Creating a "Fermentation Sanctuary" in a Depopulated Town, Attracting People from Around the World. Starting with a "4-Day Soy Sauce Brewing Retreat" as the First Step.

Our company supports April Dream, an initiative to make April 1st a day to express dreams. This press release is a dream of "yuone."

In Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, yuone, which operates "FERMELL," a one-group-per-day accommodation, and "Liand bagel," a bagel shop open once a week, will launch a new fermentation-themed initiative: the "4-Day Soy Sauce Brewing Retreat" starting May 17, 2026.

Our goal is to create a "Fermentation Sanctuary" in this depopulated town, attracting people from all over the world.

Kitahiroshima Town, while blessed with rich nature and water, faces challenges such as population decline, aging, and an increase in vacant homes. Amidst these circumstances, we re-examined the unique value inherent in this land.

That value is "fermentation."

Fermentation is a process that slowly changes over time, nurturing value with an invisible force. Its essence overlaps with the climate and lifestyle of this town itself.

Through making bagels using homemade sourdough starter cultivated for over 10 years and operating accommodation facilities renovated from old folk houses, we have embodied a "fermenting lifestyle." Although these are small endeavors—a bagel shop open once a week and an inn limited to one group per day—we now welcome many visitors from both within and outside the prefecture.

The upcoming "4-Day Soy Sauce Brewing Retreat" will allow participants to experience a life intertwined with fermentation, centered around the actual soy sauce brewing process.

The retreat aims to be more than just an experience; it seeks to be "a place where the time spent together becomes value itself," through fermentation-themed meals, dedicated time, and interaction among participants.

Furthermore, this initiative is not a one-off event but a starting point for future developments. We will create new flows of people by expanding fermentation-themed stay programs, collaborating with local sake breweries and pickle makers, and revitalizing vacant homes.

This retreat is the first step in our project to "create a Fermentation Sanctuary."

Though a small endeavor, we hope to cultivate new value and possibilities in this town.

4-Day Soy Sauce Brewing Retreat @ FERMELL

A fermentation retreat hosted by Nacche, a soy sauce artisan from Brown's Field, residing in Kitahiroshima Town.

### ■ Experience Image

Mixing soybeans grown using natural farming methods in this region with koji, and slowly entrusting them to time. This is a soy sauce making experience that allows you to take home "fermenting time" in your daily life.

### ■ People you will spend time with

The main person at this retreat is Nacche, the soy sauce artisan. You will be with them for all 3 nights and 4 days, day and night.

Normally, the soy sauce brewing process is not open to the public. The techniques and senses that artisans have acquired over many years can be experienced right by their side, only at this retreat.

### ■ Facility Introduction

"FERMELL," a private rental inn nestled in the mountains of Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is an accommodation facility where fermentation and daily life intersect amidst the natural air and tranquility. Surrounded by mountains, you can work with your hands, interact with people, and spend time at your own pace.

▼ For more details, visit our HP https://fermell.yuone.net/

For those interested in this initiative, we also offer opportunities to experience it firsthand.

### ■ Retreat Overview

Name: 4-Day Soy Sauce Brewing Retreat ~Fermentation and Life~ Dates: May 17 - May 20, 2026 (3 nights, 4 days) Venue: FERMELL (Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture) Capacity: Small group (limited to a few people)

Contents: - Soy sauce brewing experience - Fermentation-themed meals - Time and dialogue related to fermentation and life - Interaction among participants

*Please check the special page for details.

How to participate

If you wish to participate in this retreat, you can apply via the special page below.

▼ Details and application here https://hakko-yohaku.readdy.co/

Representative's Comment "I feel that this town has the power to slowly cultivate value. Like fermentation, people and relationships grow over time. I want to create that opportunity from this place."

Yuichi Ikeda, Representative of yuone