Rice Cooking Pioneer "AIHO," Supporting 5 Million Meals Daily, to Exhibit at FOOMA JAPAN 2026, Demonstrating Latest Rice Cooking Technology and Labor Savings with Automated Guided Robots
AIHO Co., Ltd., a pioneer in rice cooking supporting 5 million meals daily, will exhibit at FOOMA JAPAN 2026, showcasing its latest rice cooking technology and demonstrating labor-saving solutions with automated guided robots (AGV).
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 19:00
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AIHO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Shinji Miyazaki) will exhibit at FOOMA JAPAN 2026, one of the world's largest comprehensive food manufacturing exhibitions, held at Tokyo Big Sight from Tuesday, June 2nd to Friday, June 5th, 2026.
*Expected booth completion image for this year*
Since the introduction of rice meals in school lunches in 1976, AIHO has supported Japan's "food" for about half a century. With over 3,700 cumulative installations domestically and internationally, proudly supporting approximately 5 million meals per day, this pioneer in rice cooking will unveil its latest rice cooking technology and automation solutions at this exhibition.
At the venue, in addition to exhibiting the actual "Rice Friend Eco" commercial continuous rice cooker, which reduces gas consumption by approximately 52% (compared to our company), they will demonstrate its collaboration with automated guided robots (AGV) to support labor and energy savings. For 50 years, "AIHO, the rice cooker specialist" has cultivated rice cooking technology, and through proposals that achieve labor and energy savings, they will suggest the future of rice cooking sites.
[About the Exhibition] https://www.aiho.co.jp/news/2026-03-19/
AIHO, the rice cooking specialist, will exhibit at "FOOMA JAPAN 2026" again this year!
AIHO has supported Japanese food since the introduction of rice meals in school lunches in 1976, manufacturing continuous rice cookers from the beginning. The "Rice Friend®" continuous rice cooker boasts over 3,700 cumulative installations domestically and internationally, providing approximately 5 million meals of rice per day.
At this exhibition, with the booth theme "Suihantou®" (The Way of Rice Cooking), AIHO will reveal its rice cooking technology refined over half a century and its latest solutions for labor saving and energy efficiency. We invite you to experience AIHO's technological prowess, which achieves high-quality, delicious rice even when cold, despite mass cooking.
[Highlights of the Exhibition]
Continuous Rice Cooker "Rice Friend Eco"
(1) Exhibition of the actual "Rice Friend Eco" continuous rice cooker & introduction of the rice cooking system
We will exhibit the actual "Rice Friend Eco," AIHO's flagship product, and introduce the rice cooking system centered around Rice Friend.
(2) Demonstration of labor and energy savings in the post-cooking process using automated guided robots (AGV)
We will demonstrate the automation of the transportation process, which is a significant burden on site. By linking the continuous rice cooker with AGVs, we propose reducing the workload in the post-cooking process.
(3) Introduction of business plans utilizing the "Sharipro" 3D rice cooker
We will introduce business plans utilizing the "Sharipro" 3D rice cooker, which allows authentic rice cooking in a compact space. At the venue, we will also offer tasting samples of rolled sushi made with rice actually cooked by "Sharipro."
(4) Direct consulting by professional rice cooking staff active nationwide
AIHO's professional staff, well-versed in sites across the country, will be stationed at the booth to provide expert consultation on現場のお困りごと problems on-site.
■Scenes from last year's "FOOMA JAPAN 2025" exhibition
We showcased the rice cooking system centered around the "Rice Friend®" continuous rice cooker, our commitment to rice cooking, and our past installation achievements.
[Exhibition Overview]
Name: FOOMA JAPAN 2026
Dates: Tuesday, June 2nd - Friday, June 5th, 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Exhibition Halls 1-3, 7-8 / West Exhibition Halls 1-4
3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0063
Access: Approximately 7 minutes walk from "Kokusai-Tenjijo Station" on the Rinkai Line.
Approximately 3 minutes walk from "Tokyo Big Sight Station" on the Yurikamome Line.
*You can also visit by BRT and bus: https://www.bigsight.jp/visitor/access/
*Free shuttle bus operates daily: Kokusai-Tenjijo Station (Rinkai Line) ↔ East Halls 7-8 front, 9:30 - 17:00
Organizer: Japan Food Machinery Manufacturers' Association
AIHO Exhibition Booth: East Hall 8, No. E8-01-16
*Pre-registration is required to visit this exhibition.
For applications and details, please refer to the official website of "FOOMA JAPAN 2026": https://www.foomajapan.jp/
Features of the Continuous Rice Cooker "Rice Friend Eco"
[Ultimate Deliciousness, Kamado-style Cooking]
The combustion chamber structure reproduces traditional "kamado-style" cooking. Independent burners for each pot adjust to the optimal heat for ideal rice cooking patterns, producing delicious, high-quality rice even when cold.
[Individual Heat Control for Each Pot with Tact Operation]
The highly efficient combustion device "Dot Burner®" with single-pot control allows for subtle heat adjustments for each pot.
Different menus such as white rice, sushi rice, and mixed rice can be cooked simultaneously on a single line.
[Automatic Management of Steaming Temperature]
Sensors detect and control...
*Expected booth completion image for this year*
Since the introduction of rice meals in school lunches in 1976, AIHO has supported Japan's "food" for about half a century. With over 3,700 cumulative installations domestically and internationally, proudly supporting approximately 5 million meals per day, this pioneer in rice cooking will unveil its latest rice cooking technology and automation solutions at this exhibition.
At the venue, in addition to exhibiting the actual "Rice Friend Eco" commercial continuous rice cooker, which reduces gas consumption by approximately 52% (compared to our company), they will demonstrate its collaboration with automated guided robots (AGV) to support labor and energy savings. For 50 years, "AIHO, the rice cooker specialist" has cultivated rice cooking technology, and through proposals that achieve labor and energy savings, they will suggest the future of rice cooking sites.
[About the Exhibition] https://www.aiho.co.jp/news/2026-03-19/
AIHO, the rice cooking specialist, will exhibit at "FOOMA JAPAN 2026" again this year!
AIHO has supported Japanese food since the introduction of rice meals in school lunches in 1976, manufacturing continuous rice cookers from the beginning. The "Rice Friend®" continuous rice cooker boasts over 3,700 cumulative installations domestically and internationally, providing approximately 5 million meals of rice per day.
At this exhibition, with the booth theme "Suihantou®" (The Way of Rice Cooking), AIHO will reveal its rice cooking technology refined over half a century and its latest solutions for labor saving and energy efficiency. We invite you to experience AIHO's technological prowess, which achieves high-quality, delicious rice even when cold, despite mass cooking.
[Highlights of the Exhibition]
Continuous Rice Cooker "Rice Friend Eco"
(1) Exhibition of the actual "Rice Friend Eco" continuous rice cooker & introduction of the rice cooking system
We will exhibit the actual "Rice Friend Eco," AIHO's flagship product, and introduce the rice cooking system centered around Rice Friend.
(2) Demonstration of labor and energy savings in the post-cooking process using automated guided robots (AGV)
We will demonstrate the automation of the transportation process, which is a significant burden on site. By linking the continuous rice cooker with AGVs, we propose reducing the workload in the post-cooking process.
(3) Introduction of business plans utilizing the "Sharipro" 3D rice cooker
We will introduce business plans utilizing the "Sharipro" 3D rice cooker, which allows authentic rice cooking in a compact space. At the venue, we will also offer tasting samples of rolled sushi made with rice actually cooked by "Sharipro."
(4) Direct consulting by professional rice cooking staff active nationwide
AIHO's professional staff, well-versed in sites across the country, will be stationed at the booth to provide expert consultation on現場のお困りごと problems on-site.
■Scenes from last year's "FOOMA JAPAN 2025" exhibition
We showcased the rice cooking system centered around the "Rice Friend®" continuous rice cooker, our commitment to rice cooking, and our past installation achievements.
[Exhibition Overview]
Name: FOOMA JAPAN 2026
Dates: Tuesday, June 2nd - Friday, June 5th, 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Exhibition Halls 1-3, 7-8 / West Exhibition Halls 1-4
3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0063
Access: Approximately 7 minutes walk from "Kokusai-Tenjijo Station" on the Rinkai Line.
Approximately 3 minutes walk from "Tokyo Big Sight Station" on the Yurikamome Line.
*You can also visit by BRT and bus: https://www.bigsight.jp/visitor/access/
*Free shuttle bus operates daily: Kokusai-Tenjijo Station (Rinkai Line) ↔ East Halls 7-8 front, 9:30 - 17:00
Organizer: Japan Food Machinery Manufacturers' Association
AIHO Exhibition Booth: East Hall 8, No. E8-01-16
*Pre-registration is required to visit this exhibition.
For applications and details, please refer to the official website of "FOOMA JAPAN 2026": https://www.foomajapan.jp/
Features of the Continuous Rice Cooker "Rice Friend Eco"
[Ultimate Deliciousness, Kamado-style Cooking]
The combustion chamber structure reproduces traditional "kamado-style" cooking. Independent burners for each pot adjust to the optimal heat for ideal rice cooking patterns, producing delicious, high-quality rice even when cold.
[Individual Heat Control for Each Pot with Tact Operation]
The highly efficient combustion device "Dot Burner®" with single-pot control allows for subtle heat adjustments for each pot.
Different menus such as white rice, sushi rice, and mixed rice can be cooked simultaneously on a single line.
[Automatic Management of Steaming Temperature]
Sensors detect and control...