Japan's First Organic Employee Cafeteria: Healthy Lunch with Brown Rice Vegetarian Cuisine at Arsoa's 'The Garden' Open to the Public

Arsoa Keio Group (Headquarters: Kitaotsu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Representative Director Chairman: Tomoki Takiguchi, President: Reiko Takiguchi, hereinafter referred to as Arsoa), which researches, develops, manufactures, and sells cosmetics, health foods, and food products, will open its organic employee cafeteria 'The Garden,' which has been protecting the health of its employees for over a quarter of a century since the company's relocation in 1998, to the general public starting Monday, June 15, 2026.

In anticipation of the company's 55th anniversary next year, on June 1st, the company unveiled a new brand message, 'ARSOA Syn-Life (Syn-Life),' and underwent a brand renewal. Syn-Life refers to a lifestyle where 'everything resonates, and health and happiness are created together for both people and the Earth.' In the era of a 100-year lifespan, aiming for the health and happiness of both people and the Earth, the brand has evolved to harmonize with and approach each individual's way of life.

Under the philosophy of 'true beauty is born from the health of the mind, body, and skin,' the company has long focused on food therapy. This time, as a place where you can experience Arsoa's way of eating and a 'Syn-Life' lifestyle, the company will welcome up to 8 customers per day (reservation only) to the cafeteria as a new initiative to contribute to the health of local residents and travelers visiting the Hachioji Okawazu area, as well as to promote 'adult food education.'

■ Background of General Opening and 'Adult Food Education'

In 1998, when Arsoa relocated its headquarters from Shibuya, Tokyo, to Okawazu, Yamanashi Prefecture (now Kitaotsu City), with the desire to keep the hearts and bodies of its employees healthy through homemade meals, the company invited Macrobiotic instructor Mr. Michio Kaji and food producer Ms. Minae Hanada to establish Japan's first full-fledged organic employee cafeteria based on Macrobiotics.

At that time, organic food without additives was not widely known. It was a pioneering challenge to gather ingredients such as vegetables and seasonings, which were rare and difficult to obtain.

In recent years, as interest in organic food and food safety has grown, the company has positioned the cafeteria as a place for 'adult food education,' where adults can relearn the 'correct knowledge of food,' which is often overlooked for convenience, and use it for their health. The company wishes to offer meals that maximize the power of ingredients, which employees also feel improve their condition when they eat at the company cafeteria, to many people who are conscious of health in the region, and will start providing them to the general public.

■ Three Commitments of 'The Garden'

1. Seasonal vegetables from the company's own farm 'Nature Organic Farm' without pesticides

The company's vast farm (8 hectares) at the southern foot of Mount Hachioji cultivates over 200 types of vegetables annually using natural harmony farming, which does not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers and allows microorganisms and insects to live and coexist vigorously. These vegetables, which are high in nutrients and beautiful to look at, can be safely and securely enjoyed 'whole' because they are free of pesticides, with abundant vitamins and minerals even in the skin and core.

2. Balance based on the Eastern philosophy of 'yin and yang'

The company thoroughly considers the balance of yin and yang in the selection and combination of ingredients, cooking methods, seasonings made with traditional methods, and even the order of dishes. The company also values two concepts: 'using the entire ingredient' by using the skin and roots of vegetables without waste, and 'oneness of body and soil' by enjoying the seasonal produce of the land.

3. Over 3,000 recipes to prevent boredom

The opening of The Garden was realized through the collaboration of Michio Kaji, a legend in the culinary research world, and Minae Hanada. The original recipes developed by Ms. Hanada's team of culinary researchers number over 3,000. The richness of the daily changing menu ensures that even if you come every day, you won't encounter the same menu for at least three months.

■ Sample Menu

The main dishes are two side dishes that change daily, centered around brown rice vegetarian cuisine, along with rice (either sticky brown rice or white rice cooked in a pressure cooker), miso soup (made with kombu and shiitake dashi), salad, and pickles.

＜Vegetable Plate＞

Main: Two servings of tempeh and seasonal vegetable spring rolls and walnut and soy meat mapo tofu

Side: Fuki and bell pepper and bean sprout namul

This vegetarian plate focuses on seasonal vegetables, allowing you to take in the energy of the earth. It contains no animal ingredients and provides sufficient protein through soy meat and grains.

＜Fish Plate＞

Main: White fish with chili sauce

Side: Fuki and bell pepper and bean sprout namul

In addition to seasonal vegetables, this plate includes high-quality protein from fish, brown rice, and miso soup, providing an ideal nutritional balance that is also good for the skin, making it a basic Japanese dish.

■ General Opening Overview

Reservation Start Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 (reservation only)

Acceptance Limit: Limited to 8 customers per day

(Initially, the number is limited to ensure quality service and maintenance.)

Price: 1,650 yen (tax included) * Coffee included

Location: Arsoa Keio Group Headquarters Employee Cafeteria 'The Garden' (Okawazu-cho, Kitaotsu City, Yamanashi Prefecture)

Reservation Method: Accepted through the official special website (URL: https://www.arsoa.co.jp/thegarden/)

Access: [By Car] About 2 hours from Shinjuku I.C. via the Chuo Expressway, about 5 minutes by car from Okawazu I.C. [By Train] About 2 hours by limited express Azusa from JR Shinjuku Station to JR Okawazu Station, about 7 minutes by taxi

■ About Arsoa (ARSOA)

Since its founding in 1972, Arsoa has been creating true health and happiness in harmony with people and nature, based on the corporate philosophy of 'Creating true health and happiness in harmony with people and nature.' To embody this philosophy, the company relocated its headquarters from Tokyo to the nature-rich area of Okawazu, Kitaotsu City, Yamanashi Prefecture in 1998. With the eternal theme of 'true beauty is born when the mind, body, and skin are all healthy,' the company has been engaged in product development and lifestyle proposals. Together with nature, the company aims to realize wellness by enriching each person's life and has evolved into a brand that harmonizes with each individual's way of life.

https://www.arsoa.co.jp/