What The Ryobi Group does

The Ryobi Group is a privately held Japanese diversified conglomerate headquartered in Okayama Prefecture, founded in 1910 as Nishiarai Railway. The group comprises approximately 50 companies and roughly 10,000 employees organized into four business segments — Transportation & Travel, ICT, Lifestyle Creation, and Urban Development — plus a culture and social contribution division. Its core transportation operations span the most comprehensive multi-modal regional network in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, comprising 580 buses, 600 taxis, 400 trucks, 28 trains, and 17 ferries, supplemented by contracted public transportation services with prefectural governments in Okayama, Wakayama, Kagawa, Hiroshima, and Kochi.

The group's technology platform centers on Conemobi (operated by subsidiary MIRAHOOP), a cross-operator high-speed bus booking and itinerary planning service enabling multi-company, multi-leg search, booking, payment, and ticketless boarding, which relaunched with a smartphone app in June 2026 and is expanding nationwide by end of FY2026. Maritime technology is anchored by Kokusai Ryobi Ferry's Ro-Pax ferry Olympia Dream Seto, which received Japan's first government certification for commercial autonomous vessel operations on a passenger ship in December 2025 (commercial service from end of March 2026) under a Nippon Foundation-led project begun in 2022. Other notable technical and product assets include the unique nationally-certified dual-role driver (二刀流) program enabling staff to operate both buses and tramways, the 115-year Tama cat station master cultural franchise at Wakayama Dentetsu, the SEFU yacht-style luxury cruise ship under construction in Portugal for 2027 launch, and the Morino-machi Grace mixed-use urban development project in central Okayama with a 332-unit E Tower scheduled for February 2029 completion.

Ryobi Group generates revenue across seven primary streams: transportation and travel fares (buses, trams, taxis, ferries, trucks), real estate development and condominium sales, cruise ship operations (SEFU), hospitality and tourism (Shima-haku on Shodoshima), ICT services (including Conemobi), organizational consulting via KANAMEX (spun out April 2026), and lifestyle support services spanning senior care, food, and community offerings. Group-level revenue surpassed 200 billion yen in annual sales for the first time during the COVID-19 period, with ordinary profit exceeding 10 billion yen for three consecutive fiscal years through FY2025, supported by ~10,000 employees across approximately 50 companies. Customer mix combines millions of regional commuters with B2G contracted services, a newly launched B2B consulting book (KANAMEX), and emerging affluent domestic travel segments targeted by the SEFU cruise and Shodoshima hospitality facility.

Name

The Ryobi Group

Legal name

Ryobi Group (両備グループ)

Website

https://ryobi.gr.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Ryobi Group is a privately held Japanese conglomerate of approximately 50 companies and 10,000 employees, headquartered in Okayama and founded in 1910, operating a diversified multi-modal transportation network (buses, railways, taxis, ferries, trucks), cross-operator mobility platforms (Conemobi), real estate and urban development, hospitality, ICT, and organizational consulting across the Chugoku-Shikoku region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multi-modal Transportation and Diversified Conglomerate Services

NAICS

Transportation and Warehousing (48-49), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Charter Bus Industry (485510), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Management of Companies and Enterprises (5511)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Mobility & Ground Transport Management (THALANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motorcoach (Intercity) Bus Leasing/Rental (TLABADAA), Corporate Travel & Accommodation Coordination (HSACADAL), Temporary Housing & Serviced Accommodation Coordination (HSAKACAG)

Keywords

• Public transportation services
• Multi-modal mobility operations
• Urban real estate development
• Ferry and cruise operations
• Regional lifestyle services

Headquarters

HQ city

Okayama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Transportation & Travel: Passenger fare revenue from buses (local and intercity/high-speed), railways (tramways), taxis, ferries (Seto Inland Sea), and trucks. Includes contracted public transportation services with local governments. Revenue from ticketing, luggage, and package delivery services.
2. Real Estate Development & Sales: Sale of residential tower apartments (e.g., Morino Machi Grace E Tower, 332 units), condominiums (Royal Garden City), student residences (Royal Germ Gakunan-cho), and mixed-use developments. Development managed through joint ventures with real estate developers.
3. Cruise Ship Operations: Ticket revenue from luxury cruise ship SEFU (approx. 120 passengers, 60 cabins, 2027 launch). Yachi-style small luxury cruise offering dining, spa, and marine activities. Ticketing via R Yacht brand website and travel agency partnerships.
4. Hospitality & Tourism: Hotel accommodation (Shima-Haku / Shima-Meshi / Shima-Yu, 31 rooms, opening 2026 in Shodoshima Island), restaurant services, hot spring (onsen) admissions, and island activities.
5. ICT Services: IT solutions and digital services provided through group ICT subsidiaries. Includes Conemobi platform (digital mobility booking). B2B and B2C digital services across Okayama and wider Japan.
6. Organizational Consulting (KANAMEX): Human resources development and organizational transformation consulting services offered by KANAMEX (established April 2026, spun out from Ryobi Group). Services include management training programs, organizational diagnosis, leadership development design, and DX/GX capability building.
7. Lifestyle Support Services: Senior care, food & restaurant, retail, and community services through 'くらしづくり' (Lifestyle Creation) segment companies. Includes nursing care facilities, restaurants, and lifestyle retail.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Ryobi Group is a diversified Japanese conglomerate operating approximately 50 companies across four core business segments: Transportation & Travel (580 buses, 600 taxis, 400 trucks, 28 trains, 17 ferries, plus the upcoming SEFU luxury cruise ship), ICT (including the Conemobi cross-operator bus booking platform), Lifestyle Creation (senior care, food/retail, community services), and Urban Development (mixed-use real estate developments such as Morino-machi Grace). It also operates cultural facilities (Yumeji Art Museum, Saidaiji Tetsudo Memorial Museum, Hanzao Museum) and provides organizational consulting through KANAMEX, serving both individual consumers and regional governments/businesses across the Chugoku-Shikoku region of Japan.

Product overview

The Ryobi Group is a diversified Japanese conglomerate with approximately 50 companies and 10,000 employees, organized into four business segments: Transportation & Travel (buses, railways, taxis, trucks, ferries, cruise ships), ICT, Lifestyle Creation (housing, healthcare, senior care), and Urban Development. The group\'s core products and services include the Conenomobi digital platform for multi-company high-speed bus transfer booking, SEFU luxury cruise ship (Japan\'s first yacht-style vessel, launching 2027), the Shima-haku/Shima-meshi/Shima-yu integrated hospitality facility on Shodoshima (opening 2026), the Morino-machi Grace urban development project in Okayama, KANAMEX organizational transformation consulting, traditional bus/rail/ferry transportation operations, the Wakayama Dentetsu railway famous for its cat station masters, cultural facilities including the Yumeji Local Art Museum and Hanzao Museum, and the recently launched autonomous ferry commercial service (Olympia Dream Seto). The group also operates real estate development, ICT services, senior care, and sustainability initiatives, with operations spanning Okayama Prefecture, the Chugoku-Shikoku region, and Southeast Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• R Yacht: Cruise ship operating company managing the SEFU yacht-style cruise vessel, Japan's first yacht-style passenger ship.
• KANAMEX
• Conemobi
• Mori no Machi Grace

Products and services

• Conemobi (コネモビ) Cross-Operator High-Speed Bus Booking Platform Digital platform operated by MIRAHOOP (a Ryobi Group company) that enables cross-operator search, booking, payment, and ticketless boarding for high-speed bus routes across multiple Japanese bus companies. Targets intercity travelers in the Chugoku-Shikoku region and nationwide.
• SEFU Yacht-Style Luxury Cruise Ship Japan's first yacht-style small luxury cruise ship (~120 m, 60 cabins, ~120 passengers) operated by R Yacht Co., Ltd., featuring marina area, infinity pool, spa, multiple restaurants, and interiors designed by Gwenael Nicolas. Planned for Seto Inland Sea, southwestern islands, and Japanese coastal itineraries.
• Shima-haku / Shima-meshi / Shima-yu Island Hospitality Complex Integrated hotel (31 rooms across 9 types, 21-63 sqm), Setouchi-seasonal-ingredient restaurant, and salt-spring onsen facility on Shodoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture. Targets domestic leisure travelers to the Setouchi region.
• Morino-machi Grace E-Tower Tower Mansion (Phase II) Phase II of the Morino-machi Grace urban development project in central Okayama. Reinforced concrete tower (28 floors + 2 roof levels, ~108 m, 332 units, 56-283 sqm). Includes garden terrace, library lounge, fitness room, golf range, sky lounge, seismic isolation, EV charging, and face recognition access. Targets urban residents and investors.
• KANAMEX Organizational Transformation & Human Capital Consulting B2B consulting firm offering organizational diagnosis, leadership development program design, and the CDD (Capability Deployment Design) AI/DX adoption methodology. Targets medium and large enterprises in the Chugoku-Shikoku region and beyond seeking organizational transformation, AI/DX capability building, and management training.
• Multi-Modal Bus, Tram, Taxi, Truck, and Ferry Transportation Services Core transportation operations spanning 580 city and intercity buses, 28 trains/tramways (Okayama Electric Orbit), 600 taxis, 400 trucks, and 17 ferries across Okayama Prefecture and the wider Chugoku-Shikoku region. Includes the unique dual-role driver system enabling staff to operate both buses and trams. Supports 1,700 driving personnel.
• Wakayama Electric Railway (和歌山電鐵) Kishigawa Line Subsidiary railway operating the Kishigawa Line since 2006 under a public-private partnership model. Famous for its cat station masters (Tama, Nitama, Yontama, Gotama, Rokutama) and themed trains (Tama Train, etc.). Serves domestic tourists and local commuters in Wakayama Prefecture.
• Saidaiji Tetsudo Memorial Museum (西大寺鉄道記念館) Museum in the restored 1911 headquarters building of the original Nishiarai Railway (predecessor of Ryobi Group), exhibiting approximately 90 historical items including station signs, photographs, tickets, and a restored president's office. Located within Saidaiji Bus Center in Okayama. Commemorates the group's founding heritage.
• Kokusai Ryobi Ferry Autonomous Ro-Pax Service (Olympia Dream Seto) Ro-Pax ferry service operated by Kokusai Ryobi Ferry, with Japan's first government-certified commercial autonomous vessel operations for a passenger ship. Addresses sailor shortages on routes to remote Japanese islands.
• Yumeji Local Art Museum (夢二郷土美術館) Museum dedicated to artist Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934), operated by the Ryobi Cultural Promotion Foundation. Houses over 3,000 works including oil paintings, woodblock prints, and documents. Located in Okayama. Serves art enthusiasts, students, and cultural tourists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recruited 387 drivers across Seasons 1 and 2 of the '宇宙一本気' driver recruitment project, targeting 250 in Season 3 alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 中鉄バス株式会社 (Chutetsu Bus Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 July 2026Joint operating partner on the high-speed bus Okayama–Kobe/Sannomiya route. Three-company joint operation with Ryobi Bus and Shinki Bus. Also participates in the Okayama–Kochi (Ryoma Express) route. Provides routes, fleet, and operational staff for shared intercity bus network.
• 神姫バス株式会社 (Shinki Bus Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 July 2026Joint operating partner on the high-speed bus Okayama–Kobe/Sannomiya route. Three-company joint operation with Ryobi Bus and Chutetsu Bus. Provides routes, fleet, and operational staff for shared intercity bus network covering the Okayama–Kobe corridor.
• 広交観光株式会社 (Kokou Kankou Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Joint operating partner on the high-speed bus Okayama–Hiroshima route. Two-company joint operation with Ryobi Bus. Operating since at least 2026, the route was extended to Hiroshima Station Shinkansen-guchi (bullet train entrance) from July 2026. Provides fleet and operational staff for the shared route.
• 下津井電鉄株式会社 (Shimotsui Dentetsu Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Joint operating partner on the high-speed bus Okayama–Kochi route (Ryoma Express). Four-company joint operation with Ryobi Bus, JR Shikoku Bus, and Tosaden Transport. Contributes fleet and driving staff for the intercity route connecting Okayama and Kochi prefectures.
• ジェイアール四国バス株式会社 (JR Shikoku Bus Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Joint operating partner on the high-speed bus Okayama–Kochi route (Ryoma Express). Four-company joint operation with Ryobi Bus, Shimotsui Dentetsu, and Tosaden Transport. Contributes JR Group brand recognition, fleet, and operational staff for regional intercity connectivity.
• とさでん交通株式会社 (Tosaden Kotsu Co., Ltd.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Joint operating partner on the high-speed bus Okayama–Kochi route (Ryoma Express). Four-company joint operation. Also operates the Kochi-area city trams and local bus network. Provides local route connections and driving staff for the shared intercity route.
• 京阪電鉄不動産 (Keihan Electric Realty) / 株式会社フジタ (Fujita Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Joint venture partners (JV) with Ryobi Holdings for the Morino Machi Grace E Tower development project. The three-party JV (Ryobi Holdings, Keihan Electric Realty, and Fujita) represents a cross-industry collaboration combining transportation group expertise, real estate development, and construction capabilities for large-scale urban redevelopment.
• 全国的高速バス事業者 (National Bus Operators via Conemobi Platform)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Conemobi platform (operated by Ryobi Group subsidiary MIRAHOOP) connects multiple high-speed bus companies enabling cross-operator itinerary planning and booking. Currently launching in the Chugoku-Shikoku area with nationwide expansion planned by end of FY2026. This platform partnership model positions Ryobi Group as a mobility platform provider, potentially connecting dozens of bus operators nationwide.
• 脇元華 (Hana Wakimoto, Professional Golfer)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Ryobi Holdings signed an official sponsor contract with JLPGA professional golfer Hana Wakimoto (born October 4, 1997, from Miyazaki). Wakimoto achieved her first JLPGA Tour victory at the November 2025 Ito-En Ladies Golf Tournament. The partnership leverages her athletic profile to promote the Ryobi Group brand ('Imagination Beyond') through sports sponsorship, targeting regional community engagement and enterprise brand elevation.
• 株式会社キュリオシティ / グエナエル・ニコラ (Curiosity / Gwenael Nicolas)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026World-renowned French designer Guillaume Nicolas (Curiosity representative) serves as the lead interior and exterior designer for the SEFU cruise ship. His design philosophy of 'ISLAND' — drawing from Setouchi islands — shapes all aspects of the vessel's design, from the circular motifs throughout facilities to the infinity pool, beach club, and cabin interiors. His international reputation (Rolex stores, Four Seasons hotels) adds brand prestige to the SEFU cruise offering.
• スキーマ建築計画 (Schema Architectural Planning)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Renowned architect Jo Nagasaka of Schema Architectural Planning serves as the lead architect for the Shima-Haku / Shima-Meshi / Shima-Yu island hospitality facility on Shodoshima. His minimalist, material-driven design philosophy shapes the facility's unique blend of industrial and natural materials, creating an architecture that respects the island's heritage while introducing contemporary spatial quality.
• 株式会社GEN設計 (GEN Sekkei)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Architecture and engineering design firm GEN Sekkei serves as design supervisor for the Morino Machi Grace E Tower (tower apartment development) and Royal Germ Gakunan-cho student residence. Provides architectural design and construction supervision for these major urban development projects.
• ライフデザイン・カバヤ株式会社 (Life Design Kabaya Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Construction contractor for major urban development projects: Morino Machi Grace E Tower (construction period: May 2026–February 2029) and Royal Germ Gakunan-cho student residence (construction period: February 2025–January 2026). Executing construction work for both the 28-story tower (108m height) and the 7-story student residence.
• 株式会社ジェイ・エス・ビー (JSB Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Student housing operator managing the Royal Germ Gakunan-cho student residence (124 units, 1K type, 18.5–18.8㎡). JSB operates the property as a student专用 rental apartment building under a property management arrangement. Located near JR Kaiganki Line 'Hokaiin' station (7-min walk) and Okayama University (14-min walk).
• 大塚製薬株式会社 (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 December 2025Marketing collaboration with Otsuka Pharmaceutical's China branch (branch manager: Kano Daisuke) on the 'いっしょにガンバっす' (Exam Encouragement Bus) campaign. Otsuka provides balance nutrition food products (Calorie Mate Block, 4-stick packs) as gifts for exam students. The collaboration enables Otsuka to distribute products to ~7,000 students at 38 schools along bus routes, while Ryobi Group adds brand value through the campaign.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Keio Corporation: Tokyo-area railway, bus, and real estate operator with significant integrated TOD projects. Comparable in combining rail/bus operations with property development and lifestyle services, though serving the higher-density Tokyo market.
• Hankyu Hanshin Holdings: Kansai region multi-modal conglomerate operating railways, buses, taxis, and real estate with strong TOD expertise along the Kobe-Osaka-Kyoto corridor. Comparable to Ryobi in integrating rail, bus, and urban development, but serving a more populous and economically dense region.
• Odakyu Group: Tokyo-area railway operator with integrated bus services, real estate development (Odakyu Southern Tower), and hospitality (Hakone resorts). Comparable diversified model combining rail, bus, real estate, and tourism similar to Ryobi's transportation + urban development + cruise combination.
• Tokyu Corporation: Major Tokyo-based multi-modal transportation and real estate conglomerate operating railways, buses, and large-scale TOD developments (Shibuya, Futako-tamagawa). Directly comparable to Ryobi Group in business model combining transit operations with urban development, though at much larger scale in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
• Kintetsu Group Holdings: Osaka-based multi-modal operator with railways, buses, hotels, and travel services across the Kansai region and into Nagoya. Comparable in integrating rail transit with hospitality and lifestyle services, similar to Ryobi's transportation + cruise + hospitality combination.
• Nankai Electric Railway: Osaka-area railway operator with ferry operations to Shikoku and integrated real estate development. Comparable in operating ferry services alongside rail and bus in western Japan, similar to Ryobi's Seto Inland Sea ferry and Okayama operations.
• Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad): Nagoya-based multi-modal operator running railways, buses, taxis, and real estate development across the Chubu region. Comparable diversified transportation conglomerate with regional rail/bus/taxi integration and TOD real estate, similar to Ryobi's Chugoku-Shikoku-centric multi-modal model.
• JR West (West Japan Railway Company): Largest passenger railway operator in western Japan, serving the same Chugoku-Shikoku region as Ryobi with parallel rail, bus, and ferry services. Comparable as a regional multi-modal transportation operator, though at substantially larger scale and with broader intercity Shinkansen operations.

Direct peers

• WILLER Express: Japan's largest high-speed bus operator with nationwide intercity bus routes and digital booking platform. Comparable as a major intercity bus operator with technology-enabled booking, similar to Ryobi's high-speed bus network and Conemobi platform.
• JR Bus Kanto / JR Bus Group: JR Group highway bus operators running high-speed bus routes across Japan, including Chugoku-Shikoku connections. Comparable as a high-speed bus operator participating in joint intercity routes similar to Ryobi's partnerships with Chutetsu, Shinki, and JR Shikoku Bus on Okayama-Kobe/Kochi/Hiroshima corridors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/shimahaku_shimameshi_shimayu
• Xx.com/GroupRyobi
• Facebookfacebook.com/GroupRyobi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries13 records

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 The Ryobi Group