Tabiko

About Tabiko

Tabiko operates as a specialized, app-based concierge platform catering to tourists visiting Japan. The company, whose parent entity is FAST JAPAN Inc., was founded in 2015 by Yuki Katano and Krishna Prahasith, with the mobile application officially launching in February 2017. The platform's core offering is a chat-based service that connects travelers with local concierges who provide real-time assistance and personalized advice. This service encompasses a wide range of support, from creating travel itineraries to handling reservations for restaurants, hotels, and flights.

The business model centers on user convenience and localized expertise. While general advice from concierges is free, the company generates revenue through specific transaction fees. For instance, a fee of JPY 500 is charged for making reservations on behalf of the user. Additionally, the platform incorporates a tipping system called "Star Rewards," allowing satisfied users to monetarily reward concierges for their service, which establishes a unique profit model within the online travel sector. The app supports both English and Chinese languages to cater to a broad base of inbound tourists. Historically, the company has demonstrated resilience; after a temporary shutdown of the concierge service in October 2019 due to business conditions, it was acquired by Inbound Platform Corp., a group company of AirTrip Corp., and relaunched in March 2020.

The service aims to bridge the language and cultural barrier for foreign visitors, with one of its most utilized features being restaurant reservations, where concierges call establishments on the user's behalf. The platform's strategy involves combining human-led hospitality with technology, with plans to integrate AI to scale the concierge service. Through partnerships with major travel tech companies like Amadeus and Jalan.net, Tabiko offers direct in-app booking for over 700 airlines and 10,000 accommodations in Japan. The company's vision extends beyond Japan, with ambitions to expand its concierge platform to other countries.