"The Izu Challenging Tour lives up to its name - idyllic mountain scenery, breathtaking coastal views, quaint villages along with well-paved roads having a variety of climbs & downhills. Personal service by Akira Oka cannot be better! If you ever have the opportunity to do a tour in Japan - this is it! Thanks again for a great tour."
- Dennis W.M., Ritzville, WA
"My family of 4 (including two teenagers, ages 15 and 19), completed a highly successful biking holiday with Oka Tours. Our goal was to use biking as a vehicle by which we could make connections with the Japanese people and culture. Akira, as a native guide, was skilled and articulate in helping us to understand and appreciate aspects of his country and culture. Experiences such as a Kodo drumming lesson, fabulous Japanese meals and accommodation in traditional Japanese inns (or ryokans) were just a few of the highlights. Biking through the Aizu countryside and the Sado Island coastlines gave us an appreciation of the natural beauty of Japan.
As a small private group, there was flexibility to customize the itinerary and to incorporate spontaneous outings on days when the biking was shortened due to the weather, or because we felt like going to the beach or seeing a bunya play. Akira was most patient and attentive to our numerous email enquiries at the planning stage and to the endless questions throughout the trip. Fluently bilingual, Akira’s schooling and work experiences in the United States and UK have helped him relate to North American perspectives. In the end we gained a new friend whom we would gladly welcome in our home.
Taking a family holiday with teenagers can be a challenge, but our biking tour was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Kudos to Akira!"
- Linda H., Calgary, AB, Canada
"The tour to Sado Island was an amazing trip. I discovered that touring an area by bicycle allows you to see, feel and smell your surroundings so much better than by simply sitting in a car. Although the uphill climbs are tough, at least you khow there's a downhill slope waiting once you reach the top! And the flat sections by the coastline are perfect for cruising - slowly at your own pace, with photo stops along the way. We stayed in a beautiful traditional inn, feasted on fresh seafood specialties and even saw a local firefly festival! I would highly recommend this type of tour to anyone with a sense of adventure, looking for a different way to discover the countryside of Japan."
- Belinda L., Saitama, Japan
"Oka Tours shows you a hidden Japan that you can only best experience with a Japanese tour leader...and a bike! Special kudos to Akira Oka, the owner and leader of Oka Tours. His attention to detail and personalized services, made our trip one of the best bike trips we've ever taken!"
- David S., Seattle, WA
"Oka Tours has spent a lot of time not only finding great bike routes, but also figuring out how best to introduce westerners to the Japanese culture. The food and accommodations were uniformly outstanding."
- David S., Seattle, WA
"I have taken many cycling trips, but I had never even considered going to Japan. This was one of the best trips I have taken! The rides were beautiful. The accommodations and food were outstanding. Akira was an attentive and gracious guide. Most of all it was not just a cycling trip. It was an opportunity to see and experience things that I could never have experienced on my own."
- Michael F., Seattle, WA