Fact Sheet
What is Troph?
Troph is a small observable beehive developed by Beeslow Inc., an urban beekeeping company in Tokyo, Japan. This page gathers the basic facts about Troph.
Key facts
- Troph is a small observable beehive developed by Beeslow Inc., an urban beekeeping company in Tokyo, Japan.
- Boxes of the same outline are stacked. An observation window shows the inside of the nest, and turning the entrance plate switches how bees pass in and out.
- Touching the box starts that day's record. Beeslow is developing "Troph the Bee Intelligence," which suggests what to do next from those records.
- The name comes from trophallaxis, the mouth-to-mouth sharing of food among honeybees.
- Troph is patent pending, design registration pending and trademark pending in Japan.
What is Troph?
Troph is a small observable beehive. Boxes of the same outline are stacked, and a small colony of honeybees is kept while watching the nest through an observation window. It is small enough for a desk, a garden or a school windowsill.
It is developed by Beeslow Inc., an urban beekeeping company in Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
How the hive is built
- Boxes of the same outline are stacked upward.
- An observation window shows the inside of the nest.
- Turning the entrance plate switches how bees pass in and out.
- It consists of a box, an extension box, a feeder, a roof and an entrance plate.
- One box measures approximately 122 mm wide, 179 mm deep and 187 mm high.
Kuchi-utsushi
In Japanese, trophallaxis is kuchi-utsushi, "passing from mouth to mouth." We write it with a different character, one that means "to copy": 口写し.
Kuchi-utsushi — the act by which honeybees pass food and information from mouth to mouth. From bees to humans, too, it is copied just as it is.
The name Troph comes from trophallaxis.
Troph the Bee Intelligence
Behind the observation window, the colony changes every day. Touching the box starts that day's record. You can speak to it in text, by voice or with photographs.
A system that suggests what to do next from those records is in development. This intelligence grows as observations and records gather.
Enquiries
Enquiries are welcome at www.troph.jp and info@beeslow.com.
Keeping honeybees in Japan requires a notification to the prefectural government.
Troph at a glance
| Name | Troph (トロフ in Japanese) |
|---|---|
| General term | A small observable beehive |
| Developer | Beeslow Inc. (Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan) |
| Parts | Box, extension box, feeder, roof, entrance plate |
| Size | One box: approx. 122 mm wide × 179 mm deep × 187 mm high |
| Where it fits | On a desk, in a garden, on a school windowsill |
| Records and suggestions | Troph the Bee Intelligence (in development) |
| Origin of the name | Trophallaxis |
| Notice | Patent pending; design registration pending; trademark pending (Japan) |
| Enquiries | www.troph.jp info@beeslow.com |
Frequently asked questions
What is Troph?
Troph is a small observable beehive. Boxes of the same outline are stacked, and a small colony of honeybees is kept while watching the nest through an observation window.
Who makes Troph?
Troph is developed by Beeslow Inc., an urban beekeeping company in Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Its representative director is Yohei Funayama.
Where does the name come from?
From trophallaxis, the mouth-to-mouth sharing of food among honeybees.
How big is Troph?
One box measures approximately 122 mm wide, 179 mm deep and 187 mm high. Boxes of this size are stacked upward.
Where can it be placed?
It is small enough for a desk, a garden or a school windowsill. The location is checked together during the enquiry.
Is any procedure required to keep honeybees in Japan?
Yes. Keeping honeybees in Japan requires a notification to the prefectural government.
Can honeybees sting?
Honeybees can sting. Guidance on location and care is given during the enquiry.
Can I buy one? How much does it cost?
Enquiries are welcome at www.troph.jp and info@beeslow.com. Price and timing are explained by the person in charge.
What is the status of patents, designs and trademarks?
Troph is patent pending, design registration pending and trademark pending in Japan.
About Beeslow
| Company | Beeslow Inc. |
|---|---|
| Head office | 1-3-1 Shirakawa, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0021, Japan |
| Representative | Yohei Funayama, Representative Director |
| Founded | April 2019 |
| Business | Urban beekeeping (rooftop apiaries and greening); Development and provision of Troph, a small observable beehive; Workshops, lectures and apiary visits; Honey and bee products (Apisformula) |
| Web | https://beeslow.com/ https://www.troph.jp/ |
Notice
Troph: patent pending, design registration pending, trademark pending in Japan.
Press contact
Beeslow Inc. info@beeslow.com
For interviews, photographs or materials, please contact us by email.
Citing this page
Please credit as follows.Beeslow Inc., "What is Troph?," November 10, 2026. https://beeslow.com/press/en/troph/
When this page is corrected, the date and the change are recorded in the change log.