Who are we?

Who are we? 

Founded in 1981, Japan Experience is the first European tour operator to specialize exclusively in Japan. As a team of enthusiasts, we seek to pass on our love and knowledge of Japan to any prospective traveler, in order to make their experience as smooth as possible. Whether you’d like to organize your trip yourself, or let us handle all the details, we have everything you need among our large catalog of products. Beyond that, our mission is to inspire you and help you discover Japan differently, far from the usual clichés. Prior to the Japanese borders closing in 2020, we accompanied 29,000 visitors per year to Japan.

Our vision 

We aim to become the go-to brand for anyone who loves Japan and wants to travel there, with three priorities at the heart of our strategy: freedom of choice, simplicity and people at the core. With thousands of articles, unique accommodation and transportation solutions, and numerous activities, excursions and tours, we offer a vast catalog to allow you to create the trip that suits you best.

We do everything possible to provide you with the best experience, with three priorities:

Our approach 

Nowadays, the vast majority of travelers want to organize their trip to Japan themselves. That’s why we’ve gathered everything you might need to personalize your experience to Japan, all in one place.

• Cut out the middleman: to offer you better rates, and to put you directly in contact with your host.
• Reconcile freedom and security: our Travel Agents in Tokyo and Kyoto will advise and assist you throughout your stay.
• Don’t just visit, live: go beyond mere sightseeing and live an authentic experience.
• “À la carte” choices: spend your day with a private tour guide or take part in our gastronomic and cultural activities.

The Chairman of Japan Experience

Thierry Maincent discovered Japan in 1994 during a professional internship in Tokyo, where he met his wife.

After graduating from the University of Paris Dauphine in 1995, he returned to Japan between 1996 and 1998 to complete his cooperation in a French cooking school.

Returning to France in 1998, he founded with 2 friends an online wine-selling company, which he introduced on the stock exchange at the end of 2006. In early 2010, he joined the specialized tour operator Vivre le Japon to participate in the development of the company alongside its founder Claude Saulière. After sustained international growth, Thierry Maincent became chairman of the company in 2018. He now lives between Paris and Tokyo with his family.