When a Friend Asked About Rakuten Travel
“Have you heard of Rakuten Travel? Someone on a forum mentioned it for booking ryokans, but I’ve never used it before.”
Last month, I got this message from a friend in Singapore.
She was planning a trip to Japan and wanted to stay at a traditional onsen ryokan. While browsing travel forums, she kept seeing mentions of “Rakuten Travel” as a platform with excellent options for traditional Japanese accommodations. But she’d never heard of it before and wasn’t sure if it was worth exploring.
“I usually compare prices across Agoda, Booking.com, and Expedia before booking. Is Rakuten Travel worth adding to my comparison list?”
My Perspective
I knew that Rakuten Travel was a popular accommodation booking site in Japan. My Japanese friends and colleagues often mentioned it when talking about their trips.
But I hadn’t realized there was an English version (travel.rakuten.com) specifically designed for international users. I knew about the Japanese version (travel.rakuten.co.jp), but the English site was news to me.
My friend likes to compare multiple booking platforms before making a decision. She was open to adding a new option to her toolkit.
“More booking sites mean more options to compare. If Rakuten Travel has different hotels or better prices for certain properties, I want to know about it.”
Researching Together
So over the next few weeks, I researched Rakuten Travel’s English platform, and we explored the site together to see if it was genuinely worth adding to her comparison list.
Here’s what we discovered.
What is Rakuten Travel?
Part of the Rakuten Group
First, I needed to understand what “Rakuten” actually is.
According to the official Rakuten Group website:
- Rakuten Group is a global company with over 1.6 billion members
- In Japan, “Rakuten Ichiba” (Rakuten Market) is one of the two major e-commerce sites alongside Amazon
- The group operates services ranging from credit cards and banking to mobile communications
Rakuten Travel is their travel division, specializing in accommodation bookings within Japan.
travel.rakuten.com (English Version)
According to travel.rakuten.com:
- Over 34,000 hotels and ryokans listed (all within Japan)
- Available in 7 languages including English, Chinese, and Korean
- Interface optimized for international users
- Operated as part of the Rakuten Group
Key points:
- Specializes exclusively in Japan travel (accommodations within Japan only)
- Two versions exist: Japanese site (.co.jp) and English site (.com)
- Unlike global booking platforms, it focuses specifically on Japan
My friend: “So it’s like a Japan-specialist booking site? That makes sense—kind of like how some sites specialize in Europe or Southeast Asia.”
What We Discovered Together
What My Friend Was Looking For
Her requirements were specific:
“I want a traditional onsen ryokan—somewhere small and peaceful, with natural hot springs known for skin benefits and kaiseki dinner. Not a big resort hotel.”
Specifically:
- Hot springs with beauty benefits (quality of water matters)
- Small-scale ryokan (family-run or intimate inns)
- Traditional kaiseki cuisine
- Quiet, relaxing environment
My Friend’s Booking Comparison Style
She always compares multiple sites:
“I check Agoda, Booking.com, and sometimes Expedia. Each site has different hotels, different prices, different cancellation policies. I compare everything before deciding.”
For her, the criteria for adding a new booking site were:
- Does it have unique options not found elsewhere?
- Are prices or conditions sometimes better than other sites?
- Is it user-friendly?
What I Discovered About Rakuten Travel
As we explored the site together, I noticed several distinctive features:
Strong selection of small-scale Japanese ryokans:
- Family-run inns and single-property ryokans
- Many properties with 10 rooms or fewer
- Accommodations not listed on major booking platforms
Detailed onsen and beauty information:
- Water quality specifications (alkaline, sulfur, carbonated springs, etc.)
- Beauty benefits (skin smoothing, moisturizing, detoxification)
- Searchable tags like “beauty hot spring” and “skin-beautifying waters”
Japan Quality certification:
- Rakuten Travel Award: Recognition for outstanding service
- Japan Quality: Certification for embodying traditional omotenashi hospitality
- These badges serve as trust indicators
Access to Japanese reviews:
- Extremely detailed Japanese reviews (covering water quality, food, staff service)
- Translation feature to read them in English
- Information available even for properties with few English reviews
My friend: “This is interesting. It looks like they have small ryokans that I haven’t seen on Agoda or Booking.com. And the onsen information is way more detailed.”
How It Fits Into a Comparison Strategy
Through my research, I identified how different platforms serve different needs:
Strengths of Agoda / Booking.com
- ✅ Strong selection of global hotel chains
- ✅ 24/7 English support (chat available)
- ✅ Fully optimized for international users
- ✅ Abundant multilingual reviews
- ✅ Search accommodations worldwide in one place
Strengths of Rakuten Travel
- ✅ Strong selection of small-scale Japanese ryokans and inns
- ✅ Detailed information on onsen water quality and beauty benefits
- ✅ Unique quality assurance like “Japan Quality”
- ✅ Abundant Japanese reviews (with translation feature)
- ✅ Search filters specialized for Japan travel
My Friend’s Conclusion
“I’m not replacing my usual booking sites—I’m adding this to my toolkit. For Japan trips, especially when looking for traditional ryokans, it gives me more options to compare. And that’s always a good thing.”
What Real Users Say
Based on TripAdvisor forums I researched, international travelers mentioned:
Positive mentions:
- “Rakuten Travel is reliable and trustworthy”
- “Great for finding traditional ryokans in smaller towns”
- “Part of a huge Japanese company, so it’s safe”
- “Good selection of accommodations”
- “Booking process was smooth”
After reading review sites and forums for several weeks, I noticed consistent patterns:
Positive feedback:
- Trusted platform for Japan travel
- Smooth booking confirmations
- Clear cancellation policies
- Extensive selection of small-scale accommodations
My Friend’s Journey
After our research, my friend decided to add Rakuten Travel to her comparison list and ended up booking through the platform.
The Ryokan She Chose
A small onsen ryokan in Hakone:
- Family-run with 10 rooms
- Natural hot spring from their own source (known for skin-beautifying properties)
- Seasonal kaiseki dinner served in-room
- Japan Quality certified
Why she booked it (in her words):
“I compared this ryokan across all the sites I use. It was only listed on Rakuten Travel—not on Agoda or Booking.com. The Japanese reviews (translated) were incredibly detailed about the onsen water quality and the food. That level of detail helped me feel confident about booking.”
The Booking Process (Her Report)
“The booking process was straightforward. I created an account with just my email, selected my room plan, paid with my credit card, and got a confirmation email in English right away. The ryokan also sent me a welcome email in English with check-in instructions.”
The Actual Experience (Her Detailed Feedback)
After returning from her trip, my friend shared her detailed experience:
“Miyabi, I have to tell you about this experience because it exceeded my expectations.
The onsen:
The water quality was incredible. I could feel the difference immediately—it was silky and soft, nothing like regular hot water. After soaking, my skin felt so hydrated and smooth. I actually took before and after photos, and there was a visible glow. The staff explained (through Google Translate) that the water has high alkaline content, which is why it’s known as ‘bijin-no-yu’ (beauty hot spring).The kaiseki dinner:
Every dish was like edible art. The presentation was beautiful, and the staff explained which ingredients were chosen for their skin benefits—collagen-rich fish, antioxidant-rich vegetables. I learned so much about how food and beauty connect in Japanese culture.The atmosphere:
Just 10 rooms, tatami floors, the sound of water from the garden. It was so peaceful. This is the Japan experience I wanted—not a big hotel with hundreds of guests.The hospitality:
Even though the staff’s English was limited, their warmth came through. They left a handwritten welcome note in my room (in English!), and made sure I understood how to use everything. The kind of personal attention you don’t get at chain hotels.Why comparing sites mattered:
This ryokan wasn’t available on any of my usual booking sites. If I’d only checked Agoda and Booking.com, I never would have found it. Having Rakuten Travel as an additional comparison option made all the difference.”
What Stood Out Most (Her Words)
“The best part? I spent hours researching on my usual sites and felt like I was settling for ‘good enough.’ But when I expanded my search to include Rakuten Travel, I found exactly what I was looking for. It wasn’t about one site being better—it was about having more options to compare.”
What Happened Next
A few months later, when planning her second trip to Japan:
“I checked all my usual sites again, but I also checked Rakuten Travel. For the type of ryokan I want, it consistently has options the other sites don’t. It’s now a permanent part of my comparison process for Japan trips.”
She’s since recommended Rakuten Travel to other friends planning Japan trips.
How to Add It to Your Toolkit
If you’d like to expand your booking options like my friend did:
Step 1: Access the English Site
Visit Rakuten Travel’s English site to explore what’s available for your Japan trip dates.
Step 2: Search Alongside Other Sites
Comparison process:
- Search multiple sites for the same dates
- Compare prices if the same hotel appears on multiple platforms
- Check for unique options on each site
Step 3: Use Japan-Specific Search Filters
Search filters specialized for Japan:
- Property type: Select “Ryokan”
- Area: Hot spring regions (Hakone, Atami, Beppu, etc.)
- Keywords: “onsen,” “kaiseki,” “beauty hot spring”
Look for these badges:
- “Rakuten Travel Award” = Highly rated
- “Japan Quality” = Traditional omotenashi hospitality certified
Step 4: Check Reviews
- Even if English reviews are limited, read translated Japanese reviews
- Get detailed information about onsen quality, food, and staff service
- Use the “Translate” button to read Japanese reviews in English
Step 5: Compare and Decide
- Comprehensively compare prices, cancellation policies, and reviews
- Choose the option that best fits your needs
Things to Consider
Adding Rakuten Travel Makes Sense If:
- ✅ You’re planning a trip to Japan
- ✅ You’re looking for traditional onsen ryokans or small-scale accommodations
- ✅ You like comparing prices and options across multiple sites
- ✅ You’re interested in Japan-specialist platform options
- ✅ You want more information to make informed decisions
You Might Not Need It If:
- ⚠️ You only book major hotel chains
- ⚠️ Your travel focuses on destinations outside Japan
- ⚠️ You prefer completing bookings through just one site
What I Learned
Watching my friend’s experience taught me something valuable:
“The best booking isn’t about finding the ‘perfect’ site—it’s about having enough options to compare.”
My friend didn’t stop using Agoda or Booking.com. She still uses them as her primary platforms.
But for Japan trips—especially when searching for traditional onsen ryokans—Rakuten Travel became part of her comparison toolkit. That alone expanded her options and helped her find more ideal accommodations.
What her second booking tells us:
When my friend checked Rakuten Travel again for her second Japan trip, it wasn’t because the first experience was “pretty good.” It was because “it had options I couldn’t find elsewhere.”
“Having more sites to compare doesn’t make booking more complicated—it makes finding exactly what you want more likely.”
Final Thoughts
Through my friend’s experience, I realized the value of expanding your booking site options.
If you’re:
- Planning a wellness trip to Japan
- Looking for authentic onsen ryokans
- Someone who likes comparing multiple sites
- Haven’t checked Rakuten Travel’s English site yet
Then exploring Rakuten Travel is worth your time.
Especially if you’re searching for small-scale, family-run ryokans or traditional single-property inns, you might discover options that aren’t available on other booking platforms.
My friend’s words stuck with me:
“I don’t regret the hours I spent comparing sites. Finding that perfect ryokan—the one that wasn’t on any of my usual sites—made the entire trip. Some experiences are worth the extra research.”
The question isn’t whether Rakuten Travel is ‘better’ than other booking sites. The question is: are you giving yourself enough options to find exactly what you’re looking for?
If you’re planning a wellness escape to Japan and want access to traditional ryokans and onsen stays that specialize in beauty and relaxation, adding Rakuten Travel to your comparison toolkit might be exactly what you need.
My friend’s second booking wasn’t luck—it was the result of having more options to compare. That’s worth exploring.
Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through Rakuten Travel via the links in this article, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support GlowCache and allows me to continue researching beauty and wellness topics. Thank you for your support!
References
- Rakuten Travel Official Site (English): https://travel.rakuten.com/
- TripAdvisor Forums: Rakuten Travel discussions
- Rakuten Group Corporate Information
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