From a 111-Year-Old Natto Legacy: B-GENKI Launches Room-Temperature 'New Style Natto' on Makuake, Inspired by Kumamoto Earthquake Experience

A new way to enjoy natto at room temperature, proposed by B-GENKI, born from Marukin Foods, a 111-year-old natto manufacturer in Kumamoto.

B-GENKI Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Kumamoto Prefecture) has launched a project on the crowdfunding platform Makuake for two new room-temperature natto products:
"CRISPY NATTO"
"NATTO SEASONING"

This project marks a bold initiative by B-GENKI, a brand born from Marukin Foods, a long-established Kumamoto manufacturer with 111 years of history. Responding to consumer feedback that "natto is healthy but hard to eat every day," B-GENKI aims to preserve natto’s nutritional value while offering two new, more convenient and sustainable ways to enjoy it.

Project page here ↓

View details

I like natto, but I can't eat it every day

"I like natto, but it's hard to keep up…"

While natto is widely recognized as a health-promoting food, many people express challenges such as:
- Refrigeration required, making it hard to eat outside the home
- Strong odor makes it awkward to eat at work or on the go
- The slimy texture can be inconvenient on busy days
- Lack of healthy snacks or light meals
- Desire to add flavor and nutrition to everyday dishes

B-GENKI focused on these pain points of "natto’s difficulty to sustain."
Rather than compromising natto’s value, the brand set out to transform it into a more sustainable form.

The inspiration: The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

The Kumamoto earthquake experience became the foundation of B-GENKI’s product development—reimagining traditional craftsmanship for modern lifestyles

B-GENKI is a brand born from Marukin Foods, a century-old manufacturer based in Kumamoto.
The origin of its product philosophy traces back to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

During the disaster, the company distributed natto free of charge from its warehouse to affected residents.

At that time, we faced a harsh reality:
- Refrigerated foods are difficult to deliver when needed
- Foods requiring preparation are hard to consume immediately

From this experience emerged a vision:
"Food that’s healthy, doesn’t require refrigeration, needs no cooking tools, and can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, by anyone."

This project builds on that foundational experience, evolving Japan’s traditional natto into a form suitable for today’s lifestyles.

Product Overview

1. CRISPY NATTO
A new natto snack made by freeze-drying natto into a light, crispy texture. With minimal sliminess, it’s perfect as a mid-work snack, evening appetizer, or portable food.
Features a resealable zip pouch for easy storage and portability.

Crispy, addictive, and snackable—natto reinvented as a treat. Ideal for snacking, drinking, or on-the-go nutrition.

Flavors
Sea salt / Truffle

Specifications
40g per pack / shelf-stable

Shelf life
6 months from production (unopened)

2. NATTO SEASONING
A powdered seasoning made by flavoring freeze-dried natto, concentrating umami and nutrition. A simple sprinkle over salads, potatoes, steak, grilled rice balls, or tofu transforms everyday dishes with natto’s unique flavor.
Plant-based and packaged in a glass jar, it blends naturally into any dining table.

One sprinkle, and your meal is enriched with natto’s goodness. A versatile seasoning for salads, potatoes, rice balls, and more.

Flavors
Black pepper / Wasabi

Specifications
45g per bottle / shelf-stable

Shelf life
1 year from production (unopened)

Preserving natto’s value through freeze-drying

Both products use freeze-drying technology.
Unlike high-heat drying, freeze-drying minimizes thermal degradation, preserving not only flavor and aroma but also nutrients like nattokinase and vitamins.

What B-GENKI aims for is not convenience at the cost of compromise, but making natto easier to enjoy daily—without losing its core value.

Turning 'waste' into value: The birth of NATTO SEASONING

NATTO SEASONING was born from an upcycling mindset

NATTO SEASONING originated from the idea of repurposing fine powder generated during the freeze-drying process of natto.
Rather than discarding a flavorful, nutritious ingredient, B-GENKI transformed it into a new delicious product.
This reflects not only the technical expertise of a legacy manufacturer but also a deep commitment to maximizing ingredient value.

Heritage craftsmanship for the next generation of natto culture

The natto used is produced by Marukin Foods, a multiple award-winner at Japan’s National Natto Evaluation Contest.
Product development is led by in-house lab staff, while packaging and assembly are supported by local community members.

B-GENKI team members involved in product design and manufacturing

Local community members participate in packaging and assembly

B-GENKI doesn’t just aim to preserve natto.
We aim to deliver its value to more people, in more natural, everyday ways.
Through these products, we hope to inspire a new realization: "Natto can be enjoyed like this too."

Makuake Project Overview

Project Name
A 111-year-old natto legacy reinvents natto: snackable, sprinkleable innovation

https://www.makuake.com/project/bgenki-crispy-seasoning/

Duration
June 17, 2026 (Wed) 11:05 AM – July 17, 2026 (Fri) 10:00 PM

Platform
Crowdfunding service "Makuake"

About the Brand

B-GENKI is a brand born from Marukin Foods, a Kumamoto-based food manufacturer.
Based on Japan’s traditional cuisine, the brand develops products that deliver "deliciousness," "surprise," and "health," with the slogan "You are what you eat." Its mission is to evolve natto into a sustainable health habit for the next generation.