Iyoshi Cola

What Iyoshi Cola does

Iyoshi Cola (伊良コーラ, legal entity 伊良コーラ株式会社) is a privately held Japanese craft cola manufacturer founded in July 2018 by Kola Kobayashi (小林隆英, born 1989) and formally incorporated in January 2019 with stated capital of 30 million JPY. The company self-describes as the world's first craft cola specialty maker and store. Its production is rooted in the founder's inheritance of his grandfather Ryotaro Ito's traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) workshop and toolset, applying fire-glazing techniques to a proprietary, secret-proportion blend of Ghana kola nuts, 10+ spices, and citrus fruits. The company previously operated under the trade name 株式会社GRAND GIFT before restructuring to its current name in July 2024.

The product portfolio spans three core SKUs: (1) the 'Magical Syrup' (魔法のシロップ) — an undiluted cola concentrate in S/M/L sizes that the consumer mixes with carbonated water at home; (2) 'IYOSHI CRAFT COLA' — a 200ml ready-to-drink bottled product pre-blended with natural carbonated water; and (3) a 250ml canned craft cola (IYOSHI COLA 缶) priced at ¥267 ex-tax rising to ¥298 ex-tax from April 1, 2026, with limited and seasonal variants (THE DREAMY FLAVOR, THE JAPAN EDITION, Iyoshi Cola Sour RTD alcoholic). Products are distributed via company-owned Tokyo retail (Shimo-Ochiai flagship, Shibuya, Asakusa, with Nakano opening April 2026), a partner store in Taipei (since August 2025), an e-commerce store (shop.iyoshicola.com), and wholesale through Seijo Ishii, Lawson/Natural Lawson (19+ prefectures from July 2024), FamilyMart Kanto, Isetan, DEAN & DELUCA, specialty stores, and a network of 90+ bars and restaurants participating in the Craft Ram Cola Festival. Founder-led grassroots marketing via TV, radio, YouTube, and themed events (notably the 'Iyoshi Cola Bath' public-bathhouse experience expanding from 100 to 400+ facilities) is a primary brand-building lever.

Iyoshi Cola monetizes through unit-priced retail and wholesale sales of physical beverages, plus ancillary event and experience revenue (collaborations with Kenbi-yakuyu on bath essences and Rice to Agave/haccoba on residue-based beverages). Pricing is pay-as-you-go unit pricing with a planned canned-SKU price increase for FY2026. The operating model is product-crowdfunded and lean: a small core team including CEO, shop director, factory director, marketing director, and approximately 15 part-time staff, with no disclosed institutional equity, venture, or private-equity backing. Revenue and financial results are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Iyoshi Cola

Legal name

伊良コーラ株式会社

Website

https://iyoshicola.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iyoshi Cola is a Japanese craft cola manufacturer founded in 2018 by Kola Kobayashi, producing Kampo-inspired artisan cola from Ghana kola nuts, spices, and citrus, sold via Tokyo retail stores, e-commerce, and national wholesale partners including Lawson, FamilyMart, and Seijo Ishii.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beverages

NAICS

Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111)

SIC

Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)

akta.pro primary industry

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Bottling/Canning & Packaging Operations (AFAFABAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Soft Drink & Carbonated Beverage Syrups (AFAFAGAA)

Keywords

• Craft cola beverages
• Artisan cola syrup
• Ready-to-drink cola
• Kampo-inspired beverages
• Specialty soft drinks

Headquarters

HQ city

Shinjuku

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct Retail Sales: Sales through company-owned retail stores (伊良コーラ総本店下落合, 伊良コーラ渋谷神宮前, 伊良コーラ浅草六区, 伊良コーラ中野五丁目店) and partner stores. Products include syrup, ready-to-drink bottles, and canned versions. Stores offer cola stands for on-site consumption.
2. E-commerce Online Store: Direct-to-consumer sales through official online store (shop.iyoshicola.com) for Magical Syrup, bottled IYOSHI CRAFT COLA, canned products, and gift sets.
3. Wholesale to Retail Partners: Wholesale distribution to major retailers including Seijo Ishii (national chain), convenience stores (Lawson, FamilyMart), department stores, and specialty stores. Products sold through partner retail locations nationwide.
4. B2B / Food Service: B2B sales to restaurants, bars, and food service establishments. Includes participation in festivals like Craft Ram Cola Festival with partner bars nationwide.
5. Event Collaborations: Revenue from collaborative events such as 'イヨシコーラの湯' craft cola bath experiences at public bathhouses, and special themed events at bars and restaurants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Iyoshi Cola is a Tokyo-based craft cola specialty manufacturer that produces handmade cola using Kampo (traditional Japanese medicine) inspired production methods. The company sells three core product formats: the 'Magical Syrup' undiluted concentrate (made by blending over 10 spices and citrus fruits with kola nuts and fire-glazing them in the Kampo tradition), ready-to-drink 'IYOSHI CRAFT COLA' in 200ml bottles, and canned 'IYOSHI COLA' in 250ml cans. Products are sold through company-owned retail stores in Tokyo, an online store, and a nationwide network of convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, and foodservice partners.

Product overview

Iyoshi Cola is a craft cola manufacturer offering three main products: the Magical Syrup (concentrate that becomes cola when mixed with carbonated water), IYOSHI CRAFT COLA (ready-to-drink 200ml bottles), and canned craft cola (250ml). The company also offers limited edition seasonal flavors and the Japan Edition variant. Products are handmade in small batches using natural ingredients including kola nuts, over 10 spices, and citrus fruits, with production methods inspired by traditional Japanese Kampo medicine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Craft Cola Magical Syrup (クラフトコーラ「魔法のシロップ」) An undiluted syrup concentrate that becomes craft cola when mixed with carbonated water. Blends over 10 spices and citrus fruits including Ghana kola nuts in secret proportions, fire-glazed using Kampo-inspired methods. Available in S/M/L sizes and gift packaging. For home consumers, gifting, and mixing with milk or alcohol.
• IYOSHI CRAFT COLA (Ready-to-Drink Bottle) Ready-to-drink craft cola in 200ml bottles. Filled at the Shimo-Ochiai factory from Magical Syrup blended with carbonated water made from natural water at optimal ratios. Designed for venues without kitchen facilities and as a mid-year gift (お中元) item. Suitable as a mixer for bourbon, rum, vodka, and gin.
• Canned IYOSHI COLA (イヨシコーラ缶) Canned craft cola (250ml) made from a 100-year-old recipe using Ghana kola nuts and 7 spices, with citrus and spice aroma sealed inside the can. Recommended inversion for 10 seconds before drinking. Marketed for reading time, after-bath relaxation, family gatherings, and outdoor use. Distributed through convenience stores nationwide.
• Iyoshi Cola Sour (イヨシコーラサワー) First alcoholic craft cola product from the company, a ready-to-drink canned sour variant distributed through Lawson convenience stores in the Kanto region of Japan.

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lawson (ローソン)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 June 2025Launch of Iyoshi Beverages (伊良飲料), a limited-quantity new product available at select Lawson stores nationwide and Iyoshi Cola directly-operated stores.
• Sara Wat (脇田紗良)minorOthers · 5 February 2025Partnership contract with professional surfer Sara Wat.
• Lawson (ローソン)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 September 2024Major convenience store chain distribution partner. Canned IYOSHI COLA sold in 19+ prefectures from July 2024, with expanded presence through regular and Natural Lawson stores.
• FamilyMart (ファミマ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 July 2024Convenience store chain distribution partner. Sales of canned IYOSHI COLA in Kanto region stores from July 30, 2024.
• Tokyo Public Bath Association (東京都浴場組合)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2024Official partnership for 'イヨシコーラの湯 ALL TOKYO' event. All public bathhouses in the association (~420 facilities) participated in craft cola bath events on June 23, 2024.
• Rum Club Japan (RCJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2023Second and third editions of Craft Rum Cola Festival. Selected rums including Akau Rum White (Kagoshima), Okinawa Islands Rum, Kane Island Australia 4-Year, Ron Barcelo Gran Anejo, etc.
• Kenbi-yakuyu (健美薬湯)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2023Co-development of 'イヨシコーラの湯 no Moto' (craft cola bath essence) for the 'イヨシコーラの湯' craft cola bath experience events at public bathhouses. Kenbi-yakuyu manufactures the bath essence using cola residue extract.
• Rice to Agave (稲とアガベ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2023Sake producer utilizing Iyoshi Cola's cola residue (コーラ粕) to create a craft sake product. Collaboration announced March 2023, with planned June 2023 release.
• haccobaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2023Craft beverage producer utilizing Iyoshi Cola's cola residue (コーラ粕) to create new beverage products.
• Takumi Ito (伊藤巧)coreOthers · 24 March 2023Partnership contract with professional angler Takumi Ito. Iyoshi Cola logo appears on his tournament shirts and bass boat for all 2023 tournaments. Ito won the BASSER ALLSTAR CLASSIC 2023 tournament.
• Pacific DRIVE-IN (Pacific DRIVE-IN)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 July 2022Seasonal summer collaboration at Shonan beach location. Limited menu items using Iyoshi Cola's Magical Syrup at the Pacific DRIVE-IN beach cafe in Kamakura (July-September 2022).
• Rum Club Japan (RCJ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Joint organization of 'Craft Ram Cola Festival' with rum-focused association. RCJ leverages its network of rum bars nationwide to create craft rum cola drinks using Iyoshi Cola and 5 types of rum. First event in July 2022 featured 80+ participating bars. Continuing annual festivals through 2023.
• Isetan Shinjuku (新宿伊勢丹)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2020Pop-up store at Isetan Shinjuku basement 'FOOD COLLECTION' with live demonstrations. Also collaborated on limited-edition Chuubon gifts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Q Mixers: Premium mixer brand operating in the carbonated beverage category with a craft/authentic positioning. Comparable in being a smaller, premium-positioned alternative to mainstream cola/mixer brands, with similar craft-ingredient storytelling and cocktail-culture partnerships.
• Japanese Craft Cola Collective (Takumi Cola and similar small-batch Japanese craft cola makers): Cluster of small Japanese craft cola makers (e.g., Takumi Cola, Sadakora, etc.) using natural spices and kola nut recipes. Comparable as direct craft cola competitors in the same Japanese specialty/gourmet channel, often competing for the same shelf space in Seijo Ishii, DEAN & DELUCA, and farmer's markets.
• Virgil's (Reed's Inc.): US craft soda brand focused on natural, small-batch root beers and ginger beers. Comparable as a similarly-sized craft premium soft drink brand with a comparable product mix (syrups and RTD cans/bottles) and similar target premium retailer and on-premise distribution strategy.

Direct peers

• Fever-Tree: Premium mixer brand built on natural ingredients and a craft beverage positioning. Comparable as a premium-positioned mixer brand that broke into mainline retail and on-premise (bars, restaurants), similar to Iyoshi's syrup and Rum/Ram Cola Festival bar partnerships.
• Fentimans: UK-based premium craft soda brand using botanically-inspired, small-batch brewing methods. Comparable as a craft premium-positioned soft drink maker with similar heritage storytelling and bar/restaurant on-premise as well as retail distribution strategy that Iyoshi is pursuing.

Broad incumbents

• Asahi Soft Drinks: Major Japanese non-alcoholic beverage subsidiary of Asahi Group, including flagship cola brands (Mitsuya Cider, Wilkinson, etc.). Comparable because it competes in the same Japanese retail and convenience store channels with extensive distribution infrastructure and brand marketing.
• ITO EN: Japan's largest tea and beverage company, with a broad portfolio of premium and health-positioned drinks. Comparable because Iyoshi Cola operates in the same Japanese craft/premium beverage category with strong retail and convenience store presence (Lawson, FamilyMart) and competes for premium shelf space in Seijo Ishii and Isetan.
• Suntory Beverage & Food: One of Japan's largest beverage manufacturers (operator of global brands such as Orangina, Schweppes). Comparable through its combined Japanese craft/premium drink portfolio and c-store distribution scale that Iyoshi Cola competes against.
• Sangaria (Sangaria Tea Co.): Established Japanese non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer with strong national convenience store distribution. Comparable because Sangaria competes for the same shelf space at Lawson and FamilyMart where Iyoshi Cola's canned line is placed, and operates in the broader Japanese soft drink category.
• Coca-Cola Japan: Japanese arm of The Coca-Cola Company, operating the dominant cola brand portfolio in Japan. Comparable because Iyoshi's canned and bottled cola products compete directly on the same retail shelves and against the same consumer occasion; Coca-Cola is the price/value benchmark Iyoshi's premium pricing is measured against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iyoshicola
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzSQaHGczFKaGVA3M9IGk0g
• Facebookfacebook.com/iyoshicola1
• Instagraminstagram.com/iyoshicola
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grand-gift-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iyoshi Cola