A pop-up shop and talk event titled "Rice and Biodiversity: The Challenge of Shigi no Ongaeshi mai" is set to be held at AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū (Kagurazaka, Tokyo) on March 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun), 2026. The event is organized by WWF Japan (World Wide Fund for Nature Japan) in collaboration with local rice farmers and AKOMEYA TOKYO.
"Shigi no Ongaeshi mai" (Shigi no Ongaeshi Rice) is grown in the Higashiyoga area of Saga Prefecture with a focus on coexistence with nature and the promotion of sustainable farming practices that protect biodiversity.
POP UP SHOP (March 14 and 15)
The pop-up shop will feature tasting and sales of Shigi no Ongaeshi mai by the producers themselves, as well as panel exhibitions introducing the project's activities and the wildlife involved. Goods from WWF Japan's official online shop "PANDA SHOP" will also be available for purchase.
Date: March 14 (Sat) and 15 (Sun), 2026, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū (Kagurazaka, Tokyo), 2F
(Address: 67 Yaraicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Contents:
- Tasting and sales of Shigi no Ongaeshi mai
- Panel exhibition on the project's activities and wildlife
- PANDA SHOP goods sales
Talk Event (March 15)
A talk event featuring the rice producers, Saga City, AKOMEYA TOKYO, and WWF Japan will be held on March 15 (Sun). Speakers will discuss the story behind the project and ongoing efforts to achieve coexistence with nature in farming.
Date: March 15 (Sun), 2026, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Venue: AKOMEYA TOKYO in la kagū (Kagurazaka, Tokyo), 2F
(Address: 67 Yaraicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Speakers:
- "Shigi no Ongaeshi mai" farmers: Takeshi Uchida, Shizuko Uchida, Shigeki Tokuhisa
- Masakazu Fukuoka, Saga City Office Higashiyoga Branch
- Hitoshi Hoshino, Buyer, AKOMEYA TOKYO
- Yu Kubo, Freshwater Group, Nature Conservation Division, WWF Japan
Admission: Free (first 30 attendees; advance reservation required)
Reservation: https://shiginoongaeshiwwf.peatix.com/
*Walk-ins may be accepted depending on availability on the day.
About Shigi no Ongaeshi mai
The "Shigi no Ongaeshi mai Project" has been operating since 2021 in Higashiyoga, Saga Prefecture, bringing together the Saga Prefecture Shigi no Ongaeshi mai Project Promotion Council, AKOMEYA TOKYO, and WWF Japan. The project aims to build a sustainable agricultural model that links farmers in the production area with retailers and consumers, using rice sales revenue to support farming practices that are considerate of nature and wildlife.
In addition to rice production, ongoing efforts in the Higashiyoga area include wildlife surveys and environmental improvements to water channels, all oriented toward living in harmony with nature.
