Time Labo
Time Labo operates TIMEBook, an experience-based catalog gift service in Japan enabling recipients to redeem curated experiences at over 1,000 partner facilities including hotels, restaurants, and activity centers, serving both individual consumers and corporate B2B clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Time Labo does
Time Labo (株式会社タイムラボ) is a Tokyo-based private Japanese company that operates TIMEBook, an experience-based catalog gift service. The company enables gift purchasers to buy catalog passes that recipients redeem for curated experiences at partner facilities across Japan, including ryokans, hotels, restaurants, glamping sites, activity centers, and beauty salons. Its product portfolio spans an accessible Invitation series priced from ¥10,890 to ¥27,830 covering dining (膳), hot springs (湯), activities (遊), and beauty treatments (美), and a Premium tier at ¥60,500–¥108,900 featuring luxury inns (Luxury Spa, Premium Stay), fine dining (Premium Dinner), and glamping, plus a geography-specific 首都圏 edition covering the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The business model combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales through time-laboratory.com with a parallel B2B corporate sales channel targeting sales promotions, customer loyalty programs, point exchange programs, and employee benefits. Corporate services are organized into three customization tiers (Basic, Semi-Customization, and Full-Customization), including branded catalog design, customized pass production, and campaign planning support. The redemption network of over 1,000 partner facilities is the company's primary commercial asset and the structural anchor of its value proposition. Revenue is generated predominantly through one-time catalog purchases, with a subscription service (サブスク) mentioned alongside the one-time model.
Founded on December 10, 2018, with ¥10 million (1000万円) in registered capital, Time Labo traces its commercial history to 2008 when it began selling the European-origin Smartbox experience-gift concept in Japan. The brand was renamed TIMEBook® in June 2019 to reposition around curated Japanese experiences. The company is led by Representative Director Yamauchi Kazuma (山内和真). It serves both individual gift-givers for personal occasions (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Mother's/Father's Day, retirement, housewarmings) and corporate clients across insurance, automotive, drugstore retail, shopping malls, supermarkets, financial services (including a major credit card point program), and domestic aviation.
Time Labo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Time Labo
- Legal name
- 株式会社タイムラボ
- Website
- https://time-laboratory.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Time Labo operates TIMEBook, an experience-based catalog gift service in Japan enabling recipients to redeem curated experiences at over 1,000 partner facilities including hotels, restaurants, and activity centers, serving both individual consumers and corporate B2B clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Time Labo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Experience Gift Catalog Services
- NAICS
- Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (45942)
- SIC
- Retail-Misc General Merchandise Stores (5399)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gift, Seasonal & Occasion-Focused Catalog Department Store Retailers (CRAGAIAH)
Keywords
Where Time Labo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Time Labo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Consumer Gift Catalog Sales: One-time purchase of TIMEBook catalog gift products by individual consumers for personal gift-giving occasions. Products range from ¥10,890 to ¥108,900 depending on tier.
- Corporate Sales Promotion Services: B2B sales of catalog gifts for corporate campaigns, including customized catalog design, pass branding, and fulfillment services. Clients include insurance, automotive, retail pharmacy, shopping malls, supermarkets, and financial institutions.
- Subscription Service (サブスク): Mentioned subscription service for ongoing access to experience gifts, operating alongside the one-time purchase model.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Invitation 膳 (Dining) - Entry-level dining experience catalog |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Invitation 湯/遊/美 (Activity/Beauty/Hot Spring) - Mid-range experience catalogs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Invitation 湯 (Hot Spring) - Hot spring accommodation catalog |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Stay/Dinner/Glamping - Premium experience catalogs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Luxury Spa - Highest-tier premium catalog |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Time Labo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Time Labo sells experience-based catalog gifts under the TIMEBook® brand through their e-commerce website. Purchasers buy a catalog pass, and recipients redeem it at over 1,000 partner facilities across Japan covering hot spring inns, hotels, restaurants, glamping sites, activity centers, and beauty salons. The portfolio spans the Invitation series (entry-level at ¥10,890-¥27,830) and TIMEBook Premium tier (¥60,500-¥108,900), plus a Tokyo metropolitan-area-specific edition. The company also provides B2B corporate customization services including original catalog designs and branded passes for sales promotion campaigns and loyalty programs.
Product overview
Time Labo operates TIMEBook, an experience-based catalog gift platform where gift purchasers buy a catalog pass and recipients choose from curated experiences. The product portfolio consists of two main tiers: TIMEBook Premium (luxury offerings including Luxury Spa, Premium Stay, Glamping, and Premium Dinner at ¥60,500-¥108,900) and Invitation series (more accessible options including 湯 for hot springs, 膳 for restaurant lunches, 遊 for activities, and 美 for beauty treatments at ¥10,890-¥27,830), plus a geographic-specific 首都圏edition. The company also offers B2B corporate customization services with original catalog designs and branded passes for sales promotions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Invitation 膳: A catalog gift featuring 2-person lunch plans at carefully selected restaurants across Japan, priced from ¥10,890
- Invitation 湯
- Invitation 美
- Invitation 遊
- TIMEBook Premium Glamping
- TIMEBook Premium Luxury Spa
- TIMEBook Premium Premium Stay
- TIMEBook Premium Premium Dinner
- TIMEBook 首都圏edition
Products and services
- TIMEBook Experience Catalog Gift Service Experience-based catalog gift service that allows recipients to choose from curated activities, accommodations, dining, and beauty experiences across Japan. Gift givers purchase a catalog pass, and recipients select their preferred experience from the digital or physical catalog at over 1,000 partner facilities.
- TIMEBook Premium Luxury Spa Luxury hot spring inn catalog gift featuring Japan's finest ryokans with premium amenities such as private open-air baths, ocean views, and private chefs. Includes 2-night dinner and breakfast plans for 2 guests starting at ¥108,900.
- TIMEBook Premium Premium Stay Hot spring inn catalog gift featuring premium Japanese ryokans with source-drawn hot spring baths, scenic views, and quality hospitality. Includes 1-night dinner and breakfast plans for 2 guests starting at ¥60,500.
- TIMEBook Premium Glamping Glamping experience catalog gift featuring premium glamping facilities across Japan with 1-night dinner and breakfast plans for 2 guests. Includes facilities with saunas, private bars, and pet-friendly options starting at ¥60,500.
- TIMEBook Premium Premium Dinner Restaurant dinner plan catalog gift featuring select restaurants across Japan including kaiseki, teppanyaki, and French cuisine at 5-star hotels. Includes 2-guest dinner plans starting at ¥60,500.
- Invitation 湯 (Hot Spring) Hot spring inn catalog gift featuring diverse hot spring accommodations across Japan including beauty, breakfast-focused, scenic view, and historic ryokans. Includes 1-2 guest 1-night breakfast plans starting at ¥27,830.
- Invitation 膳 (Dining) Restaurant lunch catalog gift featuring regional cuisine restaurants across Japan including sushi, teppanyaki, and French options. Includes 2-guest lunch plans starting at ¥10,890.
- Invitation 遊 (Activity) Active experience catalog gift featuring outdoor activities across Japan including paragliding, windsurfing, horseback riding, cave swimming, and diving. Includes 1-3 guest activity plans starting at ¥13,860.
- Invitation 美 (Beauty) Beauty and relaxation catalog gift featuring salons and spa treatments across Japan including Thai massage, yoga, nail care, and hair care. Includes 1-2 guest beauty plans starting at ¥13,860.
- TIMEBook 首都圏edition (Tokyo Metropolitan Edition) Greater Tokyo area-specific catalog gift featuring lunch, beauty, and activity experiences limited to the Tokyo metropolitan area. Offers variety within a concentrated geographic region at ¥13,860.
- Corporate Customization Services (B2B Sales Promotion) B2B sales of catalog gifts for corporate campaigns, including customized catalog design, pass branding, and fulfillment services. Three service tiers: Basic Plan (standard TIMEBook products), Semi-Customization Plan (original catalog/pass design), and Full-Customization Plan (customized facility selection and plan development). Clients include insurance, automotive, retail pharmacy, shopping malls, supermarkets, and financial institutions.
Companies that use Time Labo
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Time Labo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Time Labo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Partner Facilities (Ryokans, Hotels, Restaurants, Activities, Beauty Salons)coreOver 1,000 partner facilities across Japan and some overseas locations including luxury ryokans, hot spring inns, restaurants, glamping sites, activity centers, and beauty salons. These facilities provide the redemption network for TIMEBook catalog gift holders.
Scale indicators2 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Time Labo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- JTB (Japan Travel Bureau): Japan's largest travel agency, offering travel vouchers and experience-style gift products alongside its core travel business. Overlaps with TimeLabo on hot spring, dining, and experience gifting, though JTB's primary strength is full travel packages.
- Shaddy by Recruit (リクルート しゃちほこ / Shaddy): Catalog-gift service operated by Recruit, one of Japan's largest media/services groups. Comparable gift-catalog offering for weddings and special occasions, with significantly broader marketing reach and corporate backing.
Emerging players
- Klook: Asia-Pacific experience and activity booking platform with strong presence in Japan. Overlaps with TimeLabo on accommodation, dining, and activity experiences but operates as a direct-booking marketplace rather than a gift catalog.
- Gift Pad / ギフトパッド: Social/online gift-giving platform in Japan enabling users to send curated gifts via a credit-style system. Adjacent to TimeLabo's catalog-gift mechanic with a more digitally-native, social-sending user experience.
- Relux (リ lux): Premium Japanese hotel and ryokan booking platform. Overlaps specifically with TimeLabo's 'Premium Stay' and 'Luxury Spa' lines on luxury hot spring inn selection and gifting-adjacent bookings.
- Voyagin: Japan- and Asia-focused experience booking marketplace offering activities, tours, and dining experiences. Comparable to TimeLabo on activity curation but delivers instant booking rather than a gift-pass mechanism.
- Activity Japan: Online marketplace for booking experience activities across Japan. Adjacent to TimeLabo's 'Invitation 遊' (Activity) catalog line and competes for share of the experience-booking wallet.
Direct peers
- Smartbox Group: The European-origin experience-gifting company from which TimeLabo originated (Smartbox brand launched in Japan in 2008). Operates the same experience-gift catalog model in multiple European markets and is the direct conceptual and historical parent of TIMEBook®.
- Spoon (スプーン): One of Japan's leading catalog-gift specialists, offering experience and dining catalogs for weddings, anniversaries, and personal gifting. Closely comparable to TimeLabo on product format, target occasions, and gift-occasion positioning.
- Rikyu (リキュー / 総合ギフト): Established Japanese catalog-gift company offering both traditional product and experience-based gifts. Competes with TimeLabo directly on wedding, memorial, and personal-occasion catalog gifting.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Time Labo social profiles
Digital presenceTime Labo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Time Labo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Time Labo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Time Labo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Time Labo
What does Time Labo do?
Time Labo sells experience-based catalog gifts under the TIMEBook® brand through their e-commerce website. Purchasers buy a catalog pass, and recipients redeem it at over 1,000 partner facilities across Japan covering hot spring inns, hotels, restaurants, glamping sites, activity centers, and beauty salons. The portfolio spans the Invitation series (entry-level at ¥10,890-¥27,830) and TIMEBook Premium tier (¥60,500-¥108,900), plus a Tokyo metropolitan-area-specific edition. The company also provides B2B corporate customization services including original catalog designs and branded passes for sales promotion campaigns and loyalty programs.
Is Time Labo a public or private company?
Time Labo is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Time Labo founded?
Time Labo was founded in 2018.
Where is Time Labo based?
Time Labo is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Time Labo make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Gift Catalog Sales are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sales Promotion Services and subscription Service (サブスク).
Who are Time Labo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) and Shaddy by Recruit (リクルート しゃちほこ / Shaddy). Emerging players are Klook, Gift Pad / ギフトパッド, Relux (リ lux), Voyagin and Activity Japan. Direct peers are Smartbox Group, Spoon (スプーン) and Rikyu (リキュー / 総合ギフト).
Does Time Labo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Time Labo.
What industry is Time Labo in?
Time Labo's product category is Experience Gift Catalog Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAGAIAH, Gift, Seasonal & Occasion-Focused Catalog Department Store Retailers. Its NAICS code is 45942 and its SIC code is 5399.