#Japan #Earth Day #Oizumi Factory #Kawaguchi #Zero Waste Dining

Celebrating Earth Day with a Culinary Twist

On April 22, 2026, a significant day known as Earth Day, Oizumi Factory, a company dedicated to sustainability based in Kawaguchi, Saitama, will host a special event across two of its plant-based cafes: 1110 CAFE/BAKERY in Saitama and BROOKS GREENLIT CAFE in Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama. This initiative is designed to explore the circular economy in food and energy, encouraging visitors to reconsider their role in sustainable living.

The 2026 Earth Day Theme

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizing the power of individuals to tackle climate change and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Oizumi Factory’s initiative aims to engage participants in hands-on experiences related to social issues such as food waste and resource utilization, prompting them to reflect on personal actions they can take towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Event Highlights at 1110 CAFE/BAKERY

The hub of sustainability at the 1110 CAFE/BAKERY will showcase a unique dining experience named Zero Waste Dining.

• - Special Guest Chef: There, Chef Yosuke Nogami will transform food that would typically be discarded into a delicious one-night-only dinner, held in the normally private OKS CAMPUS headquarters.
• - Creative Utilization of Ingredients: The dinner will feature dishes made from imperfect produce sourced from nine partner farms that would usually go unnoticed due to their appearance. This event emphasizes the idea that these foods, while deemed unsellable, can provide exquisite dining experiences.
• - Pay-as-You-Feel Pricing: Guests will have the freedom to decide how much to pay based on their perceived value of the experience rather than a set menu price.
• - Community Engagement: Attendees can also participate in food sharing initiatives and discussions on food waste, fostering connections between producers, chefs, and consumers.

Spotlights on Food Loss

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. Recent studies indicate that this number could be as high as 40% when including unharvested produce. Through this event, Oizumi Factory seeks to change the narrative that waste equals no value, introducing visitors to the potential of these ingredients in creative culinary applications.

Engage with Sustainability at BROOKS GREENLIT CAFE

Meanwhile, at BROOKS GREENLIT CAFE, the focus will be on everyday actions that promote circularity in urban settings:
1. Pulp Bliss Balls: Guests will receive complimentary Pulp Bliss Balls made from juicing leftovers, demonstrating how food waste can be repurposed into nutritious snacks.
2. Energy Awareness Initiatives: The café will reduce energy usage by maximizing natural light during operations.
3. Conscious Consumption Promotion: Staff will encourage customers to reflect on the necessity of certain disposables, like straws and napkins, as part of a movement towards more mindful resource use.

Experience Culinary Innovation

• - 1110 CAFE/BAKERY promotes a concept harmonizing nature, life, and health, offering a menu crafted from carefully chosen plant-based ingredients and freshly baked bread amidst a 3000-tsubo garden setting in Kawaguchi.
• - BROOKS GREENLIT CAFE presents a calm oasis highlighting plant-based meals in line with its commitment to eco-consciousness and wellness.

Join Us This Earth Day

• - Event Time: April 22, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 8 PM (open entry).
• - Location: 1110 CAFE/BAKERY, inside OKS CAMPUS, 5-4-1 Ryoke, Kawaguchi, Saitama.
• - Dining Style: Buffet-style dining featuring dishes from surplus produce with a donation-based pricing model.
• - Limited Spots: Reserve early as spaces are limited to 20 guests.

About Oizumi Factory

Founded on the philosophy of “filling the Earth with smiles and creating a wonderful environment,” Oizumi Factory aims for a future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. Their diverse initiatives include producing fermented sparkling teas, managing plant-based cafés, and organizing farmers’ markets while promoting wellness and environmental consciousness.