Watami Farm Begins Sowing Jerusalem Artichokes at Kurabuchi Farm for 2026 Harvest

Watami Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter Watami) announced that its group farm, Watami Farm, has commenced sowing (planting seed tubers) of Jerusalem artichokes for the 2026 harvest at the Kurabuchi Farm in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture.

Watami Farm continues to cultivate Jerusalem artichokes, which are gaining attention as a health food ingredient, and has now begun sowing for the 2026 crop at the Kurabuchi Farm. This year's cultivation area is approximately 5 hectares, with a target harvest of 100 tons.

The cultivated Jerusalem artichokes are planned to be used in Watami's original products such as "Jerusalem Artichoke Tea (tea bags and PET bottles)", as well as in menu items at Watami Group's restaurant chains and side dish menus for "Watami's Home Meal Direct" delivery service.

■ Jerusalem Artichoke: A Health Food Ingredient in Focus

Jerusalem artichoke is a plant of the Asteraceae family, known for being rich in the water-soluble dietary fiber "inulin."

In recent years, against the backdrop of growing health consciousness, it has become a food ingredient of interest, particularly among people concerned about post-meal blood sugar levels or those looking to improve their gut health through dietary changes.

Watami Farm aims to coexist with the natural environment through organic farming, stably produce such health food ingredients, and deliver them in a form that can be easily incorporated into daily meals.

Currently, "Watami's Home Meal Direct" uses Jerusalem artichokes in menu items such as:

・Eight Treasure Vegetables with Jerusalem Artichoke

・Tofu Hamburger Steak with Jerusalem Artichoke

The company will continue to develop products that balance "taste" and "health."

In its restaurant business, Watami also offers menu items using Jerusalem artichokes, such as "Chicken Kamameshi (with homemade Jerusalem artichoke soy sauce)."

■ From Farm to Table: Delivering Value as a Group

Watami Farm aims to realize a production model where people and nature coexist sustainably, including through organic agriculture.

This Jerusalem artichoke cultivation is not merely about agricultural production; it is part of Watami's unique initiative to "deliver ingredients grown on the farm to customers through the group's food services."

Going forward, the Watami Group will continue to contribute to the healthy and prosperous lives of its customers by providing consistent value from the farm to the dining table.

■ Watami Co., Ltd.

【Address】 1-1-3 Haneda, Ota-ku, Tokyo

【Representative】 Representative Director, Chairman and President & CEO Miki Watanabe

【Established】 May 1986

【Business】 Domestic restaurant business, overseas business, home meal delivery business, agriculture, environmental business, human resources service business

【Website URL】 http://www.watami.co.jp