Surplus food marketplace Too Good To Go launches in Japan; expands global food waste fight

Too Good To Go, marketplace for surplus food, has officially launched in Japan, marking its 21st country and first entry into Asia, according to a statement released Wednesday.

The platform debuted in select Tokyo neighborhoods, including Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Meguro, with over 80 local and international partners on board, such as Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, FamilyMart, NewDays, and the popular bakery Dream On.

Global expansion

The launch introduces a Japan-specific “Station Search Function,” enabling users to find surplus food near train stations, reflecting the country’s transit-oriented lifestyle. Users can reserve and pay for “Surprise Bags” of surplus food through the app, which are then collected during a designated pick-up window.

Each bag contains perfectly edible food that would otherwise go to waste, providing affordable meals for consumers while helping businesses reduce surplus.

“Japan represents a crucial step in our global journey,” said Mette Lykke, CEO of Too Good To Go. “With its culture of care and respect for food, there is a natural alignment with our mission to reduce food waste, one of the biggest yet most solvable climate challenges today.”

Interesting fact

Japan generates over 22 million tons of food waste annually, including 4.64 million tons of edible food in 2023, according to the Ministry of the Environment. National targets aim to cut household food waste by 50% and business food waste by 60% by 2030.

Affordable solutions

Hiroto Ooka, Country Director of Too Good To Go Japan, highlighted the alignment with local values: “Our approach resonates with Sanpo-Yoshi—good for businesses, good for consumers, good for society—and the Japanese concept of Mottainai, respecting resources and avoiding waste.”

Too Good To Go has already made significant global impact. In the US, the platform has grown to over 15 million users and 17,000 partners, helping Americans save more than 1 million meals every month. In 2025 alone, the first seven months saw a 67% increase in meals saved compared to 2024.

Partnerships with major retailers like Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme have expanded the initiative to new categories including produce, meat, seafood, frozen goods, and even floral items, offering affordable solutions amid rising food prices.

To Good To Go operates across 21 countries with 120 million registered users and 180,000 partners.

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Hannah Xuchille Egot

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