Sotetsu Holdings and Ecodesic Launch Multi-Variety Simultaneous Cultivation and Sales of Herbs under Plant Factory Demonstration Project 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin,' Advancing Toward On-Demand Urban Farming

Sotetsu Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Tadamasa Kato) and Ecodesic Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture; Representative Director: Hideki Goto) have begun cultivating and harvesting herbs (wild arugula, coriander, basil) as part of their ongoing 'Urban Local Production for Local Consumption Plant Factory Demonstration Project' along the Sotetsu Line (hereinafter, the demonstration project). Sales will begin at six Sotetsu Rosen stores along the Sotetsu Line starting July 1, 2026 (Wed).

Previous Initiatives

Launched in April 2025, this demonstration project aims to contribute to a sustainable society and promote local production for local consumption by addressing social challenges such as labor shortages and environmental burdens in the logistics sector. Since September 21, 2025, frilly lettuce cultivated and harvested at the first facility, 'SOTETSU GREEN LAB' (in Izumi-ku, Yokohama City), has been transported via the Sotetsu Line and sold under the Sotetsu brand vegetable line 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin' at nine Sotetsu Rosen stores along the line (initially six stores). Sales of frilly lettuce have been strong, achieving a high repeat purchase rate.

Findings from the Demonstration Project

Following the initiative since 2025, the following results have been confirmed:

1 The proprietary cultivation technology 'Agrofactor' enables rapid growth—approximately one month from sowing for leafy vegetables and within one month for herbs—using less than half the lighting intensity (and less than half the electricity cost) of conventional plant factories.

2 Precise environmental control at 'SOTETSU GREEN LAB' achieves high productivity.

3 Proximity to consumer areas and rapid transportation (via rail) minimize product degradation, resulting in high customer satisfaction.

4 The system supports simultaneous cultivation of multiple varieties and can grow colored vegetables.

Launching Multi-Variety Simultaneous Cultivation of Herbs

Building on these achievements and findings, the project now begins cultivation, harvest, and sales of herbs. In recent years, the use of herbs and spices in households has become widespread, leading to steadily increasing demand. Like other fresh vegetables, herbs have a short shelf life, making them an ideal product for urban plant factories focused on local production and consumption. As a high-value-added product following frilly lettuce, herbs will play a crucial role in advancing this demonstration project toward full-scale commercialization.

Moving Toward On-Demand Cultivation Based on Customer Feedback

To coincide with the fresh herb sales launch, tasting campaigns will be held at participating stores on July 4 (Sat) and July 11 (Sat), 2026. These events will provide customers with an opportunity to experience the appeal of 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin' and collect feedback via surveys. The first 200 respondents at each event will receive 200 Sotetsu Points.

This customer feedback will be used to guide future crop selection. Given that herbs can be brought to market in about one month, combined with the introduction of an 'on-demand' cultivation system, production can respond swiftly to customer demand. This approach aims to simultaneously improve production efficiency and reduce food waste in factory-grown vegetables.

Building a System That Enables Diverse Talent to Thrive

The packaging and labeling work for the products is carried out by staff from Sotetsu Wish Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Aoba-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Ryoichi Goto), a certified subsidiary of Sotetsu Holdings, enabling diverse talent, including people with disabilities, to contribute to the demonstration project.

Additionally, because this work can be performed in short shifts, it allows participation from students, homemakers, and senior citizens, contributing to local job creation. In practice, people from their teens to their late 60s living along the Sotetsu Line are engaging in the project according to their lifestyles, creating accessible opportunities to connect with agriculture and establishing locally rooted workplaces.

Overview of Sotetsu Brand Vegetables 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin' Herb Sales

1. Start Date

Sequential sales beginning July 1, 2026 (Wed)

2. Sales Locations

Six Sotetsu Rosen stores:

・Tsurugamine Store

・Joinus Terrace Nimokyo Store

・Mitsukehashi Store

・Midorino-Machi Store

・Minami-Makigahara Store

・Yumegaoka Solatos Store

3. Products Sold

Wild Arugula

Coriander

Basil

4. Sales Price

299 yen per pack (328 yen including tax)

Overview of 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin' Tasting Campaign

1. Dates, Times, and Locations

July 4, 2026 (Sat) 11:00–16:00 approx.

Two Sotetsu Rosen stores:

・Tsurugamine Store

・Midorino-Machi Store

July 11, 2026 (Sat) 11:00–16:00 approx.

Four Sotetsu Rosen stores:

・Joinus Terrace Nimokyo Store

・Mitsukehashi Store

・Minami-Makigahara Store

・Yumegaoka Solatos Store

2. Event Details

〇 Tasting of 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin'

Fresh herb samples from the Sotetsu brand vegetable line 'Sotetsu to Toretatebin' will be offered.

〇 Survey Campaign

Sotetsu Point members who respond to the survey via the QR code on in-store posters or flyers will receive 200 Sotetsu Points (first 200 respondents only).

※ Images and videos taken during the event may be used later on websites, posters, and other materials. Participation implies consent to this usage.

※ Each person may respond to the survey only once.

Overview of Sotetsu Holdings

1. Company Name

Sotetsu Holdings Co., Ltd.

2. Address

2-9-14 Kitasai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

3. Representative

Tadamasa Kato

4. Business Activities

Group management

https://www.sotetsu.co.jp/

5. Capital

38.803 billion 3 million 4,708 yen

Overview of Ecodesic

1. Company Name

Ecodesic Co., Ltd.

2. Address

6-9-18 Kashiwa, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture

3. Representative

Hideki Goto

4. Business Activities

Development of plant factories using proprietary cultivation technology 'Agrofactor (Agrofactor)'

https://ecodesic.co.jp/

5. Capital

70.75 million yen