Kura Sushi Inc., the globally recognized conveyor-belt sushi chain based in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, has announced the opening of its largest-ever restaurant, focused on sustainability. The new store, located at the Future Life Zone of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, will open on Sunday, April 13, 2025. This innovative restaurant will set a new benchmark in sustainable dining by reusing marine products, scrap fishing equipment, and plastics.
A Grand and Sustainable Design
The Kura Sushi Osaka Kansai Expo Store is the largest restaurant in the chain’s history, boasting 338 seats and a revolving sushi belt that stretches 135 meters. The restaurant’s exterior features namako walls, inspired by the company’s symbolic storehouse, and showcases a large image of tuna nigiri, which is protected by the “Antibacterial Sushi Cover Mr. Freshness,” a feature designed to shield sushi from airborne dust and viruses. The interior combines modern Japanese design with luxurious wooden tables, tatami-style seating surfaces, and a bold, graphic depiction of a giant plate on the ceiling.
Reusing Materials for a Sustainable Future
The restaurant’s construction incorporates numerous sustainable elements. The exterior walls are made from “plaster without artificial substances,” created by reusing 336,000 shells that would otherwise be discarded. Additionally, glue and other materials derived from seaweed were used in the building’s design. Pictograms at the cash register and restrooms are crafted from approximately 100 kg of discarded plastic bottle caps and milky-white polyethylene tanks, reducing CO2 emissions by one-third compared to incineration. The seats and logos in the wind shelter are made from about 15 kg of recycled fishing equipment, including ropes, buoys, and baskets. The benches in the waiting area are crafted from cedar trees thinned in Japan.
Sustainable Menu and Innovative Dining Experience
The Kura Sushi Osaka Kansai Expo Store will not only showcase a traditional sushi menu but will also offer a sustainable selection featuring low-use fish like nizadai, contributing to the promotion of sustainable fishing practices. In addition, diners can enjoy a unique 70-course menu, offering dishes representing 70 countries and regions worldwide.
To further enhance the customer experience, the restaurant employs AI and ICT technologies to improve hygiene and quality control, ensuring a clean and efficient dining environment. Kura Sushi is the only major conveyor-belt sushi chain to utilize this advanced technology, combining it with the traditional revolving sushi format.
A Vision for the Future
During a press conference, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Director and General Manager of Public Relations, Advertising, and Investor Relations, expressed the company’s dedication to providing a sustainable dining experience. He said, “We are the only major conveyor-belt sushi chain to serve sushi from our conveyor belts at all of our restaurants. Our concept is to offer a place where visitors from all over the world can have an enjoyable dining experience filled with smiles. We are introducing a ‘next-generation restaurant model’ that blends sustainable elements with cutting-edge technology, bringing Japan’s revolving sushi culture to the world.”
Kura Sushi’s Global Expansion
As of February, Kura Sushi operates 546 restaurants in Japan, 73 in the United States, 59 in Taiwan, and 3 in Shanghai. The company’s expansion continues as it focuses on combining sustainability with innovative dining experiences for customers worldwide.
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