The Sugakiya ramen chain will re-enter the Kanto region this year by opening two new stores in Kanagawa Prefecture [1], [2].

This expansion marks a significant strategic shift for the company as it attempts to capture growth in one of Japan's most competitive dining markets. The move signals a transition toward an aggressive growth phase under a new management structure.

Sugaki Systems, the operator of the chain, said the plan on June 15, 2026 [3]. The company is returning to the Kanto market after an absence of approximately 20 years [1]. According to the company, the initial two stores in Kanagawa are scheduled to open during the autumn and winter of 2026 [1].

President Sugaki Juichi is leading the initiative to accelerate business expansion [3]. Under the new management plan, the company has set a target to establish a total of 50 stores throughout the Kanto region [3]. This wide-scale rollout is intended to leverage new management strategies to secure a foothold in the area [3].

Sugakiya has historically maintained a strong presence in other parts of Japan, but the Kanto region—which includes Tokyo and surrounding prefectures—represents a primary opportunity for scaling. The decision to start in Kanagawa provides a gateway into the broader regional market before expanding toward the 50-store goal [1], [2].

“The chain will re-enter the Kanto region after roughly 20 years.”

The return of Sugakiya to Kanto suggests a high level of confidence in the brand's current value proposition and the scalability of its business model. By targeting 50 stores, the company is not merely testing the waters but is attempting a full-scale market penetration. Success will depend on how the chain adapts its regional appeal to compete with the dense concentration of established ramen providers in the Kanto area.