Welcome to Oka Tours! -Specialists in bike tours in Japan

Reduced price for Sado Island Moderate Trip

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:45:57 +0900

We are pleased to announce a reduced price for Sado Island Moderate Tours by 15% from our previous price of 320,000yen to 270,000yen. We have taken measures to streamline costs in order to tackle with stronger Japanese yen against other major currencies over the last two years. Now we have managed to reduce prices for all of our tours by 10 to 20% from 2010, roughly offsetting Japanese yen's appreciation since 2010. Come join us for our Sado Island tours and ride in this beautiful island!

New tour for summer 2012 - Hokkaido Shiretoko Moderate

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:38:53 +0900

We are excited to announce our new 8-day 7-night tour of Japan's natural wonderland, Hokkaido. If you would like to immerse yourself in untouched wilderness, great natural hot spring baths, and excellent foods, this is it! See tours details and dates here.

HOKKAIDO SHIRETOKO MODERATE

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:31:02 +0900

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan. With its vast land space and relatively cool and dry weather during summer, Hokkaido is an ideal playground for cyclists. On this 8 days 7 nights trip, we explore the eastern parts of Hokkaido, which is considered to be some of the most beautiful areas of the island for its remoteness and untouched wilderness. A majority of our rides is in Akan national park and Shiretoko national park which has also been registered with the UNESCO�fs list of world natural heritage sites. You will be riding on undulating hills through rustic pastures and fields, around pristine caldera lakes, and magnificent coastlines. Hokkaido is also home to great food and onsens (natural hot spring baths). Accommodations are varied from casual western-style hotel, charming family-run pension, to deluxe Japanese- and Western-style hotels. Most of our inns have excellent onsens.

Trip Highlights

Tour price is inclusive of domestic flights between Tokyo and Memanbetsu.
Ride in national parks, an UNESCO's world natural heritage site and wildlife preserves, and enjoy some of Japan's most beautiful nature.
Carefully selected inns which offer comfort and local charms.
Excellent onsens (natural hot spring baths). There is an opportunity to try an outdoor bath for adventurous travelers.
Canoe tour of a pristine river around Lake Kussahro.

Minimum number of guests required for guaranteed departure: 4 Reserve Online

Trip Itinerary

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:28:35 +0900

Day 1 Cape Notoro (Riding distance: 37km)
Meet in the morning at the Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) or a designated hotel in Tokyo and fly to Memanbetsu (1 hour and 40 minute flight). After a short transfer from the Memanbetsu Airport to our hotel in Abashiri, we begin a warm up ride on a cycling path that leads onto quiet roads to Cape Notoro. From the cape, you can see the massive Sea of Okhotsk spreading out around you and the majestic Shiretoko Mountain Range. Tonight, we stay at a casual western-style hotel. (Dinner included).
Day 2 Bihoro and Lake Kussharo-ko (81km)
In the morning we leave Abashiri and bike on flat roads through fields and pastures. After lunch, we take on an ascent to Bihoro Pass. From the Pass you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surroundings including Lake Kussharo. We then descend towards Lake Kussharo and ride through quiet forested roads by the lake. Our inn for the next two days is a cozy family-run pension which serves excellent meals. The inn does not have private en suite baths in guest rooms, but has an excellent shared onsen (natural hot spring) bath. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 3 Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu (67km)
We rise early today and hop on a canoe to paddle down the Kushiro River, hearing the sounds of the stream and the twittering of wild birds. Then we return to our inn for breakfast. Today we ride around two beautiful caldera lakes in the area - Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. Our route takes us through dense forest and then to a 7 kilometer ascent to observation points, from which you can view the Lake Mashu on clear days. We then descend to the town of Teshikaga for lunch. In the afternoon we enjoy relaxing rides along Lake Kussharo. We stop by Sunayu where hot spring water gushes out through the sand on the shore. We also visit Kawayu Eco Museum and Mt. Io which has over 1,500 large and small volcanic craters. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 4 Nakashibetsu (80km)
We bike to Nakashibetsu, one of the dairy farming centers in Japan. We ride past many cows grazing in the pastures. Our lunch stop is at a ranch which has a nice restaurant and a gallery with exhibits of wood block printing works by local artists. In the afternoon, we visit Kaiyodai observatory which stands on a hill offering a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding farmlands and the city of Nakashibetsu. Today we stay at a casual Japanese-style hotel. The hotel does not have private en suite baths in guest rooms, but has an excellent shared onsen (natural hot spring) bath. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 5 Rausu (62km)
In the morning we continue pedalling through peaceful pastures. We soon reach the coastline and then ride along the east coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula to Rausu, enjoying views of the Nemuro Strait and Kunashiri Island. Rausu, our destination today, is a major fishing port in Shiretoko. After we check in our hotel, you can relax in onsen or stroll on a nice foot path near the hotel. We stay in a Japanese-style hotel and feast on freshly caught fish from the Rausu port. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 6 Shiretoko (47km)
Today we ride across the Shiretoko Peninsula to its west cost via Shiretoko Pass. Shiretoko Peninsula has seen little development and boasts untouched wilderness and rich wildlife. We start the day with a 14km climb to the pass. It is a long, but enjoyable hill climb with spectacular views of nearby Mt. Rausu. After a smooth descent and lunch, we bike to the Shiretoko Goko (Shiretoko�fs five lakes) where we stroll around on wooden walkways. Time permitting, we visit an amazing natural wonder - Kamuiwakkayu-no-taki, warm waterfalls meaning �griver of gods�h in Ainu (indigenous people in Hokkaido) language. Our destination today is Utoro which is situated on the west coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula. We stay at a deluxe western-style hotel. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 7 Okhotsk Coastline (85km)
Today is the last day of cycling during the trip. Our route follows the coastline of the Sea of Okhotsk offering magnificent views of the ocean as well as of Shiretoko Mountain Range. We pedal through fields and pastures, and past Lake Tofutsu, which is filled with irises during summer. We stop by Koshimizu Gensei-kaen (wild flower preserve), where about 40 kinds of flowers bloom in spring and summer. Before reaching Abashiri, we head inland onto �gKand-no-Michi�h (heart-moving road) that features a diversity of rural scenery. Tonight we retreat in a deluxe Japanese-style hotel and celebrate our successful rides with farewell dinner and onsen. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 8
Following breakfast, we say goodbye. You will be escorted by our guide to Memanbetsu Airport where you can catch an afternoon flight to the Tokyo International (Haneda) Airport. (Breakfast included)

What's Included

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:27:00 +0900

All lodgings on a double occupancy basis. A limited number of single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional charge on most tours. If you are a single traveler, please inquire for room availability and a single supplemental charge.
Meals (7 breakfasts, and 7 dinners. Lunch is not included.)
Guides and van support
Rental bikes
Any ground transportations (except for private taxis)
Domestic flights between Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) and Memanbetsu
Fees for activities and admissions to attractions specified in the itinerary

Reserve Online

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:25:41 +0900

Dates	Cost per person	Reserve your tour
July 7-14, 2012	JPY290,000
July 15-22, 2012	JPY290,000

For currency converter click here

2012 Tour Dates

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:48:02 +0900

We have now updated our tour calendar for 2012. Check out all tour dates here. Also we are currently designing some new tours for 2012 - we plan to publish tour details in the next few months!

Sado Island and Noto Peninsula added to the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems list

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:48:16 +0900

We are excited to hear that both Sado Island and Noto Peninsula have been added by the UN's FAO to a list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) for their initiatives to conserve biodiversity and maintain traditional farming practices. These two sites are the first cases from Japan and any other industrialized countries. To read more, click here. Join our Sado Island or Noto/Kanazawa/Kyoto tour, and enjoy delicious and safe farm produces and beautiful sceneries of rice fields!

SPECIAL OFFER - Sign up for 2011 tours and save up to 20%.

Tue, 10 May 2011 15:33:04 +0900

Two months after the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami, things are getting back to normal in most parts of Japan. All of our tour destinations are safe to travel, winning back an increasing number of visitors recently. You can see an update on Japan travel here. As a small token of appreciation for customers visiting Japan and helping the local economy, we are offering special discounts of up to 20% for the following tours departing in 2011. SADO ISLAND For tour details, dates and prices, click here. NOTO/KANAZAWA/KYOTO For tour details, dates and prices, click here. AIZU/NIKKO For tour details, dates and prices, click here.

Japan Travel Updates

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 01:41:52 +0900

An update from JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) on travel to Japan after the earthquake on March 11th here. You can also see some video clips on current local scenes in Tokyo and other regions in Japan.

We are switching our web hosting server

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:19:02 +0900

We are in the process of switching our web hosting server. In the meantime, you may encounter minor troubles in using our website. If you experience any problem, please contact us. We are trying to complete the transition as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Japan Travel Advisory

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:29:11 +0900

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) provides updates on conditions in Japan after the earthquake on March 11th here.

Earthquake in Japan

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:05:14 +0900

Dear Customers and colleagues We would like to inform you that there has been no physical damage to Oka Tours by the massive earthquake that hit Japan on March 11th, 2011. Here in Tokyo there are still interruptions to transportation, power, logistics and communication networks, but people are working hard to go through this difficult time. While our tour destinations are far from the Pacific coast in the northern Honshu Island and therefore are not affected by serious damages, we are currently checking the situation and hope to update you as soon as possible. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to those who are suffering from this awful disaster, particularly those in the coastal areas of the Tohoku (northern Honshu Island) region. Akira Oka CEO and Founder

Noto/Kanazawa/Kyoto

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 09:52:07 +0900

"In October and November 2010, my partner and I participated in an Oka Tours nine day cycle tour starting in Noto, Ishikawa prefecture in central Honshū, and finishing in Kyoto, one of the jewels of Japan. From start the finish, the experience was a delight. We looked for a Japanese company, as we wanted to have an authentic Japanese experience and learn about Japanese culture from a Japanese perspective. Akira was very knowledgeable about the area we were travelling through, and was able to explain many of the nuances of tradition and culture. Also, the daily riding was carefully planned to allow us time to stop and look at various interesting places, from temples to markets to stunning coastline. Akira had thought of everything to make us comfortable on our journey, from the perfectly configured bicycles, attentive checking to ensure we were on the correct roads to the wonderful accommodation in traditional family run small hotels or Ryokans. We were very pleased and surprised by the very high standard of the food, the hot baths in most places and the feeling of luxury at every new destination. For those considering experiencing the beauty Japan has to offer, this cycle tour comes highly recommended. We will certainly be back for another Japanese adventure in years to come." - Jane Weston and Lan Wang, Melbourne, Australia

New Tours for 2011 - 3-day Tour in Mt.Fuji Foothills and Izu Peninsula

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:45:46 +0900

Join us for our new 3-day 2-night tour in Mt.Fuji foothills and Izu Peninsula, and enjoy nice views of Mount Fuji as well as beautiful coastlines in Izu Peninsula. You can soak yourself in onsen (natural hot spring bath) and taste excellent local foods to refresh yourself. See tour details and dates here.