Font size
Font size [S]
Font size [M]
Font size [L]

History

Print

1996

June
  • Established Gurunavi, an online restaurant search site for the Kanto area, as part of the NKB, Inc. business.
Aug.
  • Launched optional reservation system service

Top of page

1997

Mar.
  • Formed alliance with Japan Restaurant Association
Sep.
  • Launched nationwide version

Top of page

1998

Mar.
  • Formed alliance with Mebaekai, an association of long-established restaurants across Japan
May
  • Launched train station search service
Aug.
  • Formed alliance with Osaka Restaurant Management Association
Nov.
  • Published Gurunavi Book

Top of page

1999

July
  • Introduced Otoku Keijiban, a bulletin board service for special deals
Aug.
  • Installed Gurunavi Board, an advertising pillar providing maps
Sep.
  • Launched NTT docomo i-mode service

Top of page

2000

Feb.
  • Introduced service for J-Sky on J-Phone
  • Gurunavi, Inc. established
June
  • Launched Gurunavi Recipes
Oct.
  • Launched Gurunavi PRO
  • Restaurant membership exceeds 10,000
Nov.
  • Launched Gurunavi Food Market
Dec.
  • First issue of Gurunavi News published

Top of page

2001

Jan.
  • Launched Gurunavi Restaurant Wedding
Feb.
  • Launched Gurunavi Chef Kuru
May
  • Launched Gurunavi Ramen
July
  • Launched Gurunavi Community
Nov.
  • Introduced member restaurants management system
  • Launched My Gurunavi

Top of page

2002

Feb.
  • Launched Gurunavi Search
July
  • Launched NIKKEI NET Gurunavi Otona no Restaurant Guide, a guide to gourmet and haute cuisine restaurants
  • Started operation of Ekikara-Timetable on Gurunavi website
Sep.
  • Gurunavi University established
  • Launched service on KDDI EZweb
Oct.
  • Launched Kochira Hishoshitsu

Top of page

2003

Apr.
  • Launched Raku-Raku Kanji-san
  • Launched GPS service on NTT docomo
Oct.
  • Launched Super Raku-Raku Kanji-san
  • Launched KDDI EZ navi-week service
Dec.
  • Launched Tsukigata Hanpeita Mail, an weather information mail service for mobile phones

Top of page

2004

Mar.
  • Launched Baby Navi
Apr.
  • Started providing information for Let's Enjoy TOKYO, Tokyo Metro's sightseeing page
  • Started operation of Gurunavi Travel
  • Launched SURF & SNOW
Aug.
  • Launched Yoshimoto Gurunavi
  • Launched Gurunavi Delivery
Sep.
  • Launched Gurunavi Lunch
  • Launched Korean, Chinese and English language versions
Dec.
  • Opened Gurunavi BAR

Top of page

2005

Jan.
  • Launched Special Coupon service for mobile users
Apr.
  • Launched Gurunavi Points (now Gurunavi Super Gu Points)
  • Listed on Osaka Securities Exchange Hercules
June
  • Launched Gurunavi Value Plan
July
  • Formed operational alliance with JR East in Suica E-money business
Sep.
  • Introduced map-based restaurant search program
Oct.
  • Made JOY JOY, Inc. a subsidiary
Nov.
  • Established Gurunavi Shanghai, Inc.
  • Established Gurunavi Promotion Community, Inc.

Top of page

2006

Feb.
  • Launched Japanese version of Gurunavi Shanghai
Mar.
  • Launched Gurunavi Wedding
  • Started sales of Gurunavi Jirushi brand, produced in collaboration with professional chefs
  • Launched Hanshin Tigers Gurunavi Restaurant Guide
Apr.
  • Launched Gurunavi Premium
  • Started providing Tokyo Trend Ranking via the free magazine Let's Enjoy TOKYO
July
  • Launched Gurunavi Travel Forum
Aug.
  • Launched Gurunavi Sightseeing and Business Trip Support Navigator
Sep.
  • Introduced Gurunavi Delivery order via mobile
  • Launched word-of-mouth food information site Minna no Kuchi Komi
Oct.
  • Gurunavi posts information on over 500,000 restaurants
Nov.
  • Started providing information for MSN

Top of page

2007

Jan.
  • Launched HapiNavi in corporation with Cyber Agent, Inc.
Feb.
  • Launched English version Gourmet Guide on Gurunavi Mobile
Mar.
  • Started providing information to mobile NAVITIME and EZ Naviwalk of KDDI
May
  • Launched Gurunavi PRO Community Forum
  • Launched Gurunavi Delivery takeout service
July
  • Introduced commission system for Gurunavi Delivery
  • Launched Drive Route Kensaku service
  • Started providing Gurunavi food and drink information via Suntory Gourmet Guide
Sep.
  • Launched Gurunavi Touch
Oct.
  • Combined Internet Navi Tokyo and Gurunavi to start operation of Let's Enjoy TOKYO, a collaboration between Gurunavi and Tokyo Metro
Nov.
  • Established merger company FeliCa Pocket Marketing, Inc.

Top of page

2008

Jan.
  • Launched online movie delivery service on YouTube
  • Provided Gurunavi information on 2008 Beijing Olympics Special via Chinanet and Searchina
May
  • Launched Gurunavi Yakatabune Cruising, a pleasure cruise information site
July
  • Launched Gurunavi Shanghai Delivery
  • Launched Gurunavi Labo
  • Established Gurunavi Board in JR Osaka station
Aug.
  • Relaunched member restaurants management system as Gurunavi PRO for restaurants
Sep.
  • Launched restaurant staff search engine Raku-Raku Kyujin
  • Launched Gurunavi Channel, on which member restaurants can publish video content
Oct.
  • Established Let's Enjoy Touch in four Tokyo Metro stations
Dec.
  • Established Gurunavi Environmental Declaration
  • Launched Gurunavi Eco and Restaurant Eco Page, which profile environmental activities of restaurants
  • Launched Kanji no Mikata, a support site for party planners
  • Listed on 1st section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Top of page

2009

Feb.
  • Started providing Gurunavi widget for NTT docomo
Mar.
  • Launched Gurunavi Chef, an online information resource for chefs
Apr.
  • Launched iPhone/iPod touch application and website
May
  • Launched Shukan Gurunavi Market, a subscription-based purchasing site
June
  • Introduced food items of credit union's clients to Gurunavi member restaurants
  • Launched Nihon Zenkoku Shinkin Umaimon Chizu, a map of Japan introducing to member restaurants food produced by customers of shinkin banks
July
  • Launched Concierge Service in Gurunavi Wedding
Aug.
  • Launched Gurunavi Chisan Tasho Navi
Sep.
  • Administered secretariat for Marche Japon, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery
  • Received mandate for Soco Coco from METI
  • Launched Softbank Mobile Widget Support
  • Launched Hakone tourist information site Hakone Style
  • Launched mobile version of Gurunavi PRO for Restaurants
Oct.
  • Kiryu City Restaurant Start-up Course, a program to support the opening of new restaurants in Kiryu City
  • First issue of ingredient coupon catalogue
Nov.
  • Received mandate from METI for advanced agricultural production initiative
Dec.
  • Launched Gurunavi Ranking

Top of page

2010

Jan.
  • Developed support service for foreign tourists with Gurunavi Restaurant Card
Mar.
  • Gurunavi restaurant guide information integrated into Sekai Camera API
  • Launched Twitter integration service on Gurunavi restaurant guide pages
  • Launched NTT docomo Auto-GPS-Remind functional support
  • Launched Ennou Enbai.jp, a portal site for connecting producers and volunteer workers in local agriculture
Apr.
  • Launched Android application and website
May
  • Started sales of Gurunavi Sound Pen and Gurunavi Audio Book Shanghai
  • Launched Mixi scheduling application,"When should we go for drinks?"
  • Launched Chotto-Gu service, which allows users to tag restaurants to a personalized list
Jul.
  • Published first issue of Gurunavi x Tasucall Pro Catalogue
  • Launched menu connecting consumers with food producers
  • Started providing information on restaurants that are easily accessible for the physically disabled
  • Gurunavi digital signage installed at Shibuya station
Aug.
  • Launched iPad application Gurunavi Recipes
  • Formed operational alliance with Piku, a coupon website
Sep.
  • Launched My Recommended Menu Ranking, in which users rank their favorite restaurant dishes
  • Launched Gurunavi x Piku, a coupon purchasing website, in collaboration with Piku Media
Oct.
  • Established Gurunavi Research Institute, Inc.
  • Merged with consolidated subsidiary Joy Joy, Inc.
  • Began displaying on Gurunavi the number of stars for restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide 2011, in association with Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd.
Nov.
  • Launched Gurunavi NEW Touch
  • Launched Event Coupons
  • Received Porter Prize 2010
  • Launched Entry Members, an entry-level member restaurant service

Top of page

2011

Apr.
  • Launched Point Coupon exchange service
  • Launched Restaurant Feature Search smartphone app
  • Launched website to support restaurants affected by the disaster, Eating Out Day—Give Restaurants Your Support!
May
  • Launched Happy Restaurant in Gunma Prefecture, providing multi-course dinners to evacuees from disaster-affected areas in Tohoku
June
  • Launched Gurunavi Casual Wedding Reception
  • Launched user-generated town guide Square Clip
  • Introduced Gurunavi NEW Touch with coupon authentication
Aug.
  • Launched Premium Restaurant website
Sep.
  • Launched special Secret Coupon program exclusive to Gurunavi members
  • Launched Gurunavi Gift Card program offering dinner coupons valid at restaurants nationwide
Oct.
  • Launched "Watashi no Kuchikomi & Menu Ranking"
Nov.
  • Launched Toku-GU bargain coupons for mobile devices

Top of page

2012

Apr.
  • Released new logo for Let's Enjoy TOKYO
  • Inaugurated Gurunavi Research Institute's Inbound Research Society for visitors to Japan
May
  • Launched the Super Super Raku Raku Kanji-san application
  • Launched the Gurunavi Concierge for Gurunavi Premium members
  • Began experimenting on NFC certification for Gurunavi Touch in cooperation with 3 other communications companies
June
  • Made Gurunavi Super Gu Points redeemable at restaurants
Sep.
  • Introduced iOS6 Passbook compatibility
  • Launched Chef Gohan
Oct.
  • Established Gurunavi Singapore
  • Launched Find it:, a restaurant search app series
Nov.
  • Launched Gurunavi Wedding smartphone app
  • Launched Tokyo 100 Guide, an app for creating a personalized day out
  • Started operation of Michelin Guide Digital
  • Started Gurunavi Member Ranking program

Top of page