Our Team

A family-run travel company built around a shared connection to Japan.

Kai

Since childhood, Kai and his family have been avid cyclists, whether it was commuting to school in Yokohama, mountain biking in Colorado, or exploring the food markets in Bangkok, bikes were the most convenient and best way to explore a new or familiar place. Now based in Chiba and Shiga, he rides a variety of bikes ranging from beach cruisers to road bikes exploring the Japanese countryside.

Born in Japan and grew up between Yokohama, Colorado , Bangkok, and Southern California before eventually returning to live in Japan. Spending time away from the country gave him a stronger appreciation for its food, culture, landscapes, and the everyday details that are easy to overlook when you grow up around them.

During winter, he can usually be found snowboarding in Nagano or Niigata, while summers between trips are often spent surfing along the coast of Chiba.

Morikai grew from a desire to share the off-the-path places and experiences Kai has discovered throughout his time in Japan. His goal is to help guests slow down, enjoy local regional dishes, and leave with a deeper understanding of the country.

Dale

Dale has spent much of his life exploring Japan by bicycle, whether commuting, bikepacking, or simply riding through cities, countryside and mountains. Cycling has always been more than a sport for him; it is a way to slow down, understand a place, and interact with locals in a way that is often lost through other forms of transportation.

He is drawn to Japan for its natural scenery, regional food, and the small cultural details that are often easiest to discover at the pace of a bicycle. A lifelong bicycle commuter in all kinds of weather, Dale is also passionate about skiing and surfing, and is rarely far from some form of outdoor adventure.

Through Morikai, Dale hopes to share the places, roads, and experiences that have made cycling in Japan so memorable for him. He enjoys helping guests get beyond the better-known destinations, meet people along the way, and experience Japan at a slower and more personal pace.

Our Home in Shiga

A close connection to Lake Biwa.

Our family hometown is in Shiga, and we know the Lake Biwa area particularly well. Biwako is famous as Japan's largest lake, but the region offers much more: historic towns, farming communities, mountain roads, local food, sake culture, and quiet landscapes that many overseas visitors never experience.

The Meaning of Morikai

Inspired by forest and sea.

The name Morikai draws from the landscapes that inspire our journeys: forest and sea, mountains and coastline, cities and rural communities. It reflects the variety of Japan and the connections between the places we explore.

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Let's create a journey that fits how you want to experience Japan.

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