e-Trunk Enhances Consultation Services for Individual Customers Starting July

Japan's largest trunk room search site, "e-Trunk" (operated by e-portal Inc.), will enhance its consultation support system for individual customers interested in opening trunk room facilities. Although e-Trunk has been serving landowners and tenant operators since October 2025, approximately 40% of inquiries received—even without targeted outreach—have come from individual customers. Recognizing that interest in trunk room operations as a side hustle or asset investment is higher than expected among individuals, e-Trunk is improving its support structure to make consultations more accessible.

Background: Around 40% of Inquiries Come from Individuals

Originally positioned as a consultation hub for land utilization, e-Trunk primarily anticipated inquiries from corporations and landowners.

However, upon reviewing consultation data from periods without specific individual-targeted campaigns, it was found that about 40% of inquiries came from individual customers. Given that trunk room operations require no special qualifications and can be started on a small scale, it is evident that interest among individuals as a side income or investment option is steadily growing. In response, e-Trunk will strengthen its support system to make consultations easier for individual customers.

Can Individuals Start a Trunk Room Business?

Space rental-type trunk rooms allow users to rent space and manage their own storage. The owner's role is strictly to "provide space," without responsibility for stored items. Therefore, such operations fall outside the scope of the Warehouse Business Act, eliminating the need for the following procedures and making individual ownership feasible:

- Registration as a warehouse operator with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism - Acquisition of special qualifications or licenses - Prior approval applications to local authorities - Facility standard inspections (compliance with Warehouse Business Act standards)

Of course, general real estate regulations such as the Building Standards Act, Fire Safety Act, and zoning laws must still be observed. However, there are no special regulations specifically for "trunk room operators," allowing individuals to enter the market with minimal barriers.

Key Enhancements Moving Forward

- Launch of a dedicated consultation window and inquiry form for individual customers - Provision of easy-to-understand information for those new to land utilization and real estate investment - Publication of columns summarizing essential startup information for aspiring operators - Expansion of guidance on small-scale, low-budget startup plans

Trunk Room Business Support Services

- Advice on site selection and feasibility - Proposals on operation models (self-operation, management outsourcing, franchising, etc.) - Introduction to trusted management and construction companies - Post-opening marketing and customer acquisition advice

Operating as a fully neutral advisor—not an agent for any specific provider—e-Trunk delivers recommendations based on extensive proprietary data.

Inquiries and first online consultations are free of charge.

Service Features

1. Neutral Support from Trunk Room Industry Experts

Since launching in 2007, e-Trunk has collected and analyzed trunk room data nationwide for 19 years, building business relationships with over 400 operators. With deep knowledge of each company’s strengths, target regions, and profitability trends, e-Trunk can provide owner-focused comparisons and recommendations.

2. Free Consultations and Full Neutrality

As e-Trunk is not an agent for any specific provider, there is no pressure to sign contracts. Experts patiently answer even basic questions such as "What exactly is a trunk room business?"

3. Consultations Accepted Even Without a Defined Operation Plan

Even if the operation method is undecided, e-Trunk can suggest optimal approaches based on information about your land or property. No qualifications are required, and operations can begin with just a single small unit.

Comment from a Representative

"While we initially expected consultations mainly from corporations and landowners as part of land utilization planning, actual inquiry data shows strong interest from individual customers. With more individuals now considering trunk room operations as a side hustle or investment option, we aim to create a welcoming consultation environment for beginners and expand the industry’s reach."

Contact Information

Service Name: e-Trunk

Operating Company: e-portal Inc.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://e-trunk.jp/features/measures-to-combat-vacancy (Special Page for Business Startup Support)