Ohizumi Kojo Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture) is renewing the packaging of its fermented sparkling tea "_SHIP KOMBUCHA," introducing a new brand message: "NEO Fermentation." The redesigned product will also go on sale through the official online store starting July 7, 2026 (Tuesday).
Official online site: http://oks-kombuchaship.com
Some retailers will begin carrying the redesigned packaging from July 3, 2026 (Friday).
The current design will continue to be sold going forward as the "Art Bottle."
The renewal keeps the same commitment to ingredients and brewing method, while giving fresh emphasis to fermentation — the product's defining feature — through a pop, colorful design. The aim is a package that stands out on shelves and in refrigerated cases, and that's easy for first-time buyers to pick up.
Through this renewal, _SHIP KOMBUCHA aims to present fermentation not as something difficult or special, but as something that can be enjoyed casually, depending on the mood of the day.
Background of the Package Renewal
_SHIP KOMBUCHA has been developed as a drink to enjoy in everyday life, built around the depth of flavor that comes from fermentation and a focus on ingredients and brewing method.
At the same time, retailers faced a challenge: first-time shoppers often found it hard to tell what kombucha is or what kind of drink it is just by looking at the shelf. This matters especially in grocery stores and supermarkets, where many products line the shelves and it's important for a product's features — and the reason to pick it up — to come across at a glance.
To communicate the value of fermentation behind _SHIP KOMBUCHA more clearly and enjoyably, the packaging design has been renewed. Under the new message "NEO Fermentation," the brand expresses traditional fermentation wisdom as a value that can be freely enjoyed in line with today's lifestyles.
What Is "NEO Fermentation," the Idea Behind _SHIP KOMBUCHA?
The oldest confirmed trace of fermented food dates back roughly 13,000 years, found in what is now Israel.
From what was likely a chance discovery, fermentation evolved from a natural phenomenon into a technique for preservation, and in time grew into its own food culture rooted in each region around the world.
In the 19th century, French scientist Louis Pasteur scientifically explained the mechanism behind fermentation, and from there it grew beyond food culture into a technology supporting society, extending into industries such as medicine and biotechnology.
_SHIP KOMBUCHA sees fermentation as a phenomenon that brings good change.
In today's often chaotic society, fermentation is evolving beyond food technology into a way of thinking that can make people, organizations, and society better.
Carrying the fermentation inherited from the past forward into the society of the future — that is what "NEO Fermentation" stands for: a new philosophy that extends the very idea of fermentation, along the continuum of history, to people, organizations, and society.
And this philosophy is not a difficult one. It's about making fermentation something to enjoy more freely, more lightly, and more comfortably in everyday life.
Just as microorganisms have changed the world, _SHIP KOMBUCHA continues to use the wisdom of fermentation to brew good change in people and society, and to keep creating the products and spaces that spark it.
Highlights of the New Package
1. A design that conveys the value of fermentation
Under the message "NEO Fermentation," the new package expresses the new way of enjoying fermentation that _SHIP KOMBUCHA proposes. It's designed to make it clear at a glance, the moment it's spotted on the shelf, that it's a fermented drink — giving shoppers a reason to pick it up.
2. Refreshed into a pop, colorful look
While keeping the same commitment to natural ingredients and fermentation, the design moves toward a more approachable impression, aiming for a pop, colorful look that lifts the mood and makes everyday life a little more fun.
3. Greater shelf visibility, and a stronger pitch for retailers
In grocery stores and supermarkets, the product itself is often the first point of contact with shoppers. This renewal raises the product's visibility on the shelf, while also evolving the package into one that makes it easier for retailers to convey the product's appeal.
What _SHIP KOMBUCHA Aims For
Ohizumi Kojo runs businesses centered on food and everyday life under the purpose of "filling the earth with smiles" and the vision of "creating a wonderful environment," working toward a sustainable society where people and nature exist in harmony.
_SHIP KOMBUCHA aims not simply to make and sell a product, but to use each cup as a starting point for new experiences and value.
Through this renewal, the brand hopes to create touchpoints — both in stores and online — where the appeal of _SHIP KOMBUCHA comes across easily, even to those who aren't yet familiar with fermented drinks, and to spread the "chance to enjoy fermentation" into everyone's daily life.
Product Overview
- Product name: _SHIP KOMBUCHA
- Flavors: 4 varieties (ORIGINAL / YUZU HEADS / SHISO FUTURE / HOP BREEZE)
- Renewal rollout: From July 2026, launching in stages
- Sales start date: July 7, 2026 (Tuesday), at the official online store
- Some retailers will carry it from July 3, 2026 (Friday)
- Where to buy: Official online store, retail stores, and more
- Official website: http://oks-kombuchaship.com
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ship_kombucha/
The sales start date and participating retailers are subject to change.
About _SHIP KOMBUCHA
Kombucha is a plant-based, lightly carbonated "fermented sparkling tea" made by adding sugar to tea and fermenting it with a SCOBY — a culture of acetic acid bacteria and yeast.
Like other fermented foods, it's popular among people seeking a healthy, active lifestyle, valued for supporting gut health with expected benefits such as stronger immunity and anti-aging. Overseas, it's popular enough to find casually at cafés and supermarkets, known for its fruity acidity and refreshing taste.
_SHIP KOMBUCHA is an organic kombucha brand brewed with natural ingredients, such as naturally grown tea, without any added fruit juice, flavoring, or preservatives. In 2023, it became the first kombucha in Japan to receive Organic JAS certification, and all four flavors have gone on to win awards at an international competition. It's brewed at one of the few dedicated kombucha breweries in Japan using an unheated process, with every step — from tea extraction to fermentation to bottling — carried out carefully and patiently by hand. The result is a fruity acidity reminiscent of white grapes or pears, paired with the umami that comes from fermentation.
