Hibiyakadan and Tokyo Kasei University Co-Develop Hybrid Bouquet Combining Trendy 'Knit Flowers' with Fresh Seasonal Blooms to Address Youth Disengagement from Flowers via PBL

“Knit Flower Bouquet”

Hibiyakadan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Hiroaki Miyajima) has jointly developed a limited Father’s Day collaboration product, the 'Knit Flower Bouquet,' with Tokyo Kasei University (Itabashi-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshiya Inoue), with which it has a comprehensive industry-academia partnership agreement. The product will be available from Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at eight designated Hibiyakadan stores, while supplies last.

Students from Tokyo Kasei University and Professor Otsuka

This collaborative project aims to address the flower industry’s shared challenge of youth disengagement from flowers and Hibiyakadan’s strategic focus on reaching younger demographics. The initiative focuses on 'knit flowers,' a trend originating in Korea that has gained popularity among Japan’s Z generation. By combining warm, hand-crocheted wool flowers made by students with fresh seasonal blooms arranged by Hibiyakadan, a completely new type of floral gift has been created. With female university students of the same generation involved in planning and production, the story behind the product is expected to encourage spontaneous purchases among young people who previously had little interest in flowers, stimulating new demand for Father’s Day and revitalizing the broader flower market.

Students crafting knit flowers at Tokyo Kasei University, guided by Professor Otsuka. Completed knit flowers: sunflower (left), daisy (right)

Development Background

[Objective] Reaching younger generations and solving industry-wide challenges

The flower industry, including Hibiyakadan, is actively seeking ways to resonate with the sensibilities of younger generations—particularly Gen Z—and to promote lifestyles that incorporate flowers into daily life. Expanding engagement with this demographic and creating new demand remains a key industry-wide challenge.

[Background] Recognizing the expressive power of 'knit flowers' created by design students

The initiative was inspired by spatial decorations made from knit flowers created by students from the Department of Creative Expression at Tokyo Kasei University during an art camp held in 2025. Hibiyakadan recognized the originality, expressive richness, and long-lasting appeal of these handmade knit flowers—unlike fresh flowers, which have a limited viewing period—as a promising new direction for floral gifting, leading to this collaboration. For this product, under the guidance and supervision of Professor Yuri Otsuka from the Department of Fashion and Art, students hand-crocheted two types of flowers: sunflowers, symbolizing 'admiration,' and cheerful blue daisies, ideal for Father’s Day gifts.

Tokyo Kasei University students crafting knit flowers

[Concept] The warmth of handmade craftsmanship as a gift for someone special

This bouquet combines fresh seasonal flowers, which evoke the changing seasons and freshness, with knit flowers crafted with care and emotion by students. Even after the fresh flowers have been enjoyed, the knit flowers remain as lasting keepsakes. This bouquet, incorporating innovative student ideas, offers two moments of joy in one arrangement.

[Student Learning] Full-cycle PBL: from product planning and production to sales analysis

Students will learn Hibiyakadan’s marketing and merchandising expertise and actively analyze real sales data. This project provides a practical opportunity to tackle social challenges by transforming academic learning into real-world business outcomes.

Product and Sales Overview

Knit Flower Bouquet: Sunflower Knit Flower Bouquet: Daisy

Product Name: Knit Flower Bouquet

Price: ¥2,200 (tax included)

Contents: One knit flower (sunflower or daisy) + seasonal fresh flowers

Release Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Available Stores: 8 locations

- Hibiya-Kadan Style Atore Otsuka - Hibiya-Kadan Style Shapo Motoyawata - Hibiya-Kadan Style Shapo Koibari - Hibiya-Kadan Style Joinus Terrace Futamatagawa - Hibiya-Kadan Style Sotetsu Life Mitsuke - Hibiya-Kadan Style Kyodo Corti - Hibiya-Kadan Style Odakyu Tsurugagaoka - Hibiya-Kadan Style Ebina

Store Website: https://shop.hibiyakadan.com/

※ Limited quantities per store; sales end when sold out.

Future Outlook

The Hibiyakadan Group will continue strengthening partnerships with universities and other educational institutions, building systems to support students’ practical learning, while promoting market revitalization through new value creation in flowers and greenery.

About Tokyo Kasei University and Tokyo Kasei University Junior College: https://www.tokyo-kasei.ac.jp/

Founded in 1881 (Meiji 14), the university operates two campuses in Itabashi and Sayama, with a total of 6,384 students (including graduate programs) as of June 1, 2026. The university currently comprises the Faculty of Home Economics, Faculty of Nutrition, Faculty of Child Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Child Support, Junior College Department of Childcare, and Junior College Department of Nutrition. Starting April 2026, the Social Design Domain, Cultural Information Domain, and Faculty of Co-Creative Design will launch. The university aims to return its long-standing expertise in clothing, food, housing, and daily life to society by promoting practical education through community and regional collaboration, and industry-academia-government partnerships for mutual prosperity.

Faculty of Co-Creative Design Special Website: https://co-creative-design.tokyo-kasei-univ.jp/

Partnership Contact: Human Life Support Center: https://www.tokyo-kasei.ac.jp/society/hulip/index.html

Hibiyakadan Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1872, the company established Hibiyakadan Co., Ltd. in 1950 after opening its main store in Hibiya Park, Tokyo. Today, it operates approximately 190 locations nationwide. The company provides wedding floral arrangements, sells personal and corporate floral gifts and casual flowers through stores and online shops, offers funeral services, produces living-space landscaping through greenery, provides flower graphic services, and participates in regional community development. Moving forward, Hibiyakadan will continue proposing new ways to enrich and color everyday life, going beyond mere flower and greenery sales and decoration.

Corporate Website: https://hibiya.co.jp/ Official X: https://x.com/hibiyakadan Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hibiyakadan/ Hibiyakadan Online Shop: https://www.hibiyakadan.com