Meet Terrence Ou | Travel Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Terrence Ou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrence, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My entrepreneurial journey began with Great Wall Adventure Club in 2012, born from a deep passion for connecting cultures and creating meaningful travel experiences. The genesis for Japan Adventure Club in 2024 came from a strategic observation: Japan and China are separated by just two hours of flight time, yet most travelers were forced to choose between destinations or work with multiple agencies for a comprehensive East Asian experience.
Initially, Japan Adventure Club operated as a specialized unit within Great Wall Adventure Club, serving Western travelers who wanted to explore both nations seamlessly. The concept gained momentum when we anticipated the influx of visitors for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, envisioning travelers who would want to extend their Japanese Olympic experience with tours to China’s historic sites.

While the pandemic derailed the Olympics as we knew it—eliminating spectators entirely—it paradoxically strengthened our brand recognition. Travelers worldwide discovered our expertise and unique positioning during this challenging period, laying the foundation for our eventual standalone launch in 2024. The setback taught us that great businesses aren’t just built on perfect timing, but on resilience and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are Japan Expo Tours, also known as the Japan Adventure Club—a U.S. and Japan–based travel company with offices in Dallas, Tokyo, and Osaka. Unlike many operators, we manage our own professional guides and drivers, giving us full control over quality and allowing us to pass on savings to our clients by cutting out middlemen.

Our focus is on creating authentic, safe, and seamless travel experiences. We offer a wide range of services, including custom land tours, cruise vacations, shore excursions, transfers, and hotel arrangements—covering everything from Japan’s most iconic destinations to unique, specialized adventures.

During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully supported travelers through evolving policies and requirements, building trust and reliability. In recognition of our service, we were awarded Adventure Tour Company of the Year – Japan (2024) by the Travel & Hospitality Awards.

At our core, we are passionate about connecting travelers to the heart of Japan through meaningful, memorable journeys.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 – Downtown & Uptown Highlights

Morning

Breakfast: Overeasy (inside The Statler) – elevated breakfast with Southern comfort classics.

Activity: Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza – learn about JFK’s legacy and Dallas history.

Walk: Stroll through Dealey Plaza and grab a photo at the historic grassy knoll.

Lunch

Pecan Lodge (Deep Ellum) – some of the best Texas BBQ in Dallas (brisket and burnt ends are musts).

Afternoon

Explore Deep Ellum – famous for street art murals, indie shops, and its role in jazz & blues history.

Pop into Deep Ellum Brewing Co. for a local craft beer.

Evening

Dinner: Uchi Dallas – award-winning modern Japanese with creative sushi and hot dishes.

Nightlife: Midnight Rambler (cocktail lounge in The Joule Hotel) – stylish underground bar with craft cocktails.

Day 2 – Arts & Nature

Morning

Breakfast: Bread Winners Café (Uptown) – cozy spot with pastries, hearty scrambles, and coffee.

Cultural Visit: Dallas Museum of Art (free general admission) and Nasher Sculpture Center nearby.

Lunch

Mi Cocina at Klyde Warren Park – Tex-Mex with a famous “Mambo Taxi” frozen margarita.

After lunch, stroll through Klyde Warren Park (built over a freeway, with food trucks and live events).

Afternoon

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden – peaceful gardens with great views of White Rock Lake.

Or if into history: African American Museum of Dallas in Fair Park.

Evening

Dinner: Tei-An (Arts District) – refined Japanese soba house and rooftop views.

Final Nightcap: Reunion Tower GeO-Deck – panoramic nighttime views of the Dallas skyline (grab a drink upstairs if open).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Vivian Liu, my wife. She is incredibly sharp and resourceful, and has been the driving force in building and strengthening our relationships with local partners in Japan. Thanks to her, we’re able to respond quickly to clients, secure the best value, and deliver service they can fully trust. All victories go to Vivian.

Website: https://japanexpotours.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Osaka2025