OUR MISSION
Through dance,
build more moments of “I can do this.”
Westie Tokyo is not simply a place to teach West Coast Swing technique.
We want people who start with no dance experience to gradually gain new skills and begin to think, “I can do this.”
We want them to discover the joy of communicating with another person through music and dance.
To meet people they can work hard and have fun with.
And to take a step toward new things and new worlds they might not have chosen before.
Becoming a better dancer matters—but so does building an exercise habit, making friends, or simply looking forward to your next lesson.
We want dance to become one of the joys of everyday life, and from there, for your world to gradually expand.
Three Areas of Expertise Behind Westie Tokyo
Westie Tokyo’s lessons and activities are built around three perspectives: dance, learning, and connecting people with the wider world.
We want dancing to feel good and musical, while also making the mechanics of the body and the principles of lead & follow easy to understand. Our goal is not just to have you “kind of get it,” but to help you understand what you are doing and reproduce it with confidence.
We design a learning process and environment tailored to each person’s understanding and individuality, so that “I understand” can lead to “I can do it.” We break difficult concepts into smaller pieces and value lessons that let complete beginners build skills step by step.
Through socials, events, retreats, and international exchange—not just lessons—we create an environment where the people you dance with, the friends you enjoy time with, and the places you can go gradually expand. That’s one of the great things about West Coast Swing: it doesn’t end in the classroom.
ABOUT WESTIE TOKYO
Connect through dance,
and grow together.
What we want to create is not just a place to become a better dancer.
Feel the music, communicate with a partner, and discover your own way of dancing.
It’s a place where we can enjoy that process together.
Okacchi&Haruka
Three Areas of Expertise Behind Westie Tokyo
Westie Tokyo’s lessons and activities are built around three perspectives: dance, learning, and connecting people with the wider world.
COMMUNITY&GLOBAL
Take your dance world beyond the classroom
Through socials, events, retreats, and international exchange—not just lessons—we create an environment where the people you dance with, the friends you enjoy time with, and the places you can go gradually expand. That’s one of the great things about West Coast Swing: it doesn’t end in the classroom.
EDUCATION
We don’t leave “I don’t understand” behind
Tailored to each person’s level of understanding and individuality,
we design a learning process and environment where “I understand” leads to “I can do it.” We break difficult ideas down and value lessons that let complete beginners build skills one step at a time.
DANCE
Go beyond dancing by feel.
We want dancing to feel good and musical, while also making the mechanics of the body and the principles of lead & follow easy to understand. Our goal is not just to have you “kind of get it,” but to help you understand what you are doing and reproduce it with confidence.
Meet the Two People Behind WESTIE TOKYO
With different strengths and areas of expertise, the two of us work together to shape both the lessons and the wider Westie Tokyo environment.
MASATOSHI OKADA
FOUNDER ／ DANCER ／ INSTRUCTOR
-
Started dancing in high school
-
Experienced a wide range of dance styles, beginning with breakdance
-
Worked as a ballroom/partner-dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studio
-
Discovered West Coast Swing in 2016
-
Has participated in international events and competitions since 2017
-
Founded Westie in 2020
A quick message
I tend to go deep when we talk technique. I may look outgoing, but I’m actually shy—and I love talking with people! The more questions you ask, the more energized I get.
Born on November 15, 1986, in Kanagawa Prefecture. He discovered breakdancing in high school and studied under Gunjo Kubo. From around 2010, he was active as a member of the breakdance unit Out of Mind Crew, performing at events such as Battle of the Year and Freestyle Session, while also launching and teaching breakdance classes for children.
From 2014, he worked as an instructor at the Yokohama Academy of Arthur Murray Dance Studio, founded by American partner-dance pioneer Arthur Murray and known for teaching numerous celebrities including Madonna and John Travolta. He trained in and taught a wide range of partner dances, including waltz, Argentine tango, mambo, samba, salsa, bachata, hustle, and swing. From 2016, he also taught and performed kizomba and zouk outside the studio.
In 2016, he met John & Alyssa, who became his mentors in West Coast Swing, and began competing internationally the following year. He also trained with 11-time world champion Jordan Frisbee, earning placements across the Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions.
Today, drawing on his experience as one of Japan’s leading West Coast Swing dancers, he works actively to grow West Coast Swing in Tokyo and throughout Japan.
His precise, individualized advice and instruction—grounded in extensive dance and teaching experience and tailored to each student’s level and goals—are highly regarded.
Competition results
Jun 2017 (Korea) Korea Westival Newcomer — 1st
Jan 2018 (Canada) Swingcouver Novice — 1st
Apr 2018 (Singapore) AWCSO Intermediate — 4th
Sep 2018 (Korea) FallFallSwing Intermediate — 3rd
Nov 2018 (USA) US OPEN Intermediate Final — 10th
Dec 2018 (USA) TAP Intermediate — 5th
Apr 2019 (Singapore) AWCSO Intermediate — 4th
May 2019 (Australia) Swingsation Intermediate — 4th
Jan 2020 (Canada) Swingcouver Intermediate — 3rd
Jan 2020 (USA) Monterey Swingfest Intermediate — 4thApr 2023 (Singapore) Asia West Coast Swing Open 2023 Advanced — 8th
Apr 2024 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Advanced — Finalist
Apr 2025 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Advanced — 2nd
Dec 2025 (USA) TAP Advanced — 3rd
Apr 2026 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Advanced — 2nd
Media appearances and other awards
Yosui Inoue “Yume no Naka e” music video
Adobe DANCE VIDEO FES — Excellence Award
QVC Dance Contest — QVC Award
Starbucks Challenge 2 SNS Dance Contest — Buzz LED Award
Otsuka Pharmaceutical POCARI SWEAT commercial “#PocariTaiyoRelay”
HARUKA OKADA
DANCER ／ INSTRUCTOR
-
Started partner dancing with salsa in 2015
-
Performed bachata and supported instruction
-
Has participated in international WCS events and competitions since 2023
-
Teaching experience as a high school English teacher
-
Support informed by English and cross-cultural education experience
-
International relations / liaison
A quick message
Helping someone move past “I don’t get it” is one of my greatest joys. I’m always smiling, so people often think I’m endlessly positive—but I’m actually shy and tend to overthink things!
Born on October 28, 1991, in Hyogo Prefecture.
She discovered salsa in 2015 and began partner dancing. She later studied bachata under Jorge Zubieta & Satsuki Amano, performed at numerous events in Japan and abroad, and began assisting with lessons.
After giving birth, she entered her first international competition in 2023.
Drawing on many years of experience as an English teacher and cross-cultural educator, she focuses on fun, substantial lessons that beginners can join comfortably, as well as bilingual instruction that supports participants from overseas.
Competition results
Apr 2023 (Singapore) Asia WCS Open – 10th Anniversary Newcomer — 4th
Sep 2023 (Korea) Korea Westival Novice — Finalist
Apr 2024 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Novice — 3rd
Apr 2025 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Novice — 1st
Apr 2026 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Intermediate — 3rd
Media appearances and other awards
Adobe DANCE VIDEO FES — Excellence Award
QVC Dance Contest — QVC Award
Starbucks Challenge 2 SNS Dance Contest — Buzz LED Award
Otsuka Pharmaceutical POCARI SWEAT commercial “#PocariTaiyoRelay”
Meet the Two People Behind WESTIE TOKYO
With different strengths and areas of expertise, the two of us work together to shape both the lessons and the wider Westie Tokyo environment.
MASATOSHI OKADA
FOUNDER ／ DANCER ／ INSTRUCTOR
-
Started dancing in high school
-
Experienced a wide range of dance styles, beginning with breakdance
-
Worked as a ballroom/partner-dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studio
-
Discovered West Coast Swing in 2016
-
Has participated in international events and competitions since 2017
-
Founded Westie in 2020
A quick message
I tend to go deep when we talk technique. I may look outgoing, but I’m actually shy—and I love talking with people! The more questions you ask, the more energized I get.
HARUKA OKADA
DANCER ／ INSTRUCTOR
-
Started partner dancing with salsa in 2015
-
Performed bachata and supported instruction
-
Has participated in international WCS events and competitions since 2023
-
Teaching experience as a high school English teacher
-
Support informed by English and cross-cultural education experience
-
International relations / liaison
A quick message
Helping someone move past “I don’t get it” is one of my greatest joys. I’m always smiling, so people often think I’m endlessly positive—but I’m actually shy and tend to overthink things!
Born on November 15, 1986, in Kanagawa Prefecture. He discovered breakdancing in high school and studied under Gunjo Kubo. From around 2010, he was active as a member of the breakdance unit Out of Mind Crew, performing at events such as Battle of the Year and Freestyle Session, while also launching and teaching breakdance classes for children.
From 2014, he worked as an instructor at the Yokohama Academy of Arthur Murray Dance Studio, founded by American partner-dance pioneer Arthur Murray and known for teaching numerous celebrities including Madonna and John Travolta. He trained in and taught a wide range of partner dances, including waltz, Argentine tango, mambo, samba, salsa, bachata, hustle, and swing. From 2016, he also taught and performed kizomba and zouk outside the studio.
In 2016, he met John & Alyssa, who became his mentors in West Coast Swing, and began competing internationally the following year. He also trained with 11-time world champion Jordan Frisbee, earning placements across the Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions.
Today, drawing on his experience as one of Japan’s leading West Coast Swing dancers, he works actively to grow West Coast Swing in Tokyo and throughout Japan.
His precise, individualized advice and instruction—grounded in extensive dance and teaching experience and tailored to each student’s level and goals—are highly regarded.
Competition results
Jun 2017 (Korea) Korea Westival Newcomer — 1st
Jan 2018 (Canada) Swingcouver Novice — 1st
Apr 2018 (Singapore) AWCSO Intermediate — 4th
Sep 2018 (Korea) FallFallSwing Intermediate — 3rd
Nov 2018 (USA) US OPEN Intermediate Final — 10th
Dec 2018 (USA) TAP Intermediate — 5th
Apr 2019 (Singapore) AWCSO Intermediate — 4th
May 2019 (Australia) Swingsation Intermediate — 4th
Jan 2020 (Canada) Swingcouver Intermediate — 3rd
Jan 2020 (USA) Monterey Swingfest Intermediate — 4thApr 2023 (Singapore) Asia West Coast Swing Open 2023 Advanced — 8th
Apr 2024 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Advanced — Finalist
Apr 2025 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Advanced — 2nd
Dec 2025 (USA) TAP Advanced — 3rd
Apr 2026 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Advanced — 2nd
Media appearances and other awards
Yosui Inoue “Yume no Naka e” music video
Adobe DANCE VIDEO FES — Excellence Award
QVC Dance Contest — QVC Award
Starbucks Challenge 2 SNS Dance Contest — Buzz LED Award
Otsuka Pharmaceutical POCARI SWEAT commercial “#PocariTaiyoRelay”
Born on October 28, 1991, in Hyogo Prefecture.
She discovered salsa in 2015 and began partner dancing. She later studied bachata under Jorge Zubieta & Satsuki Amano, performed at numerous events in Japan and abroad, and began assisting with lessons.
After giving birth, she entered her first international competition in 2023.
Drawing on many years of experience as an English teacher and cross-cultural educator, she focuses on fun, substantial lessons that beginners can join comfortably, as well as bilingual instruction that supports participants from overseas.
Competition results
Apr 2023 (Singapore) Asia WCS Open – 10th Anniversary Newcomer — 4th
Sep 2023 (Korea) Korea Westival Novice — Finalist
Apr 2024 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Novice — 3rd
Apr 2025 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Novice — 1st
Apr 2026 (Korea) Korean Open WCS Intermediate — 3rd
Media appearances and other awards
Adobe DANCE VIDEO FES — Excellence Award
QVC Dance Contest — QVC Award
Starbucks Challenge 2 SNS Dance Contest — Buzz LED Award
Otsuka Pharmaceutical POCARI SWEAT commercial “#PocariTaiyoRelay”
What We Value in Our Teaching
分かるから、できるへ
難しいことは、かみ砕いて丁寧に。
理解が深まることで、自然と身体が動き、自信につながります。
基礎から、自由へ
土台となる基礎を大切にしながら、音楽や相手に合わせて自由に表現し快適に踊る楽しさへと導きます。
See each individual
Everyone has different experience and goals. We do our best to respect each person’s pace and challenges and provide the support that fits them best.
What We Value in Our Teaching
See each individual
Everyone has different experiences and goals.
We provide personalized support based on each person’s pace, needs, and areas for growth.
From foundation to freedom
While valuing a strong technical foundation, we guide you toward the freedom and comfort of expressing yourself in ways that match the music and your partner.
From understanding to doing
We break down difficult ideas and explain them carefully.
As understanding deepens, your body begins to move more naturally—and confidence follows.
OUR STORY
The WESTIE TOKYO Story
“A place in Japan where you can learn West Coast Swing more deeply.”
Westie Tokyo began with that very idea—one that Okacchi himself felt strongly about.
While working as a ballroom dance instructor, he discovered West Coast Swing and later attended a workshop by champion dancers John & Alyssa during their visit to Japan. He was deeply inspired by the freedom of the dance, its musicality, and the depth of communication between partners, and began dedicating himself more seriously to West Coast Swing.
At the time, opportunities in Japan to study high-level technique and knowledge on a regular basis were still limited. So he traveled abroad to attend events, workshops, and lessons, continuing to learn directly from dancers around the world.
Eventually, he began creating a place in Japan where others could learn the same skills and ideas that he had traveled overseas to experience.
Okacchi founded “Westie,” the predecessor of today’s Westie Tokyo. To help more people discover West Coast Swing, he created many opportunities to try it for free and began offering trial classes, ongoing classes, and socials. The pandemic made it almost impossible to run activities for a time, but he kept things going on a small scale and gradually restarted.
After meeting Haruka, we gradually developed the structure of regular classes and events. We focused not only on one-off lessons, but on creating an environment where people could keep learning and ultimately experience dancing with others in real situations.
Okacchi and Haruka attended their first overseas West Coast Swing event together. Haruka also began assisting in some classes, and their work as a teaching team gradually took shape. That same year, Westie Tokyo invited its first international guest instructor, Leo Lorenzo. The focus expanded from traveling abroad to learn, to also bringing international dancers and learning opportunities to Japan.
Haruka became fully involved in teaching, educational design, and operations, leading to the current Okacchi & Haruka team. While developing classes and curricula that allow complete beginners to learn step by step, we also expanded our participation in international events and connections with dancers from overseas.
We fully developed our level-based ongoing classes, where the same members continue learning together over a set period. The environment that now feels distinctly Westie Tokyo—learning, practicing, encouraging one another, and growing together—became much more established. We also launched retreats and community events. Through the International Dancer Development Program, we began supporting dancers coming to Japan from overseas.
We are currently developing the online education program “Dance Design OS,” so people can keep learning beyond the classroom. At the same time, we are continuing to evolve our step-by-step education system from beginner to advanced levels and are also training the next generation of instructors, “Fellows,” who will help support the future of West Coast Swing.
A place where beginners can take their first step—and where those who want more can continue to higher levels and out into the world.
One thing has remained unchanged from the beginning: our desire to create a place in Japan where people can learn West Coast Swing more deeply and enjoy it more fully.
OUR STORY
The WESTIE TOKYO Story
“A place in Japan where you can learn West Coast Swing more deeply.”
Westie Tokyo began with a thought Okacchi had himself. While working as a ballroom/partner-dance instructor, he discovered West Coast Swing and joined a workshop by champion dancers John & Alyssa during their visit to Japan. He was inspired by the dance’s freedom, musicality, and the depth of communication between partners, and began pursuing West Coast Swing seriously. At the time, opportunities in Japan to study high-level technique and knowledge on an ongoing basis were still limited. So he traveled to events, workshops, and lessons overseas, continuing to learn directly from dancers around the world. Then he began creating a place in Japan where others could learn what he had traveled abroad to study.
2020
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Westie Founded
Okacchi founded “Westie,” the predecessor of today’s Westie Tokyo. To help more people discover West Coast Swing, he created many opportunities to try it for free and began offering trial classes, ongoing classes, and socials. The pandemic made it almost impossible to run activities for a time, but he kept things going on a small scale and gradually restarted.
Developing our lesson and event structure
After meeting Haruka, we gradually developed the structure of regular classes and events. We focused not only on one-off lessons, but on creating an environment where people could keep learning and ultimately experience dancing with others in real situations.
A step into the world: our work as a duo begins
Okacchi and Haruka attended their first overseas West Coast Swing event together. Haruka also began assisting in some classes, and their work as a teaching team gradually took shape. That same year, Westie Tokyo invited its first international guest instructor, Leo Lorenzo. The focus expanded from traveling abroad to learn, to also bringing international dancers and learning opportunities to Japan.
Two instructors, one stronger learning environment
Haruka became fully involved in teaching, educational design, and operations, leading to the current Okacchi & Haruka team. While developing classes and curricula that allow complete beginners to learn step by step, we also expanded our participation in international events and connections with dancers from overseas.
Grow together, and expand into the world
We fully developed our level-based ongoing classes, where the same members continue learning together over a set period. The environment that now feels distinctly Westie Tokyo—learning, practicing, encouraging one another, and growing together—became much more established. We also launched retreats and community events. Through the International Dancer Development Program, we began supporting dancers coming to Japan from overseas.
On to the next stage
We are currently preparing our online education program, Dance Design OS, so that students can continue learning beyond the classroom. At the same time, we are continuing to develop a step-by-step learning system that supports dancers from complete beginners through to advanced levels, while also working to train the next generation of West Coast Swing instructors through our Fellows program.
We want Westie Tokyo to be a place where beginners can take their very first step—and where those who want to go further can continue to higher levels and even out into the international dance community.
One thing has remained unchanged since the beginning: our desire to create a place in Japan where people can learn West Coast Swing more deeply, and enjoy it even more.
Scenes from WESTIE TOKYO
There are plenty of places to enjoy dance beyond the lesson room.
Explore WESTIE TOKYO COMMUNITY >
