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Community gardenActiveSince 2020

Nomura Real Estate Urban Experience Farm Service (with JA Setagaya-Meguro)

Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan · Operator: 野村不動産株式会社 / JA世田谷目黒(世田谷目黒農業協同組合)

Overview

A membership-based urban experience farm launched by Nomura Real Estate with JA Setagaya-Meguro in November 2020 in Nakamachi, Setagaya. Over 2,000 sqm of member-owned productive green land is leased and divided into roughly 200 plots (3.6 sqm each) rented to residents and citizens. JA farmers and advisors support cultivation, and with seeds, seedlings, fertilizer and tools provided, even beginners can experience real farming from planting to harvest empty-handed. It aims to preserve shrinking urban farmland while fostering food education and community.

Citizen participation

Members of the Nomura Real Estate Group Customer Club (residents/citizens) rent 3.6 sqm plots on a monthly basis and take part in the full cycle of growing vegetables, from planting to harvest. Local JA Setagaya-Meguro farmers and advisors supply seeds, seedlings and fertilizer, lend tools and give hands-on guidance, so beginners and families with children can farm without bringing anything.

Operating model

Membership-based monthly subscription. About JPY 5,000/month per 3.6 sqm plot plus a JPY 5,000 registration fee (with an introductory rate of JPY 2,000/month and no registration fee through March 2021). Nomura operates the service while JA Setagaya-Meguro provides member-owned 'productive green land' and farming support, enabled by Japan's 2015 Urban Agriculture Promotion Act and 2018 urban-farmland leasing law to preserve dwindling urban farmland.

Impact

Helps preserve productive green land (urban farmland) that continues to decline in cities, while giving residents and citizens authentic hands-on farming and food-education opportunities. Well received as a fully supported, come-empty-handed rental farm, with Nomura considering expansion to general customers beyond club members.

Crops

  • 野菜(季節の家庭菜園野菜)
  • vegetables

Scale

2,000 m²世田谷区中町3丁目(東急大井町線「上野毛」駅 徒歩約9分)の生産緑地約2,000㎡超。1区画3.6㎡、約200区画を予定。

Sources(4)

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Nomura Real Estate Urban Experience Farm Service (with JA Setagaya-Meguro) — Urban Farm DB