I saw the story this time,ecbo cloak (Ekobokuroku). It is a service that allows you to leave luggage at the same rate as a coin locker in a vacant space of a cafe or shop. It was picked up in various media immediately after launch, and still continues to be featured in the mass media.
reference)Coin locker revolution after 50 years, ecbo cloak starting Shibuya cafe as luggage keeping place

I asked why I started this project, where I can deposit it, possibility of sharing economy, etc. (Interview conducted in August 2017)

Shinichi Kudo, Representative Director of ecbo Co., Ltd.

Born in Macau in 1990. He graduated from Nihon University School of Economics.
In 2014, experienced interns at Uber Japan Co., Ltd.
In June 2015, founded ecbo Co., Ltd. and became President and Representative Director. Demand storage service "ecbo" operated beta version.
In January 2017, launched the world's first sharing service "ecbo cloak".

We keep luggage in the space of cafe and shrine

I would like to deposit a suitcase at my destination but I can not find a coin locker, there is time to check-in the hotel, and carry a suitcase and sightseeing ... Are there many people who have such experiences? What we will introduce this time is a sharing economy service that solves such problems ecbo cloak (Ekobokuroku).

ecbo cloak is a service that lets you easily deposit large items such as skis, musical instruments, strollers, as well as suitcases. The place to deposit is a place where "little" space such as cafe and karaoke is left. In January 2017 the service was released, and as of August 2017, 1100 places such as co-working space, guest house, karaoke, cartoon cafe, shrine etc. are registered in ecbo cloak.

There are places such as location, but, for example, a restaurant is popular. Because it is possible to eat as it is for restaurants. Kimono rental shop is also popular, as she can rent kimono though she just went to check her baggage.

In the first place there is not enough locker to leave the suitcase

In the first place, why did Kudo began this business?

At Shibuya station I was asked if there was a locker to leave my suitcase for foreigners visiting Japan but I was looking for them together, but I could not find it even after 40 minutes. At that time, I thought that there was actually no locker.

In the first place there are only about 1,400 lockers in Shibuya station, and there are not 100 large-sized suitcases to be deposited. This is obviously a challenge even though visitors to Japan are increasing.

Although I talk about it, ecbo has entered the event called sprout which I am hosting in June, 2017. The guest at that time was Shibuya deputy ward, and Shibuya Ward also recognized that there was not enough space to deposit luggage such as coin locker. In other words, from the point of view of administrative services there is demand for services like ecbo.

Mr. Kudo presenting at sprout.

Initially Mr. Kudo tried to do the coin locker business. However, it requires places and initial investment, and there is no IT and scale feeling is thin. That's why I thought of it as ecbo cloak.

Because of the nature of the service, ecbo cloak needs cooperation with companies and stores that have space. That's why I'm putting my emphasis on collaboration with stores, stations, department stores, etc. For example, if you know that you can deposit your luggage at all of the chain stores, it is easier to acquire user recognition. In addition, it is said that negotiations with a certain railway are also in progress. If you get off at the station and you can leave your luggage as it is, you can go straight to sightseeing and move easily.

To services that can be used in 500 global cities

Users of ecbo cloak say that 90% of foreign users, especially Taiwan who is popular in Japan, Hong Kong · Singapore users are many. Mr. Kudo seems to be fluent in Chinese because of being born in Macau, but how is he doing marketing?

Although I tried variously, in Southeast Asia SNS, especially Facebook was effective. It seems that Facebook is used like Twitter in Japan. Beneficial content was shared shortly, ecbo cloak spread in word of mouth. Movie is also easy to play, it was played 1 million in about a month.

ecbo cloak is currently available in 4 cities in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka. In the future it is growing to become a global service and I want to make it available in the global 500 cities in 2025.

Not only quantitative but also qualitative growth is planned.

We have three innovative services that developed ecbo cloak. I would like to make use of Sharing Economy exactly and create a global supported service such as AirBnb, UBER from Japan.

The most recent goal is to make ecbo cloak available at 10,000 stores nationwide in March 2018. When you become a locker refugee, please remember ecbo cloak and try using it.