Agricultural Research Institute

What Agricultural Research Institute does

Agricultural Research Institute (株式会社農研堂 / Nokendo Co., Ltd.) is a privately held Saga University spinoff venture established on May 24, 2007, and headquartered in Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture, Japan. The company commercializes "Barafu" (バラフ), Japan's first vegetable-form ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), developed through more than three decades of Saga University agricultural research led by Professor Nose beginning in 1985. Its core technology is a university-licensed hydroponic (soilless) cultivation method that ensures food safety by eliminating cadmium and heavy-metal absorption risks, while controlling the plant's mineral composition and natural salt-flavor properties. Seeds are supplied exclusively by Saga University to Nokendo and its contracted Saga-Prefecture farmers.

The company sells fresh Barafu, processed food ingredients (frozen purees and dried 'vegetable salt' powders), and a recently launched seasonal leafy green, Amaranthus, through B2B wholesale channels. Distribution flows through four major Japanese produce wholesalers — Kyoto Seika, Tokyo Seika, Nagoya Seika, and Marucho Seika — reaching supermarkets, department stores, and restaurants in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. The company also collaborates with Saga confectionery shops (over 15 retailers) on Barafu-based sweets, and previously operated a joint cosmetics line with Toyo Shinyaku (Barafu Crystal, 2012–2020) that was discontinued in October 2020. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company reported registered capital of ¥16,500,000 as of August 25, 2009, with no subsequent funding rounds disclosed.

Nokendo operates a sales-led B2B go-to-market motion anchored in trade-show participation (Agri-Food EXPO, Supermarket Trade Show, Regional Ingredients Exhibition Business Fair), earned-media coverage across major Japanese outlets (Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri, Nikkei, NHK-affiliated TV programs), and direct relationships with regional food manufacturers (e.g., Kanzaki Somen Cooperative for Barafu noodles). Customer segments include produce wholesalers, food manufacturers, restaurant operators, and (historically) cosmetics consumers. The company is led by Representative Director Tatsuya Nagahara, who assumed the role on August 31, 2009, alongside Director Nobuomi Shimoda and Auditor Fumio Kato.

Name

Agricultural Research Institute

Legal name

株式会社 農研堂

Website

https://barafu.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Agricultural Research Institute (株式会社農研堂 / Nokendo Co., Ltd.) is a Saga University spinoff venture established in 2007 that cultivates and sells Barafu, Japan's first vegetable-form ice plant, plus processed ingredients, to Japanese wholesalers, restaurants, and food manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kanzaki

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Vegetable Sales (ばれないょう): Sale of fresh Barafu (ice plant) produce to restaurants, retailers, and food service companies through B2B distribution partnerships with major produce wholesalers.
2. Processed Food Ingredients (加工食品原料): Production and sale of processed Barafu ingredients — frozen purees and dried vegetable powders — to food manufacturers for use in sweets, noodles, seasonings, and other processed products.
3. Cosmetics and Beauty Products (バラフクリスタル): Joint development and sale of cosmetics (Barafu Crystal MOIST GELEE, MOIST CLEANSING SOAP) with Toyo Shinyaku. The product line was discontinued in October 2020. Revenue was generated through product sales to consumers via the partner's distribution.
4. Barafu Sweets (バラフ・スイーツ): Barafu used as an ingredient and decorative material in confectionery products, sold through collaborations with Saga Prefecture confectionery shops. Products include macarons, madeleines, cookies, chocolates, and seasonal sweets sold at department stores and specialty shops.
5. Barafu Noodles (バラフ麺): Development and sale of noodles made with Barafu, in partnership with Kanzaki Somen Cooperative and Riken Noukan Kako. Products include 'Kaminohakushoku Menkaiseki Barafu' (noodles and cuisine using Barafu).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

株式会社農研堂 (Nokendo Co., Ltd.) cultivates, processes, and commercializes Barafu — Japan's first vegetable-form ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) — developed through Saga University agricultural research. The company produces fresh Barafu vegetables, processed food ingredients (frozen puree and dried Barafu/vegetable salt), and seasonal summer produce (Amaranthus), distributing primarily through wholesale produce channels and direct B2B sales to food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers in Japan.

Product overview

Agricultural Research Institute (株式会社農研堂, Nokendo) is a Saga University spin-off venture company that develops and commercializes agricultural products. The company's flagship offering is Barafu (ばらふ), Japan's first vegetable-form ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) developed by Saga University over decades of research. The core product line encompasses fresh Barafu ice plant (a leafy vegetable with natural saltiness and crystal-like cell structures), Amaranthus seasonal greens (a separate summer leafy vegetable), and processed food products (frozen puree and dried Barafu as food ingredients). The company has expanded into cosmetics using Barafu extract (Barafu Crystal series, now discontinued) and collaborates with local confectionery shops for Barafu sweets. All products trace their technology to Saga University agricultural research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Barafu Crystal (バラフクリスタル): Cosmetics product line featuring Barafu extract. Includes MOIST GELEE (jelly-type beauty serum) and MOIST CLEANSING SOAP. Product line was discontinued in October 2020.

Products and services

• Barafu Fresh Ice Plant Vegetable (バラフ) Fresh ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) developed as Japan's first vegetable-form ice plant by Saga University. Features crystal-like bladder cells on leaves and stems that create a sparkling appearance and naturally salty taste. Cultivated using hydroponics for safety and quality stability; sold fresh to restaurants, retailers, and food service companies.
• Amaranthus Summer Vegetable (アマランサス) Seasonal summer leafy green (Amaranthus) launched in 2022 by Nokendo. Available June through October; rich in vitamins A, C, calcium, manganese, and folate. Used as a spinach substitute with improved texture and reduced bitterness.
• Barafu Processed Food Ingredients (バラフ加工食品) Processed food ingredients derived from Barafu ice plant, including frozen purees and dried/powdered Barafu (approximately 2% moisture, ~20g per 1kg fresh). Dried Barafu functions as a 'vegetable salt' with mineral ratio sodium:potassium:calcium:magnesium:phosphorus of 360:480:30:18:45. Sold to food manufacturers for use in sweets, noodles, seasonings, and other processed products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clinical study on 11 adult women (age 46.7±2.8) showed that Barafu extract cosmetics significantly improved skin moisture content and reduced wrinkle depth after 8 weeks of twice-daily use. 82% of subjects reported satisfaction with skin condition; 91% wished to continue using the product.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and moderate.

• Kanzaki Somen Cooperative (神琦そうめん協同組合)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2011Partnered with the Kanzaki Somen Cooperative (based in Kanzaki City, Saga Prefecture) and Riken Noukan Kako to develop and manufacture noodles incorporating Barafu. Inoue Seimen (井上製麺) began selling Barafu noodles under the product name 'Kaminohakushoku Menkaiseki Barafu' in July 2011.
• Toyo Shinyaku (東洋新薬株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2011Nokendo entered into a joint product development agreement with Toyo Shinyaku (a cosmetics ODM company headquartered in Saga Prefecture) to develop and commercialize cosmetics products containing Barafu extract. The partnership resulted in the Barafu Crystal product line (MOIST GELEE launched Feb 2012, CLEANSING SOAP launched Sep 2012). Toyo Shinyaku conducted clinical studies demonstrating the moisturizing and anti-wrinkle efficacy of Barafu extract. The cosmetics product line was discontinued in October 2020.
• Saga Prefecture Confectionery Association (佐賀県洋菓子協会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2009Following the initial Barafu confectionery tasting event in November 2009, the Saga Prefecture Confectionery Association partnered with Nokendo to develop and promote sweets made with Barafu. Over 15 local confectionery shops participated, leading to the Barafu Sweets Project and ongoing sales of Barafu-based sweets at specialty stores and department stores across Saga Prefecture.
• Saga University (佐賀大学 / 国立大学法人 佐賀大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2007Saga University is the origin of the Barafu brand. Professor Nose (野瀬昭博) of the Saga University Faculty of Agriculture discovered ice plant's salt-absorption properties in 1985 and initiated research. The university licensed cultivation technology to Nokendo and continues to supply proprietary seeds exclusively to the company and its contracted farmers. This is a foundational university-industry partnership that underpins the entire Barafu business.
• Daizu K.K. (株式会社大祐)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a major trading partner/customer of Nokendo, purchasing Barafu produce for distribution.
• Kyoto Seika Gōdō K.K. (京都青果合同株式会社)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor produce wholesale company listed as a key trading partner, distributing Barafu fresh vegetables in the Kyoto region and nationally.
• Tokyo Seika K.K. (東京青果株式会社)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor produce wholesale company listed as a key customer, distributing Barafu through the Tokyo metropolitan market.
• Nagoya Seika K.K. (名古屋青果株式会社)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor produce wholesale company listed as a key customer, distributing Barafu in the Nagoya/Chubu region.
• Maruchō Seika K.K. (株式会社丸長青果)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduce wholesale company listed as a major trading partner.
• Eat Japan K.K. (イートジャパン株式会社)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood import/export and distribution company listed as a major trading partner of Nokendo.
• Ōtake K.K. (おおたけ株式会社)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood manufacturing company listed as a major trading partner.
• Riken Noukan Kako (理研農産化工株式会社)moderateTechnology or IntegrationListed as a technical cooperation partner alongside Kanzaki Somen Cooperative and Saga University in the development of Barafu noodles (2010 onwards). Provided food processing technology for incorporating Barafu into noodle products.
• Contracted Farmers (契約農家)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNokendo cultivates Barafu in partnership with contracted farmers using Saga University-developed hydroponic technology. Seeds are exclusively sourced from Saga University and supplied only to Nokendo and its contracted farmers. This farmer network is essential for production scale and quality control.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Sky Greens: Sky Greens is a Singapore-based vertical farming company specializing in low-carbon tropical vegetable production. It shares hydroponic vegetable production technology with Nokendo but primarily serves Southeast Asian markets, making it a comparable regional player rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Gotham Greens: Gotham Greens is a US-based hydroponic greenhouse producer of leafy greens and herbs operating across multiple US states. It shares hydroponic specialty vegetable production technology with Nokendo but focuses on the US market and a different scale of operation.
• 80 Acres Farms: 80 Acres Farms is a US-based vertical farming company producing leafy greens, herbs, and tomatoes using indoor hydroponic methods. It overlaps with Nokendo in hydroponic specialty vegetable production but operates in the US market with a different product mix.
• Bowery Farming: Bowery Farming is a US-based indoor vertical farming company producing leafy greens and herbs using hydroponic methods. It overlaps with Nokendo in controlled-environment specialty vegetable production but operates at a different geography and broader product portfolio, with meaningful but partial overlap.
• Infarm GmbH: Infarm is a Germany-based vertical farming company with operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. It shares the core technology of indoor hydroponic cultivation for specialty produce with Nokendo but operates at a broader global scale and serves different geographies.

Broad incumbents

• AeroFarms: AeroFarms is a US-based vertical farming company pioneering indoor aeroponic and hydroponic leafy-greens production with broader portfolio and scale than Nokendo. It shares the core technology of controlled-environment cultivation of specialty produce and operates as a larger established player in the broader indoor-farming category.
• Plenty Unlimited Inc. Plenty is a US-based vertical farming company operating indoor farms across multiple geographies with a broader product portfolio and significantly larger scale than Nokendo. It shares the core technology of indoor hydroponic cultivation for specialty produce but serves global markets and offers overlapping capabilities as part of a wider portfolio.

Direct peers

• Spread Co., Ltd. Spread Co., Ltd. is Japan's largest indoor vertical farming company, producing hydroponic lettuce and leafy greens under the Techno Farm brand. Both Spread and Nokendo operate Japanese hydroponic specialty vegetable businesses with B2B wholesale distribution to food service and retail customers, making Spread the closest direct comparable in the Japanese hydroponic-produce category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nokendo_barafu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agricultural Research Institute