HOTEI FOODS

Hotei Foods traces its roots to 1933, when production began under the name Sankyo Shokai with tuna and mandarin orange cans. From the start, canning technology — preservation, safety, and consistent quality — was placed at the center of manufacturing.

Through wartime consolidation and postwar reorganization, Hotei built its manufacturing base in Shizuoka. In 1957 a new plant was established in Kambara, and in 1967 the Fujikawa factory was completed — described at the time as a "Toyo-ichi" (leading) canning plant and still positioned as a core facility today.

In December 1970, Hotei introduced its yakitori canned product. With savory chicken and seasoning ready the moment you open the lid, it became a dependable "one more dish" option and a go-to for quick meals.

A distinctive point of the yakitori line is charcoal-grilling domestic chicken. For the tare flavor, Hotei describes a rich secret sauce enhanced with toasted soy sauce notes. The product is also introduced as suitable for emergency stockpiling thanks to its long shelf life (36 months from production) and room-temperature storage.

Hotei's canning know-how extends beyond yakitori. Tuna products include additive-free options and other variations designed for ease of use. The fruit lineup spans dessert-style items such as aloe and nata de coco, as well as widely used products like sliced pineapple and fruit cocktail.

Another milestone is that Hotei's yakitori product has been certified as "Space Japanese Food" by JAXA. Retort pouch offerings add yet another layer: concentrated soups such as sundubu-jjigae and samgyetang help expand quick meal choices. Alongside manufacturing and sales, Hotei also produces canned and PET beverages on an OEM basis — continuing to broaden its role as a comprehensive food manufacturer while keeping its canning heritage at the center.

The "yakitori can" launched in 1970 — Hotei's signature product

First released in December 1970, Hotei's yakitori has become the company's best-known category. From classic tare (sweet soy sauce) and salt to variations such as yuzu pepper and garlic pepper, the lineup works both as a ready-to-eat snack and as a versatile cooking ingredient.

Founded in 1933, rooted in canning with tuna and mandarin oranges

Hotei's origin story begins with producing tuna and mandarin orange cans. Over decades, the company has refined preservation and processing techniques so pantry-friendly foods can feel like dependable "everyday staples," not just emergency provisions.

Beyond cans: a broader range including retort pouches

Today the portfolio includes canned meats, tuna, and fruit, plus retort pouch products such as sundubu-jjigae and samgyetang concentrates and soup items. These are built around easy stocking and simple preparation — helpful for busy day meals.

Manufacturing and sales — plus OEM production for canned and PET beverages

In addition to manufacturing and selling canned and retort pouch foods, the company lists OEM production for canned and PET bottled beverages. Production infrastructure and quality management developed through food processing support a wider range of manufacturing.