Japanese Travel Giant Taps XRP Ledger for Token Payment Platform

Japanese financial services firm SBI Ripple Asia has signed a basic agreement with Tobu Top Tours to develop a token-driven payment platform.

The project aims to link NFTs and custom tokens, creating new applications for tourism, regional support, and fan communities.

Partnership Targets Next-Generation Payment Models

On September 30, Tobu Top Tours, a travel subsidiary of Tobu Railway, announced it would collaborate with SBI Ripple Asia. They plan to launch a new digital payment system. The platform will center on company- or organization-specific tokens issued on the XRP Ledger.

Under the agreement, Tobu Top Tours will focus on acquiring partner organizations, expanding user and merchant networks, and designing NFT-based marketing strategies. SBI Ripple Asia will handle the issuance of reliable tokens on its blockchain infrastructure.

The system is scheduled for a service launch in the first half of 2026.

The initiative underscores growing interest in blockchain-based settlement methods within Japan’s tourism and retail industries. The platform will integrate NFTs as “digital souvenirs” or “discount vouchers.”

This aims to boost consumer engagement beyond the initial purchase. Both firms have framed the project as a pilot for broader applications of distributed ledger technology in everyday economic activity.

Use Cases in Tourism, Recovery, and Fan Communities

The platform envisions three core use cases. The first is regional tourism. Tokens restricted to specific areas would allow visitors to make cashless payments while stimulating local spending. NFTs linked to transactions could serve as digital keepsakes or provide benefits for future visits, reinforcing ties between travelers and local communities.

The second use case focuses on disaster recovery and local revitalization. Relief funds could be distributed as region-specific tokens, enabling direct spending at local businesses such as restaurants, lodging, and retail outlets.

This mechanism would prevent outflow of support funds while improving transparency and accountability in aid distribution.

The third involves sports and cultural events. Teams, artists, or organizations could issue their own community tokens, which fans use for merchandise purchases or event payments. By connecting token usage with NFT membership benefits, the system aims to strengthen engagement and create new revenue channels for cultural organizations.

Broader Context for XRP Ledger Deployment

SBI Ripple Asia has been gradually expanding the role of the XRP Ledger in Japan’s digital economy. In May, the company entered a strategic partnership with HashKey DX and US-based Ripple to promote enterprise blockchain solutions in the Japanese market.

The Tobu Top Tours collaboration extends this strategy, highlighting the ledger’s potential for financial institutions and consumer-facing industries. By linking tokens with NFTs, the initiative reflects a wider move toward integrating digital assets into practical payment systems.

While the project remains at the planning stage, its stated launch timeline suggests a phased rollout by mid-2026. The partnership may provide a template for other Japanese companies exploring blockchain-driven loyalty, settlement, and fan engagement models.