Jake C.

Jake Campbell proved an outstanding guide whose knowledge, attentiveness, and genuine helpfulness elevated every part of the day. He met us at the hotel and, at our request, joined us for breakfast, smoothly handling all ordering and communication with a server who spoke no English. Throughout the walk he pointed out interesting stores and items in the market and offered to assist with any purchases so we would not overpay—practical, thoughtful support that made exploring easy. Along the Philosopher’s Path he delivered an engaging overview of Kyoto’s history and skillfully connected it to the sights around us, including the Keage power and pumping station, the old Incline tracks, the cemetery at Nanzen-ji, and the Suirokaku aqueduct. At the temple itself he explained its history and significance with clear, interesting detail. When we wanted a break, his familiarity with the area led us to a charming café run by an older couple for sandwiches, baked goods, and excellent matcha milkshakes. At the station he showed us the most efficient ways to use our SUICA cards—tips that will serve us well in Tokyo—and kindly helped locate a few items we needed before walking us back to the hotel. Above all, Jake’s thoughtfully curated tour exceeded our expectations. His dinner recommendation that evening was, in the unanimous opinion of four experienced travelers from three continents, one of the best meals any of us had ever eaten. His knowledge, helpfulness, and genuine care made the day memorable.

Jake was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. He took us to places we never would have found on our own. The pace and vibe was just right for us. Highly recommend Jake for a fun and enjoyable experience.

Jake was awesome! Our favorite tour yet. Highly recommend. He had lots of suggestions. Was very knowledgeable about the history and neighborhoods we walked through. Speaks excellent Japanese and English.

Jake was an outstanding tour guide and truly made our day in Kyoto unforgettable. He is very knowledgeable about the history of Kyoto, its shrines, and its temples. Beyond simply explaining the sites, he helped us understand the traditions and proper customs when visiting shrines, which made the experience much more meaningful. He also helped us communicate with locals in Japanese, which was a huge bonus and made us feel much more comfortable throughout the day. On top of all of that, Jake is just an extremely easygoing and personable guy. Spending the day with him felt like exploring Kyoto with a friend. If you’re up for walking the entire tour on foot, he’s more than happy to do that. If you’d rather take taxis between locations, he’s just as accommodating. My wife and I were visiting Japan to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and booking this tour was absolutely worth it. We loved the tour, we loved our guide, and we couldn’t recommend him more. Plain and simple: PICK JAKE. You won’t regret it.