Hello and Welcome to Japan! My name is Raisa Belikova, I am a co-founder of Manten. I have worked in tourism for over 20 years. I have hundreds of successfully organized tours in Japan in my pocket. I am fluent in Russian, Japanese and English. I specialize in group and corporate tours.

I moved to Japan in 2008, having graduated as a linguist-interpreter. I am a specialist in oriental sciences and I am really inspired by the culture of Japan. If you truly love something, you want to share it with the world. So I would like to share these emotions of visiting Japan with you.

We are often asked how we come up with our tour ideas. The recipe is simple – we make them the way we would make them for ourselves. I always think about how my family would feel on a trip, what would my parents enjoy and how I can surprise my friends, how I can make things easy and comfortable, and what would impress me the most.

A quality trip is about service and unforgettable memories. I want our clients to feel a pleasant aftertaste from a trip to Japan, which is organized for them by Manten – like fragrant strawberries from Niigata or sweet melon from Hokkaido.

And well, Japanese cuisine is my hobby. I love cooking at home, especially baking. Japan is a paradise for gourmets. It boasts the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, but even if you go to an ordinary cafe, I’m confident you will absolutely love it.

If you are a coffee lover, I can recommend you the best Japanese coffee shops with incredible desserts. And do not worry about the kilograms gained on the trip – they are totally worth it.

I am also a fan of Japanese onsen (hot-springs). Japan is known for an incredible amount of geysers. Special hotels are built on those, where you can change into a home Japanese kimono – yukata, and relax for a couple of days in the healing waters of hot-springs to harmonize mind and body and enjoy the unity of man and nature.

I will show you Japan and it will not leave you indifferent.

I am Elena Zhigalova and I am a co-founder of Manten. After graduating in Japanese Studies and Translation, I was awarded a grant from the Japanese Ministry of Education to study culture and Japanese language more, so I moved to Japan. Japan is my love at first sight. I believe that every person on earth should visit this country. 

Please come to Japan and enjoy its perfect order and sparkling beauty. 

I’ve been living in Japan for over 20 years, so I can say I am native-fluent in Japanese, know the local culture like the locals do and on top of that I have a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur: I have started several businesses (I currently manage two Japanese companies), and have established relationships with Japan’s leading banks and the SME support department in my local ward in Tokyo.

To register Manten as a travel agency, I had to study all the legal aspects of this industry and pass a very difficult exam. As a result, I received a Domestic Travel Service Supervisor license, and I am confident that I know pretty much everything about running a travel business in Japan.

I can work with people of all ages and walks of life. What Manten offers today is a symbiosis of my and Raisa’s ideas, experience and abilities to provide exclusive services to our clients.

Working in tourism you need to stay creative: we continue to travel and learn new things to come up with the most interesting and relevant destinations. You know that the Japanese also enjoy exploring Japan very much. For the very simple reason: you find things that will be fascinating, amazing or delicious wherever you go. Every prefecture, city, and street can give you joy and great memories.

Nikko is my favorite place in Japan. I have been there at least 200 times and I am ready to show the best of Nikko to all our clients. The combination of untouched nature, ancient sculptures and historical architecture, hot-springs and incredible cuisine will impress even the harshest critic. After several years studying and working in Tochigi Prefecture, I know Nikko as the back of my hand. Even our Japanese drivers often ask if they can follow me when I show our clients my secret paths to local kami gods in Nikko’s powerspots.

 My strengths are family tourism and itineraries for active travelers. I have two children who follow me all over Japan from the very young age. I also love snowboarding in the winter and windsurfing in the summer – yes, you can do it all in Japan – sometimes even on the same trip, and if you are ready – you are welcome to come with us!

Everyone must visit Japan, and we can help you with your plans for your perfect trip!

Raisa Belikova

Hello and Welcome to Japan! My name is Raisa Belikova, I am a co-founder of Manten. I have worked in tourism for over 20 years. I have hundreds of successfully organized tours in Japan in my pocket. I am fluent in Russian, Japanese and English. I specialize in group and corporate tours.

I moved to Japan in 2008, having graduated as a linguist-interpreter. I am a specialist in oriental sciences and I am really inspired by the culture of Japan. If you truly love something, you want to share it with the world. So I would like to share these emotions of visiting Japan with you.

We are often asked how we come up with our tour ideas. The recipe is simple – we make them the way we would make them for ourselves. I always think about how my family would feel on a trip, what would my parents enjoy and how I can surprise my friends, how I can make things easy and comfortable, and what would impress me the most.

A quality trip is about service and unforgettable memories. I want our clients to feel a pleasant aftertaste from a trip to Japan, which is organized for them by Manten – like fragrant strawberries from Niigata or sweet melon from Hokkaido.

And well, Japanese cuisine is my hobby. I love cooking at home, especially baking. Japan is a paradise for gourmets. It boasts the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, but even if you go to an ordinary cafe, I’m confident you will absolutely love it.

If you are a coffee lover, I can recommend you the best Japanese coffee shops with incredible desserts. And do not worry about the kilograms gained on the trip – they are totally worth it.

I am also a fan of Japanese onsen (hot-springs). Japan is known for an incredible amount of geysers. Special hotels are built on those, where you can change into a home Japanese kimono – yukata, and relax for a couple of days in the healing waters of hot-springs to harmonize mind and body and enjoy the unity of man and nature.

I will show you Japan and it will not leave you indifferent.