How and why was the indentation of the Yakult bottle created?

Shirota Protective Bacteria Research Institute was established in Fukuoka City, Kyushu, in 1935, and produced and sold Yakult. At that time, Yakult was sold in glass bottles.

In 1968, Yakult started to be sold in new plastic bottles. That’s a well-known Yakult bottle. It has a unique hourglass design. It’s easy even for small children and the elderly to hold, and you can drink it while tasting it little by little. To learn more about the design of Yakult, we have visited Kenmochi Design Associates, designer of the Yakult bottle.

Why is the Yakult bottle shaped like that?

A request was made to replace glass bottles with plastic ones. In addition to the condition that the volume was fixed and the height was not changed, there was a request to make it look bigger than a glass bottle.

The conventional production line was used. The indentation of the bottle was shaped in a semicircular arch according to the conveyor belt guide. Thanks to its shape, the bottle didn’t fall over on the line. And a plastic bottle looked bigger.

You can control the flow when drinking, and bring it slowly to your mouth. This was the origin of the idea of the Yakult bottle with an indentation.

What's the secret to design longevity?

We aimed for a design that people never get tired of. Nobody knows who designed it, but it’s very functional and woven into the fabric of daily life like a milk bottle. As a result, the image of the Yakult bottle spread widely and took root. We believe that the maker has developed the social recognition that people recognize the Yakult bottle, which is the secret to the longevity.

The design has survived long because "the shape represents Yakult."

Courtesy / Source: Kenmochi Design Associates https://kenmochi-design.jp/ Yakult History: “Yakuruto Hatsubai Hachijyunen no Rekishi” (A history of 80 years since the launch of Yakult)https://www.yakult.co.jp/eighty_anniv/