#Japan #Urban Farming #Shibuya #Kewpie #Shibuya Urban

Cultivating a Sustainable Future: Urban Farming in Shibuya

On August 2nd and 3rd, 2025, Kewpie Corporation and the Shibuya Future Design Association collaborated to host an engaging event titled ‘Shibuya Farming Experience! – Farm to Table’ at TENOHA Daikanyama, located in the heart of Shibuya, Tokyo. This innovative initiative aimed at introducing urban farming to young minds attracted around 70 elementary school students along with their parents, providing a unique opportunity to explore the concepts of sustainability and biodiversity through hands-on activities.

Understanding Urban Farming

As urban areas face pressing challenges such as food shortages, climate change, and decreasing green spaces, urban farming has emerged as a potential solution. This global trend focuses on growing, harvesting, and consuming fresh produce within city limits, thus promoting local food systems and environmental awareness. The “Shibuya Urban Farming Project” aims to encourage greening and biodiversity in urban environments while cultivating a community driven by a shared appreciation for sustainable food culture.

Notable partners, including Plantio, Oki, and Tokyu Land Corporation, joined Kewpie in orchestrating this immersive event, highlighting the importance of collaboration in urban agriculture.

Step-by-Step Learning Experience

The event revolved around three main themes: cultivating knowledge, physical practices, and taste experiences. Participants began with a foundational lecture on urban farming, where representatives shared insights about the significance of green spaces and biological diversity. Following the informative session, kids eagerly participated in harvesting vegetables from planters, showcasing their initial shyness turn into excitement as they engaged with their environment.

After the harvest, attendees enjoyed a cooking session where they prepared salads using their freshly picked vegetables, garnished with Kewpie mayonnaise. Parents watched with pride as their children sampled various veggies, noting transformations in their eating habits. One parent shared delight in their child's willingness to try ingredients they typically disliked.

Planting Seeds of Interest

Another highlight was the vegetable planting experience, where kids used repurposed eggshells as eco-friendly planters. They selected seeds from a selection of four types to plant and take home—a way to foster an ongoing urban farming practice within their own living spaces. The initiative emphasizes the role of each household in contributing to biodiversity through home gardening, creating a ripple effect of green practices throughout the city.

The children expressed their joy, saying things like “I enjoyed cutting the vegetables” and “I loved the seed planting.” Such testimonials reflect the positive impact of hands-on engagement, bolstering their connection with food cultivation and appreciation for healthy eating.

Through its active role in the “Shibuya Urban Farming Project,” Kewpie remains committed to advancing urban agriculture and contributing to a sustainable urban future while protecting biodiversity.

Event Summary

• - Organizer: Shibuya Urban Farming Project
• - Event Name: Shibuya Farming Experience! – Farm to Table
• - Date: August 2nd & 3rd, 2025
• - Location: TENOHA Daikanyama, 20-12 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• - Participants: Approximately 70 elementary school students (with parents)
• - Activities:

1. Introduction to urban farming
2. Harvesting vegetables
3. Salad-making with harvested ingredients
4. Planting vegetable seeds in eco-friendly planters

The success of this event highlights the potential for urban farming to educate future generations, inspiring them to embrace sustainable practices and contribute to a greener city.