Tokai Gakuen University Students Co-Develop Local Specialty Product 'Kurumimiso' at Toyota-Ugokou SA (Downhill) on the Tōmei Expressway E1

Naka-Nihon EXIS Co., Ltd. (Chubu Branch, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Branch Manager: Tomohide Oguchi) and Tokai Gakuen University Faculty of Health and Nutrition (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Dean: Nana Kanehira) have partnered with Mie Railway Co., Ltd. (Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture), a tenant at Toyota-Ugokou Service Area (SA) (downhill, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture) on the E1 Tōmei Expressway, to commercialize a student-developed product called 'Kurumimiso' with the cooperation of Sato Jozo Co., Ltd. (Ama City, Aichi Prefecture). Sales will begin on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

[Co-Developed Product]

Product Name: Kurumimiso

Price: 520 yen (tax included)

Sales Period: Starting July 18, 2026

Sales Location: Souvenir Corner, Toyota-Ugokou SA (downhill), E1 Tōmei Expressway

~Features of Kurumimiso~

This product blends walnuts and cheese into a mildly sweet and savory miso paste. The traditional miso flavor harmonizes perfectly with the creamy richness of cheese.

It pairs well not only with rice but also with bread, as a vegetable dip, or with any ingredient. Feel free to enjoy it in your preferred way!

On the launch day, July 18, 2026, a tasting and sales event will be held at the souvenir corner of Toyota-Ugokou SA (downhill) by the students involved in the development. Visitors can enjoy samples and hear directly from the students about the product’s concept and the thoughts behind it. Please stop by the souvenir corner on this special occasion.

[Event Information]

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: Souvenir Corner, Toyota-Ugokou SA (downhill), E1 Tōmei Expressway

Content: Tasting and sales event conducted by the students involved in the product development.

[Background of Development]

Students focused on creating a product 'they wanted working fathers to enjoy.'

As part of the industry-academia collaboration project 'Learning Management through Product Development,' students in the 'Food and Agriculture Marketing Seminar' course at Tokai Gakuen University’s Faculty of Health and Nutrition, under the supervision of Professor Nishida, developed this product with the theme 'something working fathers would enjoy eating.' Noticing that a high proportion of customers at Toyota-Ugokou SA (downhill) are men in their 50s, students considered what kind of product they would want their own fathers to eat.

[Key Points in Commercialization]

Emphasis on 'Nagoya-style,' health-consciousness, and shelf life

The product was developed with three priorities: 'Nagoya-style flavor,' 'health-conscious ingredients,' and 'long shelf life.' With advice from the sales staff at Toyota-Ugokou SA (downhill) and cooperation from Sato Jozo Co., Ltd., a Nagoya-inspired product was completed that can be enjoyed as a side dish with rice or as a snack. The goal is to offer a comforting taste for a relaxing break during or after work.