What Japan Experience does

Japan Experience is a privately held, founder-owned (Thierry Maincent) travel agency founded in 1981 and headquartered in Paris, France (with a London office also referenced in firmographics). The company specializes end-to-end in leisure travel to Japan, acting as an official distributor of the Japan Rail Pass (national and eight regional variants) and bundling transportation, accommodations, tours, activities, internet connectivity, and travel insurance into a single multilingual e-commerce platform. Its product portfolio spans self-guided and guided group tours (Discover Japan, Japan in a Week), tailor-made itineraries with dedicated travel advisors, a curated catalog of 182 activities ranging from tea ceremonies to helicopter flights, vacation house rentals across Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama, Japanese countryside locations and Okinawa, plus eSIM/SIM cards and Pocket WiFi rental. Travel insurance is underwritten by Europe Assistance (Contract n°53 789 573) and the platform supports pre-paid transit cards (Welcome Suica, Tokyo Subway Pass, Kansai passes).

The underlying technology is a GCP-hosted website with SSL-encrypted, PCI-DSS-compliant payment processing via Ingenico ePayments and optional Google Sign-in; the platform supports five languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish) and eleven currencies (EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, JPY, CHF, CAD, NOK, SEK, DKK, PLN). The business is direct-to-consumer with high-touch elements: travelers can book fully online or consult staff in any of seven physical offices (Paris HQ, London, Madrid, Berlin, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Milan); a Japan-based team of more than 40 local experts provides on-the-ground support. Tour package pricing uses a 35% deposit / balance-due-35-days-before-departure structure, while activities and add-ons are sold on pay-as-you-go terms. Distribution is supplemented by a B2B/trade program. The company operates as a profitable, capital-efficient, founder-controlled business with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent organization, no subsidiaries, no M&A activity, and serves 300,000+ travelers annually under the trademarks 'JAPAN EXPERIENCE' and the sub-brand 'iRASSHAi'.

Name

Japan Experience

Legal name

Japan Experience

Website

https://japan-experience.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Japan Experience is a founder-owned Paris-headquartered travel agency founded in 1981 that serves international leisure travelers bound for Japan with rail passes, tours, house rentals, activities, and connectivity through seven offices and a multilingual website.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Agency Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510), Tour Operators (561520), Tour Operators (56152)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Journey Package Tour Operators (THAKADAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Multi-Activity & Expedition Packages (Guided Adventure Trips) (THAJABAL)

Keywords

• Japan travel agency
• Japan Rail Pass
• Guided tours Japan
• Vacation rentals Japan
• Travel activities Japan

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tour Packages: Self-guided tours, guided group tours, and tailor-made tours to Japan. Revenue generated through package pricing that includes accommodation, transportation, activities, and sometimes meals.
2. Transportation Bookings: Japan Rail Pass sales (national and regional), train tickets, airport transfers, and car rentals. Commission-based revenue from these bookings.
3. Accommodation: House rentals across Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama, Okayama, Japanese Countryside, Okinawa) with varying comfort levels (2-star to 5-star) and collections (traditional, designer, Japanese gardens, family homes)
4. Activities and Experiences: 182 activities across Japan including cultural experiences, outdoor activities, city tours, culinary experiences, and guided tours. Revenue from per-person booking fees.
5. Internet Access Products: eSIM, SIM cards, and Pocket WiFi rental for travelers visiting Japan
6. Travel Insurance: Insurance products partnered with Europe Assistance (Contract n°53 789 573) for trip cancellation coverage, valid for stays under 90 days
7. Public Transport Cards: Welcome Suica Card, Tokyo Subway Pass, Kyoto Bus & Subway Pass, and other prepaid transport cards

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Japan Experience is a specialist travel agency that books and packages Japan-bound trips for international travelers. Its core offering is the official distribution of Japan Rail Passes and regional train tickets, bundled with self-guided and guided tours, vacation house rentals, 180+ curated activities, airport transfers, public transport cards, eSIM/SIM/Pocket WiFi connectivity, and travel insurance, all sold through a localized website and seven international offices.

Product overview

Japan Experience operates as a comprehensive travel agency platform for Japan travel, founded in 1981. The core offering centers on the Japan Rail Pass (official distributor) and train ticket reservations, complemented by a portfolio of tour products including self-guided tours (e.g., Tokyo-Mount Fuji-Kyoto, Highlights of Japan), guided group tours (Discover Japan, Japan in a Week), and tailor-made tours. The platform provides accommodation through a network of vacation house rentals across major cities and rural areas, over 180 activities and excursions (cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, teamLab exhibitions), and travel add-ons including eSIM/SIM cards, Pocket WiFi, prepaid cards (Suica, Pasmo), airport transfers, and travel insurance. All services are integrated through a single booking platform with customer support in multiple countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Japan Rail Pass Official national rail pass offering unlimited travel on JR trains across Japan in 7, 14, or 21-day durations, sold to international travelers via Japan Experience as an official distributor.
• Regional Rail Passes Regional train passes for specific Japanese regions including Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo-Mount Fuji, Japanese Alps, Kansai, Hiroshima, Shikoku, and Kyushu, for travelers focusing on a single area.
• Train Tickets Reserved individual train tickets for specific intercity routes across Japan, including Tokyo–Kyoto, Tokyo–Osaka, Tokyo–Hiroshima, Tokyo–Kanazawa, Kyoto–Hiroshima, and Kyoto–Kanazawa.
• Self-Guided Tours Pre-planned independent travel itineraries for travelers who want structure without a group, including Tokyo-Mount Fuji-Kyoto, Highlights of Japan, Japan Family Tour, and multi-week routes.
• Guided Group Tours Escorted group tours led by Japan-based expert guides, including itineraries such as Discover Japan and Japan in a Week, with group logistics coordinated end-to-end.
• Tailor-Made Tours Bespoke tour planning service in which dedicated travel advisors design personalized Japan itineraries for individual travelers, families, and groups.
• Excursions Specialized day trips and short itineraries such as the Shikoku 15-temple pilgrimage, Yakushima nature getaway, Mount Fuji and Lake Biwa cycling tours, and Tohoku train journeys.
• House Rentals Vacation house rentals across Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Takayama, Okayama, Japanese Countryside, Okinawa) categorized by 2–5 star rating and themed collections (traditional, designer, Japanese gardens, family, large groups).
• Activities Catalog of 180+ bookable cultural, culinary, outdoor, and art experiences across Japan, including tea ceremonies, samurai experiences, cooking classes, museum tours, and teamLab exhibitions.
• Airport Transfers Pre-booked transfers between major Japanese airports and city hotels, covering Narita/Haneda to Tokyo, Kansai Airport to Kyoto, and Itami/Kansai to Osaka.
• JRP Care Protection and assistance service for Japan Rail Pass holders covering lost pass replacement and in-trip support.
• Driving License Translation Official translation service for international driving permits required for legally driving in Japan.
• Travel Insurance Travel insurance policy underwritten by Europe Assistance (Contract 53 789 573) valid for stays under 90 days, covering trip cancellation and medical emergencies.
• Car Rentals Car rental bookings across Japan via partner Nissan rent-a-car with mandatory insurance included, unlimited mileage, and pickup/return at agency locations.
• eSIM Electronic SIM data plans for internet access in Japan, with options including a 61-day 90GB plan and a 31-day 50GB plan.
• SIM Cards Physical SIM cards providing mobile internet connectivity for travelers in Japan.
• Pocket WiFi Portable WiFi hotspot device rental for unlimited internet access throughout a Japan trip.
• Welcome Suica Card Prepaid IC card providing unlimited rides on Tokyo-area trains, subways, and buses plus purchases at convenience stores.
• Tokyo Subway Pass Pass providing unlimited travel on Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines for international visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300,000+ travelers served annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Google Cloud PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite hosting on Google Cloud Platform with databases hosted on Google Cloud Platform/Google Ireland Limited. SSL encrypted connections for secure transactions.
• Ingenico ePaymentscoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment service provider for secure online credit card transactions. Processes customer bank details for order payments.
• Japan Railways (JR)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial distributor of Japan Rail Pass (national and regional passes) and train tickets. Provides access to extensive rail network coverage across Japan including Shinkansen, regional lines, and specialty trains.
• Nissan rent-a-carminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar rental partner providing vehicle rentals across Japan with mandatory insurance included. Unlimited mileage, pickup and return at agencies.
• Global Advanced CommunicationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for Pocket WiFi rental services. Handles technical questions, malfunctions, and late returns. Contact: [email protected] or +81 3 6413 1051.
• Kintetsu RailwayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvider of Kintetsu Rail Pass (5 days PLUS) covering Ise-Shima, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya regions.
• AssureverminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance broker for trip insurance products. Located at TSA 11412, 92621 Gennevilliers CEDEX.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Booking.com: Global OTA with extensive Japan accommodation, attraction, and tour inventory. Competes with Japan Experience on accommodations and add-ons but not as a Japan specialist; benefits from massive SEO and brand scale.
• H.I.S. Co., Ltd. Major Japanese travel agency with significant inbound Japan operations and global retail presence. Overlaps on Japan tours, accommodation, and rail pass distribution at much larger scale.
• JTB (Japan Travel Bureau): Largest Japanese travel agency with broad inbound and domestic offerings including Japanican brand. A scaled incumbent with overlapping Japan tour, accommodation, and rail products, but serving a much wider portfolio of destinations.

Direct peers

• Veltra: Japan-based inbound tour and activity specialist offering curated experiences across the country. Closely comparable to Japan Experience's guided tours and 182-activity catalog.
• Klook: Asia-leading OTA offering Japan activities, tours, transport passes, and SIM/eSIM products. Competes with Japan Experience on the activities and add-on catalog, especially for digitally native, mobile-first travelers.
• JRPass.com: Direct competitor focused on selling Japan Rail Passes and JR rail products to inbound travelers. Overlaps directly with Japan Experience's core Japan Rail Pass distribution business and targets the same European and North American customer base.
• Voyagin (by Airbnb): Originally a Japan-focused tours and activities platform, now integrated into Airbnb Experiences. Competes for the same cultural and immersive activity bookings that Japan Experience curates.
• KKday: Asian OTA providing Japan tours, activities, SIM cards, and transportation. Direct overlap with Japan Experience's activity marketplace and connectivity add-ons (eSIM, Pocket WiFi).

Others

• TourRadar: Multi-destination guided tour marketplace with Japan itineraries from various operators. Indirect competition for Japan Experience's guided group tour segment from a marketplace model.

Emerging players

• WAmazing: Japan-focused inbound travel platform offering free SIM cards, accommodation, and tours. Targets a similar inbound Japan traveler segment with a digital-first model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JpExperience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/experiencejapan
• Facebookfacebook.com/Japan-Experience-110300652386170
• Instagraminstagram.com/japanexperience_en
• Pinterestpinterest.fr/JapanExperience/japan-experience-english

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Japan Experience