We use raw materials grown at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake in Fujimi Town, Nagano Prefecture, as well as materials made to solve local problems, and make soap in cooperation with local activities.
Honey: Protecting the Ecology of Honeybees Cooperation with Local Activities
Sunflower: Reclamation of abandoned farmland, cooperation from material cultivation to processing
Takesumi: Satoyama maintenance, utilization of bamboo after felling
Maintenance of red pine forests and utilization of branches and leaves after logging
[Utilization of local materials and consistent manufacturing system]
The branding design is commissioned by a director and designer living in the local area, and the products are manufactured at a local cosmetics factory. We aim to consolidate the relationship between things and people in development locally and create products that can be made in this area.
[Use of palm oil in consideration of the environment]
Palm oil, which is used as a raw material for soap, is considered to be a problem because of its cultivation that leads to environmental destruction. The palm oil used in our soap is organically grown on an environmentally friendly farm, and we use palm shortening from "Darbon Organic Japan", which is consistently controlled in all processes. (Colombia)
[Paper material for the exterior and biomass plastic material for the inner bag]
The exterior of the soap is made of paper (containing 50% recycled paper), and the interior is made of a biodegradable cellulose film (biomass content of 90) made mainly from wood pulp. The two Akamatsu and Takesumi products have a biomass mark on the back of the package. (Confirmed by the Japan Organic Resources Association)
[HOUR's circular vision of manufacturing]
[Establishment of a voluntary organization aimed at utilizing abandoned farmland]
In 2021, sunflower oil, the raw material for HOURSOAP, led to the establishment of the voluntary organization "Fujimi Monokoto Detectives" with the aim of utilizing abandoned farmland in the town. We continue to engage in community activities that make use of the ingredients through sunflower cultivation, harvesting workshops, sunflower oil production, and soap-making experiences at a nursery school in the town.