Bringing the Rare Raw Honey of Japanese Honeybees to the World
This crowdfunding campaign was an ambitious effort to bring the rare, raw honey of Japanese honeybees—found only in Japan—to international markets. Thanks to the incredible support of 384 backers, we raised ¥4,325,607, exceeding our expectations. We are deeply grateful for your warm support!
Moving forward, we will continue working hard to deliver this rare and exceptional raw honey from Japanese honeybees to people around the world through this e-commerce site.
Crowdfunding page here →
(Campaign Period: August 20, 2024 – October 4, 2024)
Have You Heard of Japanese Honeybee Honey?
Chances are, most people haven’t, and the number of those who’ve actually tasted it is likely close to zero. That’s no surprise—honey from Japanese honeybees is incredibly rare, as these bees exist only in Japan. Even within Japan, it accounts for just 0.1% of the domestic market.Once you taste this honey, you’ll immediately notice how it differs from any honey you’ve had before. Its rich flavor and deep complexity are truly astonishing.This crowdfunding campaign aims to share the exquisite taste of Japanese honeybee honey with people around the world, while also raising awareness about the challenges of beekeeping.
We operate a softshell turtle and sturgeon farm in the rural town of Ojiro, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefecture. Surrounded by forests, rice fields, and flowing rivers, it’s a place rich in natural beauty.
When we began thinking about how to make use of this abundant natural environment, the idea of starting beekeeping and producing honey came to mind.
When we were searching for a beekeeper to teach us the craft, we contacted a local beekeeper, and to our surprise, the person who answered the phone was our former middle school teacher!
It turned out that after retiring two years after we graduated, our teacher had been working as a beekeeper for over 10 years. Not only that, but they weren’t just any beekeeper—they were Japan’s top beekeeper for Japanese honeybees, managing over 100 colonies and mentoring more than 200 apprentices.
In Japan, There Are Only Two Types of Bees: Western Honeybees and Japanese Honeybees
Among these, 99.9% of the honey on the market comes from Western honeybees, while honey from Japanese honeybees accounts for only 0.1%. Western honeybees excel at producing large quantities of single-flower honey, such as acacia, whereas Japanese honeybees create a fragrant and richly flavored multi-flower honey known as "Hyakkamitsu" by gathering nectar from a diverse array of flowers.
The rarity and rich taste of honey from Japanese honeybees make it a highly prized and expensive delicacy.
The Challenges of Beekeeping with Japanese Honeybees
One of the biggest difficulties in beekeeping with Japanese honeybees is the extremely low quantity of honey that can be harvested. Unlike Western honeybees, Japanese honeybees can only be harvested once a year, and even then, the amount is minimal.
Additionally, Japanese honeybees are more delicate compared to Western honeybees. They are highly sensitive to temperature changes, which can cause entire colonies to flee, and they are also vulnerable to mites, which can wipe out entire hives.
Despite the small harvest, beekeeping with Japanese honeybees is labor-intensive, making it a less popular choice among beekeepers. Most opt for Western honeybees, which are easier to manage and produce significantly more honey.
The rarity and effort involved in harvesting Japanese honeybee honey make it a truly special and highly valued product.
It is said that Einstein once remarked, “If bees disappear, humanity will follow within four years,” emphasizing the indispensable role bees play in the natural world. Among them, Japanese honeybees face particularly dire threats, and dedicated beekeepers are working tirelessly to protect them.
One such leader is the president of a Japanese honeybee conservation group, who is not only engaged in beekeeping but also actively creating bee-friendly environments. By planting canola flowers and chestnut trees in neglected lands, they are helping to establish habitats where honeybees can thrive.
This effort has created a virtuous cycle: as honeybee populations grow, the surrounding nature flourishes, which in turn supports even more honeybees. It’s a testament to the interconnectedness of bees and the environment, and the vital role conservation efforts play in sustaining this balance.
Beekeepers are professionals in beekeeping, but many of them are not good at communicating the value of their products and selling them, and we have heard them say, "If I could leave sales to them, I could concentrate on beekeeping." Therefore, we feel that we have a mission to widely communicate the value of Japanese honeybees and engage in sales.
We wanted to sell rare and expensive Japanese honey not only in Japan, but also to America, the world's largest importer of honey, with a honey consumption rate twice that of Japan. In a market dominated by low-priced Chinese products, we believe that rare and high-priced honey can be differentiated and offers a winning opportunity.
Have You Heard of Japanese Honeybee Honey?
Chances are, most people haven’t, and the number of those who’ve actually tasted it is likely close to zero. That’s no surprise—honey from Japanese honeybees is incredibly rare, as these bees exist only in Japan. Even within Japan, it accounts for just 0.1% of the domestic market.Once you taste this honey, you’ll immediately notice how it differs from any honey you’ve had before. Its rich flavor and deep complexity are truly astonishing.This crowdfunding campaign aims to share the exquisite taste of Japanese honeybee honey with people around the world, while also raising awareness about the challenges of beekeeping.
We operate a softshell turtle and sturgeon farm in the rural town of Ojiro, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefecture. Surrounded by forests, rice fields, and flowing rivers, it’s a place rich in natural beauty.
When we began thinking about how to make use of this abundant natural environment, the idea of starting beekeeping and producing honey came to mind.
When we were searching for a beekeeper to teach us the craft, we contacted a local beekeeper, and to our surprise, the person who answered the phone was our former middle school teacher!
It turned out that after retiring two years after we graduated, our teacher had been working as a beekeeper for over 10 years. Not only that, but they weren’t just any beekeeper—they were Japan’s top beekeeper for Japanese honeybees, managing over 100 colonies and mentoring more than 200 apprentices.
In Japan, There Are Only Two Types of Bees: Western Honeybees and Japanese Honeybees
Among these, 99.9% of the honey on the market comes from Western honeybees, while honey from Japanese honeybees accounts for only 0.1%. Western honeybees excel at producing large quantities of single-flower honey, such as acacia, whereas Japanese honeybees create a fragrant and richly flavored multi-flower honey known as "Hyakkamitsu" by gathering nectar from a diverse array of flowers.
The rarity and rich taste of honey from Japanese honeybees make it a highly prized and expensive delicacy.
The Challenges of Beekeeping with Japanese Honeybees
One of the biggest difficulties in beekeeping with Japanese honeybees is the extremely low quantity of honey that can be harvested. Unlike Western honeybees, Japanese honeybees can only be harvested once a year, and even then, the amount is minimal.
Additionally, Japanese honeybees are more delicate compared to Western honeybees. They are highly sensitive to temperature changes, which can cause entire colonies to flee, and they are also vulnerable to mites, which can wipe out entire hives.
Despite the small harvest, beekeeping with Japanese honeybees is labor-intensive, making it a less popular choice among beekeepers. Most opt for Western honeybees, which are easier to manage and produce significantly more honey.
The rarity and effort involved in harvesting Japanese honeybee honey make it a truly special and highly valued product.
It is said that Einstein once remarked, “If bees disappear, humanity will follow within four years,” emphasizing the indispensable role bees play in the natural world. Among them, Japanese honeybees face particularly dire threats, and dedicated beekeepers are working tirelessly to protect them.
One such leader is the president of a Japanese honeybee conservation group, who is not only engaged in beekeeping but also actively creating bee-friendly environments. By planting canola flowers and chestnut trees in neglected lands, they are helping to establish habitats where honeybees can thrive.
This effort has created a virtuous cycle: as honeybee populations grow, the surrounding nature flourishes, which in turn supports even more honeybees. It’s a testament to the interconnectedness of bees and the environment, and the vital role conservation efforts play in sustaining this balance.
Beekeepers are professionals in beekeeping, but many of them are not good at communicating the value of their products and selling them, and we have heard them say, "If I could leave sales to them, I could concentrate on beekeeping." Therefore, we feel that we have a mission to widely communicate the value of Japanese honeybees and engage in sales.
We wanted to sell rare and expensive Japanese honey not only in Japan, but also to America, the world's largest importer of honey, with a honey consumption rate twice that of Japan. In a market dominated by low-priced Chinese products, we believe that rare and high-priced honey can be differentiated and offers a winning opportunity.
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