Kura Sushi, a renowned Japanese revolving sushi chain, has announced plans to open the world’s largest conveyor-belt sushi restaurant at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025. The restaurant, boasting 338 seats, will be the largest of its kind globally, and will also feature the world’s longest sushi conveyor belt, measuring approximately 135 metres.
Set to open on 13 April 2025, at the Expo’s Future Society Showcase Zone, the restaurant aims to offer a unique dining experience, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology. The Osaka-Kansai Expo is expected to draw millions of visitors from around the world, and Kura Sushi is positioning its restaurant as a highlight of the event, appealing to both local and international guests.
The exterior of the restaurant will be an eye-catching display of Kura Sushi’s commitment to sustainability. Its walls will be made from plaster created from around 336,000 discarded ark clam shells, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The restaurant will also feature a signature image of tuna sushi in one of the chain’s famous “antibacterial sushi covers,” ensuring it remains instantly recognisable to Kura Sushi fans.
Inside, the restaurant will offer a modern Japanese aesthetic with a white wood base, while Kura Sushi plates and models of the antibacterial sushi cover will be prominently featured on the ceiling and in the waiting area. This design is intended to captivate visitors and create an immersive dining experience.
In addition to its impressive size and design, the restaurant will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, standard across Kura Sushi locations in Japan. This includes the “Smart Kura” system, which allows customers to enter, order, and leave without interacting with staff, creating a seamless and contactless experience. An AI-powered camera system will monitor the sushi lanes to prevent any undesirable behaviour, while a “production control system” will ensure the optimal amount of sushi is placed on the conveyor belt, adjusting according to customer demand. A “water collection system” will automatically transport finished plates back to the kitchen, further enhancing efficiency.
A popular feature at Kura Sushi restaurants, the “Bikkura Pon” game, will also be available at the Expo location. In this game, diners collect five plates to participate in a chance to win an original prize. For the Expo, the game’s capsules, typically made from plastic, will use environmentally friendly materials, demonstrating Kura Sushi’s commitment to sustainability.
Speaking about the venture, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Director of Public Relations at Kura Sushi, said, “At the Expo, our stores will operate under the concept of ‘Revolving conveyor belt unites the world.’ Customers will enjoy not only popular sushi dishes but also representative meals from countries participating in the Expo. We hope visitors will smile as they experience dishes from around the world on our endless conveyor belt, symbolising unity.”
Kura Sushi currently operates around 550 restaurants in Japan, along with 65 in the United States, 57 in Taiwan, and three in Shanghai.
