The General Incorporated Association Kansai Innovation Center (MUIC Kansai) has been supporting business creation by students as part of its student entrepreneurship education support since fiscal year 2024, in collaboration with KANDO Inc.
This initiative has now led to the first student startup, with a student currently enrolled at Osaka Metropolitan University establishing the company "Cuterain Co., Ltd."
Cuterain Co., Ltd. will produce cute train journeys through the planning and sales of railway goods and the planning and operation of events, incorporating a female perspective with the concept of "Trains x Cute." As its first product, the company plans to begin sales at Shin-Osaka Station on July 10, 2026.
Through its student startup support program, MUIC Kansai has provided students with practical learning opportunities to discover issues and shape their ideas into businesses.
In this case as well, the participating students advanced their preparations for commercialization while engaging in market research, customer needs verification, and business model examination.
As a result, they have materialized their envisioned concepts into an actual business, leading to the current startup. Furthermore, in cooperation with JR West Group and Risseisha Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka City, Yodogawa Ward, President: Katsumi Fujimoto), which handles the planning, manufacturing, and sales of original goods, product development and sales launch have been realized.
About the First Product "Local Ticket Keychain 'Omoide Kippu'"
Product Name
Omoide Kippu (Shin-Osaka Station, Kyoto Station, Shin-Kobe Station, Nara Station)
Format
Acrylic keychain
Price
550 yen (tax included)
Release Date
July 10, 2026 (Fri)
Sales Location
Ekitei Pop Shop, Eki Marche Shin-Osaka Store
(Inside JR Shin-Osaka Station 3F Conventional Line Ticket Gate)
https://shinosaka.ekimaru.com/shopguide/detail/25
Our Vision for the Product
The first step towards realizing a new railway culture of "enjoying trains cutely."
The local ticket keychain "Omoide Kippu" is born.
Take home your travel memories as a "cute ticket." This idea gave birth to the local ticket keychain "Omoide Kippu."
Inspired by the retro hard tickets once used nationwide, the design meticulously details everything from the text layout and numbers to the characteristic diagonal lines. Furthermore, by adding Cuterain's original used stamp, the product combines nostalgia with cuteness.
Each design incorporates motifs inspired by various Kansai regions and Kansai dialect, encapsulating the memories of the towns, scenery, and experiences encountered during your travels into a single ticket.
When a trip ends, the ticket is no longer in hand. However, the scenery seen that day, the train ridden, and the time spent in the city remain in the heart forever.
"Omoide Kippu" is a "symbol of travel" that allows you to recall those travel memories at any time.
We aim for even one more person to think, "I want to ride this train," or "I want to visit this town" prompted by "cuteness." We also aim for "Omoide Kippu" to become a new icon for girls enjoying train travel.
Future Outlook
MUIC Kansai is engaged in nurturing next-generation talent through collaboration with diverse companies, local governments, universities, and other organizations, with the aim of creating innovation originating from Kansai.
This case is one of the achievements of our student startup support, and MUIC Kansai will continue to support the challenges undertaken by students and young talent, working to create an environment where new businesses and innovations can emerge from Kansai.
【Reference: Company Overviews】
About Cuterain Co., Ltd.
A startup founded by university students enrolled at Osaka Metropolitan University. Centered on "Trains x Cute," the company aims to expand the railway fan base and create a new railway culture by offering railway goods and experiences that are approachable for women.
Company Name: Cuterain Co., Ltd. Representative: Maho Kadowaki, Representative Director Location: 3-6-3 Fushimi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Opening: July 2026 URL: https://cuterain.jp
About Risseisha Co., Ltd.
Engaged in product development, distribution (wholesale), and store development, primarily focusing on the planning, manufacturing, and sales of railway goods, local character goods, and souvenirs. In addition to wholesale to station kiosks and mass retailers, the company operates its directly managed store, "Ekitei POP SHOP."
Company Name: Risseisha Co., Ltd.
Representative: Katsumi Fujimoto, President and Representative Director Location: 3rd Floor, Nakao Royal Building, 2-14-10 Miyahara, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka Prefecture Established: September 1, 1923 URL: https://risseisha.co.jp/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
About MUIC Kansai
Operated by the General Incorporated Association Kansai Innovation Center, established by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. It is an open innovation creation hub themed around the tourism industry, etc. Activities are carried out to solve social issues and create new businesses through collaboration between large corporations, startups, and local governments.
Company Name: General Incorporated Association Kansai Innovation Center Representative: Naoki Hori, Director General Location: 3-6-3 Fushimi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Opening: February 2021 URL: https://www.muic-kansai.jp/
About KANDO Inc.
Provides the world's first value creation team management method "Roles®️" to foster value creation human resources through practical experience.
Company Name: KANDO Inc.
Representative: Teruyuki Takahashi, Representative Director Location: Watertower Building, 2-101 Kanda-Awajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Established: July 2010 URL: https://www.kando-inc.com/
<Inquiries Regarding This Matter>
Cuterain Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Maho Kadowaki
HP: https://cuterain.jp
E-mail: [email protected]
MUIC Kansai Contact: Chiri Watanabe
Phone: 070-2470-8920
https://www.muic-kansai.jp/contact/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 起業
- Organizations: MUIC Kansai