Multi-modal travel search engine Omio is now enabling travellers to Japan to book domestic transport all in one place, making the country easier to explore. Jenny Southan reports

Omio – a global multi-mode search engine for all major forms of transport – has launched its platform in Japan, marking its 47th market and its first expansion into East Asia.

The move brings together multiple transport options across the country into a single booking system, aiming to simplify journeys for those unfamiliar with Japan’s complex infrastructure.

The Omio Japan launch comes at a time when the country is experiencing strong tourism growth. In 2025, Japan welcomed more than 40 million international visitors for the first time, representing a 15.8% increase year-on-year. Interest is expected to remain high into 2026, with global media and travel publications highlighting Japan as a key destination.

Rising demand has been supported in part by favourable exchange rates, which have made travel more affordable for many international visitors. Popular destinations such as Mount Fuji and Kyoto are seeing increased visitor numbers, raising concerns about overcrowding and the need to spread tourism more evenly across the country.

Japan’s transport network is extensive but can be difficult to navigate, particularly for first-time visitors. Alongside its well-known Shinkansen bullet trains, the country operates dense regional rail systems, long-distance buses, domestic flights and ferry routes connecting thousands of islands. For travellers unfamiliar with the system, planning journeys often requires using multiple platforms and services.

The Omio Japan launch aims to address this by allowing travellers to search, compare and book different types of transport in one place. The platform includes access to Shinkansen tickets, regional trains, buses, flights and ferries, as well as Japan Rail Passes for multi-stop trips. By bringing these options together, the company is seeking to reduce the complexity of planning travel within the country.

The platform is designed for international users, with support for 32 languages and 33 currencies. This is intended to make booking easier for travellers who may not speak Japanese or understand local systems. The service also aims to encourage exploration beyond major cities by making less-visited regions easier to access.

As part of the Omio Japan launch, the company has introduced a feature called Omio Advance, developed in collaboration with Japan Railways. This allows travellers to book transport up to 12 months in advance, offering more flexibility for long-haul trip planning.

Naren Shaam, founder and CEO of Omio, says: “Japan is the gold standard of modern mobility. Its high-speed rail, dense regional networks, domestic aviation and ferry systems operate at a scale and precision that few countries can match.

"Bringing this ecosystem onto Omio is a defining moment for our platform. It reflects our ambition to organise the world’s most advanced transport networks within one intelligent interface, making seamless multimodal travel the default for global travellers.”

The launch forms part of Omio’s wider global expansion strategy. In recent years, the company has entered markets across South East Asia and Brazil, focusing on regions with large and complex transport systems. By 2028, the Omio Group aims to operate in more than 70 markets worldwide.

Founded in 2013, the company operates two platforms, Omio and Rome2Rio, which allow travellers to compare and book different modes of transport. It currently sells more than 100,000 tickets per day and employs more than 430 staff across offices in cities including Berlin, Prague, Melbourne, Bangalore and Singapore.

The Omio Japan launch reflects a broader shift in travel towards integrated booking systems that combine different transport types in one place. As destinations become more complex and travellers seek greater flexibility, platforms that simplify movement across countries are becoming an important part of the travel experience.