Athriche Track and Field School Launches Food Education Project "Athriche Rice" for Children to Learn Not Only "Running Power" but Also "Eating Power"
Athriche Track and Field School is launching the food education project "Athriche Rice." On May 17, 2026, they will hold a rice planting experience event in Toyama City, providing children with an opportunity to learn the importance of food and athletics through hands-on experience.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 22:11
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■ New Project "Athriche Rice" Connecting Food and Athletics Begins
Athriche Track and Field School, operated by Athriche General Incorporated Association (Location: Toyama Prefecture, Representative: Akishi Nishimura), will hold the "Athriche Rice x Shinmei Rice Planting Experience 2026" in Takada, Toyama City, on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with the cooperation of the Shinmei Regional Revitalization Council.
This event is the first phase of Athriche's newly launched food education project, "Athriche Rice: Run, Grow, Eat, and Get Stronger." By having children participate in entering the rice paddies themselves, planting seedlings, cultivating them, and eventually eating the rice, the project aims to provide an experience that leads not only to improved athletic ability but also to personal growth.
■ Why a Track and Field School is Holding a Rice Planting Experience Now
Athriche has continuously implemented "Agri-sports" events that combine agriculture and sports, working to promote food education and understanding of local agriculture among children. This initiative is a further step in those activities. Instead of a one-off experience, it creates a continuous learning story where children "grow the rice they eat with their own hands."
In track and field, practice to run faster tends to get all the attention. However, for growing children, what they eat every day is equally important. Carbohydrates, including rice, are a crucial energy source for athletes and are deeply involved in improving athletic performance, preventing injuries, and recovering from fatigue. Athriche aims to convey the importance of food not just through knowledge but through hands-on experience.
■ Learning Beyond Rice Planting: Connecting with the Community
In recent years, opportunities for rice planting experiences in schools have decreased, and even in Toyama Prefecture, children have fewer chances to actually enter rice paddies and experience agriculture and nature. Even in Toyama, a famous rice-producing region, the primary experience of touching the soil and engaging with local agriculture has become more valuable than before.
This project is also positioned as a new learning model that connects sports, food education, and regional agriculture. By interacting with local farmers, children will experience the process of food growth and the blessings of nature, fostering insights and gratitude that cannot be gained solely through athletics.
■ Rice Planting Experience and Tasting to be Held on the Day, Currently Accepting Waitlist Registrations
On the day, after a warm-up, participants will move to the rice paddies, receive work instructions, and then participate in the rice planting experience. After the experience, rice balls will be distributed and tasted, and information regarding pre-orders for 2026 harvest rice will also be provided.
Please note that the capacity of 40 participants has already been filled, and registrations are currently being accepted for the waitlist.
■ What Athriche Wants to Convey Through This Event
Through this event, Athriche aims to convey to children that "meals are as important as practice," "what they grow with their own hands will eventually become their strength," and "gratitude towards the community, nature, and friends."
Starting with rice planting, the project plans to develop a year-long food education story that includes autumn rice harvesting, actual harvesting, and tasting.
■ Representative Comment
Comment from Akishi Nishimura, Representative of Athriche General Incorporated Association
"Practice is very important for running fast. However, no matter how good the practice is, if what you eat is not good, you cannot grow. I want children to have the opportunity to understand the importance of 'athletics + food' by actually experiencing how the rice they usually eat is made. The Athriche Rice Project was born from this wish."
■ Event Overview
Event Name: Athriche Rice x Shinmei Rice Planting Experience 2026
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 14:00-16:30 (Reception 13:30-)
Meeting Place: In front of Nanohana Agricultural Cooperative Seibu Branch warehouse (144 Takada, Toyama City)
Organizer: Athriche General Incorporated Association
Cooperation: Shinmei Regional Revitalization Council
Support: Japan Agri-Sports Association
Target: Elementary and junior high school students in the prefecture and their families
Capacity: 40 people
*Currently accepting waitlist registrations as capacity has been reached
Participation Fee: High school students and above 1,000 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 500 yen (includes rice ball)
What to Bring: Sandals, towel, change of clothes, drinks
Rain Policy: Held in light rain, canceled in stormy weather
*In case of cancellation, notification will be sent by email by 12:00 PM on the day
Application Method: Contact official LINE or the office
■ Organization Overview
Organization Name: Athriche General Incorporated Association
Representative: Akishi Nishimura
Location: Toyama Prefecture
Business Activities: Operation of track and field schools mainly for elementary and junior high school students, planning and operation of sports events, food education and regional collaboration activities
Official Website: https://athriche.com/
■ Contact for this matter
Athriche General Incorporated Association
Athriche Track and Field School Office
Contact Person: Akishi Nishimura
E-mail: info@athriche.com
Athriche Track and Field School, operated by Athriche General Incorporated Association (Location: Toyama Prefecture, Representative: Akishi Nishimura), will hold the "Athriche Rice x Shinmei Rice Planting Experience 2026" in Takada, Toyama City, on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with the cooperation of the Shinmei Regional Revitalization Council.
This event is the first phase of Athriche's newly launched food education project, "Athriche Rice: Run, Grow, Eat, and Get Stronger." By having children participate in entering the rice paddies themselves, planting seedlings, cultivating them, and eventually eating the rice, the project aims to provide an experience that leads not only to improved athletic ability but also to personal growth.
■ Why a Track and Field School is Holding a Rice Planting Experience Now
Athriche has continuously implemented "Agri-sports" events that combine agriculture and sports, working to promote food education and understanding of local agriculture among children. This initiative is a further step in those activities. Instead of a one-off experience, it creates a continuous learning story where children "grow the rice they eat with their own hands."
In track and field, practice to run faster tends to get all the attention. However, for growing children, what they eat every day is equally important. Carbohydrates, including rice, are a crucial energy source for athletes and are deeply involved in improving athletic performance, preventing injuries, and recovering from fatigue. Athriche aims to convey the importance of food not just through knowledge but through hands-on experience.
■ Learning Beyond Rice Planting: Connecting with the Community
In recent years, opportunities for rice planting experiences in schools have decreased, and even in Toyama Prefecture, children have fewer chances to actually enter rice paddies and experience agriculture and nature. Even in Toyama, a famous rice-producing region, the primary experience of touching the soil and engaging with local agriculture has become more valuable than before.
This project is also positioned as a new learning model that connects sports, food education, and regional agriculture. By interacting with local farmers, children will experience the process of food growth and the blessings of nature, fostering insights and gratitude that cannot be gained solely through athletics.
■ Rice Planting Experience and Tasting to be Held on the Day, Currently Accepting Waitlist Registrations
On the day, after a warm-up, participants will move to the rice paddies, receive work instructions, and then participate in the rice planting experience. After the experience, rice balls will be distributed and tasted, and information regarding pre-orders for 2026 harvest rice will also be provided.
Please note that the capacity of 40 participants has already been filled, and registrations are currently being accepted for the waitlist.
■ What Athriche Wants to Convey Through This Event
Through this event, Athriche aims to convey to children that "meals are as important as practice," "what they grow with their own hands will eventually become their strength," and "gratitude towards the community, nature, and friends."
Starting with rice planting, the project plans to develop a year-long food education story that includes autumn rice harvesting, actual harvesting, and tasting.
■ Representative Comment
Comment from Akishi Nishimura, Representative of Athriche General Incorporated Association
"Practice is very important for running fast. However, no matter how good the practice is, if what you eat is not good, you cannot grow. I want children to have the opportunity to understand the importance of 'athletics + food' by actually experiencing how the rice they usually eat is made. The Athriche Rice Project was born from this wish."
■ Event Overview
Event Name: Athriche Rice x Shinmei Rice Planting Experience 2026
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 14:00-16:30 (Reception 13:30-)
Meeting Place: In front of Nanohana Agricultural Cooperative Seibu Branch warehouse (144 Takada, Toyama City)
Organizer: Athriche General Incorporated Association
Cooperation: Shinmei Regional Revitalization Council
Support: Japan Agri-Sports Association
Target: Elementary and junior high school students in the prefecture and their families
Capacity: 40 people
*Currently accepting waitlist registrations as capacity has been reached
Participation Fee: High school students and above 1,000 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 500 yen (includes rice ball)
What to Bring: Sandals, towel, change of clothes, drinks
Rain Policy: Held in light rain, canceled in stormy weather
*In case of cancellation, notification will be sent by email by 12:00 PM on the day
Application Method: Contact official LINE or the office
■ Organization Overview
Organization Name: Athriche General Incorporated Association
Representative: Akishi Nishimura
Location: Toyama Prefecture
Business Activities: Operation of track and field schools mainly for elementary and junior high school students, planning and operation of sports events, food education and regional collaboration activities
Official Website: https://athriche.com/
■ Contact for this matter
Athriche General Incorporated Association
Athriche Track and Field School Office
Contact Person: Akishi Nishimura
E-mail: info@athriche.com