
Testimony

Rabbi Yossi Mintz
Executive Director of Chabad of the Beach Cities, California
Private tour , July 2025
Jake planned our 10-day Japan trip with such meticulous care that we honestly didn’t have to think about a single thing. Every guide, driver, meal, ticket, and temple was exactly where it needed to be, exactly when it needed to be there. It felt like the entire country was on his schedule. He was always reachable, always one step ahead. Traveling has never felt this easy. 10 out of 10, would highly recommend!

Asher Neuman
Jerusalem, Israel
Backpacking tour , January 2025
It's been over six months since I took a chance with Jake and his crew. I still think about that trip and where we went across the majestic island. We went from the bright lights of Tokyo to the quiet forests of Kyoto and Nara. The breadth of places we saw on this trip have burned into my memory and I fell in love with Japan. From early morning train rides to late night escapades throughout the city, Jake has plans upon plans ready to go, all with a massive smile on his face and kosher food ready at the end of each day. Literally the moment I stepped off of the plane he welcomed me with a bright smile and an energy that made me happy to choose this journey with Teahouse Trails! If you're a fan of going to new places with Kosher amenities and fellow Jews, this is the trip for you!

Aton Holzer & Family
Director of Mohs Surgery Clinic and Mohs Fellowship Program
Private tour , December 2024
We recently returned from an unforgettable weeklong trip to Japan, and we can’t recommend Jake enough! From the moment we arrived in Tokyo until our last day in Hiroshima, he made sure every aspect of our visit was seamless, educational, and incredibly fun. His knowledge of Japan- both its history and modern culture- contributed so much. He had a great way of making stories come to life, whether we were exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo, Kyoto’s timeless beauty, or reflecting at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. He adapted the schedule to our preferences and made sure to personalize our experiences. On top of that, he was just a really great person to travel with. He was patient, prepared, and always made sure everyone in the group felt comfortable. He helped us out with the little things that make a big difference, like navigating train stations and kosher food. If you’re planning a trip to Japan we highly recommend Jake. Our trip wouldn’t have been the same without him!

Eli Turansky
Student, University of Maryland
Backpacking tour, Winter 2023
It’s been two years since my Japan trip, and I still think about going back all the time. I first heard about it through Jake’s brother Tai, who told me Jake was running a kosher trip to Japan, and I couldn’t pass that up. Japan had always been a dream destination for me, and thanks to this trip, it finally became a reality. From the moment we landed, Jake picked us up at the airport and handed out a detailed itinerary. We had activities lined up right from the first night with no time wasted. We hit all the dream spots, from Kyoto to Tokyo, traveling up and down the country on Japan’s legendary shinkansen bullet trains. I didn’t know Jake before the trip, but he made everyone feel like family. To this day, it’s still one of the best trips I’ve ever taken, and that’s largely thanks to how smoothly and thoughtfully Jake ran the whole thing. If you ever get the chance to join one of his trips, don’t think twice.

Elie Lowenstein
Student, University of Maryland
Backpacking tour , July 2025
Our trip to Japan was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to Jake Tokayer. From the moment we started planning, Jake made everything seamless—he handled all bookings and organized every detail in advance. He put everything in an incredibly helpful app that laid out our itinerary step-by-step, complete with activity locations, ticket information, and clear instructions. It took all the stress out of traveling so we could fully enjoy every moment. Traveling with friends is always fun, but traveling with everything perfectly arranged by Jake made it amazing. We couldn't recommend him more highly!

Joseph Mishaan
Student, Rutgers Business School
Backpacking tour , January 2025
This past winter break, I had the pleasure of going on Teahouse Trail’s tour of Japan. As soon as you land, all your transportation and living needs are taken care of which frees you up to enjoy Japan’s rich history and fun outdoor activities. Jake is nothing but efficient, he makes sure we were on time everywhere, gets the best suited train passes for our tour, makes all the appointments for our activities, and gets us back to various different homes all with a smile on his face. In addition to all these responsibilities being lifted off your shoulders, you get a knowledgeable and motivated tour guide who answers any questions you might have about Japan and the places we visit. His already amazing storytelling is amplified by the fact that he truly cares for the history, culture, and life of Japan. While the food situation for an observant Jew can be difficult in Japan, Jake is great at utilizing the kosher resources around us to ensure decent meals. I don’t think I could have had this great trip in Japan without Teahouse Trails!

Ilana Makover
​Data Engineer II at Bluevine
Backpacking tour, Spring 2024
I had a wonderful time touring Japan with Tea House Trails. Jake's professionalism and attention to detail made it very enjoyable to work with him. Would 10/10 recommend TTT

Steven Seltzer
Executive VP, Operations & Customer Relations at Cas Biosciences
Private tour , July 2025
Working with Jake from Teahouse Trails was an absolutely exceptional experience from start to finish. As our Japan travel specialist for our entire trip, Jake was truly amazing in every aspect of planning and coordination. His calm demeanor and understanding approach made even the most complex arrangements feel effortless. Every single detail of our trip went perfectly, which is a testament to Jake's meticulous planning and deep expertise in Japan travel. He demonstrated remarkable patience and professionalism throughout the process, always making himself available to address our needs and concerns. I cannot recommend Jake highly enough - he is simply the best Japan travel specialist we have ever worked with. His dedication to creating perfect Japan experiences is unmatched, and anyone planning a trip to Japan would be wise to trust Jake with their travel arrangements. Teahouse Trails' focus exclusively on Japan travel really shows in the exceptional service Jake provides.

Steven (Dov) Lando
General Counsel at Boothbay Fund Management LLC
Private tour , January 2025
Jake was great, and thanks to his help my family had an amazing trip. Travel in Japan is complicated and I don't know what your family is looking for. But I would absolutely trust Jake to be able to help you navigate, and I believe it would be worthwhile to engage his services.

Kesser Frankel
Social Work Student
Backpacking tour, Winter 2018
I went on one of Jake's first group trips to Japan back in 2018, and it remains one of my fondest memories to this day. He was friendly, professional, and prepared. I recommend this trip to anyone looking for a unique adventurous experience!
