Sorabatake
Kobe, Japan · Operator: 一般社団法人たねまきLAB
Overview
A Tanemaki LAB venture, centered on Kobe, that multiplies urban gardens on rooftops, idle land and in parks. With small empty-handed gardens and dispatched farmers, it spreads greening, community exchange and the joy of urban farming, and has expanded into local distribution such as the KOBE Veggie Bus.
Citizen participation
Small gardens installed on rooftops, in parks and at schools are rented out by the plot, with a farmer dispatched roughly once a month to support growers. As empty-handed urban gardens, they emphasize creating community gathering spaces over agriculture itself.
Operating model
An urban-garden business run by the general incorporated association Tanemaki LAB. Launched as 'Sorabatake' in May 2022 and incorporated in May 2024, it partners with rooftop and idle-land owners and is funded through plot fees; the Ikuta-cho Park garden is a collaboration with Kobe City's Construction Bureau.
Impact
Has set up multiple citizen gardens on Kobe rooftops, in parks and at schools, expanding casual access to farming in the city, and is noted as an urban-rural interface model launched by a graduate of the Kobe Rural Startup Program.
Land tenure
Rooftops, idle land and parks are leased from owners or the city and developed as gardens; the Ikuta-cho Park garden is run in partnership with Kobe City's Construction Bureau.
Crops
- vegetables
Scale
ビル屋上や学校・公園・遊休地に小さなプランター型菜園を設置。生田町park菜園は区画3.6平米/人ほか
Sources（3）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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