#Japan #Shibuya #Gastronomy #byFood #TableCross

Tablecross Raises 1.34 Billion Yen in Series B Funding

Tablecross, the company behind the food experience reservation platform byFood, has successfully completed its Series B funding round, raising nearly 1.34 billion yen. This funding round focuses on enhancing its financial base and optimizing its capital structure to support long-term business growth.

In July 2026, Japan recorded an impressive 3.44 million foreign visitors, marking the highest number ever for that month. Additionally, spending by foreign travelers soared to around 4.8 trillion yen in the first half of 2026. Such significant growth in inbound tourism presents a valuable opportunity for Tablecross to further develop its offerings, particularly by collaborating with local governments and businesses.

Background and Objectives

The inbound tourism market in Japan has shown resilience, with tourist spending increasing despite changing market dynamics. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), July 2026 saw record visitor numbers, while the foreign visitor spending during the second quarter of that year hit an all-time high of 2.5 trillion yen, with spending per person averaging 244,000 yen.

Tablecross aims to connect foreign visitors with Japan's rich food culture by providing a streamlined platform for restaurant and food experience bookings. The byFood platform not only allows for reservations but also works together with local governments and businesses to promote Japan's culinary heritage to international tourists.

With the Series B funding, the company plans to expand in three key areas:

1. Developing and Selling Regional Food Experiences
Collaborating with local restaurants and tourism operators, Tablecross will focus on enhancing regional culinary experiences through partnerships with local governments, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), and transportation companies. They aim to promote local food culture and tourism resources, turning these experiences into marketable products for foreign tourists.

Example Initiative: Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture
A partnership has been established with Tokamachi City to leverage local food culture in creating and marketing experiences for foreign visitors, thereby fostering growth in local tourism.

2. Enhancing Product Development and Global Marketing
The company will implement multi-language support and AI-driven personalization features on its platform, making it easier for foreign travelers to discover and book authentic food experiences. Moreover, Tablecross is set to intensify its marketing efforts in international markets to showcase local food culture to a global audience, thus improving the ease with which restaurants and experience providers can welcome foreign visitors.

3. Recruiting Talent to Support Expansion
To ensure robust growth, Tablecross will strengthen its recruitment efforts in areas including business development, global marketing, and product innovation.
By building a capable team capable of collaborating across sectors, the company aims to deliver comprehensive support in developing food experiences that connect visitors to Japan's diverse food culture.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Tablecross intends to expand its collaborations with local governments and businesses beyond just referrals to restaurants. The organization plans to integrate several aspects of tourism, such as promoting regional culinary experiences, providing information to foreign travelers, and facilitating bookings.

This holistic approach will not only provide more opportunities for foreign visitors to experience Japan's culinary scenery but also drive consumption toward local restaurants and experience providers, ultimately invigorating the regional economy.

As Tablecross promotes culinary tourism, it aims to increase the number of visitors to various regions while contributing to the sustainable development of Japan’s culinary heritage.

Join the Team!

Tablecross is actively seeking new members to join their team across various roles, including business development and global marketing, in light of their expansion.

Check our LinkedIn for job openings!

For inquiries regarding collaboration with restaurants, experience providers, and local governments, please contact:

Development Inquiries

Email: [email protected]

Tablecross Overview

• - Company Name: Tablecross Inc.
• - CEO: Kaoru Jokoho
• - COO: Erkan Tosun
• - Location: Shibuya, Tokyo, 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Link Square Shinjuku WeWork 16
• - Established: November 2014
• - Business Purpose: Operation of byFood platform for foreign visitors and promoting gastronomic tourism
• - Website: byfood.com