Companies news
Japan Experience joins the Havas Voyages Group and accelerates its growth
Japan Experience announced in late December 2025 that it had been acquired 100 percent by the Havas Voyages group (Marietton Développement), the leading tourism player in France.
Japan Experience, a leading player in travel to Japan
Founded in 1981, Japan Experience has established itself over the years as a reference player for travel to Japan, with a unique positioning covering the entire value chain - travel agency, tour operator, and destination management company. The company employed nearly 100 staff across Europe (Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, London) and Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto). Each year, around 300,000 travelers benefited from its services. In 2025, the company generated revenue of 70 million euros and had been profitable continuously since its creation.
This partnership with Havas Voyages formed part of a strategy focused on growth and complementarity. The Marietton Développement group aimed to strengthen its expertise in Japan, a rapidly expanding destination, while leveraging Japan Experience’s well-recognized digital know-how. In 2024, Japan welcomed 37 million international visitors, including 400,000 French travelers, and the Japanese authorities were targeting 60 million foreign visitors by 2030.
The transaction enabled Japan Experience to rely on Havas Voyages’ international network and distribution strength, while maintaining its specialist positioning and digital DNA. The stated objective was to double the size of the company within five years, particularly through international expansion and B2B development.
“Joining Havas Voyages means offering Japan Experience a strong and visionary partner to accelerate our development, while preserving what makes us strong - our passion for Japan, the expertise of our teams, and digital innovation in the service of our clients,” said Thierry Maincent, CEO of Japan Experience.
Following the transaction, Japan Experience’s governance remained unchanged. Thierry Maincent retained his role as CEO and joined the executive committee of the Havas Voyages group to support this new phase of development.
Irasshai: a concept store dedicated to Japanese culinary culture in Paris
Alongside his activities in tourism, Thierry Maincent co-founded the Irasshai concept store in Paris in 2023 with Xavier Marchand. Located in the heart of the French capital and spanning 800 square meters, Irasshai brings together a grocery store offering products sourced directly from Japan, a tea room that turns into a sake bar in the evening, a gastronomic restaurant, and a shokudo, a Japanese-style canteen.
The venue also hosts collaborations with Japanese institutions and brands.
