Rakuten

What It Is

Rakuten Travel is the accommodation booking arm of Japan's Rakuten Group, one of the largest e-commerce and internet companies in Japan. Originally focused on domestic Japanese hotel and ryokan bookings, Rakuten Travel has expanded to offer over 400,000 hotels globally, positioning itself as a global OTA while retaining its core strength in the Japanese market.

Who It Serves

Rakuten Travel primarily serves Japanese domestic travellers booking accommodation throughout Japan, including traditional ryokan, business hotels, and resort properties. It is also the preferred platform for inbound travellers to Japan seeking locally curated accommodation options. For international hotels, it offers access to the Japanese outbound travel market — a high-value segment with strong average spend.

How to Connect

Hotels connect to Rakuten Travel through channel management platforms that carry it as a distribution partner, or via direct API integration. The platform supports multiple languages including English, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. Properties in Japan benefit most from a Rakuten Travel listing, but international hotels targeting Japanese guests should also consider connectivity to capture this valuable outbound market.