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Japan Specialist
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Japan Specialist

JTB-owned Japan travel specialist operating across 12 European markets; publisher of Japan visa and accommodation guides.

Last refreshed: 17 April 2026

Key Question

Is Japan's digital nomad visa worth applying for if you can't open a bank account or get a mobile contract?

Timeline for Japan Specialist

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Common Questions
What is Japan Specialist travel agency?
Japan Specialist is a JTB-owned travel consultancy operating across 12 European markets, specialising exclusively in Japan trip planning, Japan Rail Passes, and bespoke itineraries. UK office is in London.
What are the requirements for Japan's digital nomad visa?
Japan's digital nomad Visa requires annual income of at least 10 million JPY (roughly $68,000), private health insurance covering ¥10 million, and citizenship from one of 49 eligible countries. The stay is capped at 6 months with no extension.Source: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
How much is Kyoto's accommodation tax in 2026?
Kyoto raised its top accommodation tax rate on 1 April 2026 to ¥10,000 per person per night for rooms priced above ¥100,000 — a 900% increase on the previous flat top rate.Source: Kyoto city government

Background

Japan Specialist (japanspecialist.com) is a travel consultancy and trip-planning service specialising exclusively in Japan. It is a member of the JTB Corporation, one of Japan's largest travel groups with over 50 years of Japan-focused tourism expertise. Operating across 12 European markets (with a UK office at 1 Alie Street, London) and more than 1,000 trusted partners in Japan, Japan Specialist provides bespoke itinerary planning, Japan Rail Pass sales, accommodation booking, and licensed tour arrangements. Consultants average 15+ years of Japan-focused expertise and make regular in-country research trips.

The outlet's significance in the Lowdown nomads-and-communities coverage area stems from its reporting and guide content on Japan's digital nomad Visa, introduced by Japan's Immigration Services Agency on 31 March 2024. The Japan digital nomad Visa allows eligible remote workers to stay in Japan for up to six months with no extension option. Applicants must demonstrate annual income of at least 10 million JPY (approximately $68,000) and hold private health insurance covering at least ¥10 million. No residence card is issued, limiting access to banking and mobile contracts. Japan Specialist published guidance on the Visa that was referenced in the Lowdown briefing on Kyoto's accommodation tax changes.

Japan Specialist's dual role as travel agent and information publisher makes it a useful proxy source for tracking Japanese policy changes affecting international visitors — including Kyoto's April 2026 top-tier accommodation tax rate of ¥10,000 per person per night for rooms above ¥100,000.