Kamakura Foods Brings Hot Bento Revolution to Japan with Vending Machines
Kamakura Foods, a Hong Kong-based company, is set to revolutionize Japan's bento market with its innovative vending machines. Founded by Jason Chen, a former Sony chip engineer, Kamakura Foods sees an opportunity in providing a logistics solution for serving hot bentos in Japan. The company's maiden bento vending machine is scheduled to start serving on Friday in Kitahama, Osaka.
Kamakura Foods, operating under the brand name Wada Bento, has already made waves in Hong Kong, selling over 600,000 hot bentos since its inception in 2019. The company's core technology involves temperature control, ensuring customers receive hot meals while preventing food poisoning. Its vending machines can serve a bento in just 17 seconds and offer multiple choices to customers.
The Japanese bento market is vast, with annual sales of 'steamed rice, etc.,' which largely consists of bentos and onigiri rice balls, totaling JPY 4.77 trillion (USD 31.6 billion) in 2022. Kamakura Foods plans to enter this market by introducing a tech-based platform for serving bentos automatically, rather than providing the food itself. The company has secured eight patents for its technology in Japan, the US, and China, demonstrating its innovative approach.
Kamakura Foods' first bento vending machine in Japan is set to open in Kitahama, Osaka, marking a significant step in the company's expansion plans. The company is seeking a fourth round of funding next year to support its growth in Japan. Despite the lack of information on its Japanese trade partner, Kamakura Foods' innovative technology and proven success in Hong Kong position it well to challenge the Japanese bento market.
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