#Japan #Kyoto #KiraMeki No Tori #Kyoto Menma #Bamboo Project

Innovative Collaboration to Create Kyoto-Sourced Menma

In a remarkable initiative led by Kirameki no Mirai, a group company of Yoshinoya Holdings, the project titled 'Kyoto Menma Project 2026' is taking place in the bamboo groves of Yawata City, Kyoto. This initiative aims to utilize abandoned bamboo forests effectively while promoting local resource recycling. Since 2024, efforts have been made to augment environmental conservation and create a sustainable local economy through the production of menma, an ingredient commonly used in ramen.

This year marks the third year of the Kyoto Menma Project, wherein 25 second-year students from Yawata Prefectural High School have engaged actively in bamboo harvesting. As part of their contributions, the students collected young bamboo and worked in the school’s kitchen to prepare the menma by finely chopping and boiling the bamboo shoots for preservation.

In July, Kirameki no Mirai staff served as instructors, guiding the students in preparing the famous 'Chicken Paitan Ramen' offered at Kirameki no Tori, complete with the freshly made Kyoto menma as a topping. Such experiences not only provide students with hands-on learning opportunities regarding regional resource circulation but also offer practical solutions to the pressing issues of aging society and labor shortages in bamboo grove maintenance. The applause from local bamboo managers reflects the community's recognition of this initiative as it reinforces education, local engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Encouraged by the progress, the Kyoto Menma Project is poised for significant scale-up over the next few years. Starting from 700 kg of Kyoto-sourced menma production in 2024, plans include increasing to approximately 1.2 tons in 2025 and 1.5 tons in 2026. From September 1, the finished menma will be integrated into select dishes at Kirameki no Tori outlets, notably as toppings for their salt, soy sauce, and miso Chicken Paitan Ramen.

Beyond serving ramen, Kirameki no Mirai is committed to creating new values in the food industry that interconnect with local resources, environmental welfare, and educational initiatives. It addresses recent issues surrounding bamboo grove management due to neglect, which poses environmental challenges, while transforming these previously overlooked areas into a thriving food source.

Since launching in 2024, Kirameki no Mirai not only provides those unique Kyoto menma in their Torii outlets but also actively shares knowledge about bamboo management with local communities and students through collaborative workshops.

About Kirameki no Mirai

Founded in 2013, Kirameki no Mirai operates with a flagship store named 'Kirameki no Tori' in Kyoto. The company has evolved significantly, focusing on Chicken Paitan Ramen and Taiwanese Mazesoba as their main offerings. Currently, they operate 27 stores across Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Shiga, and even Shanghai, China. By using premium Hokkaido wheat for their homemade noodles and high-purity chicken soup, Kirameki no Tori has garnered vast popularity among diverse customer demographics.

In August 2026, the brand 'Torikichi', specializing in Kyoto-style chicken paitan ramen, was born, promising a distinct flavor profile thanks to its innovative layering of chicken broth and chicken paste, delivering an unmatched culinary experience refined through years of expertise at Kirameki no Tori.

As Kirameki no Mirai continues to evolve, they remain dedicated to fostering creativity and sustainability within the local food ecosystem, ensuring both community engagement and environmental responsibility.

For more information, visit Kirameki no Mirai