OUTCOMES
Before departure, we decide what to check at each stop. What you see on the ground is written up in a form you can use after you return.
The reality of retail, restaurants, and e-commerce
Retail shelves, restaurant outlets, quick commerce apps. We look at prices, pack sizes, and how products are placed, and see where they differ from Japan.
Conversations with local operators
From restaurant chain owners and chefs and from D2C startups, we hear what problems came up after they started selling and how they handled them.
Distribution hurdles
We visit logistics warehouses and central kitchens equipped with a cold chain, and confirm storage temperature ranges, minimum lots, and delivery coverage.
The record you take away
We deliver a record of the visits and a list of the people to contact next.
WHERE WE GO
Here are the destinations we have arranged so far, grouped by type. For meetings and site tours we approach the host first and confirm that they will receive us before fixing the schedule. If we are turned down, we substitute another destination where the same thing can be confirmed.
RETAIL
Retail floors
Supermarkets, stores that carry imported food, small neighborhood shops selling food and daily goods (kirana), and the food floors of shopping complexes. We look at shelf position, pack size, price, and selling unit.
Q-COMMERCE
Quick commerce
We use apps such as Blinkit and Zepto side by side from the same address and record the items carried, prices, discounts, and delivery times.
FOOD SERVICE
Food service sites
Outlets of Japanese and Indian restaurant brands. We visit brand owners and chefs and ask how Japanese ingredients are used in local outlets.
PEOPLE
People you meet
Food bloggers, chefs who cook Japanese food, D2C startups, and consumers. We hear from both the selling side and the buying side.
LOGISTICS
Distribution sites
Logistics warehouses with cold chain, central kitchens, and cloud kitchens. We check the storage temperature ranges and the delivery area that can be served from there.
EXHIBITIONS
Trade shows and events
We build these in when the dates line up. The next AAHAR runs March 2 to 6, 2027 (New Delhi), and Anuga Select India runs September 29 to October 1, 2026 (Mumbai). For the list of dates, see Trade Shows in India.
CITIES
Starting from the Delhi capital region, we select from the following cities to match your objective. A trip may also cover a single city only.
दिल्ली
Delhi National Capital Region
Our Indian subsidiary is in Gurugram, within this region. Retailers handling imported food, restaurant chains, and logistics warehouses are close by, which suits seeing stores and distribution together.
मुंबई
Mumbai
A city with high per capita income. Choose it when you want to see the food floors of malls and new restaurant formats.
बेंगलुरु
Bengaluru
In January 2026, a company we supported exhibited at OTA TOKYO in this city. Choose it when you want to see anime and character IP events and card shops.
हैदराबाद
Hyderabad
A city we are considering as a venue for tasting events and other events. We add it as an option after the Delhi capital region, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
WE DO
What we do
BY INDUSTRY
भोजन
Food and beverage
Candidates include supermarkets and imported food stores, restaurant chains, central kitchens, and cold chain warehouses. We look at shelf price ranges and pack sizes, and at how products are used in food service.
एनीमे
Anime and character IP
Candidates include retailers handling cards and hobby goods, and venues for fan events. We look at how licensed goods are displayed and priced, and how fans gather.
वस्त्र
Apparel and materials
Candidates include sales floors in malls and select shops, and textile and apparel trade shows. We look at price ranges, size ranges, and material labeling.
COST
●We quote the cost of local arrangements, accompaniment, and coordinating meetings.
●Airfare, accommodation, and local transportation are at your expense.
Discuss a quote →FAQ
No. We first hear what you want to find out, then select destinations and build the schedule. What is listed on this page are examples of destinations we have arranged so far.
It depends on whether the host will receive us. We may be turned down for hygiene or confidentiality reasons, so we approach several candidates and, when it is difficult, substitute a destination where the same thing can be confirmed.
It depends on the number of destinations and the number of cities covered. A short trip to one city works, and so does two cities in a row.
A local member accompanies you. Meetings can be run in Japanese, English, and Hindi.
Please arrange airfare and visas yourselves. We handle local transportation, scheduling with the destinations, and accompaniment on the day.
Yes. Based on the visit record we deliver after you return, you can separately discuss next steps such as interview research or a tasting event.
SOJAPAN
We support Japanese companies entering India, from market research through local partner development, test sales, and import.