This Year Marks the Final Rice Harvest! The Last Rice Planting at 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden' on the Company's Building Rooftop Concludes Successfully!

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. has successfully completed the rice planting of its self-developed sake rice 'Hakutsuru Kin' at the 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden' on the rooftop of its Tokyo branch (Ginza) on May 28, 2026. Although rain was a concern, there were occasional sunny intervals, and despite the humid heat, it was a good day for rice planting. To maximize sunlight exposure, the planting was conducted in May this year as well. This marks the 20th year of rice cultivation at the 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden,' which began in 2007. Due to major repairs of the building, the 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden' will conclude its operations, making this the final rice planting. However, the company aims for a high-quality yield and increased production this year.

Additionally, as part of its food education initiatives, the company has been offering local elementary school students the opportunity to experience rice planting and harvesting since 2009. This year, 74 elementary school students visited on May 26. Initially, some children hesitated to enter the rice fields, but once they got used to it, they seemed to enjoy planting rice and expressed a desire to do more. After the event, they shared their thoughts on the rice planting experience and expressed a wish to return and observe the growth of the rice plants.

■ Participants in the 'Rice Planting' Event

May 26: 74 elementary school students

May 28: Approximately 30 participants, primarily employees

　　　　　　≪Guests≫

　　　　　　2026 Miss SAKE Aomori: Akane Chikaraishi

　　　　　　2026 Miss SAKE Akita: Chiaru Iida

　　　　　　2026 Miss SAKE Yamagata: Mayu Kokubun

　　　　　　2026 Miss SAKE Tokyo: Kaori Ujiie

　　　　　　2026 Miss SAKE Okayama: Miu Enami

*Note: These five participants are scheduled to compete in the final selection event on June 13, where the Miss SAKE JAPAN Grand Prix winner will be chosen.

■ Basic Information about 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden'

・ Cultivation Area: 110m² (7 plots in total)

・ Height: Approximately 30 meters above ground

・ Soil Used: Lightweight soil for rooftop greening, approximately 15cm deep

・ Number of Cultivated Plants: Approximately 1,700

・ Harvesting Period: Around the third week of October

・ Expected Harvest Amount: Approximately 45kg with husks (43.4kg in 2025)

・ Challenges

In conventional rice cultivation, a soil depth of approximately 60cm is considered necessary. However, rooftop cultivation imposes weight restrictions, limiting the soil depth to a maximum of 15cm. This requires careful consideration to ensure that the rice plants receive adequate nutrients. Additionally, the direct sunlight on the rooftop necessitates water temperature control and frequent water replenishment. Measures such as draining the water to prevent temperature rise are taken (water temperature can reach near 35°C in midsummer). Furthermore, disaster preparedness is essential, and as rice plants are vulnerable to wind, windbreaks using ropes and nets are sometimes necessary on windy days.

■ About 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden'

In 2007, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery launched the 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden' project with the aim of disseminating information about Japanese sake culture from Ginza. On the rooftop of the Tokyo branch (Ginza, Chuo-ku), the company cultivates its self-developed sake rice 'Hakutsuru Kin' while engaging in rooftop greening, food education, and the dissemination of Japanese sake culture. Initially, there were concerns about the difficulty of rice cultivation on the rooftop of a building in a major city, but the company successfully cultivated rice in planters and created a rice field in 2008. Each year, the company strives to improve the quality of the rice, and since 2013, it has been selling products brewed exclusively with 'Hakutsuru Kin' harvested from the sky garden in limited quantities at select stores in Ginza.

■ History of 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden'

2007: Cultivation began using 100 planters and 41 four-dan barrels.

2008: A major renovation of the building's rooftop resulted in the completion of a rooftop rice field covering approximately 110 square meters.

2009: Rice planting and harvesting experiences were initiated as part of food education for nearby elementary school students.

2013: Sake brewed exclusively with 100% 'Hakutsuru Kin' harvested from the sky garden was commercialized. Since then, limited quantities have been sold exclusively in Ginza each year.

2018: Public recruitment for participants in rice planting and harvesting experience events began, and international students were also invited.

2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events at the sky garden were canceled, and rice planting and harvesting were conducted primarily by employees.

End of 2026: The rice field will be discontinued due to major repair work on the building.

■ About the 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden' Project (Team Leader: Ayumi Yamada)

As I enter my sixth year as the team leader, this year marks both the 20th anniversary and the final year of rice cultivation in Ginza. While the increasing heat due to climate change and the daily rounds are not easy, the joy of harvesting good rice and the warm words of support from those who care about the growth of the plants have enabled us to continue. Although it is sad, this season has just begun. We will make the most of our knowledge and experience to make this year a fitting culmination of 'rice cultivation in Ginza' and strive to produce even better rice.

■ About the Self-Developed Sake Rice 'Hakutsuru Kin'

'Hakutsuru Kin' is a sake rice developed by Hakutsuru Sake Brewery and registered as a variety in 2007. It was created by crossing 'Yamadaho' (the mother of 'Yamadanishiki') and 'Wataribune 2-go' (a close relative of 'Short-stemmed Wataribune,' which no longer exists, with 'Wataribune 2-go' selected) for the first time in 70 years. It is positioned as a 'brother rice' of 'Yamadanishiki.' Its characteristics include larger grains and heart white compared to 'Yamadanishiki,' a slightly shorter stature that makes it less prone to lodging, and a cleaner taste when brewed into sake.

The daily activities and growth of the plants at the sky garden are shared on the official SNS of 'Hakutsuru Ginza Sky Garden.' Please take a look.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakutsuru_ginza_official/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hakutsuru.ginza.official/

【Inquiries from General Customers】

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Customer Consultation Room

TEL: 078-856-7190 (Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, excluding holidays)

Hakutsuru Homepage: https://www.hakutsuru.co.jp/customer/

▽ News Release (PDF)

d13868-457-8983b3f24662cd8b87f200bf5143444c.pdf