What Re-abroad does

Re-abroad Inc. (株式会社リアブロード) is a Tokyo-based, privately held company founded in December 2014 that operates a portfolio of overseas study abroad services for the Japanese market. Its flagship Smaryu (スマ留) study abroad agency applies a sharing-economy model that prices placements by destination country and stay length based on time-zone utilization rates at overseas language schools, allowing it to market programs from ¥79,800 per week with transparent, fixed fees. The company has built a multi-product portfolio around this core: warple (Japan's first fully online self-service study abroad booking site, launched July 2023), Smaryu+ (challenging experiential programs such as volunteering and overseas internships), yuino (an employment agent for study abroad returnees, launched April 2025 with access to 68,000+ job listings), and Ryugaku Manabijin (an English-learning media property).

The business operates in two distinct GTM motions running in parallel. For consumer students, Re-abroad runs a hybrid model: in-person counseling through consultants handling 3–4 sessions per day at its Shibuya headquarters and Osaka Umeda branch, paired with fully self-serve warple for smartphone-native Gen Z customers acquired through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LINE, and past TVCM featuring celebrity Tina Tamashiro. For institutional clients (schools and education companies), the firm pursues direct enterprise sales, exemplified by partnerships with Yaruki Switch Group Holdings, VANTAN, and Sapporo Shinyo High School, and by co-developed scholarship programs. Cumulative consults have passed 150,000 and annual Smaryu users exceed 9,000, and independent brand surveys place the company first among ten major Japanese study abroad agencies on user count, recognition, and word-of-mouth ratings.

Re-abroad generates revenue primarily through transaction fees on agent commissions from partner language schools in 11+ destination countries (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Malta, Philippines, Korea), supplemented by customer fees, the warple transaction fee on completed bookings, yuino employment matching fees, and B2B revenue from joint programs and school partnerships. The company raised approximately $961,000 in disclosed funding in December 2020 and received a strategic capital infusion from Yaruki Switch Group Holdings in January 2026; it also obtained a Class 1 Travel Business License in September 2024, enabling it to run proprietary organized group programs. Headcount has grown from roughly 86 employees in April 2023 to over 100 employees by April 2026, with approximately 80% female headcount and 71% female management.

Name

Re-abroad

Legal name

株式会社リアブロード (Re-abroad Inc.)

Website

https://reabroad.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Re-abroad is a Tokyo-based private study abroad agency that uses a sharing-economy model at overseas language schools to deliver low-cost programs to Japanese students, and has expanded into online booking (warple), returnee employment (yuino), and English-learning media.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Study Abroad Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Online-to-Offline Hybrid Language Immersion Programs (EDAIAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Direct Enrollment & Third-Party University Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAB), Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry & Intercultural Training for Study Abroad (EDAIAAAH), International Student Travel, Re-entry & Document Services (travel signatures, re-entry guidance) (EDALANAG)

Keywords

• Study abroad services
• Language school placement
• Overseas education consulting
• Study abroad agency
• Working holiday programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. スマ留（Smaryu）留学エージェントサービス: 海外留学の手配・カウンセリング услуги 提供による手数料・マージン収入。灘渡先（国）×滞在期間が決まれば費用が明確になる料金体系。語学学校からの手数料（ commissions ）とお客様からの相談料（一部）の複合モデル。
2. warple（ワープル）オンライン留学手配サイト: 。用户が网站上で留学手続きを完了する場合のトランザクションフィー。語学学校・滞在先の手配手数料。
3. yuino 就職エージェント: 海外留学経験者に特化した就職支援サービス。企業とのマッチングによる収益。求人は68,000件以上紹介可能。
4. 法人・学校向けサービス（留学プログラム・共同プロジェクト）: やる気スイッチグループHDとの戦略提携による教育事业連携、VANTANとのワーキングホリデーサポート、札幌新陽高等学校との奨学金プロジェクト等の法人向け収益。2024年9月に第1種旅行業免許を取得し自社主催留学プログラムの取扱いが可能に。

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Re-abroad is a Japan-based study abroad agency operating the Smaryu brand, which delivers affordable short- and long-term overseas study programs using a proprietary sharing economy model that leverages underused time slots at partner language schools to lower prices. The company also operates warple, Japan's first online self-service study abroad booking platform (launched July 2023), yuino, an employment agency specialized for study abroad returnees (launched April 2025), and the jointly developed Warhol CoachBuddy English coaching service (April 2026). Its service portfolio spans affordable study abroad placement, working holiday preparation, Duolingo English Test support, AI-powered English learning, and post-return career placement.

Product overview

Re-abroad operates a portfolio of study abroad and English learning services. The core offerings consist of スマ留 (Smaryu), an overseas study abroad agency achieving low prices through a sharing economy model; warple (ワープル), Japan's first online study abroad platform for self-service booking; and yuino, a specialized employment agent for study abroad returnees. Supporting services include スマ留＋ for challenging experiential programs, and 留学マナビジン for English learning content. The company also partners with Duolingo English Test and SpeakBuddy for integrated learning support. Re-abroad obtained a Class 1 Travel Business license in September 2024, enabling proprietary organized group study abroad programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• スマ留 (Smaryu): Core overseas study abroad agent service with a sharing economy model based on language school time-slot utilization. Offers affordable study abroad programs starting from 1 week at competitive prices. Brand surveys rank #1 in user count, review ratings, and recognition among 10 major study abroad agents.
• warple (ワープル)
• 留学マナビジン
• yuino
• スマ留＋ (Smaryu Plus)

Products and services

• Smaryu (スマ留) Overseas study abroad agency service that achieves simple, transparent pricing and low prices through a sharing economy model leveraging underused time slots at overseas partner language schools. Offers short- and long-term study abroad programs starting from 79,800 yen per week with fixed pricing by destination country and length of stay and no additional fees. Serves Japanese students and young adults seeking affordable overseas study.
• warple (ワープル) Japan's first online self-service study abroad booking site that enables complete end-to-end online procedures including language school and program search, applications, travel preparation, and accommodation arrangements. Targets Gen Z users comfortable with smartphones and SNS, allowing them to self-service their study abroad planning without in-person counseling.
• Smaryu Plus (スマ留+) Premium study abroad program offering challenging growth experiences including volunteer work in poverty areas, cultural and historical exploration activities, and overseas company internships. Designed for participants who want experiences beyond standard language study abroad.
• yuino (ユイノ) Employment agent service specialized for overseas study abroad experience holders, providing career support with access to over 68,000 job listings for individuals seeking to leverage English and overseas experience in the Japanese job market. Career advisors with prior corporate recruiting experience guide candidates.
• Warhol CoachBuddy (ワーホリ coachバディ) Working holiday specialized English coaching service jointly developed by Re-abroad and SpeakBuddy. Japanese professional coaches provide one-on-one man-to-man coaching covering English study before departure, learning effectiveness improvement during the working holiday, and life/work habit support on site.

Quantifiable outcome

• 累計相談者数15万名以上
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 札幌新陽高等学校minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026北海道札幌市の私立高等学校との共創型プロジェクト。2024年度より奖学金支援制度を開始。在学生2名に返済不要の留学奖学金を給付（2026年8月灘渡予定）。学力和英語力ではなく「留学への想い・挑戦する姿勢」を重視した選考。受賞者はアメリカ・カナダ・オーストラリア・ニュージーランド・イギリス・アイルランド・フィリピンより留学先を選択。
• Duolingo（デュオリンゴ） / Duolingo English TestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Duolingo English Test（DET）の公式パートナー（Global Counselor Network）に採択。日本国内の留学事業者として初※の公式認定。（※2026年3月時点）。DETは自宅から24時間受験可能、約1時間・約70ドルの英語能力検定試験。スマ留を通じてDET受験時の割引制度・高精度なDET対策サポートを提供。（※2026年3月時点）
• バンタン（VANTAN）coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 20262027年4月開校予定の「バンタン外語＆ホテル観光学院」（東京・大阪・名古屋）のカリキュラムとしてワーキングホリデーを導入。スマ留が在学生のオーストラリア・ニュージーランド・カナダへのワーホリサポートを担当。韩国への語学学校留学プログラムの提供も予定。2028年が第1期生の海外灘渡実施年度。
• 株式会社やるきスイッチグループホールディングスcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026TBSグループ傘下の総合教育サービス企業。国内外2,400以上の教室・13.5万人以上の生徒ネットワークを持つ。個別指尋・幼儿英語・バイリンガル幼儿園等の教育ブランドとリアブロードの留学事业連携。「カスタマイズ型短期留学・探究学習」「高品質亲子留学サービス」等の共同開発、人才循環モデルの構築を目指す。戦略的資本業務提携契約を締結。
• 株式会社スピークバディ（SpeakBUDDY）coreTechnology or Integration · 15 January 2026AI英会话アプリ「スピークバディ」を開發・ 운영하는企业。第二言語習得理論と生成AI・音声認識を融合した学習体験を提供。App Store評価4.6・累計ダウンロード500万超・企業や自治体で300以上の導入実績（2026年1月時点）。スマ留スタンダードプラン利用者向けに留学前後6ヶ月間の英語学習支援を提供。灘渡前不安解消・灘渡中学習効果向上・帰国後定着を目指す共同开发。
• EF Education First（イーエフ エデュケーション ファースト）minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 July 2023スウェーデンを発祥とし、世界50都市に展開、世界中の100都市から生徒が集まる語学学校。warple（ワープル）の提携校として、参加者は留学手続きのオンライン化を實現。EF Marketing Director伊丹麻衣子が出席し、warple記者発表会で говорит。

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IDP Education: IDP Education is a global international student placement and English testing company (co-owner of IELTS). While Re-abroad focuses on Japanese outbound language immersion, IDP operates a broader portfolio including university placement and testing — but competes for the same Japanese student demand pool.
• JTB Corporation: JTB is Japan's largest travel agency and operates a study abroad program arm serving Japanese outbound students. JTB competes with Re-abroad for the same Japanese outbound language-study segment but operates as a broader travel services incumbent rather than a specialist.
• Shorelight Education: Shorelight Education partners with US universities to recruit and support international students through pathway programs and student services. Shorelight operates at the intersection of international student recruitment and US university partnerships — adjacent to but broader in scope than Re-abroad's Japan-outbound language immersion model.
• Benesse Corporation: Benesse is a major Japanese education company operating K-12 publishing, language schools, and educational services with study abroad offerings. As a broader education incumbent with strong brand recognition among Japanese parents, Benesse competes with Re-abroad's KDI/親子留学 offering and B2B school channel.

Direct peers

• EF Education First: EF Education First is the global leader in language training and study abroad, operating language schools in 50+ cities and study abroad programs worldwide. EF has a direct Japan presence and offers a similar hybrid online + overseas language immersion model as Smaryu, with both consulting-led and self-serve booking channels.
• IES Abroad: IES Abroad designs and operates study abroad programs (language, area studies, and experiential) for university students. Re-abroad and IES both place students in third-party language schools and offer pre-departure and on-the-ground support, though IES focuses on US university students while Re-abroad targets Japanese consumers.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest US-based study abroad program providers, placing college students into language and cultural immersion programs globally. CIEE's model of organizing experiential and language-focused study abroad closely parallels Smaryu's core offering, though CIEE is university-channel while Re-abroad is consumer-channel.
• Kaplan International Languages: Kaplan International Languages operates English-language schools in English-speaking destinations (US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) and offers study abroad pathway programs. Re-abroad and Kaplan both aggregate demand from language students and partner with third-party schools in overlapping destinations.

Emerging players

• Cialfo: Cialfo is a digital international education platform that helps students discover, apply to, and enroll in international universities and study programs. Cialfo's online self-serve platform model parallels warple's, though Cialfo focuses on university-level admissions rather than short-term language immersion.
• ApplyBoard: ApplyBoard is an online international student recruitment platform connecting students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions globally. Like warple, ApplyBoard digitizes the study abroad application workflow, though ApplyBoard is more focused on degree programs and K-12 pathways rather than short-term language immersion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sma_ryu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@sma_ryu
• Facebookfacebook.com/smaryu.mission
• Instagraminstagram.com/sma_ryu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Re-abroad