Zenbird Editorial TeamUniversal Engeisha Co., Ltd. announced the launch of “Otaki Yuyo Shokubutsuen” (Otaki Useful Botanical Garden) in Otaki Town, Chiba Prefecture. Scheduled for a grand opening on 20 February 2026, the project aims to bridge ancient Japanese and Asian plant knowledge with contemporary lifestyles.
The project involves the total renewal of the existing 6,000-square-metre Otaki Herb Garden. The site will transition from a Western-style herb garden into a hub for “useful plants,” including herbs and flora that have historically supported daily life in the East. Otaki Town is a region characterised by broad-leaved forests and clean water, with a long history of medicinal plant cultivation and distillation.
A multidisciplinary creative team oversees the development, including experts in botany, culinary arts, architecture, fragrance, and traditional crafts. The team includes wild plant researcher Tomomichi Yamashita, former Maruta chef Kazuki Ishimatsu, and fragrance director Rei Horie. By integrating these diverse fields, the project aims to create a community garden where visitors can learn to incorporate the benefits of plants into their daily routines.
The facility comprises five primary zones. The Garden and Greenhouse area features “garden living” spaces with Asian foliage and “outdoor living” areas reflecting Japan’s four seasons. These plants serve as raw materials for the onsite cafe and laboratory. The Cafe and Restaurant offers dishes such as curry and pancakes that incorporate useful plants. A Select Shop will function as a lifestyle store, offering seedlings, interior goods, and original products. Lab and Atelier will serve as a centre for research and education, where workshops will be conducted. Finally, a Park area designed as a hub for community interaction.
Through these activities, Otaki Yuyo Shokubutsuen intends to foster a future where humans and nature coexist healthily.
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
