October 14, 2026, 9:20 a.m. (JST)
[Japan] TOUCH TO GO (TTG), Hibiya Kadan, and JR East Trading (all based in Tokyo, Japan) are operating a cashless pop-up store in an event space within JR Shinagawa Station from October 13 to October 18, 2026.
Maximizing
Sales in the Smallest Space Offering a “Pick Up and Choose” Shopping Experience
The unmanned checkout pop-up store is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (until noon on the first day only) in the event space next to the stairs leading to the temporary platform inside JR Shinagawa Station.
This initiative is a pilot project aimed at determining whether a “pick-and-choose” shopping experience can help alleviate labor shortages and reduce the operational burden on stores. While TTG’s self-checkout system has been adopted by 280 stores, the company is exploring new possibilities for unmanned retail by selling fresh flowers—which are typically considered difficult to handle in unmanned stores—and railway merchandise that customers prefer to pick up and examine in person.
Tomonori Akutsu, President and CEO of TTG, stated, “The goal here is to generate maximum sales in the smallest possible space.” By utilizing underutilized space within train stations and allowing customers to pick up and purchase gifts such as flowers, the company is testing the potential of its unmanned checkout system to create new commercial spaces.Since this is an unmanned store, it cannot provide the kind of personalized, face-to-face customer service typically offered in brick-and-mortar stores. The project will test how effectively the store can engage customers by utilizing point-of-purchase (POP) displays, digital signage, and the AI sales promotion device “TTG-HELLO.”
Hibiya Kadan Explores
New Possibilities for Fresh Flower Sales JR East Commerce to Analyze Sales Trends at Unmanned Stores
Hibiya Kadan previously installed vending machines at Shinjuku Station during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of its unmanned sales efforts. This time, the company has opened an unmanned store to explore the potential of future retail formats. As the peak season for flower demand approaches this winter, the company plans to use the results of this experiment to explore new store formats.
Satoshi Tsuchiya of Hibiya Kadan’s Retail Division II stated, “While we are currently stocking the same products as in our staffed stores, we plan to analyze the results, including the development of products specifically for unstaffed stores.” The company also hopes that this new store format will attract more customers from the younger generation.
JR East Commerce has operated “TRAINIART,” a specialty store for railway merchandise, at locations such as Tokyo Station, where sales were conducted in person.Masahiro Ichicho, Deputy Section Chief of the Wholesale and Product Development Team and Train Simulator Team within the Railway Content Unit of the Consumer Products Division at JR East Commerce, said, “The purpose of the unmanned store is to analyze trends regarding which products customers pick up and purchase.”The unmanned store sells railway merchandise such as Suica Penguin keychains, plush toys, and A4 clear files featuring route map art.
“TTG-SENSE” uses ceiling-mounted cameras and shelf sensors to recognize items picked up by customers in real time. This eliminates the need to scan barcodes at the register. It also delivers a shopping experience comparable to that of a staffed store within a compact space of approximately 40 square meters. Another strength is its quick installation—as demonstrated by the setup being completed the day before the store opened.
What are the future possibilities?
TTG has its sights set on overseas expansion
With this unmanned checkout system, AI cameras and weight sensors can track customers’ movement patterns, dwell time, and even information on items they did not purchase. The collected data can also be used to optimize shelf layouts and inform purchasing decisions.
Since store conditions can be monitored via security cameras and other means, TTG’s call center handles customer support.
For now, only cashless payments are supported. While cash payments are still common at stores where TTG is currently deployed, the company expects high usage of cashless methods—including electronic money such as Suica—since this installation is located within Shinagawa Station.
Since data on sales volume is available, inventory can be replenished as needed. Hibiya Kadan will replenish stock from its shop at the Konan Exit of Shinagawa Station. Additionally, JR East Commerce will reportedly entrust TTG with inventory replenishment.
TTG was established in July 2019 as a spin-off startup originating from JR East Startup, and in March 2020, it opened the unmanned checkout store “TOUCH TO GO” at Takanawa Gateway Station.Since then, the company has expanded collaborations with various firms, including FamilyMart, ANA FESTA, and Tokyu Store, and has installed its “TTG-SENSE” series of unmanned checkout systems and “TTG-MONSTAR” multifunctional Self-Checkout kiosks in over 280 locations. The systems have also been adopted by businesses such as Mister Donut to reduce staffing requirements.The company reportedly plans to expand overseas in the future.
