, nice atmosphere, comfortable. Loved seeing the little dogs as was a dog hotel as well!!

Authenticity & Character
Loved the fact it was also a dog hotel, very cute.
Location
I was a 3 minute walk to the Asakusabashi train station which was the local line, handy.
Staff
Any queries were no problem.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Good beds, nice and clean.
Hotel Forza Kanazawa
Ishikawa

Good location, sunny area for brreakfast. Comfortable and reasonable size room.

Authenticity & Character
Nice modern hotel.
Location
Easy walk from train station and nice walk to attraction. Close to local market which was interesting.
Staff
Helpful Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable beds, reasonable size room, and very clean.
Minshuku Takenoya

Very basic accomodation. We were only the one night and out most of the time so it didn't matter so much.

Authenticity & Character
Relaxed place, very basic accomodation.
Location
Good location for walking around.
Staff
Only saw owner at the start when instruction was given, pretty relaxed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Personally not a fan of the futon bed.
Hotel Granvia Okayama

Nice front desk staff, polite. Very comfortable, nice size room and bathroom a little larger which was nice. Good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Quite grand looking, marble etc. just nice atmosphere and staff.
Location
2 minute walk from train station, good mall next to hotel. We had lovely weather so walking to and from was pleasant.
Staff
Very helpful Staff, gave good information on travelling to Naoshima.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was very clean and comfortable, nice beds.
ASAI Kyoto Shijo

This hotel was pleasant, staff were really nice and restaurant good. Room was a little small and felt a bit strange as was in the basement level. I booked this one so no reflection on Kimkim!!

Authenticity & Character
Hotel was ok however felt a little closed in as rooms were located in a basement.
Location
Good location, we walked enjoyed walking most of the time and had no trouble find our way to and from.
Staff
Helpful, obliging staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Small room, felt cramped
Osaka Tokyu REI Hotel
Osaka

Hotel in need of a refurbish, especially carpet. Room smaller than usual and quite stuffy, beds and pillows not very comfortable. Breakfast was good and staff very helpful. Luggage service to Okayama was brilliant and much appreciated.

Authenticity & Character
Hotel just looked older, needed a refurbish.
Location
Good location
Staff
Front desk were very attentive and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel was clean however comfortable beds and pillows would have been a game changer
福智院（Koyasan Onsen Fukuchi-in）
Wakayama

The temple stay was as we expected; still, found the sleeping arrangement i.e.: futons pretty hard going and the food was interesting... However, this was part of the authentic experience!!

Authenticity & Character
This was a temple stay so yes a pretty authentic experience. Did think it was strange they had vending machines, especially ones selling alcohol.
Location
In the middle of town, Koyasan is very small so couldn't have been better. Nice and quiet even so.
Staff
Staff were all very helpful ensuring we were in for our dinner (which was always explained to us) and advising us on sleeping arrangements etc.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Definitely clean but not a great comfort level. This is not a complaint as it is what is expected!!
Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel
Hiroshima

Hotel is nothing special but all that is required. Rooms were comfortable and good size, breakfast a bit of a strange mixture of food types!

Authenticity & Character
Good size rooms, again a little bit tired.
Location
Was a little too far out from main train station and excursions.
Staff
No complaints, just didn't have much interaction.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was clean, just a bit stuffy.
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on May 12, 2024
Dear Sheryl, Hope you are doing fantastic and thank you very much for your considerate feedback about your tour to Japan with us. It sounds like you and Rose had an incredible adventure exploring Japan. From Tokyo to Hiroshima, your journey covered some truly remarkable destinations. It's great to hear that we were able to assist you in creating such a memorable itinerary, especially during the bustling Cherry Blossom season. I'm glad to hear that you appreciated the balance between... Read more

Dear Sheryl,

Hope you are doing fantastic and thank you very much for your considerate feedback about your tour to Japan with us.

It sounds like you and Rose had an incredible adventure exploring Japan. From Tokyo to Hiroshima, your journey covered some truly remarkable destinations. It's great to hear that we were able to assist you in creating such a memorable itinerary, especially during the bustling Cherry Blossom season.

I'm glad to hear that you appreciated the balance between planned activities and free time for self-guided exploration, allowing for a more relaxed experience. Your detailed hotel reviews provide valuable insights for future travelers, highlighting the strengths and areas for improvement of each accommodation.

Thank you again for sharing your journey, and I hope you and Rose have many more unforgettable adventures ahead.

Best regards,
Sandy

Read all Japan reviews

We went thru a lot of iterations. Sandy was ...
Japan | Apr 28 - May 3, 2024

W
William W.
East Honolulu, HI | Reviewed on May 04, 2024
We went thru a lot of iterations. Sandy was very flexible and invariably polite and responsive. Both guides were excellent. Mr. Tan went above and beyond to help me deal with the logistics of additional adventures in Japan. Read more

We went thru a lot of iterations. Sandy was very flexible and invariably polite and responsive.

Both guides were excellent. Mr. Tan went above and beyond to help me deal with the logistics of additional adventures in Japan.

Hotel Reviews
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kanazawa-Eki Nishiguchi
Kanazawa

very nice but nothing really special. Rooms small for US but nice for Japan. Great bathroom. Good restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
standard westernized hotel. No complaint but nothing special
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
love the pajamas
Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier
Tokyo

we were pleasantly surprised by how big the room was

Authenticity & Character
it's ok. Standard westernized hotel without much character but no problem
Location
Location is fine. Only thing better would be closer to Tokyo station. Not really possible to take subway with luggage. But no complaint. Tokyo is so huge that we can't really comment on location. Near a very nice park which we enjoyed.
Staff
very helpful with some addtional requests
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything
Activity Reviews
Full Day Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Tour
Full Day Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Tour
Kanazawa

Really nice to walk around with Summer

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Oshino Hakkai
Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchiko Cruise and Oshino Hakkai
Tokyo

We loved being in the nice private car. Definitely an upgrade from a bus. The driver really knew the area and took us to a great small local restaurant

Guides, Drivers and Staff
so nice
Transport
big comfy private car
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Tokyo

Mr. Tan was super nice and knowledgeable. He changed the experience since we'd already been to the imperial gardens

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on May 06, 2024
Dear William, Warm greetings from Sandy. Thank you immensely for sharing your positive and comprehensive feedback regarding your recent trip to Japan with us. It sounds like you had quite an adventure. It's fantastic to hear that Mr. Tan and the driver on Full Day Mt. Fuji were so accommodating and helpful throughout your journey. Your insights and comments about the various hotels are invaluable to us and will greatly assist in enhancing our future arrangements.It is my great honor and... Read more

Dear William,

Warm greetings from Sandy. Thank you immensely for sharing your positive and comprehensive feedback regarding your recent trip to Japan with us.

It sounds like you had quite an adventure. It's fantastic to hear that Mr. Tan and the driver on Full Day Mt. Fuji were so accommodating and helpful throughout your journey.

Your insights and comments about the various hotels are invaluable to us and will greatly assist in enhancing our future arrangements.It is my great honor and pleasure to assist you during your trip and welcome you back to Japan in the future.

Best regards,
Sandy

Read all Japan reviews

Where do I start regarding our trip to Japan??
Japan | Apr 6 - Apr 18, 2024

Reynaldo
Reynaldo M.
Baltimore, MD | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024
Where do I start regarding our trip to Japan. Firstly it was so far a trip of a lifetime!!! From the moment we landed to the sad moment we left my son and i could not have had a more memorable experience.. Sandy our local specialist did a great job hitting the high points of each of the 4 cities that we visited. Every reservation went off without a hitch including our tickets on the Shinkansen bullet train and our Universal and Ghibli Museum tickets. The hotels picked were conveniently... Read more

Where do I start regarding our trip to Japan. Firstly it was so far a trip of a lifetime!!! From the moment we landed to the sad moment we left my son and i could not have had a more memorable experience..

Sandy our local specialist did a great job hitting the high points of each of the 4 cities that we visited. Every reservation went off without a hitch including our tickets on the Shinkansen bullet train and our Universal and Ghibli Museum tickets. The hotels picked were conveniently centrally located allowing us to get around easily either walking or using the excellent subway system.

Each of our tourguides were excellent and really made our trip very informative and helped so much given the language barrier we experienced. Satomi was helpful a helped me purchase kitchen knife from a knife shop in Dotonbori. She had lived a while in the US and knew what we were all about. She balanced touring with shopping and was flexible regarding our schedule. Naoko was a wealth of knowledge in Kyoto and went above and beyond in trying to explain the dense history of the various temples and shrines we visited. Kyoto was one of our favorite cities. The other one being Tokyo. Kyoji was our guide for beautiful Mt. Fuji and even took us to a special local Ramen shop where we were treated to a wonderful customary meal. Keiichi, our guide in Tokyo took us to a Sumo practice session which was a treat to be a part of. Having lived quite a while in Tokyo he was very familiar with the different Tokyo districts and provided us with local knowledge of the areas. Finally, Yuki was both our driver and guide during our trip outside of Tokyo to Nikko and really showed us the beauty and splendor of rural Japan. Everyone was so kind and obliging. It made our trip so much more informative and special.

We especially enjoyed Mt. Fuji and couldn't get over the grandeur and beauty of the site. Kyoto had its own special vibe which was really to our liking. Finally Tokyo was a wonderland!!! The subway system was so easy to use that we had not problem getting wherever we need to go. And did I mention the food! We did not have a bad meal. We tried to try it all and were not disappointed.

This is my second trip planned with KimKim . The first was to Portugal and was a private tour with my wife. This was a trip with my son and although I didn't think it was a private tour it might as well have been. The attention to detail was on point and it was comforting knowing that any problems were only a phonecall or text away to solve. I will definitely be using KimKim again for future trips.

Activity Review
World Heritage Himeji Castle & Kobe Tour
World Heritage Himeji Castle & Kobe Tour
Osaka

Being on of the few original Castles not devasted by war or fire this was a wonderful site to see. You got to see all floors all the way up to the shrine at the very top. The castle itself was beautiful but the grounds were even more beautiful.

Quality of Experience
One of first sites we saw.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
Photo taken by Reynaldo M
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Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 26, 2024
Dear Reynaldo, Hope you are doing fantastic and thanks a lot for sharing your wonderful experience with us. It's so pleased to hear that it was a trip of a lifetime for you and your son. It's very pleasant to hear about your experiences with the tour guides in each city. Satomi, Naoko, Kyoji, Keiichi, and Yuki all seem to have contributed immensely to making your trip informative and enjoyable. From exploring the dense history of Kyoto to experiencing the grandeur of Mt. Fuji and the... Read more

Dear Reynaldo,

Hope you are doing fantastic and thanks a lot for sharing your wonderful experience with us. It's so pleased to hear that it was a trip of a lifetime for you and your son.

It's very pleasant to hear about your experiences with the tour guides in each city. Satomi, Naoko, Kyoji, Keiichi, and Yuki all seem to have contributed immensely to making your trip informative and enjoyable. From exploring the dense history of Kyoto to experiencing the grandeur of Mt. Fuji and the vibrant atmosphere of Tokyo, it sounds like you had a diverse and enriching experience.

Japanese cuisine delights the senses with its vibrant array of colors and flavors, making it an irresistible highlight of any culinary journey.It's so happy to hear that you were not disappointed with any of your culinary experiences.

It's fantastic that your experience with KimKim has been consistently excellent, whether it was your trip to Portugal or your recent adventure in Japan. And there are many more unforgettable adventures in the future, welcome you to be with KimKim once again.

Wish you and your family all the best.

Warm regards,
Sandy

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Japan April 2024
Japan | Mar 30 - Apr 7, 2024

Victoria
Victoria S.
San Rafael, CA | Reviewed on Apr 14, 2024
Sandy was very easy to work with and incorporated all our input into the itinerary. She helped us plan a really well-rounded Japan trip! We got extremely lucky while we were there as the cherry blossoms were delayed in their blooming and therefore coincided perfectly with our travel dates! Additionally, we had great weather. Read more

Sandy was very easy to work with and incorporated all our input into the itinerary. She helped us plan a really well-rounded Japan trip! We got extremely lucky while we were there as the cherry blossoms were delayed in their blooming and therefore coincided perfectly with our travel dates! Additionally, we had great weather.

Hotel Review
Watermark Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Rooms at the Watermark are quite small, but it was very comfortable for the four nights we stayed there. There are really pretty lighting options in the rooms (lantern and wall lighting), which was a fun feature. The buffet breakfast was an excellent way to start the morning! There are both western and Japanese options. The hotel is not located very close to restaurants or epicenters, but is close to a subway line or a 25-30 minutes walk to more exciting areas.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Full Day Tokyo City Tour with East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Tokyo

Our tour guide, Meiji "May," made this day particularly special. He has a great personality and was clearly a very experienced guide, navigating crowds and transportation like a pro. He also recommended an AMAZING restaurant for lunch, Asakusa Tsurujiroh Hanare.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour(join-in )
Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour(join-in )
Hakone

Mt Fuji is beautiful! The drive up was a great way to see the countryside, but where we stopped up the mountain was very crowded. The boat ride wasn't our favorite part, though Lake Ashi is lovely. The gondola ride offered great views but also wasn't a highlight.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shibuya Sky and Sumida River Cruise
Shibuya Sky and Sumida River Cruise
Tokyo

Shibuya Sky is very cool; even our Tokyo-based guide was impressed. It was his first time visiting and he thought the view was more expansive than some other vantage points in the city, like Tokyo Tower or Skytree. The Sumida River Cruise was a bit underwhelming in our opinion, but a unique opportunity and cool way to see architecture along the river.

Day Trip to Nara and Uji
Day Trip to Nara and Uji
Kyoto

This was a long day with lots of driving! The temple is very impressive with it's scale, but at this point of the trip we had seen so many shrines and temples. The dear were cute, but we both felt we didn't need to go back to see them. Good food in Nara! We really liked our guide. Very helpful, positive, and fashionable!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour with a Boat Ride
Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour with a Boat Ride
Kyoto

The Bamboo Forest was very crowded which made it feel less magical. The garden at Tenryu-ji Temple right near the forest however is beautiful! The monkey park was very fun; it's a bit of a hike to get up there but subsequently offers a great view of the area. Lastly, the boat ride (Arashiyama Tsusen) was one of our favorite experiences! It's very cool to see how the boat is propelled with a bamboo stick, and there's a motor powered boat that comes up halfway through the trip to sell food and beverage.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our Kyoto guide, Tomoko, was lovely! We enjoyed spending the day with her.
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 17, 2024
Dear Victoria, Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you so much for your kind words about your Japan trip with us.It is my great pleasure to create an itinerary that met all your expectations. It sounds like you had an incredible time, especially with the fortunate timing of the cherry blossoms and the fantastic weather. The details about the Watermark hotel are noted, and we're glad to hear that despite the room size, you found it comfortable. The variety at the buffet breakfast sounds... Read more

Dear Victoria,

Hope you are doing fantastic.Thank you so much for your kind words about your Japan trip with us.It is my great pleasure to create an itinerary that met all your expectations.

It sounds like you had an incredible time, especially with the fortunate timing of the cherry blossoms and the fantastic weather. The details about the Watermark hotel are noted, and we're glad to hear that despite the room size, you found it comfortable. The variety at the buffet breakfast sounds delightful, offering a perfect start to your mornings.

We're pleased to hear that Meiji "May" added to your experience with his expertise and recommendation for the restaurant. Your insights into Mt. Fuji and the various attractions along the way are invaluable for future travelers, and we appreciate your honest feedback.

The experiences in Shibuya, Nara, and Arashiyama sound both exciting and enriching, despite some crowds and long days. It's wonderful to hear that you had positive interactions with your guides and enjoyed the unique aspects of each location.

Once again, thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to assist you with your future travel plans.

Best regards,
Sandy

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Sandy organized some amazing local things for seeing a lot of sights in a short amount of time
Japan | Feb 28 - Mar 10, 2024

Shelby
Shelby S.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024
Sandy organized some amazing local things for us. We especially loved the Tea ceremony and Fushimi Inari hike in Kyoto and our half day tour in Nara. Todai-Ji is an absolute must see in Nara. Read more

Sandy organized some amazing local things for us. We especially loved the Tea ceremony and Fushimi Inari hike in Kyoto and our half day tour in Nara.

Todai-Ji is an absolute must see in Nara.

Hotel Reviews
Onyado Nono Namba Natural Hot Spring
Osaka

This place was great! Very clean, the staff was super healthy, great breakfast and a great onsen. The location was right near the Dotonbori, so no shortage of food and entertainment options. If you have an outside room, you might hear some noise from the street, but it was never enough to cause any problems. In fact we slept great both nights we were there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Tokyo

Great location, large room, and excellent breakfast. A bit dated in the look but had everything we needed and we could walk to Shibuya Crossing for some shopping.

Authenticity & Character
Standard hotel that's a little dated, but was clean and had everything we needed.
Location
Right next to Shibuya crossing, but not in the thick of traffic.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Mar 12, 2024
Dear Shelby, Hope you are doing fantastic. Thank you for your positive feedback.We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experiences I organized for you, especially the Tea ceremony, Fushimi Inari hike in Kyoto, and the half-day tour in Nara. We all love Todai-Ji and it's our great honor to recommend it for you. We are so delighted to know that you enjoyed your stay at Onyado Nono Namba Natural Hot Spring in Osaka. I'm glad the cleanliness, friendly staff, and relaxing onsen contributed... Read more

Dear Shelby,

Hope you are doing fantastic.

Thank you for your positive feedback.We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experiences I organized for you, especially the Tea ceremony, Fushimi Inari hike in Kyoto, and the half-day tour in Nara. We all love Todai-Ji and it's our great honor to recommend it for you.

We are so delighted to know that you enjoyed your stay at Onyado Nono Namba Natural Hot Spring in Osaka. I'm glad the cleanliness, friendly staff, and relaxing onsen contributed to a fantastic experience for you.I'm pleased that despite some street noise, you were able to enjoy restful nights during your stay.Thanks a lot for your understanding.

Thank you once again for your kind words and for choosing kimkim to organize your Japan trip. If you ever need assistance with travel arrangements in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,
Sandy

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Overall, we had a memorable experience in Osa...
Japan | Feb 9 - Feb 13, 2024

Jaslyin
Jaslyin Q.
Singapore | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2024
Overall, we had a memorable experience in Osaka and Kyoto and we're glad we opted for the private tour and driver. The accomodations recommended were authentic and excellent in service, especially the Imperial Hotel Osaka. The Ryokan in Kyoto gave us a really good feel of the traditional way of living. The guides were all really polite, attentive and knowledgeable. The driver himself was good and acknowledged his minor technical hiccup and went out of the way to get it sorted. Overall we... Read more

Overall, we had a memorable experience in Osaka and Kyoto and we're glad we opted for the private tour and driver. The accomodations recommended were authentic and excellent in service, especially the Imperial Hotel Osaka. The Ryokan in Kyoto gave us a really good feel of the traditional way of living.

The guides were all really polite, attentive and knowledgeable. The driver himself was good and acknowledged his minor technical hiccup and went out of the way to get it sorted. Overall we had a great experience and impression of the places we went.

Hotel Reviews
Imperial Hotel Osaka
Osaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Momijiya Honkan Takaosansou
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Full Day Osaka City Tour
Osaka
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Traditional Tea Ceremony KYOTO
Traditional Tea Ceremony KYOTO
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyoto Cooking Class
Kyoto Cooking Class
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Kinkakuji and Nijo Castle Tour
Half Day Kinkakuji and Nijo Castle Tour
Kyoto
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Nara Tour
Half Day Nara Tour
Nara
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Feb 19, 2024
Dear Jaslyin, Hope you are doing fantastic. I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable experience in Osaka and Kyoto! It's great to know that the accommodations recommended are authentic and provide excellent service, particularly the Imperial Hotel Osaka. Experiencing the traditional way of living at the Ryokan in Kyoto must have been truly special. I'm glad to hear that the guides were polite, attentive, and knowledgeable, and that the driver handled any technical issues... Read more

Dear Jaslyin,

Hope you are doing fantastic.

I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable experience in Osaka and Kyoto! It's great to know that the accommodations recommended are authentic and provide excellent service, particularly the Imperial Hotel Osaka. Experiencing the traditional way of living at the Ryokan in Kyoto must have been truly special.

I'm glad to hear that the guides were polite, attentive, and knowledgeable, and that the driver handled any technical issues professionally. It sounds like you had a wonderful overall experience and left with a great impression of the places you visited. If you ever plan to return or explore other destinations, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Wish you a happy life now and future.

Best regards as always,
Sandy

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Thank you so much for making our trip to Japa...
Japan | Feb 9 - Feb 14, 2024

Maricris
Maricris S.
Glendale, CA | Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024
Thank you so much for making our trip to Japan memorable and fun. Our guide Lay-la in tokyo, mt. Fuji was also nice to work with. Dennis in Kyoto is very informational too.
Our accomodation locations are also great right in the center of the city. Read more

Thank you so much for making our trip to Japan memorable and fun. Our guide Lay-la in tokyo, mt. Fuji was also nice to work with. Dennis in Kyoto is very informational too.
Our accomodation locations are also great right in the center of the city.

Activity Review
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka Foodie Walking Tour at dark
Osaka

Okini Osaka! Aina-san is the best guide in this tour. She is so jolly and educational which made our trip enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Photo taken by Maricris S
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Feb 16, 2024

Dear Maricris，

Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that your trip to Japan is memorable and enjoyable. Lay-la in Tokyo and Mt. Fuji, as well as Dennis in Kyoto, are indeed fantastic guides who strive to provide valuable insights.

We're glad you found the accommodations centrally located and suitable for your needs. It's wonderful to know that Aina-san made your time in Osaka enjoyable with her cheerful demeanor and educational approach.

We appreciate the opportunity to be part of your journey and hope to welcome you back in the future!

Best regards,
Sandy

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