“MIGARU” Automatic Compression Bag Surpasses Crowdfunding Goal by 3,416%, Redefining Minimalist Travel

“MIGARU” Automatic Compression Bag Surpasses Crowdfunding Goal by 3,416%, Redefining Minimalist Travel

“MIGARU” Automatic Compression Bag Surpasses Crowdfunding Goal by 3,416%, Redefining Minimalist Travel

合同会社onigiri (onigiri LLC) has launched its pump-integrated, fully automatic compression bag, “MIGARU,” on the Makuake crowdfunding service, proposing a new style of “minimal travel.” The project commenced on April 14th and has already achieved remarkable success, reaching approximately 3.41 million JPY in total pledges from 233 supporters by April 22nd, surpassing its 100,000 JPY target by 3,416% in just 8 days.

MIGARU is designed to reduce luggage volume, allowing travelers to pack more efficiently and experience greater freedom. Its M-size (internal dimensions 40x30x14.5cm / 17.4L) complies with major domestic airline carry-on standards, facilitating travel without checked baggage.

The Rise of Minimalist Travel

The concept of traveling light is gaining significant traction globally.

Avoiding Checked Luggage Becomes a Global Standard

A 2025 survey by U.S. travel research firm LugLess, involving 1,019 respondents, revealed that 71% of travelers avoid checked luggage due to costs and convenience. Furthermore, 34% reported resorting to wearing extra layers on board to avoid baggage fees, indicating a common practice among travelers to reduce their load.

This trend is also evident in Japan, where low-cost carriers (LCCs) accounted for 31% of domestic flights in summer 2023 (JTB総合研究所調べ). With typical baggage limits of 7kg, the challenge of traveling light has become a pressing concern for many.

Solo Travel in Japan Doubles in Five Years, Accelerating “Light Travel” Preferences

A EuroMonitor survey across 39 countries shows that the rate of solo travel among Japanese individuals reached 19.2% in 2024, nearly doubling from 10.4% in 2019. This is approximately 2.7 times the global average of 7.2%.

The primary advantage of solo travel is freedom, and lightness maximizes this freedom. Less luggage allows for easier navigation of cities with many stairs or spontaneous jumps onto local buses. The amount of luggage directly impacts one’s range of activity.

The Spreading Minimalist Mindset

A 2020 survey by Nature’s Way (1,000 respondents) found that 68.7% of individuals who do not identify as minimalists still have a favorable view of the minimalist lifestyle, with 42.2% emphasizing the importance of carefully selecting their possessions.

In travel, there is a shift towards “quality over quantity.” The Japan Tourism Agency’s 2024 report indicates a 25% increase in per-traveler spending on domestic trips compared to 2019, despite an 8% decrease in traveler numbers. This suggests a growing preference for more qualitative travel experiences rather than simply traveling “a lot.”

Introducing MIGARU: The Solution for Light Travel

MIGARU is designed to simplify packing and enhance travel freedom. It features a built-in pump that automatically compresses clothes in approximately 40 seconds, reducing their volume by up to 90%. This eliminates the need for external pumps or vacuum cleaners, making travel packing effortless with just one button.

Compression time and rate vary depending on the type and quantity of clothing.

Heavy luggage often imposes various “invisible constraints” on travelers.

Research published in Frontiers in Public Health has also reported that travelers carrying heavy luggage tend to experience negative emotions. The phrase “the amount of luggage is the amount of anxiety” captures the essence of this travel burden.

Achieving “Backpack-Only Travel” with MIGARU

The MIGARU M-size (internal dimensions 40x30x14.5cm / 17.4L) is carry-on compatible. By compressing clothes and fitting them into a backpack or carry-on, travelers can achieve a “no checked luggage” journey.

This allows for a truly light and unburdened travel experience.

Three Reasons MIGARU is Ideal for Minimalist Travel:

Carry-on Size: The M-size fits major domestic airline carry-on standards, eliminating checked baggage fees and waiting times.

Hands-Free in Approx. 40 Seconds: Automatic compression at the push of a button, convenient for packing both at the start and end of a trip.
Reusable & Sustainable: USB-C rechargeable for repeated use, reducing plastic waste from disposable compression bags.

MIGARU’s Role in Sustainable Travel

The Booking.com Sustainable Travel Survey (2025 edition) revealed that 85% of Japanese travelers desire to make more sustainable choices, a significant increase from 25% in 2016. This indicates a fundamental shift in travel attitudes.

MIGARU supports this by offering a reusable compression solution, reducing the need for disposable bags and contributing to a more environmentally friendly travel experience.

Expanding Usage Beyond Travel

Since its launch on Makuake, MIGARU has received diverse feedback from supporters, suggesting uses beyond just travel. Comments include intentions for wardrobe changes, camping trips, and business travel. This indicates that MIGARU is evolving from a mere “travel tool” into a versatile “lifestyle tool.”

合同会社onigiri Representative, Mami Aoki, stated, “Our development team included members who experienced the frustration of being ‘too burdened by luggage to move’ during frequent business trips. When they halved their luggage, their travel experience transformed. We developed MIGARU to deliver that feeling—the freedom that lightness brings—to many people with just one button.”

Product Overview

Makuake Project Details

The Makuake project offers limited early bird rewards, including “M+L Set Super Early Bird 30% OFF (limited to 150 units),” “M+L Set Early Bird 27% OFF (limited to 200 units),” and “M Single Super Early Bird (limited to 100 units).” Remaining quantities can be checked on the Makuake project page.

Makuake Project Page:
https://www.makuake.com/project/migaru/