Our Team - Japanspecialist

Meet Our Team

Bringing you the best Japan has to offer, and more.

Our team of Japanspecialists all agree that customer satisfaction is the number one priority. Driven by their passion for Japan and extensive local knowledge, they will help ensure that your trip is carefully crafted to your individual needs without compromise. Our friendly team of experts is waiting to help you bring your dream vacation to life today.

Quentin Gontard

Quentin Gontard

Konnichiwa. You want to discover Japan and need some advices? I’d be glad to answer the questions you have about Japan, a country where I studied and worked and which I’m passionate about.

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Paola Naomi Antonelli

Paola Naomi Antonelli

Konnichiwa! My 11 years living in Tokyo – plus many more focusing on its immense culture - makes me the right consultant if you're looking to rediscover Japan. See it through a new lens with my ...

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Niels van Hoek

Niels van Hoek

As a long-time Japan travel consultant with two decades of experience, I have the skills, knowledge, and personal motivation to create the most joyful Japan travel experience for you. My favourite ...

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Martin Pedersen

Martin Pedersen

After 20 years of experience focusing on travel to Asia, my fascination for Japan never stopped (and probably never will). If you want to create the trip of a lifetime, I'll help take care of ...

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Mariagabriella Vanzo, Italian speaking Japanspecialist consultant

Mariagabriella Vanzo

Is Japan your dream destination? With more than 25 years of experience as a professional travel consultant, I'm ready to share with you my love and knowledge for this enchanting land. Whatever ...

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María Rey

María Rey

My perfect recipe for creating a memorable trip? Take time to understand my clients and their dreams. Only then can I design a personalized itinerary for them. After almost 15 years in the ...

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Karolina Simon

Karolina Simon

My expertise is in exclusive and VIP arrangements, uniquely tailored for intimate groups searching for extraordinary experiences. As head of the Japanspecialist team in Europe, I am committed to ...

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Julia Heling

Julia Heling

Having travelled to many different places in Japan over the years, I am more than happy to share my enthusiasm of the country with you and make sure to create a travel experience you will never ...

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Francesca Cagnoli

Francesca Cagnoli

I made my first visit to Japan in 1992, and it was love at first sight. My 30 years of experience have taught me how to plan and create bespoke tours for all types of clients. Whether luxury ...

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Erika Hatamoto

Erika Hatamoto

My Japanese roots give me a unique perspective when organizing a trip to Japan. With more than seven years as a travel consultant, the most satisfying part of my job is seeing my clients return ...

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Daniel Kovacs

Daniel Kovacs

I can’t wait to share my enthusiasm with anyone who would like to discover the Land of the Rising Sun. My memories about living in Japan and my tour coordinator experience will help me to guide ...

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Bjarke Hojland

Bjarke Hojland

As a former tour guide, I know the variety Japan has to offer and what my travellers usually want to see. I have countless years of experience planning perfect adventures, so it's time we get ...

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What our customers are saying

Their advices were precious. We discovered places like Koyasan, a jewel surrounded by forests.

Jean-Michel, Paris

Thanks to Quentin and JapanSpecialist, I went to Ghibli Museum, and discovered Tokyo with a new eye. I’m looking forward to go back.

Julien, Lyon

It wasn’t the first time we went to Japan, but this time, we discovered Japanese Alps and Kanazawa. We felt in love.

Gilles, Toulouse

I really appreciate your work, and you will always be my reference point for Japan! Thank you so much for everything!

Paola, Florence

The trip was very good, and I thank you so much! We have fallen in love with Japan!

Valerio, Bari

Paola is wonderful! Knowledgeable and a great personality, it was a pleasure planning my trip to Japan with you.

Claudia, Torino

Great support from the moment I reached out to Japanspecialist. Niels really knows his stuff and helped me craft the perfect trip to Japan - completely recommend!

Daan, Rotterdam

I was nervous about booking an online consultation but Niels made the whole process a wonderful experience. I'll definitely be returning to Japan and using the consultation service again.

Emma, Utrecht

Absolutely perfect! Thanks to Niels I was able to arrange the trip of a lifetime for my family. I highly recommend the online consultation service for those planning a trip to Japan.

Lisa, Groningen

Very polite and helpful consultation. Martin was able to guide me through the multitude of options and in the end create an itinerary I could never have come up with myself. 100% would recommend.

Lars, Copenhagen

Stupendous consultation! Martin was so helpful, I really enjoyed my trip to Japan and having the stress of planning taken away was wonderful. Thank you!

Lisbet, Aalborg

Cannot fault the top quality consultation with Martin. He really knows how to help first-timers navigate the pitfalls of planning a trip to Japan. Book now, you won't regret it.

Ingrid, Aarhus

We would like to express our deepest satisfaction for your suggested itinerary. Japan fascinated us with cherry blossoms and ryokan stay. Thank you!

Alberta and Rosa, Roma

Thank you for your time and assistance with planning our trip, everything was perfect. We will certainly recommend your travel agency to our friends and acquaintances.

Eleonora, Venezia

I would like to thank you and your colleagues for the perfect organization, and for the excellent job in planning my vacation trip. I hope to contact you again soon to plan my next trip!

Paolo, Milano

Everything’s been absolutely wonderful. This has been one of the best trips of our lives thanks to Maria, and we’ve made done many!

Pedro and Nacho, Barcelona

Fantastic itinerary, perfectly curated, best possible marks in both personal and professional levels. We could manage easily in Japan with all your notes, maps and information. Thank you!

Susana and Alberto, Madrid

I really appreciate Maria's patience with me and all my questions. I left my consultation feeling so confident about my trip and it turned out to be the best thing ever!

Sara, Bilbao

Our trip to Japan was magical, exceeding all expectations in every way. Thank you, Karolina, for the highest level of service when making all the arrangements. We could not have done it without you.

Atilla, Budapest

Thank you for making our dreams a reality. Our group's trip to Japan was over the top with attention to all details. Look forward to working with you in the future again.

Zsófia, Győr

An unforgettable trip which wouldn't have been possible without your attention to detail. Thanks for everything, Karolina!

Ildiko, Budapest

Julia helped my perfectly to plan out a beautiful trip to Japan, whereby I was able to see the highlights in a short time without feeling rushed. Highly recommend booking here!

Marianne, Nijmegen

I always wanted to travel to Japan and I was recommended to book at Japanspecialist. I do not regret this for even a second! Julia advised me very well and I was able to make an unforgettable trip to Japan.

Liesbeth, Den Haag

Because of the advise Julia gave me, I was convinced to travel to Japan. She was thinking along with me and also gave it a personal touch. Excellent, highly recommended!

Kees, Arnhem

My husband and I want to thank you for the wonderful trip you organized! And in record time. We were really happy with the itinerary, guided tours, hotels and their locations, plus everything went smoothly!

Donatella, Milan

I would like to express my great satisfaction with the organisation of my trip itinerary - the consultation was invaluable! I was able to fully relax on my trip knowing everything was arranged.

Raffael, Naples

The trip to Japan was wonderful and as you rightly expected my husband loved it too! We had a great time, with excellent facilities and services. Thank you very much for everything!

Viviana, Bologna

The trip has been great and made even more so by Erika's wonderful advice. Japan is a country of many contrasts, the people very educated and the guides very kind and friendly.

Angela and Pedro, Seville

Thank you so much for all the help planning our trip - it was fantastic! We loved the hotels and, without a doubt, we recommend those looking to visit Japan book with you!

Eric and Ergina, Bilbao

Thank you Erika! Without your help I would never have been able to experience Japan in the way I did - simply unforgettable. I hope to return and will definitely seek out your help once again!

Juan, Zaragoza

This tour will always be remembered as one of the best we ever had. Thank you Daniel for the arrangements and the useful tips.

Marcell, Komárom

Thank you Daniel for the helpful consultation, we fell in love with Japan by following your itinerary. Hope to see you again soon!

Tamás, Szigetvár

Consultation was very helpful and interesting. By accepting Daniel's recommendations I could visit amazing sites I could never have come up with myself.

Tamara, Budapest

Nothing short of excellent service from Bjarke. We managed to create a custom itinerary that covered everything I wanted and more. If you're planning on going to Japan, make sure you book a consultation.

Freja, Odense

Fantastic! I had never used an online consultancy service before in my life and the whole process turned out to be so smooth! Thank you Bjarke for all your help.

Anders, Ribe

Really great service. All my questions were answered swiftly and in perfect detail. I would certainly recommend that anyone heading to Japan arrange a consultation before they make any bookings!

Morten, Roskilde