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A visit to Edomae Farm, Tokyo

Kohei Murata in his vertical farm based in Tokyo
Kohei Murata in his vertical farm based in Tokyo
Producing up to 200 kilos of microgreens per week across two farms. The second facility comprises 240 m², which is four times larger than Edomae's first Tokyo farm.
Producing up to 200 kilos of microgreens per week across two farms. The second facility comprises 240 m², which is four times larger than Edomae's first Tokyo farm.
"Seven percent of our revenue goes to energy, which is a lot. The share is decreasing as sales increase, but it's still a challenge.
"Seven percent of our revenue goes to energy, which is a lot. The share is decreasing as sales increase, but it's still a challenge.
Edomae is the largest vertical farm in Japan using soil to grow its produce
Edomae is the largest vertical farm in Japan using soil to grow its produce
Indoor soil-grown produce is not yet a big market in Japan, especially for microgreens but Kohei is seeing a slow but steady increase.
Indoor soil-grown produce is not yet a big market in Japan, especially for microgreens but Kohei is seeing a slow but steady increase.
The Carpaccio mix is a favored mix by many Tokyo based chefs
The Carpaccio mix is a favored mix by many Tokyo based chefs
The brand name Edomae refers to craftsmanship and freshness, similar to the tradition of Edomae sushi made from fish caught in Tokyo Bay.
The brand name Edomae refers to craftsmanship and freshness, similar to the tradition of Edomae sushi made from fish caught in Tokyo Bay.
"It's about quality and relationships. We don't sell to everyone, only to those we're connected with organically. That keeps the service consistent."
"It's about quality and relationships. We don't sell to everyone, only to those we're connected with organically. That keeps the service consistent."
No external funding was used to build his company, just a bank loan.
No external funding was used to build his company, just a bank loan.
As shared in the August 2025 Japan market update, labor costs in Tokyo are also rising, which puts a lot of pressure on margins. Nevertheless, operating in Tokyo gives Edomae a key advantage: imports carry massive transport costs, while local production can be delivered fresh and affordably through distribution partners.
As shared in the August 2025 Japan market update, labor costs in Tokyo are also rising, which puts a lot of pressure on margins. Nevertheless, operating in Tokyo gives Edomae a key advantage: imports carry massive transport costs, while local production can be delivered fresh and affordably through distribution partners.
After a few hurdles, Edomae is able to now maintain a consistent growing environment for its produce
After a few hurdles, Edomae is able to now maintain a consistent growing environment for its produce
"The economics of our microgreens are very promising. Mizuna can sell for around 80 dollars per kilo, compared to 30 dollars for baby greens."
"The economics of our microgreens are very promising. Mizuna can sell for around 80 dollars per kilo, compared to 30 dollars for baby greens."
Edomae sells almost exclusively to restaurants and hotels, with only a small percentage of products going to supermarkets. Ninety-nine percent of its sales go directly to the food service industry.
Edomae sells almost exclusively to restaurants and hotels, with only a small percentage of products going to supermarkets. Ninety-nine percent of its sales go directly to the food service industry.
"I see much more potential in expanding through smaller farms rather than scaling up into massive facilities."
"I see much more potential in expanding through smaller farms rather than scaling up into massive facilities."
The trick is to keep stems short, because the shorter the stem, the better the head tastes.
The trick is to keep stems short, because the shorter the stem, the better the head tastes.
Used substrate is dried for 6 months, then sent off to open field growers for them to use it on their fields
Used substrate is dried for 6 months, then sent off to open field growers for them to use it on their fields