Bonchi Stand, a takeout shop serving beautifully crafted fruit cheesecake bars, opened on June 5, 2025, at the entrance of HVEN beneath the tracks of Nakameguro Station.
Jewel-like ripe fruits
Featuring a rotating selection of 8 to 10 varieties, the lineup showcases seasonal fruits at their peak throughout the year. The menu was developed in collaboration with Angelo Cozzolino, owner-chef of Babbo Angelo, a beloved Italian restaurant in Jiyugaoka with a 25-year history. The result is a rare cheesecake that brings out the full flavor of perfectly ripe, fresh fruit.
The cheesecake base is blended with citrus peels like lemon and orange, giving it a bright, refreshing aroma. Light and subtly tangy, it complements the fruit without overpowering it.
What’s especially interesting is how the flavor of the cheesecake changes depending on the fruit. When paired with tart options like kiwi or strawberries, it tastes bright and yogurt-like. With richer fruits like figs or baked apples, it takes on a deep, indulgent richness.
Kiwi Rare Cheesecake Bar (¥580 including tax)
Fig Rare Cheesecake Bar (¥1,180 including tax)
Blood Orange Rare Cheesecake Bar (¥680 including tax)
Strawberry Rare Cheesecake Bar (¥880 including tax)
The cheesecakes come in a range of packaging options, from single bars for snacking on the go to four-piece sets that make great gifts or party treats.
2-piece set, 4-piece set
Bringing Deliciousness to More and More People
The company behind Bonchi Stand is Bonchi Inc., a startup specializing in fruit retail and wholesale with direct sourcing from farms. In addition to supplying restaurants, they sell freshly harvested fruits and their own brand of juices through their online store.
With a mission to share the deliciousness of fruit with a wider audience, they opened Bonchi Stand in Nakameguro, a popular neighborhood among young people and international visitors. They place strong emphasis not only on the taste and quality of their cheesecakes but also on eye-catching packaging, branding, and visual design to create a memorable experience.
Bonchi’s founder and CEO, Yuya Hiizumi, launched the company in 2019 at the young age of 21. He previously worked in the retail division at Apple Japan, an experience that taught him the importance of branding and storytelling. By designing the entire experience from harvest to the moment the fruit is enjoyed, he aims to strengthen Bonchi’s brand identity.
Yuya Hiizumi, CEO of Bonchi Inc.
Good Food Starts with the People Who Grow It
Bonchi’s mission goes far beyond distribution and retail. To address one of the biggest challenges in Japanese agriculture, the shortage of next-generation farmers, they launched the ‘Farm the FARMER project’. This initiative connects experienced growers with young people who want to enter the field, with the goal of building a more sustainable and resilient future for farming.A
Website : https://bonchifarm.com/program
“Seventy percent of farmers in Japan are over 65 years old, and only about 1% are in their twenties. At this rate, the traditional skills, land, and trees that have been nurtured for generations risk disappearing. Even the parfaits and cakes served at Tokyo’s high-end shops cannot be made without these ingredients. Simply put, delicious food cannot exist without the people who grow it.”
Yuya Hiizumi, who grew up in Yamanashi Prefecture, one of Japan’s top fruit-growing regions, sees beyond the glittering luxury fruits popular on social media. He sees the aging farmers who work tirelessly in the orchards.
In Japan, farming is usually passed down within families, but not every child born into a farming household wants to continue the work. While they have the freedom to choose other careers, the barriers for new people wanting to enter farming are very high. Hiizumi believes the key to solving Japan’s agricultural issues is to create a future where young people who want to farm can do so.
The Farm the FARMER project offers strong support including training programs at Bonchi’s partner farms and leasing farmland and equipment owned by Bonchi. Once trainees become fully skilled, they can join Bonchi’s network and leave the sorting, packing, and sales of their harvests to the company.
Ten percent of Bonchi’s fruit sales are set aside as a fund for the Farm the FARMER project. This creates a cycle where the money is used to provide support when problems arise and to cover expenses for accepting new farmers. The fund amount is even published in real time on their website.
“I might have come up with this approach because I came from a completely different industry. We started in the fruit business, but it would be great if similar initiatives spread to other industries,” says Yuya Hiizumi.
Listening to him speak, you can’t help but feel inspired to take action yourself. The staff at Bonchi Stand all seem genuinely happy and full of life. When people truly believe in the work they’re doing, maybe this is just how they shine.
There’s a saying, “Vote with your wallet.” The idea is that when we choose what to buy, we’re also choosing the kind of businesses we want to support. If more companies like Bonchi are recognized and rewarded, perhaps we can steer clear of a darker future. And sometimes even small actions can help build a better world, like ordering your favorite Japanese plums from Bonchi.
Bonchi Stand
Address: 1-6-10 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0051, Under the Nakameguro overpass at HVEN
Website : https://bonchifarm.com/cafe
Instagram: @bonchi_official
