ABOUT PROJECT
TripJunction is a gateway to experiencing Japan like a true local. Designed for those who crave immersive, off-the-beaten-path adventures, it connects travelers with expert guides who unlock the country’s hidden gems. Whether it’s mastering sushi-making techniques, strolling through Tokyo in full anime cosplay, or discovering tucked-away neighborhoods untouched by mainstream tourism, TripJunction turns every trip into a personal, unforgettable journey. By bridging cultures and passions, the platform transforms travel into a shared experience that goes beyond sightseeing, making every interaction more meaningful and every adventure more exciting.
When founders Miho Beck and Taedjin Kim-Doron approached Roobykon Software, they had a clear vision: to create a seamless, user-friendly digital space that embodied the essence of their project. Leveraging our expertise in marketplace development, we built a feature-rich, intuitive platform in just five months, ensuring an effortless experience for both travelers and guides. With a focus on global accessibility, our designers and developers meticulously refined every UI and UX element, achieving the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Together, we created a robust, engaging travel-tech solution that brings people closer to authentic Japanese culture, one experience at a time.
Key Challenges
Building TripJunction was an exciting challenge for Roobykon Software, requiring deep expertise in marketplace development and a keen focus on user experience. The first major hurdle was designing a marketplace ecosystem that balanced safety, functionality, and intuitive interaction. Every aspect of the platform needed careful planning to ensure seamless communication between travelers and guides while maintaining a smooth, frustration-free booking experience. This meant anticipating user needs, structuring clear workflows, and integrating essential trust-building features—all while keeping the platform easy to navigate.
Creating a globally accessible and scalable platform brought its own set of complexities. We had to ensure that the infrastructure could handle increasing traffic while maintaining speed and reliability for users across different time zones. Choosing the right payment solution was another critical challenge, one that had to align with the business model while being fully compatible with target markets.
TECHNOLOGY STACK
core API
Solution Highlights
To bring TripJunction to life efficiently and cost-effectively, we built the platform using the OpenSource version of Sharetribe. This approach allowed us to significantly reduce development time and expenses while maintaining the flexibility needed to tailor the marketplace to the project’s unique vision. By customizing Sharetribe’s core functionality, we created a seamless, user-friendly environment where travelers could easily discover and book experiences and guides could showcase their services effortlessly.
Since TripJunction connects travelers worldwide with service providers based in Japan, we integrated the Stripe Connect API to enable smooth, secure cross-border transactions. Additionally, we implemented a specialized version of the API for corporate accounts, ensuring that both individuals and companies could act as service providers. To meet Japan’s strict legal requirements, we adapted the platform’s legal data entry templates, ensuring compliance without disrupting the user experience.
The process
01
Laying the foundation: Before diving into development, we worked closely with the TripJunction founders to define the platform’s core objectives. A thorough business analysis helped us outline the marketplace’s functionality, user interactions, and scalability requirements. By compiling detailed product specifications, we ensured that the platform would be well-structured, future-proof, and capable of delivering an intuitive and engaging experience from day one.
02
Designing a global user experience: With TripJunction catering to a global audience, accessibility was a top priority. Our design and development teams meticulously crafted the platform’s UX and UI, balancing aesthetics with functionality. Every detail was refined to provide a seamless booking process, effortless navigation, and a welcoming, visually appealing interface that would resonate with users worldwide.
03
Syncing with a WordPress-based blog: To enhance user engagement, TripJunction needed a dedicated content hub. Since Sharetribe doesn’t support newsfeed management, we synchronized the platform with a WordPress-based blog. We also upgraded the admin panel to allow easy publishing of article previews, ensuring a seamless transition between the marketplace and informative travel content.
04
Bringing the vision to life: In just five months, we transformed TripJunction from concept to reality, delivering a feature-rich, scalable, and globally accessible marketplace. By prioritizing usability, security, and seamless functionality, we helped create a platform that connects travelers with authentic Japanese experiences.
Main Features
Secure booking and payment system
The integration of Stripe Connect API facilitated global transactions, ensuring secure and convenient payments for users worldwide. A special version of this API was also implemented to allow corporate accounts to operate on the platform.
Intuitive home page with specific querie
To maintain a high level of trust and security, the platform required service providers to upload identity-related documents. Phone number verification via Twilio further reinforced user authenticity. Additionally, a special ‘identity-verified’ badge was introduced, helping travelers choose trustworthy guides.
Flexible booking management for guides
To streamline the process for service providers, we implemented a feature allowing them to save incomplete listings as drafts. Additionally, we introduced an advanced scheduling system where guides could define multiple availability periods within a single listing, reducing the need to create multiple separate offers.
Enhanced reservation management
We developed a comprehensive reservation management system, allowing users to track their bookings, manage existing reservations, and check the number of booked services for any given date. This feature made it easy for both guides and travelers to stay organized and plan ahead.
Improved administrative controls
To streamline platform moderation, we upgraded the admin panel by adding a ‘Staff’ role. This allowed different levels of access for administrators, ensuring better management of the platform. Additionally, we introduced a listing approval system, enabling ad
Seamless multi-language support:
TripJunction was built with multilingual functionality in mind, with English and Korean as the first supported languages. Since Sharetribe’s built-in support for Korean relied on machine translation, we worked directly with the client to ensure precise and natural translations for a fully localized user experience.
RESULTS
TripJunction set out to create a travel marketplace that would connect adventurers worldwide with authentic Japanese experiences, and Roobykon Software was proud to turn that vision into reality. Through careful planning, expert development, and a commitment to seamless user interaction, we built a platform that blends B2C and C2C models, ensuring a vibrant and scalable ecosystem for travelers and guides alike. Users can effortlessly explore authentic Japanese travel experiences while service providers enjoy a smooth, reliable interface to showcase their offerings.
Lessons from TripJunction
Every project teaches us something new, and developing TripJunction was no exception. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring the platform’s scalability while keeping it intuitive and accessible to a worldwide audience. We learned that balancing complexity and simplicity is an ongoing process—too many features can overwhelm users, while too few can limit engagement. By continuously refining the UX and UI, we found the sweet spot where functionality meets effortless navigation, a lesson we now apply to every marketplace we build.
Integrating a global payment system was another hurdle that pushed us to expand our expertise. With service providers based in Japan and bookings coming from all over the world, we had to ensure seamless cross-border transactions while complying with local regulations.
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