In Iriya, Taito-ku, there is “SUN the Student’s Fruit and Vegetable Shop”. It was born by collaboration of Kawakyu Co., a long-established fruit and vegetable wholesaler, and an intercollege group SOLA.

They sell selected farm products from all over Japan for the aim of

1.realization of one of the best agricultures in the world,
2.vitalize the local district from fruit and vegetable shop, and
3.revival of fruit and vegetable shop.

“Today, people think that agriculture in Japan is declining. However, that is not true. Agriculture has many possibilities and I would like to disprove the bad image that has been artificially created. Japanese agriculture has its good points,” said Mr. Nakamori, the owner of the shop. He is a man with passion in agriculture.

In reality, even though the problem of labor shortage in the hilly and mountainous area, which is the major producer of agriculture, is clear, it has not been solved and instead, the problem is becoming more serious. However, the fact of fruit and vegetable from Japan having high quality and being safe is also real and the world notices it. “It is true that the work needed and the profit does not match for agriculture and it is an inefficient work. But, I see a different value beside money making. Being in contact with food makes me happy. Growing fruit and vegetable, cooking them, and eating it with everyone is my best happiness,” said Mr. Nakamori. I understood the mission of SUN lies on the thought of bringing joyful dining to Japan and making more happiness and healthiness in Japan

Due to the increase in supermarkets where various needs are satisfied, the number of local shops like fruit and vegetable shops dropped significantly. In order to stop such reality, the students of SOLA decided to take action. They will activate the agriculture and the fruit and vegetable shop from Iriya to help give a chance for students to have a place to express their passion and fresh ideas and to prevent the disappearance of Japanese tradition and beautiful scenery due to the lost in labor in the field of agriculture.

Here, they try to buy the products directly from the farmer instead of buying through the market. The reason to this is to build a good relation between the farmers and get good products. Also, you can buy the products in stabled price this way. In local fruit in vegetable shop, the advantage is that the shop can know what the customer’s need by directly communicating with them. SUN also uses this advantage as a strategy. They try their best to provide the customers with products as fresh and as cheap as it can be.

I would like to introduce a unique attempt that the SUN is doing. There is a sign saying, “Give us plastic bags” on the front to reduce expenses and for the earth.

They gather unwanted plastic bags from the customer and reuse it at the store. There are many people who cooperate to this idea. A stack of many big and small plastic bags was made in the shop. There are even customers that bring the bags and take the opportunity to chat and do shopping. Maybe this new idea could not have come up if it wasn’t the students. And the biggest reason for the customers to come to this shop is to see the smiling face of the students working there.

Address: Fruit Kawakyu 2-32-9 Kitaueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
5 minute walk from Iriya station of Hibiya line, facing Nakairiya crossing in Iriya Chuo shopping district.
Hours: Weekdays 9:30-19:00
Holidays: Weekends and holidays