Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture is known as a famous production area for Satsuma mandarins. However, in recent years, many mandarin orange fields have become idle or abandoned farmland due to a shortage of heirs or farmers. The continued increase in abandoned land will have a major impact not only on Japanese agriculture, but also on society as a whole, including declines in food self-sufficiency and increases in illegal dumping.

TocoWaka Farm in Karatsu is seeking to effectively repurpose this idle farmland. TocoWaka Farm operates on the goal of environmentally friendly agriculture that allows plants to cohabit with the land and climate without herbicides, fertilizers, or pesticides. At TocoWaka Farm, 20 to 30 kinds of plants, such as herbs and medicinal trees, are planted and checked to determine if they sustainably suit the climate and land. In particular, Challite Co., Ltd. is working with the help of local colleagues on a labor-free field that grows with the blessings of nature alone, just rain and sun without using pesticides or fertilizers.

There are many flowers that are raw materials for perfume, and you can experience the actual scents at TocoWaka Farm.

Organic cotton is also grown.

Plow the Soil Together, Sow the Seeds and Start Making Products

TocoWaka Farm is also used for corporate training and learning programs, with many companies visiting. There are various ways to use the plants; some companies use the plants for cosmetics and others use them for cooking.

The manufacture of products from TocoWaka Farm begins from the point of view that the meaning of growth is found in following the plant’s lifecycle from “cultivating the soil,” to “sowing seeds,” and “sprouting.”

On this deck, dishes using the surrounding plants (outdoor meals) are also planned.

The term “tokowaka” in the name of TocoWaka Farm expresses “a state full of fresh energy without waning.” The idea is to create a place where the people involved can think about the land and connect not only with the crops and products that are produced, but also with the hearts of the people involved.

KibanaOlandaSennichi is used as an anti-inflammatory and to promote digestion all over the world.

The expectation is to use TocoWaka Farm as a place for sustainable industry and human exchanges that will lead to the next generation of activities such as green tourism, agritherapy, welfare cooperation, and the actions of seniors, mothers, and young people. We also accept consultations on creating a TocoWaka Farm in your own hometown or becoming an intern.

Harvested Plants are Made into Cosmetics at the Karatsu factory FACTO

Plants grown on TocoWaka Farm can be processed into raw materials for cosmetics at the Karatsu Cosmetic Factory FACTO and then sold as cosmetic products. FACTO, opened in Karatsu City in November 2018, is used by many companies as a semi-fabless factory (a facility that undertakes manufacturing for manufacturers that do not have a factory).

Up to now, there were many processes where plants harvested in the region could be used as raw material outside the region and delivered to the factory through a raw material trading company. With the creation of FACTO, fresh crops harvested in Karatsu are produced. It is now possible to process and provide these materials in a semi-fabless format.

FACTO was established when Crecos Co., Ltd., which manufactures cosmetics in Nara, came to Karatsu. An abandoned factory was renovated with an awareness to utilize abandoned facilities. In cooperation with the local people, local Karatsu pottery, thinned wood from Itoshima, and paints kneaded with local herbs were used. The idea is to increase contacts with the local community and make it an open factory that people in the local community can easily use and to convey local activities from the materials of the factory.

Hana Marche, for those who want to cherish local materials and connections

Hana Marche started in 2017 in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. With the keywords of beauty, wellness, and organic, various stores gather that are working to solve social issues through their businesses, such as products that use naturally occurring or local materials, or products that consider people and the environment in their activities. The event has been highly evaluated for its connection of different stores. (Cancelled this year due to coronavirus)

Hana Marche enjoys both the charm of a market, a connection with locality and a festival-like energy and comfort. The number of stores is increasing as the years go by.

The event is also unique to Karatsu, where you can experience neroli flower picking with children in a mandarin orange field, once abandoned farmland, and a cosmetics making workshop where you can learn about the materials used for your skin. Have a relaxing and heart-warming time at this local event.

Hana Marche Connect, an organization that promotes environmental activities and education and inspection training tours, was established in May 2020 and is carrying out activities that embody Hana Marche’s message.

Through TocoWaka Farm, FACTO, Hana Marche, and others, people gather from inside and outside Karatsu to see, experience, and get hints of things that are unique here rather than in urban areas such as Tokyo.

Challite Co., Ltd. aims to contribute to the sustainable development of the region and local society while realizing a desire to create the future and make regions like Karatsu across the whole country into sustainable places.