Kitasanriku Factory Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hirono Town, Kunohe District, Iwate Prefecture, Representative Director: Yukinori Shitaubotsubo, hereinafter: Kitasanriku Factory), in cooperation with Azabudai Hills Market, held a workshop event themed "Ocean Richness" at Azabudai Hills Market on July 4, 2026 (Saturday). The event was attended by 25 participants, who enjoyed the "richness of the sea in the form of deliciousness" through sea urchin shell-opening experiences and tasting, while also learning about the serious marine environmental issues occurring worldwide and the marine regeneration aquaculture that Kitasanriku Factory is working on. Through this, we were able to share with the participants the "importance and potential of connecting the richness of the sea to the future."

Kitasanriku Factory will continue to hold events that allow many people to experience the richness of the sea in collaboration with various partners.

Background of the Event

Azabudai Hills Market holds workshops with market stores and various partners with the desire to convey Japan's rich food culture and enrich lives and the future through food. This event was planned and held with the common goal of "connecting the richness of the sea to the future," as Azabudai Hills Market agreed with Kitasanriku Factory's mission of "Enriching the world's oceans from Kitasanriku."

Workshop Overview

On the day of the event, participants not only tasted sea urchin, a blessing from the Kitasanriku sea, but also learned about the challenges facing the marine environment and the marine regeneration projects undertaken by Kitasanriku Factory. We conveyed that everyone can participate in improving the marine environment by eating sea urchin deliciously, and shared the importance of "connecting the rich sea to the future" with the participants.

[Opening]

Kitasanriku Factory Representative Yukinori Shitaubotsubo explained the marine environmental issues, including "iso-yake" (seaweed bed degradation), and the environmental regeneration projects undertaken by Kitasanriku Factory. He spoke about how the cooperation of consumers in "eating deliciously" is essential to maintain this sustainable cycle.

[Sea Urchin Shell-Opening Experience]

Sea urchins from the world's only "Uni Farm®" in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture, were provided live, and participants were invited to try opening the shells themselves. Although initially hesitant with the special tool called "Uni Pakkuri," a dedicated tool for opening sea urchin shells used by local fishermen, cheers and smiles erupted from various parts of the venue the moment the shells were opened.

[Tasting "My Uni Bowl"]

Participants created a luxurious "My Uni Bowl" by adding fresh raw sea urchin to the sea urchin they opened themselves, and tasted it on the spot. Many participants expressed their感動 (deep emotion) with comments such as "This is the most delicious sea urchin I've ever eaten!" thanks to the pure sweetness and umami of the sea urchin, which is free of alum, and the special experience of opening it themselves. Various processed products developed by Kitasanriku Factory, such as salted sea urchin, steamed sea urchin, and sea urchin butter, were also available for tasting.

[Closing]

We reaffirmed the importance of connecting the richness of the sea to the future, and received feedback such as "I learned about the problems of the sea, like iso-yake, for the first time, and it was educational." As souvenirs, participants received a "Steamed Sea Urchin Can" and "Dried Seaweed" manufactured by Kitasanriku Factory, marking the end of the event.

Event Outline

Date and Time: July 4, 2026 (Saturday) 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM / 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Venue: Special venue within Azabudai Hills Market Number of Participants: 25 Organizer: Kitasanriku Factory Co., Ltd. Cooperation: Azabudai Hills Market

Towards a World Where Everyone Can Address the Global Environmental Issue of "Iso-Yake"

In recent years, "iso-yake," where seaweed beds, which serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fish, disappear and the sea turns into a desert, has been occurring worldwide. One of the causes is the "damage" caused by sea urchins eating seaweed, and the culling of sea urchins is being promoted in various regions. However, most of the culled sea urchins have poor flesh quality because they were raised in an environment lacking food (seaweed), and much of it is discarded. Therefore, Kitasanriku Factory utilizes regeneration aquaculture technology called "UNI-VERSE systems®" to commercialize lean, culled sea urchins into delicious, high-quality sea urchins in a short period. This has created a cycle where consumers and companies can contribute to solving iso-yake by purchasing and deliciously consuming sea urchin.

Towards Marine Environment Regeneration with Sea Urchin Regeneration Aquaculture Technology "UNI-VERSE systems®"

"UNI-VERSE systems®" is a sea urchin regeneration aquaculture technology developed by Kitasanriku Factory in collaboration with the Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, and various research institutions, which improves flesh quality in a short period. It combines multiple patents, including the world's only dedicated sea urchin feed, cages that sea urchins do not eat, and non-destructive technology that can measure flesh quality without breaking the shell, making short-term sea urchin aquaculture, previously considered impossible, a reality. In addition to marine aquaculture, Kitasanriku Factory aims for year-round production and domestic and international sales of high-quality farmed sea urchins at "UNI-VERSE SiteTM Hirono," a land-based aquaculture facility completed in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture, in February of this year.

About Azabudai Hills Market

Azabudai Hills Market is a food market where approximately 30 leading Japanese specialty stores, from fresh produce to prepared foods and groceries, gather in a vast space of approximately 4,000 square meters, with the desire to "enrich Tokyo's life and future through food" and "convey the richness of Japanese food culture." Furthermore, "Azabudai Hills Market Lab" creates opportunities for learning, discovery, and experience through food.

About Kitasanriku Factory

Kitasanriku Factory is a leading sustainable seafood company that develops high-quality sea urchin brands in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture, which boasts the largest sea urchin landings in Honshu and has established sustainable sea urchin fisheries. With the mission of "Enriching the world's oceans from Kitasanriku," the company has accumulated know-how in cultivating high-quality sea urchins. Through new "sea urchin regeneration aquaculture system" technology, it connects with the world and promotes initiatives to create a sustainable future for the fisheries industry. In 2023, the company established an Australian subsidiary and is expanding its business both domestically and internationally. In February 2026, the first demonstration facility of the large-scale land-based aquaculture facility plan "UNI-VERSE SiteTM Hirono," equipped with the sea urchin regeneration aquaculture system, was completed in Hirono Town. Demonstration experiments are underway with the aim of year-round production of high-quality sea urchins.

Company Name: Kitasanriku Factory Co., Ltd. Affiliated Companies: Hironoya Co., Ltd. / KSF Australia Pty Ltd / Tasmania Blue Seafood Pty Ltd / General Incorporated Association moova Location: 22-133-1 Taneichi, Hirono Town, Kunohe District, Iwate Prefecture Established: October 1, 2018 Representative: Yukinori Shitaubotsubo, Representative Director Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of agricultural, forestry, and fishery processed products, planning and operation of 6th-sector industrial base development, technology development related to fisheries URL: https://kitasanrikufactory.co.jp/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event報告
  • Organizations: KSF Australia Pty Ltd / Tasmania Blue Seafood Pty Ltd